NBC's SMASH - Series & Broadway Adaptation Thread- Page 2

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 12:15am

I agree with what bwayfan said about the cast is really true: They make you interested in ALL the storylines. Theresa Rebeck and Michael Meyer have done it right. And Joshua Bergasse's choreography is exciting.

Obviously the story is making McPhee's character the innocent-waif-with-talent-who-should-really-get-the-job but Hilty is so good as Marilyn--she gets the whole amazing baseball number to herself!--that you keep thinking, "Wow, she might not be as likable but she would be terrific." And that final number of the first episode doesn't leave either one of them the clear winner. That's what makes it such a cliffhanger!

But the rest of the cast--and their storylines--make the show seem like it has winner potential. Anjelica Huston is simultaneously sympathetic and larger-than-life as the female half of the divorcing producer couple determined to show her ex--and all of Broadway!--that she can make a hit without him, a Fran-who needs-no-Barry.

In just this first episode, Debra Messing as one half of the songwriting team, created a fully fleshed out, funny, likable and totally believable straight woman of the theater. I feel like I already know her--and I already like her--and I already think of her as extremely talented. And Christian Borle as her gay writing partner who can't remember the name of one of the chorus boys he's slept with...yeah, I feel like I know him too--and Borle is giving a pitch-perfect performance.

The others are good too--espeically Jack Davenport as the straight British director who doesn't like when Christian Borle fawns over the divas, Jamie Cepero who play Borle's cute assistant, and smolderingly sexy Raza Jaffray who plays McPhee's boyfriend. I feel like if he were to coach me in how to play Marilyn, I'd get a callback too.

And don't discount Wesley Taylor (from Addams Family and Tales of the City) as the cute chorus boy whose name Christian Borle can't remember. I think we're going to remember him.

Updated On: 1/4/12 at 12:15 AM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 1:12am

In my opinion, PJ has hit on another really important and distinct thing in the pilot: the music is GOOD. I'm not surprised, considering it's Shaiman and Wittman, who always do wonderful work, but if the original music in future episodes continues to be this well-written, it will make the series even more truly compelling. And, if they are lucky, the music might become a popular download on iTunes and make the show even more popular. I think the show deserves positive attention for the music alone (which is part of the way in which Glee skyrocketed to success...fingers crossed this show can do the same).

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 4:18am

*grumpy grumble* How is this a first look when we've seen them in their Marilyn outfits ever since the 5 minute trailer was released last May? :P

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 11:39am

LOVED the Pilot of SMASH. HATED that out-of-nowhere 'movie musical' finale'. They think they can set the songs in realistic 'in performance' settings then throw that unrealistic singing-in-the-streets movie musical moment out of nowhere and expect it to go with the rest of the episode? It sho' didn't fo' me, yo!

The camera LOVES Christian Borle and his chemistry with Debra Messing is delicious. Everyone else fits their character like a glove and I hope the series keeps the tone of the Pilot episode unlike GLEE -- who had a fantastic Pilot episode but the actual series ended-up being crap.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 11:48am

See, that number at the end worked for me. It felt earned.

I agree with everyone who said they thought it was great. I'm not a big fan of McPhee, but I found her tolerable. I really liked Megan Hilty and Christian Borle a lot.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 12:35pm

I agree with Phyllis. It felt "earned."

The other songs hadn't been totally "realistic." They would be in rehearsal clothes, and then there would be little glimpses of the number fully costumed and lit. Those glimpses were CLEARLY the imagination or fantasy or ambition of the characters. (Unlike in Glee, where the production values suddenly appear for no organic reason.)

So the singing-in-the-streets to singing-on-the-stage at the end of the episode worked for me because, in real life, actresses like that WOULD be singing the song--albeit in their heads--as they woke and showered and dressed and took subways or hailed cabs and as they waited in the waiting room and the other girls were singing. It made perfect sense.

But, even more to the point, as bwayfan said, it's a really good song and the two of them sing the hell out of it. When they started to sing at the same time, I actually got shivers down my spine and felt hairs stand on end--that kind of thing--they way I do sometimes at the climaxes of certain other female duets, like Judy/Barbra or A Boy Like That. It was pure musical-theater magic.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 3:25pm

And I agree with everything PalJoey has said in this thread. There were brief snippets of fantasy numbers throughout as it was, so you could even look upon the final number as the culmination of something that had been building the entire episode. And indeed, I don't think the number was supposed to be 100% happening in real life.

I'm still pretty flabbergasted at how much I liked the pilot.

[bobbybaby85]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 3:36pm

Updated On: 2/20/18 at 03:36 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 3:39pm

I said 100% happening real life. And yes, you are right, it's all just a plot to perpetuate a stereotype that's not really a stereotype.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 4:06pm

Am I the only one waiting to watch this on TV?

It sounds so promising. I just hope it doesn't fail like THE PLAYBOY CLUB.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 1/4/12 at 4:45pm

Jay, was the Playboy Club ever promising. Certainly you did not think it was a strong Pilot.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/5/12 at 2:40am

I never meant to imply that THE PLAYBOY CLUB was promising. I hated the pilot. But, it was also an NBC show, and we know that network has been struggling.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 1/5/12 at 12:49pm

I can not WAIT for this to start!!!

I wish the best for Wesley Taylor

Not a true fan of McPhee's, but I enjoy Megan Hilty.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 4:19am

Sadly the most disapointing thing about the pilot was the two would be leading ladies, I failed to engage in there story. I did like everything else about it.

[singer73192]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 8:19am

Ah, I am dying to see the pilot! (wink wink..... anybody with a link?)

[wicked1492]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 9:32am

I would love a link PM'd as well if possible

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 9:54am

My PM's are also open

[EvanK]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 12:21pm

Joining the PM list..

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 12:34pm

It is SO wrong to link leaked episodes....

but eh...yea my PM is open too lol

[digitsABC]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 12:49pm

"My PM's are also open "
"yea my PM is open too lol"
This is all gay code

[E.Davis]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 4:13pm

I mean come on, as if there would ever be a choice if it was down to these two actresses.

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 4:25pm

Add me to the PM List, as well.

I just watched the released clips, and I don't like the name dropping and the creepy director.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 4:32pm

Wait, by "name dropping" you mean the audition scene?
I thought it was kinda funny lol. But I agree, the director is kinda creepy which I think they are going to either
A)explain the reasons for his actions
or
B)play on it and turn it into a huge plot point.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 4:37pm

These clips remind me of SHOWGIRLS! Which may mean good for the gays and bad for the mainstream appeal of the series. Of course everything they depict is completely ludicrous in terms of how the industry actually operates and how a show is put together but its a soap opera and as such looks like a lot of fun.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 1/6/12 at 6:47pm

Add me to that list.