NBC's SMASH - Series & Broadway Adaptation Thread- Page 21

[masterwolfie]

Posted: 2/22/12 at 8:58pm

@Gothampc - I agree about Mcphee, but I'm not sure what you mean by "butch" when you talk about Hilty? I actually think Hilty makes a great Marilyn and would probably make the better Karen Cartwright, as the series is pushing the idea that Karen deserves the role while Ivy doesn't. Unless Katharine Mcphee's acting drastically improves, I'm going to abandon the series the moment Karen gets any role over Ivy.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 2/22/12 at 11:15pm

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this in here but that Bruno Mars song and choreography reminded me of American Idiot.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 6:00am

...and the choreography was weak in comparison. Choreographer , Josh Bergasse, is really not that well versed, and takes from many things we've seen before from more seasoned pros. The problem is his own stamp isn't original or clever enough. The one thing he DOES have got going for him , is the endless display and talents of some of the finest dancers on Broadway. And that my friends, can cover up a multitude of sins.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 9:17am

@masterwolfie - I don't think Hilty looks the part. Part of it is just her body type. Hilty is more Mae West than Marilyn. And part of it is that the producers see Marilyn as a belter, when she is more known for her "whisper" singing.

I don't know why this metaphor came to mind, but they cast a Rue McLanahan when they should have cast a Betty White.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 9:24am

"I mean I've never been to New York but I know of LaMaMa, would they really be putting on a straightforward rock show celebrating Bruno Mars (who has had one album?)"

Not bloody likely, Eric. I think it was a bit of an attempted in-joke.

[masterwolfie]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:25pm

@Gothampc - I think I see what you mean haha. I'm fine with Hilty though, because she's a decent actress and I think the whispering thing works pretty well for a Marilyn musical. Also Mae West vs. Marilyn is less of an issue for me when for Mcphee it's more like Twiggy vs. Marilyn.

This is old news, considering it's from episode two, but did anyone notice that Julia's husband said that since the adoption would take two years, he'd be 65 by the time the kid graduated high school? Compared to being 63 years old, which is what he'd be if he got the kid instantly (which is what they wanted)? Because that makes a huuuuuuge difference? This show needs better writers...

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 8:39pm

I'm willing to give this show another chance next week. Critics are saying that it REALLY DOES GET GOOD next week and the following week. But if this inconsistent script writing continues to happen I might have to stop watching.

Updated On: 3/20/12 at 08:39 PM

[degrassifan]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 11:07pm

I personally love this show. Maybe it's because I'm easy to please? And, I don't mind soapy at all. I like soapy story lines. ABC is definitely successful at them.

Oh, and I have a question. In episode 2, Anjelica Huston's character said something to the effect of "these days Broadway shows take forever to be mounted up", which is so true! But, why is that? I mean, shows from the past (40s, 50s) didn't take as long to go from idea to the stage. What changed over the years?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 11:28pm

Everything that was wrong with episode 3 rests squarely on the incapable shoulders of Theresa Rebeck, which I find it weird to say because when I saw one of her dreadful plays all I could think is, "This woman is SOOOOOOO TV." She's not even THAT!

And speaking of royalties, not only do I never, EVER want to see another Katherine McPhee karaoke scene, I hope this show never EVER puts royalty payments into the pocket of the hideous homophobe John Rich ever again. Seriously, I just was so pissed off by that fricken "Redneck Woman" scene. Everything about it. And to think that fur coat wearing, clone mustache sporting, lady who doth protest TOO much is going to get MONEY from it. Gahhhhhhh. I would have preferred to see McPhee explaining the excitement of NYC to her awful friends and a complete replay of the Let Me Be Your Star montage from episode one. Also, what's the point of a karaoke scene if it's lip-synced. Why not just call it "Lip Sync Night"?

I watched the show in three 20 minute chunks. I couldn't get through it in one sitting. But I never thought I would ever say this in my life, but I am LOVING Cousin Debbie Messing. I have never been able to stand her before, but in this she is making choices that really appeal to me. When I watched Will & Grace I thought she looked like she THOUGHT she was channeling Lucille Ball. On this, when she's being sardonic, I feel like she's thinking about Sandra Bernhard and it works.

And who knows, maybe Rebeck is intentionally manipulating my feelings, but when McPhee said "As if I've never sung THIS before..." right before naryoke, I started to hate her and hope she gets cut from the workshop and becomes an escort hired to be in a three-way with Jack and Megan.

I guess my reaction wouldn't be so strong if I didn't love the heck out of episode one, and still found stuff to love in episode two.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 11:28pm

Personally, I think its a combination of both advances in technology which make the need to have bigger/better/complex sets greater and then on top of that, audiences are expecting something different when it comes to shows these days. I'm saying this in VERY general terms but back in the 40's and 50's, shows kind of followed the general boy and girl fall in in love and some obstacle gets in their way plot line. Again, there certainly were shows that went out of that formula but I think in broad terms it was the mold. Now, audiences, IMO want to see different stories with different characters. Look at shows that have been a success as of late, WICKED, Book of Mormon, Avenue Q, all have different plots that focus mostly on something else other then the romance angle.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 10:01am

Namo--I've also noticed that, despite the problems with the writing, Deborah Messing is connecting with that part in ways that far surpass anything she's ever done.

The scene in which she confesses her past affair with Michael--and the scenes leading up to it--were filled with perfectly etched honesty, ambivalence, fear and eroticism that somehow left the viewer worried for what would come of it but glad she had experienced it.

I only wish the writing of the Ellis subplot were not as ham-handed. It makes Tom into more of a boob than he ought to be, and I just don't believe that two Broadway writers with their incomes and reputations on the line, would allow that twerp to build up his claim for part-ownership of the copyright. Don't they have lawyers or agents? Someone who would have IMMEDIATELY drafted an ironclad collaboration agreement entitling him to a teeny-tiny fraction of a percent of their ultimate royalties, gotten him to sign it and sent him packing.

But I'm loving every moment Deborah Messing has--and I'm quite surprised.

Updated On: 2/24/12 at 10:01 AM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 11:25am

Messing is the only reason to watch at this point. She's quite wonderful. I'm so disappointed in everyone else, including Huston.

I dont know what to think about how this fourth episode is going to turn the show around...to something interesting. Is Nick Jonas the savior? I find that hard to believe.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 11:34am

I'm not so sure that the 4th episode so much 'turns things around' as allows the show to finally let loose and go into the pure dishy soap opera that it wants to be. But the rather predictable and heavy handed writing doesn't really change. Its' not as if the series suddenly becomes an Aaron Sorkin drama starting next week.

[rorschach37]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 11:36am

Wow, I am shocked at what I'm reading. The show is only in it's third episode and you're already considering never watching again? I thought people that loved the theatre were supposed to be open-minded? Yeah, the third episode was a little bland, but it wasn't terrible. I'm actually very sad that the show is dropping so much in its ratings. It's a terrific show so far and really deserves better than this.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 11:52am

But the problem, rorschach, is people with different sensibilities could watch episode 3 and decide it was terrible. And not watch it again. This is no way means those viewers don't have open minds. At all. It means they reached a limit regarding quality and have decided not to invest any more time in it.

If you saw no difference in quality between episodes 1 and 3, other than a little blandness, then you have very different sensibilities. Not right or wrong. Not open or closed minded. Just different.

I'm not taking it off my DVR series recording. But I am shocked that something with a pilot I loved had a scene that infuriated me a mere two episodes later, and all that awful country girl visits home stuff.

Updated On: 2/24/12 at 11:52 AM

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 11:57am

"Wow, I am shocked at what I'm reading. The show is only in it's third episode and you're already considering never watching again? I thought people that loved the theatre were supposed to be open-minded? Yeah, the third episode was a little bland, but it wasn't terrible. I'm actually very sad that the show is dropping so much in its ratings. It's a terrific show so far and really deserves better than this."

rorschach37, I want the show to succeed as well because I am fan of many of the actors on it, especially McPhee, Hilty, Huston, and d'Arcy James. I am little surprised that ratings already suffered big drops. I will continue watching it but as I've stated earlier the last two episodes have been inconsistent with their script writing. If this continues I might start to dislike the show and not watch it.



Updated On: 2/24/12 at 11:57 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 11:58am

Right on namo. Begrudging differing opinions as closed minded is in itself close minded.

As far my opinion goes, once I accepted what the show is as opposed to what I wished it would be, I find it pretty enjoyable.

If nothing else it's a show that I can watch and then discuss here communally which is fun. I never got into American Idol and the other shows with various threads on the OT board.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:09pm

I've rethought my position, taz. I'm considering voting for Santorum if he wins the nomination and then keeping an open mind.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:18pm

Well before you go all Goth on me, let's differentiate between begrudging an opinion that has no impact on you personally and one that wants to impose itself on you and your way of life.

Maybe I wasn't being clear though. I was agreeing with your point to rorscach, not being sarcastic.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:34pm

I know, I was unsuccessfully trying to be a wiseguy. Ya see, just because Rick Santorum says things that are hateful and awful and he's a terrible human being who wants to be the head of the American Taliban, I realize I am just being closed minded because of those things. And I'm a theater person.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:37pm

"I'm considering voting for Santorum if he wins the nomination and then keeping an open mind."

I'm sure your mind is not the only thing you're keeping open.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:39pm

It means they reached a limit regarding quality and have decided not to invest any more time in it.

This is precisely why I will walk out of a show at intermission or before. I'm a theatre "person", not a theatre "martyr". People are people so why should it be and all that. "It Gets Better" may be a nice mantra for anti-bullying, but it's not an especially glowing endorsement for a show.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:42pm

Although people swear I should have stayed for Act Two of Elevator Repair Service's "The Select." I guess I closed my mind.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:45pm

I'll keep watching just too see what's the highest number of Manhattans per episode Anjelica Huston can toss into Michael Cristopher's face.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:45pm

"Wow, I am shocked at what I'm reading. The show is only in it's third episode and you're already considering never watching again?"

How many episodes do you think a person should be required to watch before they can be permitted to decide they don't like a show?