NBC's SMASH - Series & Broadway Adaptation Thread — Page 52

I have very distinct memories of watching Glee from the beginning - and the reviews I wrote back then - and the bad characterizations, way-too-fast storylines, and camp ridiculousness were there from the start. I was just naive enough at first to hope that it might improve. :P

My preferred comparison show for Smash is Slings & Arrows, with which it has a ton in common. Except, for example, when Slings took on the "sweet, naive young thing becomes a star" storyline, they had a radiant Rachel McAdams in the role and didn't have to bother telegraphing her as a STAR STAR FUTURE STAR HERE all the freaking time, so her character was actually likable and easy to root for when she did get her big shot.

Maybe it's network notes or maybe it's really what Rebeck wanted to do, but as everyone has been saying, Smash has been going the Glee route instead - contrived excuses for ill-fitting pop covers and all. The pilot gave me hope that maybe this show would be a musical that isn't ashamed of that status and constantly shoving its songs into "acceptable" diegetic circumstances like stupid karaoke bars, but no. Instead we have a show about musical theater that'll only bust out musical theater songs when they're part of Marilyn or when Bernadette Peters is guesting. That lack of conviction in your concept will turn a show mediocre every time.

That sounds potentially delightful. I do have a moment of happiness every time a character insults or smacks down Ellis; PJ's idea is like that times ten.

Is that Terrence Mann as the guitar player?

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Wow, that song Borle sang was about 85% "I Don't Get It", which was a cut song from Catch Me If You Can.

I am getting tired of the soap opera. Everyone breaks up in the same three day period? And all based on miscommunication? And two guys slug it out on the street (different street, at least)? And you alienate investors because, of course, you never have to go to them for money EVER AGAIN under any circumstances? And I bet the movie star acts like, ah, let's see, a movie star?? Oh, please. I think I'm bailing on this series. I could be washing my hair, or something.

Harrison (CAROLINE OR CHANGE)Chad as the lead in the High School production of THREE ON A MATCH.
With that czech chic from ONCE. (joke folks)

It's a New York where a bartender keeps a cement block of cash bound up in twine, uncovered beneath a crowded bar. The apartment entrances are small potatoes.

I enjoyed the episode. That's quite a few in a row I've had more good to say than not. Although I do fast forward through the cover songs. There's a whole universe of tunes out there, does everything have to be "Now That's What I Call Played to Death 81!"-approved?

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Is there one word, one scene, one story line that isn't a complete cliche that we've seen or heard a thousand times before? Cameos like Azenberg and Reidel, etc. add nothing to the show. I'd rather watch old reruns of Dynasty. In fact I wish Joan Collins was cast as "Eileen" instead of that ghoulish Angelica. And that teenage kid has got to go. That voice is unbearable. Agree that Borle is the best thing on the show.

Wait...was Terrance Mann's character name Randy Cobra????

Further proof that SMASH takes place in a world far, far removed from reality.

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Randy Cobra is the most incredible name.

I thought that was the perfect answer..."she could be!"

though the hackneyed was nearly hobbled last night...here's the wonderful recap.

http://www.vulture.com/2012/04/smash-recap-season-1-episode-10-uma-thurman.html

PS could we have a few more songs please? c'MON.

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sorry, i was thinking three per episode was a low count for an hour long drama about musical theatre. And to me, McPhee's last song was introduced as (though much earlier) a "transition" into LET ME BE YOUR STAR...so i'd say maybe it was 2.5 overall songs, 1.5 original. Though as pointed out about other new songs...the steamroom one was pretty similar to the one where McPhee had to learn to dance to see if she or Hilty would do the workshop lead. Same kind of flavor, just a bit more patter and less singing.

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Updated On: 4/10/12 at 06:05 PM