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

[Plum]

Posted: 4/7/12 at 1:42pm

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/7/12 at 1:45pm

I'm not sure why they didn't scrap one of the other characters and throw in a book writer character.

I think you're onto something. The show should introduce a book-doctor character: a brilliant but devastatingly vicious character based on Arthur Laurents: He could be brought in by Anjelica Huston to order around Tom and Cousin Debbie and be tough enough to stand up to the Straight British Director.

And his acid tongue could put down everyone and everything.

[Plum]

Posted: 4/7/12 at 2:18pm

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.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 10:31pm

Christian Borle just sang on SMASH and now he is currently a worldwide trending topic on Twitter. Maybe they should give the lead role of "Bombshell" to him instead.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 10:40pm

Is that Terrence Mann as the guitar player?

[rjm516]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 10:42pm

Totally agree! Christian's standing in to perform that song was my favorite thing on this show so far! He was so much fun. Derek should have said "Fine, you play the part."

Updated On: 4/9/12 at 10:42 PM

[pli1018]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:03pm

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

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:06pm

I actually think that this was the best episode since the pilot. It seems like they actually might be figuring out where they're going with this show.

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:07pm

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.

[Eos]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:13pm

Yes, broomstickboy, that was Terrence V. Mann. I love him... He'll always be Rum Tum Tugger to me.

Updated On: 4/9/12 at 11:13 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:22pm

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)

[beensince1987]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:24pm

Why in this "Smash" New York, everyone can come up to your apartment door without you buzzing them in or knowing you are coming? Are they buzzing every other tenants but whom they are visiting?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:37pm

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?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 11:48pm

I've seen five year old girls fight better than those two men did.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 12:07am

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.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 12:28am

Wow am I a fan of Borle!

and it was fun seeing Robin Goodman on the show.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 10:17am

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

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

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 10:25am

Rock star ex machina.

[rjm516]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 1:45pm

Randy Cobra is the most incredible name.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 1:51pm

-"Is she related to Robert Duvall?"
-"I don't know, she could be."

That's one savvy producer!

Posted: 4/10/12 at 2:29pm

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

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 2:36pm

And his acid tongue could put down everyone and everything.

Is David Hyde Pierce busy?

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 4:50pm

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.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 5:42pm

They had two original songs in last night's episode which is more than the one original song that they normally do in each episode...

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 4/10/12 at 6:05pm

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.

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