NBC's SMASH - Series & Broadway Adaptation Thread- Page 55

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 4:28pm

Thank you!

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 4:42pm

Speaking of Rachel Shukert, her recap of this week's episode is up:

Smash Recap: Battle Without Honor or Humanity

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 5:04pm

Joe, they completely undercut the heat of the kiss when Mr Jackson said it was wrong.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 5:23pm

I don't think the references to Derek and Ivy are the writers of the show slut-shaming, but just part of what the show has been doing all along, in playing with our expectations and then turning it on its ear.

Both the audience and the characters assumed Ellis was gay, so when it's revealed he has a girlfriend, the characters react with surprise, and the audience chuckles at being fooled as well.

Both the audience and the characters assumed Sam was straight. It was revealed to the audience first through Ivy's conversation, but the other characters (mainly Tom) continued to assume he was straight until it was revealed he was gay, and Tom was surprised and ashamed of the same assumptions we made.

Both the audience and the characters assumed that Ivy was sleeping with Derek to get the part, at least at first, but as we get to see more quiet moments between them, especially after the workshop happened, the audience has come to realize that they do, in fact, care for each other and it's more than just sex. The other characters haven't seen these moments, so they are still under the previous assumption, since they have no reason not to think so yet.

I think the last episode was one of the best of the season so far and I'm really excited to see where it goes. It may not always be the best thing on television, but it's still an entertaining way to spend an hour on Monday nights.

Updated On: 4/17/12 at 05:23 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 5:28pm

So far, in contrast to all the hetero screwing, we've had Christian Borle having bad sex (with a Republican!) and being told he was a ho by his new Christian (ha!) boyfriend. And Ellis's stuff. It's a 9 o'clock show. Sorry coasters, a ten o'clock show, for god's sake!

Posted: 4/17/12 at 5:40pm

Huh. I thought it was a pretty hot kiss- open mouthed, and Christian Borle climbed right on him like he was Jub Jub and that dancer was a hot rock to bask on.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 9:36pm

WOW! All I can say is thank you Uma! Finally a character who is a.) likeable and b.) somewhat realistic. Yes, Ms. Duvall is an actress but she is totally believable and speaking the truth. I adore that she arrived. She's a delight.

These characters are the most preposterous motley crew whose actions are not grounded in reality. Eileen burning contracts-WTF?? She went from a cool independent woman to a moron. This show is managing to alienate all its characters from me.

Im glad Uma showed up or there would be no one I like.

Posted: 4/17/12 at 9:51pm

The whole "Ellis" situation is a perfect example of what bad casting can do. Now, this actor may be a very nice person, but he is bringing NOTHING interesting to this part at all. Another actor with more of an edge, or an evil gleam in his eye, or something, might be able to bring this otherwise poorly written character to life. But not this guy. There is just nothing there.

On another note, if I see the director wearing his Fagin coat one more time, I am going to scream like Nancy being hit by Bill Sykes.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 10:02pm

I'd be curious to know what members of the Broadway community think of SMASH. I asked a current Broadway performer on his thoughts about the show. He responded that he had only seen the first episode and hadn't formed an opinion. Hmmm? from RC in Austin, Texas

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 10:06pm

Christian Borle said in an interview for Peter & The Starcatchers that they all talk about it while they're shooting, which occasional parts actually do resemble what it's really like to put together a musical.

As for the hot kiss, I didn't have enough time to find it hot before the chorine stopped just shy of accusing Tom of date rape.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 11:29pm

Am I the only one who wasn't impressed with Thurman? I found it entertaining just not impressed. Any clue how they plan to tie in this Bollywood number?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/17/12 at 11:39pm

It could be Karen's fantasy solution to keeping her man. Or Dev's break-up fantasy.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 12:22am

The Bollywood is meant to be a fantasy/dream moment about Karen trying to keep her man or something (this coming from Ent Weekly a while back).

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 1:09am

Damn. I was hoping Uma would want a Bollywood number for Marilyn added to the show.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 1:27am

Had Marilyn survived she would have gone on a spiritual quest to India with the Beatles instead of that Mia Farrow, so it would make sense.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 10:11am

So . . . just me confused that so many characters were going to meet up later but "where" and "when" were never discussed? Eileen and her criminal bar owner, Tom and the choir boy, and at least a couple others.

And does the Bryant Park hotel really have a room like that? I've only been in the lobby (it was cold out, and raining), and couldn't imagine a space like that.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 11:53am

And what exactly did the barowner do?? I sort of missed that part.

A friend of mine who is a director (who, like me, thinks the show is crap but can't stop watching) pointed out something funny: The director never actually directs. He just sort of starts and then stops scenes.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 12:09pm

EL OH EL

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 12:59pm

Isn't the director also supposed to be the choreographer? We never see him do that either.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 1:00pm

Shrug. They perform the numbers, so clearly they're being taught them in the world of the show. Do we really need to watch them learning each and every step, especially when we'd have to watch someone translate things into Iowa terms for Karen?

[SueleenGay]

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

Ivy blocked the show, should we assume she also did the choreography?
I have worked with "directors" who did a lot LESS than Derek does.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 2:13pm

I must have one of the oddest relationships with this show. I watched the first episode and didn't care for it, but gave it another chance. I tried to watch Episode 2, but I simply could not get through it. (The only other clip of it I saw was Bernadette's performance of "Everything's Coming Up Roses.")

HOWEVER, I love reading the recaps (especially Rachel Shukert, who I think is some sort of Dorothy Parker for the digital age) and message board comments as well as discussing the show with people I know watch it. So, I'm not a "hate-watcher"...I'm more of a "literary voyeur." I swear, it's more fun to read what everyone has to say on Tuesday than it is to watch the show itself on Monday. Keep up the good work, "Smash Threaders"! (You should all be nominated for an Emmy. )

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 2:39pm

Isn't the director also supposed to be the choreographer? We never see him do that either.

He's taking his cue from the writers who don't seem to write and the producer who doesn't produce.

Phyllis, I agree we don't need to watch entire numbers being staged, but a little of that would fill some of the time the show wastes on plot incidents that don't go anywhere.

Actually, this week's "star who isn't a triple threat but knows what works for her" was our first real insight into the process of creating a show. Not coincidentally, it was also the first episode that seemed to be about anything.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 5:29pm

Saw Megan on Ellen and thought she was extremely delightful :]

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 4/18/12 at 5:44pm

Didn't we see Derek choreograph the baseball number? I'm really curious to see how the show as a whole would be (BOMBSHELL, not SMASH). Also, I think I like Uma? She looks too old, but whatever. She didn't do a bad job as Marilyn, and I liked Rebecca's character.