SMASH?

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 2:47pm

Does this look like a WTF trainwreck on its way?

I hope they're paying Marc Shaiman well: he would be about the only reason to watch.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 2:54pm

I don't think it looks like a trainwreck.

I DO think, however, they are desperately trying to groom it to be a hit.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:04pm

... 'cause they never do that with any other show ...

My biggest problem with it is the same problem I have with all network hourlong shows these days. They're all serial dramas, so you have to watch every single episode to follow the story.

I miss episodic TV. It didn't matter if you missed a week or saw them out of order. They were self-contained dramas or comedies.

Everything on TV today is a 22-part story. I can't commit to that much time, and since they're "forcing" us to watch it that way, I'll probably skip the whole thing ... as I do with all the other hourlong shows today.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:05pm

What exactly makes this look like a "WTF trainwreck?" The hugely talented and popular cast? The award-winning composers? Steven Spielberg producing? NBC using its highest-rated show as a lead-in for it?

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:42pm

The overkill promotion? The really terrible track record NBC has with shoving things all over the schedule when they start to get popular?

Trainwreck. You just watch. And remember, when you're posting on here about how terrible it is and what an insult it is to Broadway theatre... you read it here first.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 4:52pm

He. Has. SPOKEN.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 5:17pm

Damn straight. :wink:

[perfectliar]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 5:35pm

How does promoting something make it bad? Do you have some sort of inside knowledge of how NBC works, that if Smash proves to be the success for which they're hoping that it'll suddenly start airing every night of the week? They may capitalize by airing multiple repeats, but what would they have to gain from moving this around the schedule when it's already debuting in February?

I follow television very closely, and everything I've read about Smash indicates that it's well-done. The reviews of the pilot have been universally positive. Whatever opinion YOU have is unfounded and meaningless at this point. And since you're judging the show based on how often you see commercials and how a network has annoyed you in the past, I doubt your opinion of it will ever actually mean anything.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 6:01pm

I've seen the pilot for this show and I will definitely be looking forward to watching the rest of the series. I wouldn't mind seeing the musical on Broadway either since the songs are quite good.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 6:38pm

FWIW: no, havent seen the commercials. I've been reading about it online and seen a few snips here and there.

And I repeat: dont come whining to me when this thing goes south.

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 8/3/11 at 8:22pm

Can someone explain the negative attitude towards this show a solid 6 months before it even airs? I understand not wanting to set crazy high expectations but from all evidence thus far it seems like a show that is really gonna focus on Broadway and maybe bring in some interest for The Great White Way...Not to mention it is giving a good handful of theater regulars (Brian D'Arcy James, Christian Borle and Megan Hilty) a role on a network series...That alone has me hoping the show succeeds.

And in regard to it (and all other hour-long dramas) being serialized; how else would you suggest they produce a show with this subject matter? I can't think of a single hour-long drama (cop/lawyer shows aside), past or present, that doesn't have some level of serial-ism to it. It's a necessity for DRAMAS. You want random episodic TV, stick to sitcoms and the previously mentioned cop/lawyer shows.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 8/4/11 at 10:36am

I think show has a lot of potential. It has an amazing group of people involved: Katharine McPhee, Brian d'Arcy James, Anjelica Huston, Christian Borle, Debra Messing, and Megan Hilty. Spielberg is also one of my all-time favorite directors and producers.