For a show that will no doubt be referred to as a wannabe Glee, we see absolutely nothing Glee-like about the new NBC musical dramedy Smash, starring American Idol Season 5 runner-up Katherine McPhee. Jump below to watch a preview and see for yourself.
The show, which will air Mondays on NBC in the 10 p.m. time slot, tells the story of the making of a fictional stage show called Marilyn: The Musical, about the life of Marilyn Monroe. It stars Debra Messing, Angelica Houston, Broadway actress Megan Hilty and Idol‘s Katherine McPhee. Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning songwriters of Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can, compose the show’s original tunes.
Sure, both Glee and Smash have zippy one-word names, fantasy sequences with backing bands who aren’t actually there, and feature Top 40 tunes like Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and classics like “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. (Why, that’s the same song Ms. McPhee nailed during her stint on Idol!) And much like Glee, EW Music Mix reports that NBC has inked a deal with Colombia to release a soundtrack for the show. (McPhee has also signed a record deal with the label to release a solo album.)
The similarities are there. But from this promising five minute preview alone, we feel like Smash‘s cast of characters and their stories are much more reality-based than anything we’ve seen on Glee in either of its two seasons. There appears to be an actual plot in place, not the inconsistent storylines and romantic switcheroos that are sandwiched between musical numbers on the Fox show. Also, perhaps it’s too early to know for sure, but the possibility of Smash rolling out a Britney Spears-themed episode seems extremely unlikely.
It’s obvious that NBC wants to cash in on the public’s overwhelming love for musical-based TV shows — hey, they finally got around to developing their own version of American Idol with The Voice! And you can call that competition show a desperate attempt of reproducing Idol‘s success all you want, but it’s an instant hit, as viewers are watching in droves. And just because you’re following trends doesn’t mean your new product won’t be an improvement upon the original idea you’re lifting from.
What are your initial thoughts of Smash? And are we being too critical of the joyful cheesiness that is Glee?
Is unfair to judge and say that it’s better than glee only by preview. So yes I think you is being too critical. This show wouldn’t even exist if Glee not had become a huge hit.
I’m still happy with Glee and a big reason why Glee works is that people care about the characters.
From what I’ve read about Smash it is not a dramedy like glee, Smash is a drama.
For people who don’t like the fun of glee and want a serious musical Smash will be welcome.
I’ll stick with Glee even with its flaws is fun to watch.
and sorry for my bad English I’m not from U.S lol
Yes, you are being vastly overcritical of Glee.
And this show, as the other commenter said, would likely not be happening if not for Glee, so…
It doesn’t look very intriguing, funny, or anywhere as heartfelt and memorable as Glee, either. More on the boring and predictable end of the scale, if anything. Too…one-note. I doubt I’ll end up tuning in.
I am a 64yo male. I love the music from ‘Glee’ and buy. The stories don’t interest me so much; would appeal to teens I guess. Wish Kurt’s character was a masculine gay one. This new show looks like it would appeal to me, don’t know if I would buy new show music though. Anything with Debra Messing in it has got to be a hit.
Actually, the popularity of musicals was increasing before Glee even aired (hence why Glee was popular in the first place). Shows like Pushing Daisies (starring Kristin Chenoweth) even had some musical numbers in them, and the huge popularity of movies like Mamma Mia and Chicago meant there was an appetite for it. Also, Idol had musical theme-weeks throughout its seasons which were always popular.
Just because one makes critical comments about Glee doesn’t mean that it’s not good. Glee is what it is – a show about fun musical numbers with somewhat “lighter” story lines. That’s not to say they’re not important, just that the show isn’t really plot driven as much as other shows. Character development and story progression is much more superficial (getting to regionals/nationals, battling with Sue, and as noted in the article – swapping romantic partners).
Smash is a very different show. Surely, Glee’s success most likely came up in discussions with the network about promoting the show, but that doesn’t make it a wannabe Glee. It’s playing on strengths of many other past musical successes branching out into other media forms, just as Glee did.
I can’t wait to see more of Debra Messing, as this preview doesn’t really highlight her too much. I really hope it’s good, because if the plot lines aren’t interesting, then it will be canceled before it gets a chance to find itself. I feel at this point it’s sort of 50/50. Hopefully it delivers!
There was also the remake of Fame. And the Brits were also having successful/unsuccessful takes at the musical tv show category before Glee came on. Musicals were revived by movies in the early 2000s like Moulin Rouge and Chicago. Let’s also not forget the HUGE popularity of the Disney franchise “High School Musical.” Musicals are simply enjoyable both on the big screen and small. I like this trend and I hope to see more movies in this genre as well. GLEE is hardly a pioneer in this sense but it has definitely helped immensely in making musicals more popular again (by breaking a Beatles record to boot).
I hope see this new show become a success because it looks to have a great potential and the cast looks phenomenal. I mean, Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston? INSTANT LOVE!
WHAT is with Glee? I’m a high school musical theater director and I am insulted by the hype of this overacted, so not-true-to-life, embarrassing show. I’m really pulling for Smash.
You guys can now watch the entire pilot for free on iTunes. I am a Glee fan but I’m telling you Smash puts it to shame. Really. The production, the writing, the acting and music is miles beyond Glee. The last 5 minutes of the pilot will win an Emmy. I never felt like standing up and clapping after a Glee song but after the last song “Let Me Be Your Star” of the pilot I not only felt like it, I did. The pilot is so good I worry that the rest of the season will be able to match it. Just awesome!