SMASH First Look at Katharine McPhee & Megan Hilty as Marilyn

[bwayfan7000]

In my opinion, PJ has hit on another really important and distinct thing in the pilot: the music is GOOD. I'm not surprised, considering it's Shaiman and Wittman, who always do wonderful work, but if the original music in future episodes continues to be this well-written, it will make the series even more truly compelling. And, if they are lucky, the music might become a popular download on iTunes and make the show even more popular. I think the show deserves positive attention for the music alone (which is part of the way in which Glee skyrocketed to success...fingers crossed this show can do the same).

[EricMontreal22]

*grumpy grumble* How is this a first look when we've seen them in their Marilyn outfits ever since the 5 minute trailer was released last May? :P

[BrodyFosse123]

LOVED the Pilot of SMASH. HATED that out-of-nowhere 'movie musical' finale'. They think they can set the songs in realistic 'in performance' settings then throw that unrealistic singing-in-the-streets movie musical moment out of nowhere and expect it to go with the rest of the episode? It sho' didn't fo' me, yo!

The camera LOVES Christian Borle and his chemistry with Debra Messing is delicious. Everyone else fits their character like a glove and I hope the series keeps the tone of the Pilot episode unlike GLEE -- who had a fantastic Pilot episode but the actual series ended-up being crap.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

See, that number at the end worked for me. It felt earned.

I agree with everyone who said they thought it was great. I'm not a big fan of McPhee, but I found her tolerable. I really liked Megan Hilty and Christian Borle a lot.

[PalJoey]

I agree with Phyllis. It felt "earned."

The other songs hadn't been totally "realistic." They would be in rehearsal clothes, and then there would be little glimpses of the number fully costumed and lit. Those glimpses were CLEARLY the imagination or fantasy or ambition of the characters. (Unlike in Glee, where the production values suddenly appear for no organic reason.)

So the singing-in-the-streets to singing-on-the-stage at the end of the episode worked for me because, in real life, actresses like that WOULD be singing the song--albeit in their heads--as they woke and showered and dressed and took subways or hailed cabs and as they waited in the waiting room and the other girls were singing. It made perfect sense.

But, even more to the point, as bwayfan said, it's a really good song and the two of them sing the hell out of it. When they started to sing at the same time, I actually got shivers down my spine and felt hairs stand on end--that kind of thing--they way I do sometimes at the climaxes of certain other female duets, like Judy/Barbra or A Boy Like That. It was pure musical-theater magic.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

And I agree with everything PalJoey has said in this thread. There were brief snippets of fantasy numbers throughout as it was, so you could even look upon the final number as the culmination of something that had been building the entire episode. And indeed, I don't think the number was supposed to be 100% happening in real life.

I'm still pretty flabbergasted at how much I liked the pilot.

[bobbybaby85]

It's totally happening in real life. They're wearing earphones when they leave their homes... They're rehearsing for the big callback. While the show is definitely catering to the Broadway community, it's not just a stereotype that musical theatre performers never shut up and are always singing... it happens.

Talk to some big stars. They'll tell you how they used to stand between cars on the subway and/or train and warm up/rehearse their audition piece.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

I said 100% happening real life. And yes, you are right, it's all just a plot to perpetuate a stereotype that's not really a stereotype.

[ljay889]

Am I the only one waiting to watch this on TV?

It sounds so promising. I just hope it doesn't fail like THE PLAYBOY CLUB.

[E.Davis]

Jay, was the Playboy Club ever promising. Certainly you did not think it was a strong Pilot.

[ljay889]

I never meant to imply that THE PLAYBOY CLUB was promising. I hated the pilot. But, it was also an NBC show, and we know that network has been struggling.

[EponineAmneris]

I can not WAIT for this to start!!!

I wish the best for Wesley Taylor

Not a true fan of McPhee's, but I enjoy Megan Hilty.

[rosscoe(au)]

Sadly the most disapointing thing about the pilot was the two would be leading ladies, I failed to engage in there story. I did like everything else about it.

[singer73192]

Ah, I am dying to see the pilot! (wink wink..... anybody with a link?)

[wicked1492]

I would love a link PM'd as well if possible

[jamiekennywicked]

My PM's are also open

[EvanK]

Joining the PM list..

[fingerlakessinger]

It is SO wrong to link leaked episodes....

but eh...yea my PM is open too lol

[digitsABC]

"My PM's are also open "
"yea my PM is open too lol"
This is all gay code

[E.Davis]

I mean come on, as if there would ever be a choice if it was down to these two actresses.

[pinoyidol2006]

Add me to the PM List, as well.

I just watched the released clips, and I don't like the name dropping and the creepy director.

[fingerlakessinger]

Wait, by "name dropping" you mean the audition scene?
I thought it was kinda funny lol. But I agree, the director is kinda creepy which I think they are going to either
A)explain the reasons for his actions
or
B)play on it and turn it into a huge plot point.

[Michael Bennett]

These clips remind me of SHOWGIRLS! Which may mean good for the gays and bad for the mainstream appeal of the series. Of course everything they depict is completely ludicrous in terms of how the industry actually operates and how a show is put together but its a soap opera and as such looks like a lot of fun.

[broadwaybabytn]

Add me to that list.

[CurtainPullDowner]

I love how on the voting thread on this board about who should get the role Hilty had 100 votes and McPhee: 2. We are so loyal to our Divas. The AMERICAN IDOL board is probably the opposite.

[lull89]

All you asking for PMs need only wait until January 16th, they just announced a Press Tour that they're releasing the Pilot on iTunes and other streaming services then.