Smash - Series Discussion

[CurtainPullDowner]

They bring in the Raul to play MARILYN and he finally wins her TONY.

[Eris0303]

Did anyone else notice what Marc Shaiman was playing on the piano in the background before Anjelica sang "September Song?" It was "Butter Out Of Cream" from CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!!

Loved that little touch.

[FindingNamo]

Once again, David Marshall Grant writes a good script, saddled though it was with Rebeck's storyline. I mean, I HAAAAAAAAATED every second of the church stuff. It was horrrrrrrrrible.

But I loved the rest of the episode. I hope a comet crushes Christian Boyfriend so Tom and Julia can learn the importance of living each day as if it were their last.

[beautywickedlover]

"Loved the 9 TO 5 reunion of Marc Kudisch and Megan Hilty."

For a moment it looked like Mr. Hart was finally getting his wish of Doralee giving all of herself to him.

"Does anyone know if the Rebecca Duval exit is a tease or if Uma only signed on for a few episodes?"

Uma Thurman only signed on for a five episode arc.

[sephyr]

I really enjoyed tonight's episode.

Ms. Messing gave a great performance and I loved how the character put Michael Swift in his place. I couldn't believe after all that he was STILL trying to put the moves on her. Give it a rest, man!

Dev is just getting more pathetic to me. I mean really, going along with the marriage thing after you JUST cheated on her?

I believe Ellis put the peanuts in her slushie lol I really do.

I loved the church scene. The sermon was a bit weird but it was nice to see them all enjoying it and Leslie & Kat were awesome on Stand. I got a little teary-eyed with Kat's performance. So clear.

And of course Anjelica sounded great on September song. So happy her character is happy.

Can't believe this season is almost over!! It's been a journey and I've loved it. Can't wait for the finale!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

I mean, I HAAAAAAAAATED every second of the church stuff. It was horrrrrrrrrible.

Me too!!!!!!!!

I figured it was Ellis with the peanuts, too.

Michael Swift is the worst.

[FindingNamo]

Oh god, now Christian Boyfriend gets to be all self-righteous because he got the whole company to go to church. Et tu, Wesley?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Right? I was so pleased he was the only person there who didn't jump on the "I want to go to church, too!" bandwagon and yet there he was. I guess that church was super gay friendly.

Namo, I'm sure you liked Christian Boyfriend's comment when Jewish Boyfriend said he spent more time with his parents then anyone else's - "I wouldn't be proud of that if I were you."

[FindingNamo]

I KNOW! GOD I HATE HIM!!!!

[JoeKv99]

My theory is there were no peanuts in the smoothie- Rebecca willed herself sick.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Regarding Rebecca, I thought it was some kind of anxiety attack and not peanuts per se. She knew this wasn't the right fit, especially when there was no response from the audience.

I love how the dancing ensemble of Bombshell changes week after week.

I felt the whole church scene was totally unnecessary, unless that was there way of giving Sam an opportunity to sing (not that I'm complaining about that).

I'm sorry to see the character of Rebecca go, because I feel she added a lot to this show.

[dramamama611]

I didn't mind the church scene and McPhee sounded great.
I thought Anjelica SOLD that song (obviously, not a singer)

Best scene: fight scene between Messing & Borle.


She KNEW there were peanuts in it but continued to consume it?

[Wynbish]

Did they really think that was the best ending to a lively show where one number has the lead belting "Hot Dogs!"?

Can Ivy and Derek just be done already?

[Gothampc]

I've read the final script and here is what happens:

***spoiler alert***

Ivy gets promoted to play Marilyn, but then she gets an attack of appendicitis during Act 1. Bernadette, who happens to be in the audience, rushes backstage yelling "If Joan Crawford can fill in for her daughter, I can do it for mine!!"

LET ME BE YOUR STAR!!!!!

And that's where Season 2 will pick up.

[Wynbish]

It may have been said on here before but:

Michael Mayer serves as a director and consulting producer for Smash.

Michael Mayer also directed Thoroughly Modern Millie, where an understudy had to take over during its out-of-town tryout and went on to win the Tony.

Art imitating life?

[Gothampc]

"Art imitating life?"

No it was life imitating art. It was done in 42nd Street (1933 movie, later an award winning Broadway musical).

[Wynbish]

Also, I think that whoever does the preview for the next episode should temporarily ban the phrases "it all leads up to this" or "the moment they've been waiting for, since the beginning, when everything began to lead to this, at least until the next episode when it really is leading to that."

[henrikegerman]

I don't remember a show that was as inconsistent as this one; some nights are a joy, other episodes dreadful and trite. Angelica's September Song was wonderful. The great lady, knowing her vocal limitations, sold it with moving economy, and revelatory intimacy and immediacy, emphasizing Anderson's poetry and Weill's classic melody with a lightness and precision that was all her own. Shows what a terrific actor who all but doesn't sing can do with the right song.

[Jordan Catalano]

Wasn't there a scene in a trailer where Rebecca says she wants Karen fired? Or did I completely miss something?

Also, I think Rebecca put the peanuts in the smoothie herself to get out of the show. Bitch even said she tasted them. If anyone else did it though, I hope it was Rachel Berry, starting off a cross series arc lasting all of the second season.

[manaboutown]

Kudisch was great. Hope there's more of him in Season 2. Also, great to see a full, well directed, choreographed, danced and acted number on the show. NBC is getting the hang of it now.

[darquegk]

Everybody hates Christian Boyfriend, but I think it's interesting the way the show is tackling the issue of "gays and religion" with the same light, breezy touch it takes on karaoke night.

We've got the devoutly religious Christian gay man, an implied-agnostic/atheist gay Jew, and Wesley Taylor, who nobody knows exactly where he is on the spectrum except that he doesn't like church.

I don't really know if "gay people are not religious" is a stereotype or a statistic... two of my closest gay friends are extremely spiritual, fighting for greater LGBT acceptance in their church. But at any rate, it's interesting to see a show like "Smash" which is in no way an "issues/very special episode" show the way "Glee" has become, tackling this sociological subject.

[Jane2]

I immediately thought Rebecca was faking/making herself sick in some way in order to get out of the show. She was so devastated that no one applauded

[Michael Bennett]

Thurman was only contracted for the five episodes, so that is indeed her departure, which is a little bit of a shame since I truly found her presence really elevated the entire proceedings.

Obviously, only in a fairy tale Broadway would a major movie star depart the production to be replaced by a chorus girl (how about a number showing 90 percent of the audience asking for a refund) but at least the show is finally playing up its soap opera potential.

I think for season two they'll be some big changes coming to the cast and creative.

[Wynbish]

I like Sam, and though that he was really great during his portion of the song (wish he did the whole song).

[Gothampc]

"We've got the devoutly religious Christian gay man, an implied-agnostic/atheist gay Jew, and Wesley Taylor, who nobody knows exactly where he is on the spectrum except that he doesn't like church."

We've already had the gay man/church storyline on Glee. Smash is too late to the game.

And I found the church scene ridiculous. I could understand the chorus kids going (even though I'm sure they are exhausted from tech rehearsals), but when Deb showed up with her husband and half-wit son, that was stretching credibility too much.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Now, see...I can't believe some of you bitches are hating on the Church scene. I mean it was TERRIBLE. But, it gave us what is now my second-favorite Karen line:

"I love church!"

That was a line. That was a line written by a very talented writer. That was a line uttered by a dead-eyed actress that someone somewhere thinks we should be rooting for. That was a line on a major network television show. It was brilliant in its banality. Just. Brilliant.