NBC to Debut SMASH Pilot Online, 1/16

Can't wait until February to see NBC's new Broadway-themed show SMASH? According to The Hollywood Reporter, you won't have to: the pilot episode will be available for free on several media platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox on January 16. Following that launch, on January 23 the pilot will available as streaming content on NBC.com and Hulu; on February 6, SMASH debuts on NBC.

FOX's series New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel, used a similar strategy prior to its September premiere. The show garnered enough interest over its first two on-air episodes that FOX ordered 11 additional episodes for its first season.

SMASH centers on the complex and all-consuming process behind the production of an original Broadway musical. Successful songwriting duo and old friends Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) reunite to realise their dream of adapting the life story of screen icon Marilyn Monroe into a hit musical; recruiting tenacious producer Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and brilliant director Derek (Jack Davenport) to bring the production to the stage.

Casting of the title role sparks conflict and rivalry between Karen (Katharine McPhee), a youthful, inexperienced beauty desperate to find fame in the big city, and Ivy (Megan Hilty), a stage veteran determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. From its genesis, the "Marilyn" project is a rollercoaster ride of dramatic highs and lows for its cast and crew that will culminate on opening night, when the audience will determine whether or not the show is a "Smash".

The show was developed by NBC's Robert Greenblatt, Steven Spielberg, and Broadway producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script.