What to Watch: SMASH

What's in a name? Everything.
Smash premiers tonight on NBC at 10PM

In what could be one of the most anticipated television premiers in recent history - possibly due to the fact that it is being brought to the small screen by the king of the silver screen - Smash is sure to live up to its title. An original take on one of America's greatest pastimes that has been  The only thing campy about this show is its subject matter but make no mistake, this is not Glee. In fact, it's the anti-Glee and much like said nemesis, NBC decided to release the pilot early on iTunes and Amazon so those in the know can have a little taste of what's to come. Has the wait been worth it? Absolutely.

The show gets off to a great start, hitting the ground running by using the song that made Katharine McPhee famous. This was a very smart move by producer Steven Spielberg and director Michael Mayer, 2007 Tony Award winner for Spring Awakening. For fans who know McPhee, it's instant gratification, not to mention you've now got us on her side, hook, line and sinker. But the show doesn't want you to stop there. There are multiple story lines that merge and diverge swiftly and sweetly, gliding you from one point of view to the next. Both lead actresses do a wonderful job of portraying their distinct characters. There is an earnestness to McPhee's character that is decidedly different from Megan Hilty's, who is confident yet driven by her years in the Broadway ensemble. You want to root for both because really, they both deserve it. The audience then come to the same realization that the other characters in the show do: the this is exactly the dilemma that they will have to struggle with throughout the course of the show.

Two very deserving Marilyns:
Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty 

What really make Smash work is the style. There is a back and forth between the theater world and the real world that is so, well, real. Like any one of the fabulously choreographed dance numbers, it feels rather effortless as though you are taking part in this production in real time, just as Angelica Huston and Debra Messing are. The creative imagination of each character is valued in a way that is refreshingly not cheesy or annoying. I especially loved the various treatment of the proposed musical's subject matter Marilyn Monroe with each character highlighting a different side of this beloved icon.

From the first few moments I could tell that I was watching something special which, let's face it, is rare for television. The only reason thing against this show is its horrible time slot. Monday nights at 10PM seems to be the kiss of death for NBC but I believe that with Smash they might have found a cure. Tune in tonight - you know I will!