Skip the Super Bowl and watch Smash instead
Do I have your attention now?? TBH, I'm going to watch the Super Bowl for the commercials and halftime show and snacks of it all, but if you're looking for an alternative... may I offer you a train wreck TV spectacle?? I've been rewatching the failed NBC show Smash for the last two weeks and while yes, it's a HOT MESS, it's also filled with some truly amazing musical numbers, true talent and the exciting world of Broadway. If you're looking for an escape during this weird not-winter, winter we're having, Smash has made me smile. It features, Nick Jonas, fake Broadway shows, amazing cameos, an underused Leslie Odom Jr. (who doesn't even get a standout musical number), a sneaky assistant who is literally hiding behind doors to learn secrets, the iconic line "I can't get married. I'm in tech." and so much more. The show's strongest asset was always the musical numbers. Here are some of my favorites from the two-season run:
One of the reasons the pilot episode of Smash, released in February 2012 (remember this Super Bowl commercial when the show made its debut??), was such a hit was because of the first staged number, The National Pastime, we see from the Marilyn Monroe musical. It showcases Megan Hilty's amazing talent as Ivy Lynn and sets up one of the central viewer issues Smash deals with -- if Ivy is so perfect in this role, why is the show constantly telling us to root for her rival, Karen Cartwright?
In maybe the most iconic performance from Smash, Megan Hilty performs her heart out in Let's Be Bad. To me, it's a defining moment for the character, solidifying her talent and star power. But because director Derek Wills is a diva, he storms out after the performance for honestly no reason.
In another outstanding performance, Megan Hilty performs an emotional rendition of They Just Keep Moving the Line in season two. This song is also from the Marilyn musical, titled Bombshell at this point in the show, but Ivy isn't playing Marilyn but she has to fill in to perform the song at a benefit. Confused? You should be because it makes no sense. I can't find the show performance online but you can catch Megan performing it at the live concert performance the cast did in 2015. And if you're looking for a second rendition, season two cast member Jeremy Jordan (who plays the dreadful Jimmy character) performs a version here at a separate concert.
Is it more embarrassing that Jennifer Hudson was in the Cats movie or Smash? It's probably a toss-up. In season two, Jennifer Hudson inexplicably because a big part of the show's storylines, as Broadway darling Veronica Moore, for like three episodes and then disappears. Two days before she's supposed to perform a nationally televised concert, Veronica decides she needs a new song to showcase her new image! Jimmy to the rescue! He complains and complains, asks Karen to sit next to him to be his muse (as most men on the show do), writes this beautiful song called I Can't Let Go, is told it's not needed anymore, storms off and gets high, then they use the song anyway and he gets to take a bow with Jennifer Hudson. Whatever, the song is amazing.
My favorite character on Smash is Tom Levitt, played by the ridiculously talented Christian Borle. He rarely gets to participate in the show's musical numbers so when he gets the chance to "fill-in" for a missing actor at a rehearsal, it's glorious. He steals the show with Don't Say Yes Until I've Finished Talking.
Megan and Katherine McPhee (Karen) have many opportunities to sing together throughout the show and their beautiful, but different, voices combined always lead to memorable moments, including That's Life, Smash and Big Finish. Of course, the most memorable collaboration (and no I'm not referring to the time they both got drunk and sang Rihanna's Cheers (Drink to That) in Times Square... but I'll link to it, what the hell) is their pilot performance of Let Me Be Your Star. It's the "I Want" song for Marilyn, Ivy and Karen and the perfect way to end the show's debut episode. The song's power is so great it was even hilariously featured on a 2017 episode of Girls.
