By TYLER PATRICK
Although NBC will debut its new show Smash on Feb. 6, iTunes has released the pilot episode to give fans a sneak peek of what is to come. The show is not only completely satisfying, but it actually drives viewers to want more episodes.
Smash stars Katharine McPhee, Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and Megan Hilty. It combines the singing power from hit show Glee into an adult atmosphere: preparing for a musical in New York City.
In the pilot, Julia Houston (Messing) gets an idea for a musical based on Marilyn Monroe and puts together a few songs with her best friend Tom Levitt (Christian Borle). After the musical is picked up by Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) and Eileen Rand (Huston,) many aspiring performers audition for the role of Marilyn. After Karen (McPhee) and Ivy (Hilty) are given call-backs for the show, they must learn the ropes and fight for a chance at the lead role.
With the two main girls fighting for this role, the audience will choose who they want to win the part of Marilyn Monroe based on how they feel each character prepares for the role. However, despite who one chooses, both girls are like-able characters who posses extreme amounts of talent.
The show features both classic songs and original songs. For example, the musical number for “The National Pastime” combines exactly what Marilyn Monroe would portray in a musical as well as what one would see on a Broadway stage. It also features dramatic songs in its first episode with “Let Me Be Your Star” where Karen and Ivy are rushing to their first call back and singing a song about Monroe’s rise to fame.
This show will definitely take a stand with potential fans and be a star of its own. Smash is exactly what its title suggests a smash. NBC has definitely elevated their chance of high ratings by picking up this show.
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