<p>My D calls it, “42 Streetwalkers”</p>
<p>She immediately noticed the level of talent and training differential between McPhee and Hilty.</p>
<p>I sure miss “Slings and Arrows.”</p>
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<p>I completely agree with all of this, and though I didn’t watch that season of American Idol I find that she is really lacking in star quality and her acting is particularly flat when compared to Megan Hilty. Too bad I like all of the people surrounding her, as I’d otherwise wish for them to write her out, pronto. Maybe her boyfriend could start an affair with the director so the show could ditch Karen but retain her boyfriend?</p>
<p>Other than that, I’ve actually liked the show more each episode, and honestly many of the situations are quite reminiscent of the years I spent in professional theatre which, in my experience, can tend to resemble a soap opera.</p>
<p>They have GOT to get rid of that obnoxious assistant, though. I can’t take much more of him. And I agree that the third drink has now been thrown, and it’s absolutely time for that to stop. ;-D</p>
<p>Writing is abysmal and McPhee painful to watch. Megan is the bright spot for me. No smash - just trash.</p>
<p>…and I love it!</p>
<p>I’m suprised. I think because Katharine isn’t a Broadway actress, people are hating on her. Her dancing in the second episode was fantastic. You can’t call her a terrible dancer. Her acting imo is good. I think people expect more out of shows than are actually possible. It’s like entertainment can never meet people’s standards. Supporting the arts, continues the life of art. Just sayin’</p>
<p>I honestly don’t think Katharine not being a Broadway actress has anything to do with my feelings about her talent level. There are plenty of Broadway actresses whose talent I’ve questioned over the years. I thought Jennifer Hudson was fantastic in Dream Girls and suspect I might have enjoyed Clay Aikin in Spamalot (didn’t see his performance) so I have no problem respecting American Idol talent. I just find Katherine McPhee bland. In my opinion her acting is flat and uninteresting, and NO aspect of her says “Marilyn” to me. It’s probably true than we CC’ers have very high expectations for singing and dancing since we’re surrounded be exceptionally talented kids, and she also hasn’t been helped much by the writing on the show, but other actors on the show have at least occasionally risen above that. ;-D</p>
<p>I really DO want this show to succeed as a vehicle for employing MT artists, but I don’t think that desire can totally dull ones assessment of the show. I really hope the writing gets better.</p>
<p>Agree with MomCares. I have an MT daughter. I personally know MANY kids who have shown far more potential than Katherine McPhee. And it has nothing to do with her not being a Broadway actress. And she is NOT a dancer. She is a mover. I’m well aware of the difference since I have two dancer daughters. And Broadwayking, I’m surprised you think she is a good actress. We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.
I would have loved for this show to be sucessful but for me, it is really going to have to turn around quickly or they’ve lost me. And among my MT parent friends, I’m far from the only one who feels this way!</p>
<p>A few thoughts- its my understanding that Katherine McPhee was already a well respected actress in la
Before American idol. No never been on broadway - but not a novice to theater.</p>
<p>What I’m waiting for is the husband, Brian D’Arcy James ,who does have extensive broadway mt experience, awards, etc., to break out in song! My daughter got to share a stage with him a few times and he is awesome - and a really nice guy! I hope they will let him sing!</p>
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<p>… AND he’s a graduate of Northwestern. ;-D </p>
<p>So far he’s been yet another victim of awkward writing. Like you, I also hope they give him something more interesting to do before long. </p>
<p>It’s cool that your D has worked with him!</p>
<p>If you’re patient enough to keep watching, you will get to see Brian sing.</p>
<p>blueskies, Katharine was a virtual unknown when she did American Idol. She was only 22. She’d spent a year and a half at BoCo before dropping out and returning to L.A. to audition. Idol was the first time she was on TV.</p>
<p>Funny, I wasn’t even the least bit tempted to watch this show ! Never watched Glee either ,except for 1 episode when my former classmate from HS had a guest role .</p>
<p>I think part of the reaction to McPhee is that she is being billed as the star of the series and in the story her talent is being touted as so extraordinary. Megan Hilty is clearly superior, so it just adds to the disconnect. </p>
<p>I hope Brian will sing. Kind of ridiculous to have an MT star on this show and not use his talents this way.</p>
<p>But in the story they know Ivy is superior. Karen just has the elusive “something”. It’s definitely trashy television and not what I was expecting but I admit I could get hooked.</p>
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<p>Yes, and for many of us it seems to be VERY elusive (hah!). I think someone told me that her dad is a TV Producer and that she’d had minor TV parts prior to American Idol. She certainly strikes me more as a TV actor than as an MT person, so it’s not a good sign that even in the context of TV she seems meh. </p>
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<p>That’s pretty much what I’m feeling at this point. Still too soon to say, but I can imagine finding myself interested in what happens next week.</p>
<p>Do TV shows usually at least show all the episodes they’ve filmed, or do they sometimes end before then?</p>
<p>If TV Executives were smart they would either…</p>
<p>A) Hire a writing team of CC’ers
B) Syndicate either “The Battery’s Down” or “Submissions Only”. ;-D</p>
<p>Katharine McPhee is billed as the star because millions of people know her from American Idol. No one outside of rabid theatre fans have any idea who Megan Hilty is. This is nothing new! Katharine’s small tv roles were after she was on Idol.</p>
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<p>Submissions, yes. Battery, no. :)</p>
<p>^^^agree with all of the above. We really wanted Katherine to succeed with this role. My young son (at the time) did a show with her in LA right when she left BOCO. She is a lovely person and did an amazing job with the role (and got great reviews). Even though Smash is a show portraying musical theater, it is still television and quite different from stage work. She is just not convincing in this role and topped off with the trashy writing, is just not getting it! I think Smash is doomed to failure!</p>
<p>I bet Katherine regrets she dropped out of Boco after reading all these reviews.</p>
<p>You MT parents are a tough crowd! I’m in the “Smash is okay for mindless TV” camp, a diversion for when I’m tired of listening to Lawrence O’Donnell lecturing about something. Perhaps my standards could be higher. Megan Hilty is growing on me. I didn’t love her in the first episode, but I got chills when she sang “Crazy Dreams.” Katherine McPhee has grown a lot as a performer since American Idol. I’m surprised at how little love she’s getting on this thread; I think she’s endearing if not as sophisticated a performer as Hilty. I keep watching mostly because of the McPhee character’s adorable boyfriend and the hope of seeing Dylan Baker.</p>
<p>We are a tough crowd… and I will state for the record that I could never sing as well as any of them, though I could once out-dance Ms. McPhee. ;-D</p>
<p>And I totally agree about her boyfriend being very likeable!</p>
<p>Alwaysamom - So glad to hear you know or think that they will let Brian sing! They have to - if not what a waste!</p>
<p>I know Katherine McPhee wasn’t on tv before American idol - but I do know someone who wrote the music and lyrics for a show she did in Los Angeles (pre American idol) who thought she was fantastic - I assumed she had done more theatre in la based on this - but I guess I was wrong - incredible journey she’s had!</p>