L-R Megan Hilty, Jennifer Hudson & Kat McPhee
Considering majority of “Smash's” fan-base are Broadway enthusiasts, they likely won’t agree with most of my season 2 grievances because I'm from the “American Idol” side of the viewership.
I started watching this show because Katharine McPhee (“Idol” Season 5 runner up) was billed as the star. I knew Debra Messing and the epic Anjelica Houston, but I mainly wanted to hear Katharine sing again. For two seasons, I've waited for her to become Marilyn and actually sing on more than just a song or two in the sassy, versatile voice I heard on “Idol;”not the vanilla, soul-less one that unfortunately fits her character, Karen (I didn’t start getting life from Karen’s vocal until “That’s Life” & “Don’t Let Me Know”). Additionally, I wanted to see Karen fully triumph over her antagonist, Ivy. Yet, after all this time and “Bombshell’s” many hills and valleys, she still isn't Marilyn. It's made the series frustrating to watch; not to mention her character is an even bigger push over than before, her storyline is drab and her school-girl fascination with the insolent, spoiled, selfish, arrogant and immature Jimmy is nauseating and doesn't make sense to me. The writing has yet to give a vivid illustration of why Karen would be attracted to him. Jimmy’s contention doesn’t function as well as Ivy’s because he has 0 likability. In order for the audience to be engaged in any type of adversary, he or she must have some endearing quality. Getting back to the “Idols” of the show, I thought Jennifer Hudson was a great addition to the cast and I was disappointed to learn that she wasn’t supposed to be a series regular.
On another note, it seems there is less musical- or at least traditional Broadway- numbers this season and the storyline tempo is at times very slow and winding. And why is Ivy so nice now? Yeah, I wanted her to have a humbling moment, but lose all of her bitchiness? Come on. In addition to too long of a hiatus in between seasons, I believe these are the elements that smashed “Smash.” Thoughts? Oh, and the above picture came from a BEAUTIFUL "Entertainment Weekly" photo-spread that you can view here.
I started watching this show because Katharine McPhee (“Idol” Season 5 runner up) was billed as the star. I knew Debra Messing and the epic Anjelica Houston, but I mainly wanted to hear Katharine sing again. For two seasons, I've waited for her to become Marilyn and actually sing on more than just a song or two in the sassy, versatile voice I heard on “Idol;”not the vanilla, soul-less one that unfortunately fits her character, Karen (I didn’t start getting life from Karen’s vocal until “That’s Life” & “Don’t Let Me Know”). Additionally, I wanted to see Karen fully triumph over her antagonist, Ivy. Yet, after all this time and “Bombshell’s” many hills and valleys, she still isn't Marilyn. It's made the series frustrating to watch; not to mention her character is an even bigger push over than before, her storyline is drab and her school-girl fascination with the insolent, spoiled, selfish, arrogant and immature Jimmy is nauseating and doesn't make sense to me. The writing has yet to give a vivid illustration of why Karen would be attracted to him. Jimmy’s contention doesn’t function as well as Ivy’s because he has 0 likability. In order for the audience to be engaged in any type of adversary, he or she must have some endearing quality. Getting back to the “Idols” of the show, I thought Jennifer Hudson was a great addition to the cast and I was disappointed to learn that she wasn’t supposed to be a series regular.
On another note, it seems there is less musical- or at least traditional Broadway- numbers this season and the storyline tempo is at times very slow and winding. And why is Ivy so nice now? Yeah, I wanted her to have a humbling moment, but lose all of her bitchiness? Come on. In addition to too long of a hiatus in between seasons, I believe these are the elements that smashed “Smash.” Thoughts? Oh, and the above picture came from a BEAUTIFUL "Entertainment Weekly" photo-spread that you can view here.
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