Bardlerx
Strictly average movie
Tockinit
not horrible nor great
Matrixiole
Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.
Cassandra
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
wizbang68
Smash started out as a "behind the scenes" look at what happens during development and promotion of NY Theatre. There were some other reviews where I wonder if the reviewers were watching the same program. During season 1 the show got in a rut of creating what some referred to as "soap opera drama". However, anyone involved with the theatre industry can attest to how the majority of the promotion and development of a show is based almost entirely on drama. From the funding (or lack thereof) to changes in casting all being somewhat surreal, so it lends itself to this type of plot. Someone referred to the sound not being good. Um, I had my surround sound speakers picking up a Dolby Surround signal and it was quite good audio. There were some moments that did seem a little too "Glee-esque" where everyone seems to suddenly break into song..... but I accepted that this was a program about a NY Musical being produced for Broadway. That said, the productions numbers were quite good if you actually paid attention to the interaction during the numbers because it was many times letting the viewer in on changes that were occurring or background for a change to the plot. For example in one scene the director was trying to figure out who was going to play the lead role. He started looking at the costumes for different numbers and you saw excerpts from the numbers and who he saw playing the role. It ended up that the person who was the front runner wasn't selected, not because she wasn't good, but because the director couldn't picture her doing it.All in all they were finding their way, but season 2 went somewhat off the rails with the plot line where it was difficult to connect the dots until the very end of the season. Unfortunately, the disconnect seems to have put the nail in the coffin of the program. At least the program season wrapped up the different story-lines so that everything had been closed and a future direction for the program was presented if it was renewed, alas it was not to be.
mana6793
I was reluctant to watch this show as I thought it was going to be a failed attempt at another glee type show, however when I found out Katherine Mcphee in it I was immediately intrigued so I gave it a chance and I am so glad that I did, I like how a lot of the music is new songs written for the show, however they are not the main focus, it is about the process of making a Broadway show with a lot of musical scenes to make it even better, and the singers and actors are all incredible.I have really enjoyed learning more about the behind the scenes of Broadway, but its not too much that you get confused or sick of it, you really fall in love/hate with the characters. The characters are also very complex which I love, you never know what one of them is going to do nextI never realised before how amazing Debra Messing is until this show, her acting is fantastic, and Megan Hilty is such a star. Any comparisons to Glee are simply because they both involve music, however they focus on entirely different things, SMASH is very mature and will easily appeal to an older audience, glee however is for teens and kids (like me, I love glee!) but this show is much more dramatic.I watched the whole of series 1 in 2 days and as soon as I finished it I wanted to watch it again, which is exactly what I did!
frozzylove
Simply beautiful. Music is spectacular and if 'Bombshell' was on Broadway I would fly to New York to see it. My boyfriend is having to put up with renditions of 'Let Me Be Your Star', 'Wolf', and 'Don't Forget Me' 24/7.The series is full of twists and show stopping numbers. Derek (Jack Davenport, Pirates of the Caribbean) stands up to the stereotypical English villain with hilariously dry English wit and sarcasm. Looking devilishly sexy in nearly every scene he added special flavour to the cast! Ivy (Megan Hilty) is absolutely my favourite character - Megan's voice is absolutely beautiful and I was devastated that she didn't get cast as Marilyn! Karen (Katherine McPhee, American Idol) was a bit wet if I'm honest, and although no-one can doubt she has an amazing voice I think it was one that belongs on the top 40 and not in 'Bombshell'. I found the character of Karen a little annoying but then again I fell in love with Ivy at the first. I am a huge fan of 'Will & Grace" and I was ecstatic when I saw that Debra Messing was in the show as lyricist Julia. She is an amazing actress and she played the affair through beautifully. When she joined in with the impromptu 'Wolf' I was very pleased and the whole scene was amazing. Tom (Christian Borle) was hysterical. Beautiful voice and fitted the cast perfectly. Tom & Julia were the comedy couple to begin with (reminiscent of Will & Grace) but the tone sobered and they were beautifully broken (if that makes any sense whatsoever!).I love Smash and I cannot wait for season two (although I'm not sure how it's going to work!) As long as it is full of further amazing songs and with the same dark humour then I'm along for the ride the whole way.
greggkteacher
This new show is a breath of fresh air. It has a simple plot with many complicated sub plots. It entertains you with great music and gives you a realistic look at what goes on during the casting, rehearsals and collaboration that is required to produce a Broadway musical. This is a high energy and fast paced piece of entertainment with a few twists to keep you wanting more. The interactions among cast members is so real you don't feel like you are watching television. I hope this show makes it because it is like nothing a regular network has done before. It has brought Broadway to television with a great cast, original music and a break from the many cookie cutter shows on television lately.