The 2011-12 tv season (as my American friends may or may not call it) has turned out to be quite good in providing me charming new shows to watch. Hart of Dixie reminds me of old school WB; Once Upon A Time is a delight every week (though I do miss Jamie Dornan); Revenge is prime time sudsy ridiculous goodness all wrapped up in glamour and intruige; heck, even The Lying Game & The Ringer provide twin hi-jinx on a weekly basis. And even some shows that actually made it past season one are shining - if you're not hooked on Pretty Little Liars, you should be. But after one episode this week (and mercifully good ratings), one show has got me absolutely obsessed and that show is Smash...
Smash is a winner from start to finish. It's the story of two writers who are putting together a broadway musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe. Cue two talented but very different girls auditioning for the part in the shape of Megan Hilty and Katherine McPhee. Both amazing (but I'm currently team Hilty). Add in an extended cast of charming British boyfriend (the very lickable, er I mean LIKEABLE (oops :D) Raza Jaffray) who supports Karen (Katherine) when her own parents do not, a zesty Angelica Huston as Eileen who aims to finance the show while going through her own messy divorce and an arrogant director who seems to have a past and a history with the writing team of Debra Messing (Yay! Grace is back on tv and she still likes the gays!) and Tom Levitt. The characters are well formed from the word go with a myriad of storylines creeping up on you without you even realising. The idea of the show creating Marilyn the Musical has endless possibilities - the on screen musical could even end up off screen on broadway, or the show could have the musical tell the tale of Karen and Ivy competing to BE Marilyn. The songs blend in seamlessly (something Glee has forgotten how to do) and are entirely captivating - Let Me Be Your Star has had me hooked for 2 full days now. The lyrics not only tell the story of Marilyn (but not in a weepy Candle In The Wind way, in a way that illustrates her drive, determination and allure) but are parallel to the feelings of our two intrepid auditionees. It's stirring and inspiring - but just wait for that moment where the vocalists duet on the middle 8. It's a genuine goosebump moment. 14 more episodes to go this season. I'm so there...
Smash had about as impressive of an intro as it could, having had commercials running for MONTHS, and then premiering after The Voice. I hope the ratings hold up, but I fear there will be a little bit of drop off. How much it drops remains to be seen, but I'm hooked.
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