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Anyone Care Who Won ‘American Idol’? 
American Idol alumna-turned-actress Katharine McPhee has landed a co-starring role in the NBC hourlong pilot Smash, which will feature the Idol Season 5 runner-up sing. The pilot, from DreamWorks TV and UMS, is based on an idea by Steven Spielberg and follows a cross section of characters who come together to put on a Marilyn Monroe musical on Broadway led by the musical’s composer Tom and lyricist Julia (Debra Messing). McPhee will play a beautiful struggling actress who goes to all lengths to book the role of Marilyn Monroe in the musical. Also recently cast in the pilot, written by Theresa Rebeck and to be directed by Michael Mayer, are Jack Davenport and Megan Hilty. McPhee, repped by Gersh and the Schiff Co., made her TV pilot debut last season with NBC’s half-hour The Pink House. She will next be seen in the romantic comedy You May Not Kiss the Bride
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I don’t know why, but this project really sounds interesting. Maybe it’s because it’s not about doctors, lawyers or cops…
At least Bob Greenblatt is picking up edgier fare for network tv.
I may be completely crazy, but this actually seems like it has some promise. I like the premise and the cast.
Glad to see her finally find something. It must be embarrassing to be an AI runner-up and have sold less records than William Hung.
This role sounds kinda naughty. Usually not Katherine McPhee’s type of role it seems. Sounds sexy though!
IT Sounds like it might be fun to watch. I like the cast.
I’d be more enthused about the show if it was going to be about the making of a Broadway musical about Marilyn MANSON. Katherine McPhee could play the dual roles of Rose McGowan and Dita Von Teese.
Very excited for her. She’s a great talent.
oh no, i liked this project but her involvement makes me wonder
I don’t know much about “Smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg.
Maybe “Smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg) will be a hit. Maybe it won’t.
Maybe “Smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg) will be perceived as “Glee” for adults.
Maybe “Smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg) will benefit from a terrific pilot script by Theresa Rebeck.
Or maybe “Smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg)will be seen as too derivative.
Or maybe “smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg) will crumble under the weight of so many executive-producers.
But one thing’s for sure, I’m sick of hearing that it’s based on an idea from Steven Spielberg. Not much of an original idea at that. Is DH contractually obligated to keep reminding us that “Smash” (based on an idea by Steven Spielberg) is based on an idea by Spielberg? Isn’t the WGA the only organization that can determine the “created by” credit. Or is Spielberg using DH to position himself to somehow jump somebody’s credit down the line? Can’t Spielberg give his self-promotion machine a rest or is he really that insecure? It’s not like he has anything to prove anymore.
My 2 cents.
Maybe they’ll pull a trick from M. Night’s book and heavily feature in the promo spots “From the MIND of Steven Spielberg…”
This doesn’t sound like a Glee rip-off at all.
It sounds like a Smush. McPee? An actress? And do we need to see Debra Messy again? Tv is such crap. Lowest common denominator. Crap ideas with the same people cast over and over and over. And then they throw in a runner-up singer from a silly talent show. Crap. why not throw in some people from dancing with the D-level stars. All based on a crappy idea from SS. Mind numbing. Rather watch my ball hair grow. Maybe I will.
If you’ve ever seen her with Chris Botti (YouTube) doing I’ve Got You Under My Skin you know what a massive talent she is. Had the pleasure of meeting her recently and she’s as classy and beautiful as she is in that video. Seems like a great breakthrough for her, wishing her the best.
Yawn………
Script is an utter snoozefest. Boring bitter broadway types. Will not air.
Haven’t read the script – although I will now. But lemme tell you – KP is an amazing actress. Real chops displayed long before AI. She will kill it.
Katharine McPhee is a very talented singer/actress. I saw her sing “I Got You Under My Skin” as Chris Botti played the trumpet, she was terrific! It is about time this talent is recognized. To Katharine McPhee, and all the cast, GOOD LUCK!
I’m excited for this but what happened to The Miraculous Year?
I think they need to find a role for Kellie Pickler, McPhee’s BFF during their “Idol” days.
And FWIW, Kellie Pickler looks a LOT like Marilyn Monroe these days. So it seems like it should be easy to find a role for her in this show.
The friendship chemistry between McPhee and Pickler — the wealthy young sophisticate from L.A. and the ingénue from the rural South — was fun back in the day. Seems like it could work here.
Jack Davenport?!?! Awesome
DITTO>>>>>I love Jack Davenport…glad NBC picked him up in this show….I’ll be watching
Steven Spielberg is a genius. Katharine McPhee is talented, and after seeing her sing with Chris Botti, Andrea Bocelli, she is terrific, and her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Raindow” is outstanding. It sound like a great cast, and I’m looking forward to seeing “Smash”. Good Luck!
I think having Megan Hilty (Glinda in Wicked) gives this show some promise. Dunno about anything else but I’ll give it a shot just for that.