Photos: NBC
Oh, Smash. We stuck with you during your first season, thanked the TV Gods when you were granted a second…but why does the NBC musical drama still feel like it hasn’t quite found its way?
We gathered a group of TV Critics to lay it all on the line and break down how the show’s doing…and if there’s any possible way we’re going to get a season 3. At this roundtable are Jarett Wieselman,(Editorial Director, ETOnline, Marisa Roffman, Managing Editor, GiveMeMyRemote.com, Trish Bendix(Managing Editor, AfterEllen.com), Carla Day, Managing Editor, TVDiehard.com and our own Jim Halterman.
On a scale of 1-10, rate the overall stories on the show and then also rate the musical numbers. How do they compare?
Jarett Wieselman: As was true last season, the musical numbers are the best part of the show, and I am LOVING everything involving Hit List. “Broadway Here I Come” is one of the show’s best songs to date. But the fantasy sequences are such blatant thematic Chicago ripoffs, it’s almost insulting to the audience. Also, we always knew the characters were delusional, but this season makes them seem certifiably insane.
Trish Bendix: Oh god, this is tough! The actual show: 3. Musical numbers: 7. But I only like the musical numbers that are for shows and not Karen singing a song about a boy in a daydream.
Marisa Roffman: Overall stories: 6. Right now, it feels like a bunch of different puzzles had their pieces dumped on the same table and things are still getting sorted out. There's a lot going on, but I feel like I need more to get invested. But I'm at least optimistic that none of the stories are annoying me the way things were at this point of season 1. Musical numbers: 7. The music is fine, not amazing. I'm still waiting for something to grab me the way songs did in season 1. (I know it's hard to top "Let Me Be Your Star," but I'm hopeful!)
Katherine McPhee (Karen) and Jack Davenport (Derek)
Katharine McPhee is suddenly the wise one doling out advice to Jimmy/Kyle. Do you buy that she's changed so much since S1?
Jarett Wieselman: Has she changed? I still find Karen to be the same annoying, dead eyed, reason-free character she was in season one. Karen is the only one who believes she’s Broadway’s second coming and this year, she’s simply found two dumber people to drink her 'I’m Cool-Aid.'
Marisa Roffman: No, no, no, no. (Did I mention no?)
Carla Day: She has grown immensely both personally and professionally over the last year. She gained confidence when she got the role of Marilyn and through Derek's support of her. I see her trying to pay it forward with Jimmy and Kyle, plus she was creatively drawn to Jimmy's music.
Jim Halterman: Ugh. McPhee. Not buying anything except her singing and, yes, Jarett, those dead eyes are just...DEAD. The girl can sing but that’s it.
Andy Mientus (Kyle Bishop), Jack Davenport (Derek) and Jeremy Jordan (Jimmy)
Kyle and Jimmy -- BFFs, for sure, but is Kyle ever actually going to make a move on him?
Trish Bendix: Oh, probably but I think Kyle could do a lot better. Jimmy seems like a douche.
Marisa Roffman: Oh, he's totally crushing on his bestie. I honestly have no clue whether he will actually make the move, if only because it feels like the writers are trying so hard to make Karen and Jimmy these star-crossed lovers. I feel like Kyle may be subtle(ish) in his manipulation, but I have doubts about whether he'll actually make his feelings known.
Carla Day: Their relationship is complicated certainly. At some point, Kyle will step over the friendship line, but when he does it will be either in a highly emotional moment or a drunken one. I think Kyle realizes nothing will happen there and he would be risking what they do have if he acts on his feelings.
Jim Halterman: Total crush and I predict an uncomfortable moment when Kyle may cross the line and get rebuffed. “Hey Kyle, it’s Broadway. There are so many other cute gay boys out there!”
Megan Hilty (Ivy) and Lamar Odom Jr (Sam)
Is it just me or has Ivy lost some of her spunk? Sure she's atoning for bad things from S1 but do you like where she is right now? Will she bounce back?
Jarett Wieselman: I loathe this repentant version of Ivy, but I understand it from a storytelling standpoint as it helps make her a more realistic character – especially since I remained convinced Ivy will emerge as the ultimate Smash star as Bombshell heads to Broadway, and Karen ends up picking lust (and Hit List) above Marilyn.
Marisa Roffman: Poor Ivy. I don't mind where she's at now, but she's lost some of the fire. This new job is fine, and it's great she's appreciated, but she doesn't have the drive she had while going for Marilyn. It feels like she's settling now.
Jim Halterman: She definitely feels a little lost, which is okay, but I feel like the writers are stuck between wanting to make her a diva or making her angelic and likable. We can like a good girl who does bad things, right? I do see Bombshell back in her future…
Megan Hilty (Ivy) and Katherine McPhee (Karen)
Who's your favorite character on the show and why?
Jarett Wieselman: Am I the only one who loves Linda, Derek’s assistant? I feel like she’s the only one who sides with the audience and understands what big idiots all these people are. The only reason she doesn’t snag more screentime is because she’s constantly rolling her eyes off camera.
Trish Bendix: Second to Ivy, I love Tom. I think he's the most level-headed and talented and he figures out a way to work with everyone without being heartless and cruel or being walked over. I enjoy his friendships with Julia and Ivy, as well as with Sam. They are the cutest couple on the show and I wish there was more of them this season.
Marisa Roffman: Probably not great I had to take several minutes to think about this, but at this point, probably Ivy. She's trying to improve her life and is consistently the character that annoys me the least. (Plus, that girl can SING.)
Jim Halterman: Ivy always draws my attention the most but I’m not a fan of her storyline this season. The Sean Hayes story could turn into something fun so we’ll see…
Sean Hayes (Terry) and Megan Hilty (Ivy)
Who do you want to see go the way of Ellis and get the boot off the show?
Trish Bendix: I'm not loving Sean Hayes, at least not yet. I find his character annoying, which is clearly the point but I'm over him. Basically if Ivy was in Bombshell, she wouldn't have to be in this mess and Sean Hayes would be back on the set of Grimm or his other 100 shows.
Marisa Roffman: Can I still answer Ellis? (Hey, Jerry called him earlier this season!) But in all seriousness, probably Jerry. So unneeded.
Jim Halterman: Honestly, Derek is so one note and just barks at everyone so much that on those rare personal moments, I don’t care.
Jennifer Hudson (Veronica)
Lots of guest stars this season - Sean Hayes, Daniel Sunjata, Jennifer Hudson - are so many big names helping the show or taking away from our core cast?
Jarett Wieselman: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jennifer Hudson is an incredible singer, but a painfully horrendous actress. A fact that hasn’t been this apparent since she squealed “my very own Louis Vuitton” in the Sex and the City movie. Obviously NBC thought she could help goose ratings, but there’s a reason she – like McPheever -- didn’t win American Idol: people simply don’t like them. But I don’t think the guest stars are taking anything away from the show (kudos to Sunjata for miraculously finding a way to have chemistry with Debra Messing), but the only thing they’re adding is fuel to the pyre.
Trish Bendix: I love Jennifer Hudson but I don't think it's adding anything. In fact, I think it's really taking away from the focus of the show. I do think Daniel Sunjata's storyline is interesting, though I still can't tell if he's trustworthy. That's one of the only story lines I'm invested in and that's because it has to do with Bombshell.
Carla Day: It's been mixed. Jennifer Hudson started out with potential, but the episode that focused on her show was my least favorite, Daniel Sunjata's character was a nice addition. It provided insight into a mostly unknown part of the writing process and he got Julia out of her annoying funk. And, Sean Hayes. I really wanted to like him, but I hated his over-the-top performance and his wacky character.
Daniel Sunjata (Peter), Christian Borle (Tom), Debra Messing (Julia)
So much is at stake with BOMBSHELL. Do we even care?
Jarett Wieselman: At this point, I’m watching Smash out of obligation. I’m this far in, I need to see how the journey ends. But do I care about how the journey ends? No. No I do not.
Marisa Roffman: I feel like I should care more. I also feel like I would care more if Ivy was Marilyn, because I don't necessarily have a vested interest in Karen getting to succeed as Marilyn. (One of my biggest problems with season 1 was that it seemed like the show was telling us Karen was the best without showing us any reason why she actually was. I'm still waiting to see her really shine.)
Jim Halterman: The way things are dragging out, I feel like even the writers don’t care that much.
I'm personally missing gay couple Tom and Sam. Yes, Sam is coming back but has the show lost something by having him out for a few episodes?
Jarett Wieselman: I actually never understood the appeal of Sam. I mean, yes, he’s very attractive, but like every other character on the show, he is a poorly written, cardboard cut-out, so his absence has absolutely no effect on my interest in the show.
Trish Bendix: Yes, me too! I love Sam and their relationship. They are the most normal and adorable couple on the show. All the straight people are out of their damn minds.
Carla Day: Since the story hasn't focused much on Tom, I'm not sure Sam would have added much to the episodes. It will be good to have him back in the mix. I adore Tom and Sam's relationship. They are the only truly happy, fun couple on the show.
Jim Halterman: I know Leslie Odom, Jr. is coming back and has his first big solo on the show but while I’ve missed Tom/Sam, the writers haven’t taken advantage of how Tom is truly dealing with it. Is he dating around? Sleeping around? I guess nobody cares.
Lamar Odom Jr. (Sam) and Christian Borle (Tom)
Ratings are dismal yet NBC is, thus far, sticking with the show. Should it let it run its course or put it out to pasture now?
Jarett Wieselman: The entire season has been filmed, so NBC should definitely air it all, but maybe try out a different timeslot to make my life easier – like Saturdays at 8 p.m. when it won’t cause further DVR conflicts for me.
Trish Bendix: At this point, I wouldn't be super sad to see it go. I'd miss Ivy, though, so hopefully Megan Hilty can find another role worthy of her talents.
Marisa Roffman: Yeah, the ratings are bad, but very few shows are doing anything even mediocre on NBC. If it maintains this low after The Voice comes back, I could see them panicking and pulling it, but for now, they should just let it run the rest of the season. It's not like they have a whole lot waiting in the wings.
Carla Day: NBC doesn't have anything better to air, so they might as well stick with it. If anything, I could see them moving it to Thursday at 10 pm ET and put Hannibal on Tuesday night instead.
Jim Halterman: I had such high hopes for this 2nd season with a new showrunner and new direction but it’s just not gelled. I do think they’ll keep it on the air though a move to another timeslot could be coming. As for a season 3? I don’t see it happening.
Smash airs Tuesdays at 10pm on NBC.
