# Smash -- "Glee for grownups" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974 "2012-02-06T13:48:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/241 "2012-05-09T04:33:14Z")
“Hello, Pastor Keith? Our homosexual son, his Jewish boyfriend, and some of his hungover white theater friends are coming to church today, so do you mind telling the music director to cancel what he had planned? Because they want to do a number they haven’t rehearsed.” This production really doesn’t understand the point or purpose of ‘understudies’ do they? First DiMaggio, then Marilyn, you’d think they’d figure out it’s good to have a backup plan. And I think Marilyn will be played by Ivy’s mother (Bernadette Peters). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/242 "2012-05-11T02:44:49Z")
This week’s [ABRIDGED script](http://www.broadwayabridged.com/scripts/smash-01-14.html) (with kudos as always to Eve to introducing it to begin with). This one features a drinking game (and eating game) that I’ll let you read for yourself, and my favorite lines from it include: > [@](#): > > KATHARINE MCPHEE I just want to let you know that _I_ didn’t know that you were being cheated on. > > MEGAN HILTY Ugh, bitch. Oh, by the way, SMIRK. and > [@](#): > > BLACK GAY SPORTS GUY You should come to church with me, Christian Borle. > > CHRISTIAN BORLE I’m Jewish. > > BLACK GAY SPORTS GUY Oh that’s okay, Jesus doesn’t mind. > > KATHARINE MCPHEE I’m a white girl who’s not from around here, can I improvisationally solo in your Baptist church, Black Gay Sports Guy? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/243 "2012-05-13T05:26:19Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Who knew butch boyfriend had such a nice singing voice? I did! Leslie Odom Jr, I was hoping we would get to hear him sing eventually! I saw him on Broadway a few weeks ago in the new musical **Leap of Faith** (which actually is closing _today_, May 13) and he had a wonderful solo number. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/244 "2012-05-15T04:34:37Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I did! Leslie Odom Jr, I was hoping we would get to hear him sing eventually! I saw him on Broadway a few weeks ago in the new musical **Leap of Faith** (which actually is closing _today_, May 13) and he had a wonderful solo number. Question about that (asking for a friend): Does it end with a kid on crutches unexpectedly walking in a way that might or might not be a miracle like the movie did? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/245 "2012-05-15T06:56:23Z")
Well, that was bad. And the new closing song was out of place with the rest of the show that we’ve seen and the lyrics were kind of awful. And the worst thing is that I’m probably going to watch next season. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/246 "2012-05-15T07:00:35Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Question about that (asking for a friend): Does it end with a kid on crutches unexpectedly walking in a way that might or might not be a miracle like the movie did? Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/247 "2012-05-15T08:10:44Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > I’m going to guess: Ellis with the blender in the rehearsal room. Called it! That little asshole should be put in jail for attempted murder. But I’m sure we’ll see him back next year, causing all sorts of problems for the production one way or another. I was afraid they were going to give the big night to Ivy, even after repeatedly portraying her as a villain (a somewhat sympathetic villain, but a villain nonetheless). McPhee really shone in her stage scenes. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/248 "2012-05-15T12:39:34Z")
Having just seen Megan Hilty onstage in _Gentlemen Prefer Blondes_ this weekend, it is even more frustrating to see McPhee get that part: Hilty–when you give her a chance and let her do more than pout and sulk–is a \*brilliant \*comic actress. McPhee is a pretty girl with a pretty voice. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/249 "2012-05-15T14:02:07Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Having just seen Megan Hilty onstage in _Gentlemen Prefer Blondes_ this weekend, it is even more frustrating to see McPhee get that part: Hilty–when you give her a chance and let her do more than pout and sulk–is a \*brilliant \*comic actress. Yeah, but she’s not a _star_. > [@](#): > > McPhee is a pretty girl with a pretty voice. The show has been advertised as a McPhee vehicle; there was no way to put Hilty in the Marilyn role for this episode. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/250 "2012-05-15T14:05:03Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > The show has been advertised as a McPhee vehicle; there was no way to put Hilty in the Marilyn role for this episode. That’s one of the many problems with this entertaining train wreck: they keep Mary Sueing McPhee down our throats, when someone with twice her talent is standing nearby. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/251 "2012-05-15T14:07:07Z")
I was having a hard time buying that you could write, orchestrate, light, learn and perform a new song as fast as was portrayed, but then I remembered that the **Glee** kids could do it, so… Plus, the orchestra is invisible so I guess they have magical powers and that probably helps. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/252 "2012-05-15T14:20:20Z")
The new Abridged script: [SMASH Abridged: Episode 15 - Broadway Abridged](http://www.broadwayabridged.com/scripts/smash-01-15.html#more) JACK DAVENPORT: Katharine, you are my Marilyn! You have something that Megan Hilty doesn’t! KATHARINE MCPHEE: Talent? JACK DAVENPORT: What? No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no. No. You have an overemphasized underdog status. That trumps talent any day! Marilyn is yours. Some of the creative team: We are echoing the voice of many audience members by saying that we believe Megan Hilty would do better! ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/253 "2012-05-15T16:49:38Z")
Wow, did I enjoy this ending! 1. They resolved the Deb/Ivy situation! I was really expecting this to drag out for the next year. 2. They admitted who the attempted-murderer was. LOVED the new ending. Greatly enjoyed the song. Can’t wait for next season. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/254 "2012-05-15T18:25:46Z")
Yeah, I agree – good ending to the season. Well, other than the whole “Karen has charisma and Ivy doesn’t,” which is ass-backwards. Loved Ivy’s attempts to sabotage her up till the last minute. And the suicide attempt – I likes me a nice season-ender cliff-hanger. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/255 "2012-05-15T20:04:55Z")
Another hugely amusing episode review: [Smash Recap: The (Less) Fat Lady Sings](http://www.vulture.com/2012/05/smash-recap-season-1-finale.html) ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/256 "2012-05-15T21:35:37Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Another hugely amusing episode review: [Smash Recap: The (Less) Fat Lady Sings](http://www.vulture.com/2012/05/smash-recap-season-1-finale.html) Thanks for that. I didn’t get half the references but that still left plenty of hilarity. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/257 "2012-05-16T12:36:51Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > Thanks for that. I didn’t get half the references but that still left plenty of hilarity. I think the writer gets paid by the obscure reference; either that or she’s just so impressed with herself for knowing them and knowing that many of the readers won’t know what she’s talking about. It was funny but it was also somewhat irritating to read. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/258 "2012-05-16T16:48:51Z")
The season ended like it began… with some really wonderful musical numbers and some fascinating and authentic-seeming backstage glances, with some boring and meaningless soap operatic plot crap, and with a lead actress who is pretty and can sing but just doesn’t have the star quality that we keep being told she does. Still, I certainly enjoyed the season overall, and am looking forward to next year. ---
**Author:** ![slitterst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slitterst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slitterst)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/259 "2012-05-17T02:16:00Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > _Les Mis_ is the most successful musical of all time (I think- may be second to Phantom but I don’t think so), and it has a higher body rate per capita than Jonestown and ends with the main character’s death. Did someone say [Jonestown](http://www.talkinbroadway.com/ob/08_21a_04.html)? I have actually seen Jonestown: The Musical. It was… interesting. Very high body count, certainly. And no one seemed to want to buy beverages at the concession stand. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974/260 "2012-05-17T05:19:04Z")
Just finished the last episode. I liked the last number, but there were large parts that I didn’t see any real connection to Marilyn with. “If you see someone’s hurt and in need of a hand, don’t forget me…” I’m sure Marilyn was a nice enough person, but really… was she Jesus’s baby sister? “But forget every man who I ever met/because they only live to control/other man hating lyrics…” Kind of trashes Dimaggio and Miller and others who seem to genuinely care about her. Also, the whole thing is just a little too upbeat for something that just ended in suicide. ## Anyway, eh. McPhee was adequate, but I’m just totally on Team Ivy. She looks and sounds the part and has the phoniness and reality of Marilyn. My guess for next season: Ivy is going to have a new secret admirer and singing coach that she thinks is her father’s angel. However, nobody will be able to find Ellis, and ever since he went missing there have been accidents and things vanishing from the theater and voices from behind mirrors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smash-glee-for-grownups/611974.md?page=14)