Comments on: NBC’s SMASH: Not Exactly Smashing

By: Smashfan

Smashfan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:14:37 +0000

I have to be honest, I love musical theatre but it annoys me when people automatically assume that someone’s voice must be better because its more powerful. I think Megan Hilty’s voice is fantastic, but Katharine McPhee’s voice is superior in terms of purity, tone and just how beautiful it sounds. Of course her voice is more poppy, but that’s kinda the point isn’t it? 1. Karen isn’t trained, doesn’t have a stereotypical Broadway voice and that’s what Derek likes about her – her innocence to play Marilyn which shows through in her more pure voice. 2. Of course Katharine McPhee isn’t a Broadway singer, but it was a smart move having someone on the show who will appeal more to the wider audience. Guaranteed that if the shows focus was 2 leading ladies with powerful Broadway voices the show would crash and burn. Still might! But for this show to work it has to appeal to as many people as possible and I can totally buy into Derek being more keen on Karen.

Also at no point does the pilot try and make out that Karen’s voice is superior to Ivy’s. It’s just a preference thing amongst the characters.

By: Erin Copple Smith

Erin Copple Smith — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:39:12 +0000

Thanks for the review, Jennifer–I enjoyed reading it, and shared it with my students, also. We actually discussed the representations of gender in the forms of Karen & Ivy in class yesterday (it’s a gender/sexuality course), and there was a lot for them to talk about! Your post provides additional food for thought, and I appreciate it. I haven’t watched the full episode yet, but look forward to checking it out–in part because I, too, love musical theater!

By: Kevin Courtright

Kevin Courtright — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:10:36 +0000

Jennifer Margret Smith’s Critique: Not Exactly Accurate
This review is typical of critics — Well written, good use of the dictionary, and nothing more than opinion. The biggest problem of Smith’s critique is her glaring lack of knowledge about Katharine McPhee and her career thus far. Smith clearly has no idea that McPhee was once training for a Broadway career, that she is a HIGHLY trained vocalist with a classical background (amongst many other styles), and that her voice is extremely powerful. To speak of McPhee’s voice as “small” and “breathy” accentuates Smith’s unforgivable lack of research. Clearly she’s never heard McPhee sing live, with suitably “powerful” material. Other than that, the review’s great!

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:57:12 +0000

I think you misunderstand why Derek is choosing Karen. He’s choosing her over Ivy because of her innocence. I’m sure he thought Ivy’s voice was better, but that doesn’t mean she’s right for the part. In the previews for upcoming episodes, we see a clip of Derek and Tom arguing over Karen and Ivy. Derek says that it’s the experience that we don’t want. It’s the innocence that is, “very Marilyn”.

Also, the scene where she goes to Dereks house is a cliche but her reaction at the end is interesting. The scene where she indicates that she might have sex, but then at that last 2nd, she says no. It shows that while she is naive, she is also a very strong young woman.