NBC's 'Smash' : A Tale of Two Marilyns

During the pilot episode of NBC’s new musical series “Smash,” playwright Julia complains about the lack of originality on Broadway.

“Revivals and movies,” she says after reading about plans for a stage version of “My Fair Lady.” “Why doesn’t anyone do new musicals anymore?”

Good question (for all entertainment, though, not just Broadway), and it is one Julia, played by Debra Messing, and writing partner Tom are about to address.

“Smash,” which premieres at 10 p.m. Monday and is also available for viewing now on Hulu, follows the duo in their quest to write an original musical about Marilyn Monroe. Joining them are powerful producer Eileen (Anjelica Huston), who is in the middle of a messy divorce, and big-shot director Derek (Jack Davenport, “Flash Forward”), who I’m hoping will become a more fully-rounded character as the series progresses. Right now, he’s a leering, cocky jerk.

The first episode also introduces us to two possible Marilyns: Iowa-bred waitress and aspiring actress Karen (“American Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee), a brunette who doesn’t look the part of Marilyn but has some serious pipes, and Ivy (Broadway actress Megan Hilty), who already has a few credits to her name and, with her blond hair and va-va-voom looks, could easily pass for Miss Monroe.

This wasn’t one of the shows I was super excited to watch this midseason — call it “Glee” fatigue if you will — but the first episode totally won me over.

It’s a really fun show, and the musical numbers are incorporated into scenes much less awkwardly than they are on “Glee” (sorry, but it’s the only other TV musical on right now, so the comparisons will be inevitable).

The singing is usually on stage or in rehearsal rooms, with some dramatic flourishes, of course. When Karen and Ivy audition at the end of the episode, the action bounces back and forth between them singing in front of the judges and being up on stage.

I’m not sure I’d care to watch an actual musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe, but I sure will tune into a TV show about the making of one. A smash, indeed.