How is smash doing in the ratings

NBC executives weren't surprised that ratings declined without their top programs: They've been open about dimmer winter prospects for weeks.

But they didn't expect the floor to cave in, either. The challenge for programmers is that the network lacks a ready supply of replacement programming. Community returns Thursday but has always been a low-rated show; Celebrity Apprentice returns March 3 but will pale compared to Sunday's football crowd. And The Voice isn't back until March 25, when fan loyalty to one of fall's top new dramas, Revolution , will also be tested after a four-month break. Hannibal , a new take on the Silence of the Lambs killer that's NBC's only other backup drama, has not been scheduled and was being eyed for summer, but might be called into action a lot sooner.

Facebook Twitter Email. Some degree of sex appeal is essential to the Marilyn character. The show goes out of its way to change familiar brand names subbing YouLenz for YouTube, etc.

Songs from the series are available for purchase via iTunes, with plans to launch a full-scale musical in the future, depending on the series' success. Parents need to know that the main concern in this musical drama is sexual content.

Expect to see implied intercourse, some kissing, and seductive dancing in the style of Marilyn Monroe. Language and social drinking are barely present, but songs from the show will be available for purchase via iTunes, with a possible full-fledged musical to hit Broadway should the series perform well.

Add your rating See all 2 parent reviews. Add your rating See all 5 kid reviews. Chronicling the behind-the-scenes creation, casting, and staging of a fictional musical about Marilyn Monroe , SMASH follows the lives of the various players involved, from the show's writers Debra Messing and Christian Borle , producer Anjelica Huston , and director Jack Davenport to its aspiring stars.

At the center of the action are a pair of talented ingenues -- one, a fresh-faced newcomer Katharine McPhee , and the other, a more seasoned triple threat Megan Hilty -- who are both vying for the role of the iconic but ultimately tragic blond bombshell. Sprung from the mind of execustive producer Steven Spielberg , this carefully produced primetime musical with a big-name ensemble cast certainly wants to be taken seriously -- and it makes a convincing case. Less certain, however, is whether the series will have broad audience appeal that will make it the Smash it means to be.

After all, musicals aren't for everyone, and convincing the masses to watch week after week can be an uphill climb. But, hey The difference, of course, is in approach. While Glee dives right in with zippy dialogue, zagging plots, and autotuned pop songs, Smash asks more of its audience by doling the action out at a much slower pace and building most of its soundtrack from original songs, with just a few Top 10 hits thrown in to keep things familiar.

It's a quality show for sure, but at least initially, it lacks the magnetism of the Hollywood icon it pays homage to. Families can talk about Smash 's premise and the amount of planning that goes into creating an original Broadway musical.

How accurately do you think the series portrays the process? Do any of the steps surprise you? How much do you know about Marilyn Monroe -- and have you ever seen any of her movies?

Was there more to her talents than just good looks? Why do so many people continue to be fascinated by her life and career? Why do you think the show's producers chose to include pop songs so prominently in the series such as Christina Aguilera 's "Beautiful" in addition to original songs written for the "Marilyn" musical?

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. See how we rate. Streaming options powered by JustWatch. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. Our ratings are based on child development best practices.

We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality. Learn how we rate. Parents' Ultimate Guide to Support our work! Corona Column 3 Use these free activities to help kids explore our planet, learn about global challenges, think of solutions, and take action. If you strip away all the hype and pre-launch expectations from Smash , the show has actually done pretty well. Barring an unexpected collapse in the coming weeks, NBC will almost certainly renew it for a second season.

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