'Smash': A new rival for 'Glee'?

Published May 16 2011, 18:05 BST  |  By Alex Fletcher

Out of NBC's new season lineup, one show jumped out immediately and caught our eye -
Smash. The success of Glee has been so overwhelming, it's no surprise that NBC are rolling up their legwarmers, dusting off some show tunes and having a shot at their own musical drama series. Taking a slightly more adult tone to Rachel Berry and co, Smash follows the tears, tantrums and dramas of an aspiring Broadway production based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Essentially, it's the show that Lea Michelle could have made with a Rachel Berry spinoff.

Christian Borle and the brilliant Debra Messing (Will & Grace) star as songwriting duo Tom and Julie, who are aiming for another Broadway hit. American Idol's Katharine McPhee and Broadway's Megan Hilty are respectively cast as the young "inexperienced Midwestern beauty" and the "stage veteran" who are battling it out for the lead role. Angelica Houston and Jack Davenport are also onboard and a crack team of writers and producers, who have credits ranging from Hairspray to The Borgias, suggests that there's plenty to get excited about with this project. Smash looks like a promising prospect and it's so gloriously camp, New Directions will probably be watching their backs.

Oh, and did we mention it is being exec-produced by Steven Spielberg (nope, we didn't have him pinned down as a McKinley High fanatic either)? The show is being cleverly held back in the schedules for the mid-season - so there's a bit of a wait for the premiere - but that does mean it will coincide with the second run of The Voice in 2012.

Want to find out more about the show? Well watch the clips below for some teasers and cast interviews:

Katharine McPhee chats about Smash:


Broadway veteran Megan Hilty performs in Smash:


Debra Messing chats about her character in Smash


Will you be tuning in to Smash? Do you think it can be as big as Glee? Share your opinions below.