Hypable columnist Lyle Brandon gives his take on the often-compared series.

I’ve got to say, when I first heard rumblings that another musical show was coming to NBC, my first thought was that it would be a Glee knock-off. When I started seeing how they promoted the show, I still wasn’t hooked. It felt as if they were marketing it as Glee for adults. I had little to no interest.

However, one day, as I was at home sick doing my usual catch-up with my DVR and my iPad television apps, I realized I was all caught up on everything. For me, this is a rarity, as I watch, on average, at least 15 different series each season. What can I say, I’m obsessed with the noble profession of acting. Anyway, I was flipping through the shows available on the NBC app, when I saw Smash. Initially, I passed it, but as I had nothing else to watch, I thought why not. I had always loved the theatre, especially musicals, and with a cast that included one Oscar winner, an Emmy winner, and multiple Tony nominees, I figured I’d give it a shot.

Boy am I glad I did, as it has quickly become one of my favorite shows. I think what makes it so genius is that unlike the way they marketed it, it’s nothing like Glee. Now before all of you Gleeks come at me with your torches and pitchforks, hear me out. I, too, was a huge fan of Glee. In my opinion, the first twelve episodes of the show were some of the most revolutionary, groundbreaking, beautiful work I’d seen in a long time. However, I think once the show hit (and god damn did it hit), it became something different. It was all about which A-list star was on the next episode, and how many top 40 songs they could squeeze into one episode. By season 3, I think Murphy saw his mistake, and attempted to resurrect the show to its former glory, using more Broadway tunes and less guest stars. However, the show still feels like a PSA, each week plugging a different cause, which is great for awareness, but maybe not necessarily great for a cohesive narrative.

There are a few things, in my opinion, that set Smash apart from Glee. First of all, very rarely are they just breaking out into song, mid-sentence while brushing their teeth. I would say 95% of the time, the music used on the show fits in naturally, for example, when they’re rehearsing or performing. Glee, while certainly employing the music in performances and practicing as well, has a much larger tendency to do numbers in the vein of an actual stage musical.

Even though I love going to see a Broadway musical, it’s different when it’s a film or television version. I think many people who have an aversion to musicals in general, hate how a character will just break out into song mid-sentence. It’s different, to me at least, on stage, because of just that. It’s a Broadway musical. That’s what they do. But when your watching a film, and the camera is showing every detail on your face, it can sometimes read as awkward, contrived, or even unrealistic. Because of this, I feel as if Smash could potentially appeal to a broader audience: those who like musicals, and those who may not.

I also love how Smash isn’t just about the music. Sure, it’s a musical, and the songs, both original and covers, are fantastic, but it’s very focused on the acting narrative. To me, Glee feels as if they pick the music first, and make a story around it. I could be incorrect, but that’s just the way it strikes me. Plus, the cast on Smash is just phenomenal. Angelica Huston? Like, HELLO. Besides being an Oscar winner herself for Prizzi’s Honor, she comes from a famous show biz family. In fact, she’s the third generation of Hustons to win an Oscar. Then, there’s the beautiful Debra Messing, who has shown such versatility. Most audiences know her from her Emmy-winning role as Grace on Will and Grace, but on Smash, she really evokes such a subtle drama that I would be shocked if she does not get nominated for next year’s Emmys. Megan Hilty, who plays the damaged, evil, misunderstood Ivy, is a Broadway vet, having played Galinda in my second favorite musical of all time, Wicked. Lastly, Katharine McPhee, the star of the show. Who would have thought when she lost American Idol, years later, she would be center stage on a hit series and knocking each scene she’s in out of the park? All I can say is, Taylor Hicks who?

My final point focuses on a concern that many shows face today. That of an ensemble cast. It can be difficult maintaining a show with so many different characters, each with their own story to tell. As it has been discussed fervently on Hypable, Glee has a tendency to forget about some of its characters. Sometimes it feels like the title should be called “Rachel and Blaine…and their slightly less-talented friends.” Smash does an amazing job at balancing storylines, giving each character close to the same amount of screen time, giving the audience time to cultivate its true opinions of each and every character.

I know it sounds like I’m bashing Glee, but I can’t stress enough how much I loved it. I really was obsessed, spending hours watching cast interviews on YouTube and downloading almost every song ever sung on the show. It’s just that I feel like I’m watching the show out of obligation, rather than desire. Still, I try to watch it when it airs so I can do my part in helping its slowly depreciating ratings.

If you aren’t already a fan of Smash, then heed the following orders. GO WATCH THE FIRST EPISODE NOW. As the season finale just aired, you have some time to catch up on the first season. Then, come season 2, you’ll be hooked and anxious to watch. Then of course, you’ll have to wait for the new episode each week. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves. Getting into a show after a few seasons of it being on the air, having a two week marathon of episodes, then having to wait each week for new episodes. Regardless, it’s totally worth it with Smash. What are you waiting for? GO!