'Smash' works on a number of levels

“Smash.” If you’ve been watching any network television at all, it’s the only show you’ve been hearing about for the last two months. Following the Super Bowl and the premier of the second season of “The Voice,” “Smash” made its debut Monday night on NBC. And so, despite my assumption that the show would simply be another “Glee,” I caved and decided to see what all the fuss was about. (Looks like NBC’s advertising ploy worked on at least one person.) And I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

“Smash” — produced by the one-and-only Steven Spielberg — follows Karen Cartwright (“American Idol’s” season five runner-up, Katherine McPhee), a 24-year-old from Iowa who is trying to make it in the big city as a Broadway star. After much rejection, she finds herself auditioning among a group of look-alike Marilyn Monroe’s for the lead in a soon-to-be hit new musical from the likes of acclaimed songwriting duo Julia (“Will and Grace’s” Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borie). A brunette with little sex appeal, Karen’s voice captivates the panel, and she soon finds herself pit up against blond bombshell, Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty), a triple threat who seems to have it all, including the drive and desire to break away as the next big star. With two completely different personalities, it’s all up to the girls to woo the likes of Julia, Tom, producer Eileen (Angelica Houston) and egotistical director, Derek (“Pirates of the Caribbean’s” Jack Davenport).

What makes “Smash” so magical is the realism of it all (that, and the beautiful production quality, courtesy of Spielberg, I’m sure). With “Smash” we are shown the inner workings of putting on a successful Broadway musical, from start to finish, with all the key players and with all the backstage drama that comes with the territory. “Smash” shows us that it’s not as easy as it looks, especially when you’re trying to balance a home life, as is with Julia and her husband, who are looking to adopt a child, despite Julia’s reluctancy to turn down any new work project. The writers have successfully made us care about the characters from one episode and they make it easy for the audience to connect to them.

Many of the actors on “Smash” have been on Broadway and have plenty of experience, including Hilty, who was in acclaimed hits “Wicked” and “9 to 5: The Musical.” But if this bares anything about where the story line of the show will go, the real standout is newcomer McPhee. Despite her only previous major acting credit being the comedy “The House Bunny,” McPhee holds her own among a cast of veteran actors. She really gives us her all in “Smash,” and she has such a presence, just as she did on the “American Idol” stage back in 2006. Her voice is gorgeous, as in when she sings “Over the Rainbow” and “Beautiful” in the premier, and she simply has the “star quality” that could take her to the next level.

It’s a musical drama that seamlessly interweaves the two genres. The pacing of the story line is dead on — we don’t get bored as we get to know the characters — and “Smash” manages to transition to musical numbers effortlessly. Everything just fits — even the baseball number. Nothing is random — there aren’t any kids busting into song in the hallways of their school. It’s just solid, fun, entertainment that works. As Monroe would say, “Smash” just wants to be loved by you, and I suggest you give it a shot.