Talkin Smash! Talkin Smash!
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- TV & Film
Ruth & Tina are two longtime friends who met on a theater tour. Here they review the NBC musical drama, Smash, which aired on NBC from 2012-2103.
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Ep. 115 Bombshell
It’s finally opening night and we’ve got thoughts, feelings, and faves! We recorded this in January 2022 so the pop culture we’re talking about is of that time.
Scarf Count: 1
Bombshell
Directed by Michael Morris
Written by Theresa Rebeck
Originally aired 5/14/2012
NBC.com Synopsis:
The big night is finally here. Tom and Julia race against time to save the show, while Derek makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen and Ivy forever.
Pop Culture References: Little Women, Greta Gerwig, Little Women costume design, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Midsommar, 30 Rock, Chronic Loaf, Real Housewives, Aaron Sorkin, Amadeus, Mean Girls (the musical), West Side Story, Ibiza: Love Drunk, Willow, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Rogers: The Musical, tick, tick…BOOM!, The Three Musketeers, The Wheel of Time, Schmigadoon!
Smashlash: Noel Murray for AV Club https://www.avclub.com/smash-bombshell-1798172808/amp
Under 5 of the Week: the usher who says ‘Program!’
Least Problematic Man of the Week: Tom!
Musical Numbers:
All our returning Bombshell favorites plus the debut of ‘Don’t Forget Me’ by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck
Tina is @nice_white_lady
Ruth is @yellow_fairy19
We are @talkinsmash
www.talkinsmash.com -
Ep. 114 Previews
We discuss the overlap between musical theater fans and sci-fi , movie stars on Broadway, and how Smash depicts the casting couch.
Scarf Count: 9
Previews
Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill
Written by David Marshall Grant
NBC.com Synopsis: “Bombshell”faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall.
Pop Culture References: Alyssa Milano, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Prince, Spock, Doctor Who, Daleks, Weeping Angels, Shakespeare, Slings & Arrows, Luke Kirby, Six Degrees of Separation, Stockard Channing, The Devil Wears Prada, Angels in America, Scarlett Johansson, Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Katharine Hepburn, Coco Chanel, Natasha Richardson, Cabaret, Daryl Zanuck, Dave Chappelle, Harvey Weinstein, Ursula, The Little Mermaid, game theory, the prisoner’s dilemma, Marc Kudisch, Bye Bye Birdie, Gaston, Beauty and the Beast, 9 to 5: The Musical, David Mamet, John Malkovich, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Water Engine, Anjelica Huston, Walter Huston, Knickerbocker Holiday, Marianne Faithfull, 20th Century Blues, Pirate Jenny, Fred Astaire, Cole Porter, Lassie, J’accuse!, Jon Snow, The Kids Are All Right, Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Isiah Whitlock, American Idol, Marilyn Monroe
Smashlash: https://www.google.com/amp/s/tv.avclub.com/smash-previews-1798172710/amp
Under 5 of the Week: Hinton Battle as the preacher!
Least Problematic Man of the Week: Tom!
What Would Tarana Burke Say? How To Deal With Sexual Harassment by Ashley Steves https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/deal-sexual-harassment-65206/#section0
Musical Numbers:
Smash! by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
September Song by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson
Stand by Donnie McClurkin
Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck
Tina is @nice_white_lady
Ruth is @yellow_fairy19
We are @talkinsmash
www.talkinsmash.com -
Episode 1.13 Tech
We discuss erectile dysfunction ads, how Karen is a Karen, and the problems of casting a non-singer with no stage experience in an unfinished new musical.
Scarf Count: 13
Tech
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Written by Jason Grote and Lakshmi Sundaram
NBC.com Synopsis:
“Bombshell” moves to Boston as it finally finds its way to the stage.
Pop Culture References:
Marie Kondo, Star Trek: Voyager, Tea With Queen & J, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Kiss Me Kate, Rex Harrison, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chicago, Carwash, Mary J. Blige, Gilmore Girls
Listen to Tea With Queen & J on your podcast app or at
http://www.teawithqueenandj.com
You can follow the show @teawithqj and on their hashtag #teawithqj
Smashlash:
Hillary Busis, Entertainment Weekly https://www.google.com/amp/s/ew.com/recap/smash-season-1-episode-13/%3famp=true
Under 5 of the Week: Ty Jones as Sam’s brother. Follow him @TDJNYC.
Least Problematic Man of the Week: Sam! Congratulations again Leslie Odom, Jr. Follow him @leslieodomjr
Musical Numbers:
Another Op’nin’, Another Show by Cole Porter
I’m Going Down by Norman Whitfield
Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck
Tina is @nice_white_lady
Ruth is @yellow_fairy19
We are @talkinsmash
www.talkinsmash.com
#talkinsmash -
Episode 1.12 Publicity
Episode 112 Publicity
Guys, it’s the episode with the Bollywood number! We also discuss Dev’s growing resentment of Karen having a life, how good Ellis looks, and we Kent Test everyone’s favorite stage manager-Linda, played by Ann Harada! You can follow Ann Harada on Twitter at @annharada
Scarf Count: 32! A new record!
Publicity
Directed by Michael Mayer
Written by Therea Rebeck
NBC.com Synopsis: Karen finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall… but can Rebecca be trusted?
Pop Culture References: Bollywood, Steven Spielberg, Marilyn Monroe, Broadway, Joe DiMaggio, Tony Yazbeck, Julie Klausner
The Kent Test: Linda scored a 5. The highest score for a woman of color yet!
The Kent Test was created by Clarkisha Kent. You can find her and the test on https://clarkishakent.com.
Smashlash:
Hillary Busis for Entertainment Weekly: https://www.google.com/amp/s/ew.com/recap/smasn-season-1-episode-12/%3famp=true
Noel Murray for AV Club: https://www.google.com/amp/s/tv.avclub.com/smash-publicity-1798172527/amp
Under 5 of the Week: Erin Wyatt as Lindsey Mullins IG: @wyattgram
Least Problematic Man of the Week: Tom!
Musical Numbers:
“Run” by Snow Patrol
“Secondhand White Baby Grand” by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
“A Thousand and One Nights” by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck
Tina is @nice_white_lady
Ruth is @yellow_fairy19
We are @talkinsmash
www.talkinsmash.com
Watch Smash at nbc.com or the NBC app. -
Episode 0.02 Bombshell in Concert
Ruth and Tina do a quick debrief directly after the May 20th Bombshell In Concert streaming event. It was before the oh-so-exciting announcement of Smash, A New Musical but we’ll talk about that and more on our next episode coming soon.
Tina is @nice_white_lady
Ruth is @yellow_fairy19
We are @talkinsmash
www.talkinsmash.com -
Episode 1.11 The Movie Star
We celebrate the advent of Uma Thurman on the show, the growing camaraderie of Karen and Ivy, and the sexiness of emotionally available men. We bemoan the musical number of the week and wonder why no one on this show will stand up for musicals?! In the episode, the creative team tries to morph the show to suit their movie star. Ellis’ sexual gamesmanship is foiled by a call waiting fail. Dev is still the worst.
Scarf Count: 13
The Movie Star
Directed by Tricia Brock
Written by Julie Rottenberg & Elisa Zuritsky
NBC.com Synopsis:
“Bombshell” is turned upside-down by the arrival of movie star Rebecca Duvall. Karen and Ivy are drawn into an uneasy alliance against their new rival — but can they overcome their history? The romance between Tom and Sam heats up, while Julia and Frank must put aside their differences to address a family crisis.
Pop Culture References:
Gilligan’s Island, Soapdish, Katie Holmes tap dancing on SNL, Parks & Recreation, Gilmore Girls, Stephen Sondheim, Hustlers, the Actors Studio, The West Wing, Mickey Rooney ruining Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Guys & Dolls, Ewan McGregor, Jane Krakowski, White Christmas, Martha Graham, Audrey Hepburn, Funny Face, Gigi
Under 5 of the Week: The Guidance Counselor (Betsy Aidem)
Least Problematic Man of the Week: Nick (Thorsten Kaye)
Uma Thurman interview – Feb 3, 2018: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/opinion/sunday/this-is-why-uma-thurman-is-angry.html
Musical Numbers:
Our Day Will Come by Mort Garson and Bob Hilliard
Dig Deep by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
But instead of those, watch Audrey Hepburn from “Funny Face”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4G5hUvL-wI
Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck.
Tina is @nice_white_lady
Ruth is @yellow_fairy19
We are @talkinsmash
www.talkinsmash.com