Fantasy Showrunner: How Fans Would Make Smash Sing!

Check out viewers' ideas to tweak the NBC musical

By Team WWK Jul 20, 2012 8:50 PMTags
Megan Hilty, SmashNBC

You raise some very good points, Smash fans. We heard your Fantasy Showrunner suggestions for what could make Smash's season two better. And you guys have some strong (and diametrically opposed) suggestions.

We don't think anyone would argue that Smash has the potential to be amazing. There were some great moments in season one.

But somewhere around midseason, something—maybe the bright lights of Broadway—steered the show off course. With a new showrunner and characters Ellis, Michael Swift and Frank all leaving, is that enough to save Smash?

Here are some of your suggestions to make Smash a hit.

Focus on the Musical: "Smash should be a show about making a musical, not a musical about making a musical. That Bollywood number? Never again"—Theresa

"AWESOME SHOW! But wanted more of the musical. The middle season seemed more like a soap opera. Focus more on making it a Broadway show!"—Joeandant

"I think they got away from some of the realness of Broadway and doing a show, but hey...they have to have "storylines." But I don't want it to be such a soap opera."—Deborah

Right Track? Maybe: "I liked Smash, but there was something lacking in the middle. Not sure they should have gotten rid of all characters named above. I didn't like Ellis but with him gone, where is the bad—as in good vs. bad? Like the music and the idea of Marilyn, the Musical."—ChinoG

"Frank leaving...hmmm. I kind of liked him but he was too much of a wounded animal after he found out Julia cheated. Grow a spine, sir. Or better yet, leave I guess. Dev, I actually liked but it's probably better for Karen to be single during her rise to fame. More fun that way!"—Ann

Ivy vs. Karen: "I think the characters they've decided to drop are a good idea. However, the show was much more interesting at the beginning when both female leads were sympathetic. The choice to make Ivy a Showgirls scale villain was a pathetic attempt to try and distract the viewers from the fact that she's more talented (and better suited to a Marilyn musical) than Katherine McPhee. Give the poor girl a break and let her character develop some depth. Similarly, give Karen some flaws beyond 'angelic naiveté.'"—SJH

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Like these ideas? Dislike? Sound off in the comments!

PHOTOS: 2012 Fall TV Preview