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Singer/actress will join co-star Katharine McPhee on Sony imprint Masterworks.By Jocelyn Vena Megan Hilty Photo: Getty Images "Smash" has been renewed up for a second season, and now one of its stars has landed a record deal. Megan Hilty is joining "Smash" co-star Katharine McPhee on Sony imprint Masterworks, also home to Wilson Phillips and Kristin Chenoweth. The Hollywood Reporter noted that while no release date has been set for Hilty's first album, she is currently working on demos. Hilty told MTV News last month that she would love to pattern her career after now-labelmate Chenoweth, who has transitioned from Broadway sensation to actress and singer. "I look at the people's careers who I want to emulate, like Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters," Hilty said. "They've all found the key to longevity in this business, and that is diversifying, doing as many things as possible to keep yourself relevant, and so hopefully I'm on the same track as all those amazing women." While these days she's burning up the small screen, Hilty has put in plenty of work on the stage as well, acting in "Wicked" (like Chenoweth) and "9 to 5." Before landing a lead role on "Smash," Hilty appeared on "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty" and the Disney series "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." "It was something that I never really thought was possible," Hilty said of her starring role on the show, which also includes Anjelica Huston and Debra Messing. "I always thought Broadway's the goal, and then I moved out to L.A. with 'Wicked' and started doing guest-star spots and little recurring things, and I was like, 'Well, this is pretty great, I'm kind of digging this.' " Will you check out Megan Hilty's recording career? Let us know in the comments!
NBC's highly anticipated musical drama, starring Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty, premieres Monday night (February 6).By Christina Garibaldi
Katharine McPhee in "Smash"
Photo: NBC
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past month, chances are you have seen a promo for NBC's new musical drama "Smash." The show, which has been in development since 2009, revolves around two aspiring Broadway stars — played by "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee and Broadway star Megan Hilty — vying to land the role in a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
To get you ready for this highly anticipated new show, here is everything you need to know about "Smash," premiering Monday night (February 6).
Hollywood and Broadway collide
The show is packed with A-list talent: Hollywood veterans Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston lead the cast, also including Broadway actor Christian Borle and Brian d'Arcy James. Yet, it's the star power behind the scenes that's equally as impressive: There are Tony Award winners, Grammy winners and Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who came up with the concept of the show.
Let's also not forget the diverse list of guest stars, who include Uma Thurman, OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder and Nick Jonas, who is currently starring on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Marilyn Monroe is ready for her close-up
It seems that Marilyn Monroe is having a moment, with Michelle Williams winning a Golden Globe for playing the pinup queen in "My Week With Marilyn," and now, "Smash" revolving the series around her life.
The two actresses competing to play Marilyn are Ivy, played by Hilty, and Karen, played by McPhee. Viewers might get the sense that the characters' personalities represent the different phases of Monroe's life, with Ivy as the bombshell Monroe, and Karen looking more like Norma Jean, the girl next door.
True to Broadway
If you are questioning whether or not the drama portrayed on and off the stage is anything like a real Broadway show, the answer is yes. From the auditioning process to the endless rehearsals and, of course, the backstage drama, Hilty says "Smash" takes only small liberties in enhancing the drama in what is already a cut-throat environment.
"There are so many times I've been backstage [on Broadway] and I look around and I'm like, 'Where's the camera?' 'cause the drama that's happening back here is way more interesting than what's out on that stage," Hilty told MTV News. "It's just because when you're doing a live performance, the adrenaline is pumping and the stakes are really high, so everyone's really amped up and it literally sets the stage for drama."
Are you excited for "Smash"? Let us know in the comments!
Reuters - NBC's new musical drama "Smash" could hardly have a stronger pedigree: Idea by Steven Spielberg, songs by award-winning Broadway producers, stars including Anjelica Huston and Debra Messing, and screen icon Marilyn Monroe holding the whole show-within-a show together.
In season 11, show faces increased competition from 'The Voice.'By Gil Kaufman Steven Tyler, Jenniger Lopez and Randy Jackson on "American Idol" Photo: Michael Becker / FOX Back in the day when "American Idol" was the lumbering 800-pound gorilla of the reality-singing-competition world, it was hard to imagine a time when the top-rated show on TV could ever be toppled. But like any smashingly popular series that eventually loses some of its luster (see "Lost," "Deal or No Deal" and "Two and a Half Men"), this year, "Idol" is facing a turning point of sorts. Still a ratings juggernaut, season 11 of the show will launch Wednesday night in an atmosphere ripe with other singing shows that could start nipping at its heels. "For nine years, 'Idol' had the entire airwaves to itself with lesser rivals like 'Nashville Star' ... [but now] the world feels much more cluttered with singing shows," said veteran entertainment journalist Richard Rushfield, author of "American Idol: The Untold Story." Among the shows Rushfield pointed to are former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell's recently concluded "X Factor," NBC's "The Voice" (which launched in late April last year but will debut after the Super Bowl on February 5) and NBC's Broadway musical drama "Smash," which stars "Idol" alum Katharine McPhee and Debra Messing (February 6). Even with all those shows competing for eyeballs and threatening to create singing fatigue, Rushfield still feels "Idol" has a good chance of continuing its ratings dominance. "This year, after 'The Voice' and 'X Factor,' I think it's really clear what slice of the pie 'Idol' has and that they're all very different shows going after very different audiences," he said. "'Factor was making a very deliberate attempt to position itself as young and contemporary for an audience more open to an edgier, harsher show, and 'Idol' has doubled down on being the middle-American, older, feel-good, soft, nonthreatening show." While ratings did continue their slow decline last year, "Idol" remained the overall champ, even as some critics complained about the sometimes too-sunny face put on by new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. As "Idol" prepares to bombard viewers with eight audition episodes featuring the predictable mix of potential stars and wackadoodle nobodies over the next month, Village Voice music editor Maura Johnston suggested perhaps it's time the show's runners take a look around and tweak the formula. "One thing the success of 'The Voice' speaks to is that people want the action to start earlier," she said of the two-and-out round of blind auditions held by the competing show last season. "The audition episodes on 'Idol' get ratings ... but at the same time, it's grueling. 'The Voice' was so exciting because they put the competition and head-to-head stuff in so early." Ratings history has shown that as programs like "Idol" continue on into their double-digit years, their audience invariably get older. The show has also failed to launch another superstar on the rank of winners Kelly Clarkson or season four's Carrie Underwood, with last year's winner, country teen Scotty McCreery, becoming the first platinum-selling champ since season seven's David Cook. With "The Voice" and "X Factor" both putting a more musically and racially eclectic roster of winners and top finishers in the mix, is this the year the "four cute white guys in a row" factor might catch up with "Idol"? Johnston doesn't think so. "One thing 'Idol' is speaking to over the past couple of years is the hunger among a certain demo for male pop singers who aren't operating in a hip-hop idiom, but in a more guitar-centric way," she said. There was a fear that with main meanie Cowell gone, viewers might turn their backs en masse at the sunshiny vibe of Tyler and Lopez, but Rushfield said that "Idol" could end up like such perennial ratings-getters as the World Series, sticking around year-after-year through ratings booms and busts. "It could lose two-thirds of its audience and still be a strong hit show by contemporary standards," he said. "They found their most successful singer in half a decade, so you can't look at it as on the course of decline. [With Tyler and Lopez] it also has new life, but the only question is ... is there just singing-competition fatigue?" Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Interviews From The 'American Idol' Red Carpet 'American Idol' Finale Highlights
'We're just actually really grateful that 'Glee' has opened the door,' former American Idol says of her upcoming musical series.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Katharine McPhee at the Golden Globes on Sunday Photo: Jeff Vespa/ WireImage During the Golden Globes on Sunday night (January 15), there was one promo that played nearly on a loop. The commercial for NBC's new music-themed prime-time drama, "Smash," seemed to play almost as much as the show itself, which featured funny barbs from host Ricky Gervais, an equally funny response from Golden Globe-winner Madonna and a big win for "The Descendants," which took home Best Motion Picture - Drama. Before the Golden Globes kicked off, MTV News caught up with "Smash" leading lady and former American Idol Katharine McPhee on the red carpet. She happily explained how there's really no competition between her forthcoming show and that other singing show on Fox, "Glee." "You know, we're so secluded from L.A., where they're shooting 'Glee,' and we haven't had any interaction. No one's had any sort of conversations. We're just actually really grateful that 'Glee' has opened the door," she said. "And has made music work on television." In teases for the show, McPhee is seen covering Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," and when we caught up with her, she told us that later on in the season there will be a Rihanna cover. McPhee even went on to share what famed actors and singers will also appear on the highly anticipated show. "Well, we have Uma Thurman, who's not a pop star but a movie star. She's actually shooting with us already," she said. "[One Republic frontman] Ryan Tedder is a guest star. So he's a pop star and an amazing writer. Oh god, and Nick Jonas. We're doing pretty good for the first season." "Smash," also starring Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston and produced by Steven Spielberg, premieres February 6. The show follows the behind-the-scenes staging of a Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe, who is certainly in the zeitgeist nowadays as Michelle Williams just nabbed a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the Hollywood icon in "My Week With Marilyn." Stick with MTV News all night for the 2012 Golden Globes winners, and don't miss all the fashion from the Golden Globes red carpet! Related Videos On The Red Carpet At The Golden Globes 2012 Golden Globes: Highlights From The Show Related Photos Golden Globes 2012: The Afterparties Golden Globes 2012 Press Room MTV Style | 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet Photos
With a new series from Steven Spielberg plus the return of 'Mad Men' and many others, TV addicts have a lot to get hyped about.By Jim Cantiello The cast of "Jersey Shore" Photo: MTV "Revenge," "American Horror Story," "New Girl," 2 Broke Girls," "Girl Girl" (OK, we made that last one up). Coming off one of the most satisfying fall seasons in recent memory, 2012 has a lot to live up to in order to keep TV addicts hyped up in the new year. Admit it, couch potatoes: We've been spoiled. Can the upcoming midseason keep the momentum going? Perhaps the biggest hope for viewers is Steven Spielberg's "Smash," a new musical series starring "American Idol" alum Katharine McPhee and "Will & Grace" star Debra Messing. Although "Glee" comparisons are unavoidable (OMG, people are singing songs and dancing on prime-time TV!), the extended previews suggest a more mature affair. "Smash" is a warts-and-all depiction of what it's like to create a new Broadway show. Competing actresses, sparring producers, Anjelica Friggin' Huston in your living room chewing scenery every week ... What's not to love? Spielberg isn't the only movie maverick headed to the television world this year. "Paranormal Activity" mastermind Oren Peli is partially responsible for ABC's "The River," in which a travelogue host goes missing in the Amazon, sparking a rescue mission led by his wife, son and former TV crew. Will Peli's patented "found footage" device work on the boob tube? Small-screen suspense is hot thanks to Ryan Murphy's "American Horror Story," whose addictive first season wrapped up before Christmas. However, Murphy's Achilles heel is sustaining quality and buzz over multiple seasons (see "Nip/Tuck," "Glee"), so fans are cautiously optimistic for its return in the fall. Murphy also has his hand in a new sitcom pilot about a gay couple and a surrogate that caused a bidding war between all the major networks, not to mention several feature films in development and the third season of "Glee," which continues to roll along. Fingers crossed Murphy can stay focused enough on F/X's breakout gothic hit to keep season two just as juicy and batsh-- as its debut. Speaking of shows that derailed after one season, "Heroes" creator Tim Kring is back on the network horse, bringing the touchy-feely father-son drama "Touch" to Fox this spring. The premise? Kiefer Sutherland plays a widowed dad struggling to take care of his mute, autistic son. Can't wait to watch Ryan Seacrest awkwardly interview Kiefer in the "Idol" audience about that one. There's a mini-"Lost" reunion happening on Fox thanks to "Alcatraz," J.J. Abrams' latest. It's a (what else?) convoluted mystery that takes place on an island! Instead of plane crash survivors, this one's about long-deceased guards and inmates reappearing decades later. Hurley (a.k.a. Jorge Garcia) co-stars. No word yet on whether the smoke monster will make a cameo. In 2011, MTV had a breakout year with scripted television thanks to action-packed "Teen Wolf" and sharply hilarious "Awkward." Both of your faves will be back this summer, with "Teen Wolf" expanding to 24 episodes and "Awkward." boasting new love woes for Jenna. Brooklyn-based comedy "I Just Want My Pants Back" will get the full-season treatment in February. And millions of fist-pumpers will be happy when America's most popular partiers get belligerent in Seaside Heights when the fifth season of "Jersey Shore" spreads like an STD on January 5. On the opposite end of the TV spectrum, AMC's "Mad Men" will finally be back in March. We've waited longer than usual for new Don Draper exploits thanks to a behind-the-scenes kerfuffle between show creator Matthew Weiner and the cable network. Now that the contracts have been signed, we can all jump back into the adventures of the 1960s advertising world. For those of you who forgot where we left off (spoilers on the way), Don's engaged to secretary Megan, his (crazy!) ex-wife is shacking up with a politician, Joan's preggers and their preteen daughter is a chronic masturbator. And you wonder why this show wins a million Emmys. The other Emmy favorite, "30 Rock," has found itself stuck between a very odd rock and hilarious hard place now that Kim Jong-il has passed away. Remember, last season ended with Jack Donaghy's wife, Avery Jessup, kidnapped in North Korea and forcibly married to Jong-il's son Kim Jong-un. Given the breaking news, the show's sixth season may need to re-vamp its planned plotline with Margaret Cho as the recently deceased dictator. Showrunner Robert Carlock recently told the press that "30 Rock" plans on airing the episodes they've already banked with Cho and aren't even sure they'll kill off her character at all. Sounds twisted! Reality junkies are stoked for the second season of Lifetime's "Dance Moms," launching January 10. Pittsburgh's leading instructor for aspiring Broadway starlets Abby Lee Miller is looking to add a new dancer to her competitive troupe. Grab-the-popcorn alert: A new dancer means a new mom with whom she will clash. Loudly. Plus, producers have smartly signed on rival Candy Apples dance instructor Cathy Nesbitt-Stein for another batch of episodes. 2012 will also bring us explosive new seasons of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (long in the can and still making headlines thanks to public feuds between castmembers), Oxygen's late-bloomer "The Glee Project" and a bigger, badder, bolder "X Factor" this fall. "X"-man Simon Cowell recently promised a "blood bath" behind the scenes. RIP awkward host Steve Jones? Aspiring fashionistas have a lot to add to their DVRs. ABC Family's latest is called "Jane by Design," sort of a weekly "Devil Wears Prada" for the teenage set. NBC is premiering Elle Macpherson and Jessica Simpson's reality competition "Fashion Star" in March. Lifetime is airing a full "Project Runway All Stars" season (featuring MTV News fave Sweet P!) as well as a new show called "24 Hour Catwalk," hosted by Alexa Chung. The CW has a "Kitchen Nighmares"-type series about modeling agencies called "Running Out of TV Ideas," I mean, "Remodeled." Lastly, Rachel Zoe's former assistant Brad Goreski gets top billing in Bravo's "It's a Brad, Brad World," beginning January 2. That's a lot of look. And finally, as if you need any reminding, "American Idol" is back for its 11th season on January 18. Last year boasted beefy ratings despite star Simon Cowell jumping ship, a winner who shattered Billboard country records and more frilly scarves than HSN's stockroom courtesy of new judge Steven Tyler. However, last year's "AI" premiered in a pre-"Voice," pre-"X Factor" landscape. With NBC's blind-auditions-and-Xtina-in-a-swivel-chair gimmick returning in a cushy post-Super Bowl spot (where, coincidentally, "Idol's" sophomore season kicked off in 2003), and with "The X Factor" shattering pre-conceived notions of what reality production value can be, will the aging Fox staple now seem quaint? Or perhaps it will feel like a familiar hug from a grandmother. Regardless, even if the reality juggernaut loses half its audience, it will still make the network oodles of money. In other words, "American Idol" may outlive us all. What shows are you most excited to see return? Any new series already set on your DVR? Let us know in the comments! 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