It’s been a while since you’ve answered any CASTLE related questions. Care to rectify this little oversight? — Alec
The TV Addict: Ask and ye shall receive. Specifically, scoop on an upcoming episode that has CASTLE creator Andrew Marlowe cleverly jumping on the fairytale bandwagon. Hilariously titled, “Once Upon a Crime,” the February 27th episode will see Castle and Beckett on a “grimm” (See what we did there?) hunt to catch a fairytale killer when women dressed as Red Riding Hood and Snow White are discovered dead.

Your recent interview with star Jeremy Sisto got me wondering about the identity of George’s wife and Tessa’s mother. Do you think we’ll meet her by the end of SUBURGATORY’s first season? — Lisa
The TV Addict: No! That said, we do have it on very good authority that you will meet the next best thing to Tessa’s absentee mother during the SUBURGATORY season finale appropriately titled “The Motherload.” That being… her absentee Grandmother!

There have been some seriously spoilerrific HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER photos floating around the interwebs teasing an upcoming episode that hints at a reconciliation between Robin and Ted. Care to shed some light on the subject? — Steph
The TV Addict: While we don’t pretend to really know whether or not Robin and Ted are going to give “coupledom” another go, we promise you that fans are not going to want to miss the February 20th episode that will see Ted rock Robin with a personal declaration as to how he feels about her. Read into that what you will.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day I’m hoping you can provide this HART OF DIXIE fan with a little good news on the Zoe/Wade front. — Rachel
The TV Addict: Okay here’s the thing. While we don’t pretend to have any specific shipper news on the Zoe/Wade front, we can report that fans will very soon get a glimpse of the “New Wade” that was alluded to in our recent one-on-one with his portrayer Wilson Bethel. Which is to say, the character’s “entrepreneurial spirit” will soon be put to the test when Wade decides to open… wait for it… a bar of his very own in Bluebell.

Now that you’ve completely got me hooked on SMASH, I’m gonna need some scoop and pronto! How long until we find out who gets cast as Marilyn. — Michael
The TV Addict: Not long at all. Which is our not-so-subtle way of letting it slip that by the time the credits role on SMASH’s stellar second episode this coming Monday, it will be abundantly clear as to which lucky lady slept sung her way to the top.

Please tell me RAISING HOPE creator Greg Garcia has something romantic up his sleeve for Jimmy and Sabrina this Valentine’s Day? — Brad
The TV Addict: Boy does he ever! Unfortunately we are not at liberty to reveal the outcome of Jimmy’s insanely over-the-top romantic gesture. Not so much because we aren’t dying to spill the hilariously heartfelt way in which Jimmy attempts to make Sabrina jealous with the help of special guest star Ashley Tisdale, but rather because we can’t. Literally. For just as [Spoiler Alert!] was about to [Spoiler Alert!] on our screener, Fox cruelly cut us off, forcing us to tune into the Tuesday February 14th episode to find out [Spoiler Alert!]. Suffice it to say, we have a sneaking suspicion [Spoiler Alert!] will be worth the wait.

Any clues as to who Julie’s mysterious babydaddy is on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES? — Jaime
The TV Addict: Since a clue might leave you with the incorrect impression that we’ve actually been tuning into this snooze-fest of a final season, we’ll simply leave it at this: Grandmother-to-be Susan will find out on February 19th.

Not happy with the serious lack of Steve and Fiona time on this otherwise fantastic second season of SHAMELESS. Any idea when the star-crossed-lovers will to say more than a few incredibly uncomfortable words to one another? — Brenda
The TV Addict: Steve and Fiona fans will be pleased to know that this Sunday’s episode features a very timely bathroom break while the two of them are on a double date. Less pleased will be special guest star and on-again-off-again-squeeze James Wolk.

Any NIKITA intel? — Lilly
The TV Addict: If by intel you mean a first look photo from Friday’s episode that introduces us to the mentor that saved Nikita from living the life of a junkie on the streets? Well then, enjoy.

So many shows, so little time!  Is it wrong to love “the competition”?  With so many fun TV shows competing against each other in the same timeslots each night, it is enough to make any TV viewer extra-fatigued trying to find creative ways to watch everything.  Then there is the haunting feeling that you are “cheating” on all the other shows by picking one to watch LIVE versus the rest that are being recorded via DVR or time-shifted.  In addition, each week it can change night-by-night as the each show vies for our attention, pressuring viewers to be the one that they choose to spend their precious time with.
 
As an entertainment commentator and reporter, the decision of what to watch can be dictated by who I may be interviewing the next day or which shows I need to stay current with in order to be prepared for upcoming articles and deadlines.  For the average viewer, the decision may be swayed by special guest appearances, promised big moments, or a teaser preview that made the episode so mouth-wateringly tantalizing that they have to watch it was soon as possible.
 
With the availability to time-shift or watch TV shows online or on DVD, the need to watch every show LIVE has become obsolete.  For some savvy viewers, they never watch TV shows LIVE anymore.  They have found so many alternative ways to watch the shows they are interested in, that the concept of watching anything in “real time” is ludicrous.
 
But I know that I have a distinct feeling that I am “cheating” every time I switch the channel or decide to watch a show that I’ve previously recorded, while another one of my favorite shows is recording.  But should we feel so distraught and guilty?  With the availability of all the technology and alternative means to consume our entertainment, it should be presumed that we are merely exercising all the options.
 
It is just that television networks and studios are still stuck in the past and ignoring the fact that television is no longer about predetermined timeslots anymore.  In fact, if Hollywood were to actually look around, they’d see that television is much more flexible than ever before.  They are just two decades behind the times.  As my friends at TVgoodness are fond of saying, “it’s time to get with the program.”  Why is Hollywood so attached to the old format of primetime and Nielsen ratings?  Just as the technology has changed, the way viewers are watching television has changed.
 
As the Super Bowl just proved, there are over 100 million American television viewers to tap into.  With over 100 channels now competing for those 100 million eyeballs, the broadcast networks are scrambling to find television shows that will carve out a piece of the available pie.  But they are constantly forgetting that the available 100 million is strictly for Sunday viewing – when most people are not working – and it was for a very special occasion.  The average football game pulls in less than one-half of that amount. 
 
Being conservative, in theory, there is an average 45 million available viewers per night (Sundays through Thursday – you can’t count Fridays and Saturdays as the long-held tradition of “date night” is just something that television cannot adequately compete with).  With only 45 million to divvy up, the 100 plus channels are having to strain all their resources to get a “piece of the pie.”  Is it any wonder that between Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC and the CW, they are struggling to retain a significant chunk?
 
Let’s run some sample numbers: Tuesday nights at 8 pm, there is NCIS which will carve out 20 million, then there’s GLEE which usually grabs another 9 million, LAST MAN STANDING pulls about 7 million, NBC’s THE BIGGEST LOSER draws 6 million, and the CW’s 90210 about 1.3 million.   That totals about 43.3 total viewers — with a number of viewers venturing to other networks to check out ABC Family’s SWITCHED AT BIRTH, A&E’s STORAGE WARS or Food Network’s CUPCAKE WARS.
 
Once you change your thinking to the “pie” concept, it is pretty easy to estimate how new shows are going to fare.  Just look at what it is competing against in its assigned timeslot and you too can guess how many viewers will be available to check it out.  Like with the debut of ABC’s THE RIVER.  It was up against NCIS: LOS ANGELES (16 million), NEW GIRL (7 million), THE BIGGEST LOSER (7 million) and RINGER (1.2 million), with a number viewers tuning their channels at 9 pm to watch SHIPPING WARS (2 million), HARDCORE PAWN (2 million), DANCE MOMS (2 million) and the darling teen series JANE BY DESIGN (1.3 million).  Was there ever going to be more than 7-8 million available viewers that THE RIVER could carve out?  Not in this tough timeslot. 
 
Everyone is citing NBC’s new series SMASH as a great example of securing a large viewership, but when you analyze its timeslot, it merely picked up what was available.  SMASH airs Mondays at 10 p.m. up against CASTLE and HAWAII FIVE-0.  Typically, viewership declines for the 10 p.m. timeslot as viewers, who have to get up early for work the next day, go to bed.  So instead of the 45 million “pie,” it now drops to about 30 million.  With CASTLE and HAWAII FIVE-0 each claiming about 10 million viewers each, that only leaves about 10 million available viewers.  So SMASH debuted at 11.5 million, with CASTLE drawing 9 million and HAWAII FIVE-O its usually 10 million.  Headlines were quick to proclaim SMASH an instant hit, but really, that was the expected number of viewers it was supposed to draw.  That was the available number of viewers.
 
You can look at the 8 pm timeslot on Thursday nights and also see pretty quickly what several shows have dropped in viewership.  AMERICAN IDOL is taking 20 million, THE BIG BANG THEORY takes another 16 million, WIPEOUT pulls 6 million, leaving 30 ROCK to draw 3 million and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES at 2.7 million; for a grand total of 44.7 million viewers (not counting those who found alternative networks to watch).  Even back in November when AMERICAN IDOL was not around to squash all that is within its path, the numbers did not weight in certain shows’ favor.  THE BIG BANG THEORY still took the majority of viewers at 16 million, THE X FACTOR carved out 10 million, the now-cancelled CHARLIE’S ANGELS had 5 million, COMMUNITY scored 3.5 million and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES was at 3.3 million; for a total of 37.8 million.  I can’t imagine that SWAMP PEOPLE or SPONGEBOB siphoning off the remaining 7 million viewers; it was more likely that the football season was luring viewers or that the rapidly approaching holidays were curtaining television viewership.
 
While both networks and studios are quick to dismiss the “pie theory” way of determining whether TV shows are going to succeed or not, it is a pretty simple way for the average viewer to ascertain what is going on with ratings and why their favorite shows are not making it.  If the show is in a tough timeslot with too much competition, there just is not enough available viewers.
 
It also is a quick and easy way to see why new shows like TERRA NOVA, ALCATRAZ, THE FINDER and THE RIVER are plateauing at the 7-8 million mark.  That’s all that’s available.  SMASH got lucky as it had less competition and was able to draw 11 million.  The same thing is true with ONCE UPON A TIME – there was just less competition in its timeslot (though that may change once HARRY’S LAW moves into the same timeslot to compete in March).
 
Even former juggernauts like AMERICAN IDOL and SURVIVOR are seeing significant drops in viewership.  Everyone is spouting theories like “viewer fatigue” as to why these former bullet-proof shows are flagging.  But the “pie theory” works pretty well too.  More competition explains a lot.  Each show is carving out its niche of viewers and holding on tenaciously.
 
Also eating into the “pie” is the competition from Internet viewing.  Due to the increased number of shows that viewers want to watch — and the readily available alternate ways to watch TV shows (via the internet or DVD) — TV shows are also competing with new technology.  Viewers, who are stressed about two or three competing shows, are juggling how they view television.  They are exercising their right to use DVR’s to time-shift and record shows for later viewing and they are flocking to the Internet to watch shows on iTunes or network sites to catch shows they missed or could not squish onto their DVR’s.
 
Television cannot be measured by timeslots and Nielsen viewers anymore.  That is not how viewers are watching television.  It is time for studios and networks “to get with the program” and step into the modern era.  Appointment television is a thing of the past.  Now it’s all about counting the viewers who time-shift and who watch shows online.  It is time to count all the eyeballs equally and stop prioritizing LIVE viewers – as if a person watching TV at 9 p.m. at night is more likely to buy a product than one who watches at 6:00 p.m. the next day on their DVR or online.  In fact, there is an argument to be made that those who watch online (who are forced to watch the commercials without the luxury of fast-forwarding) are a more captive and engaged audience.
 
The television landscape is changing.  It is not all about watching on an actual television anymore and it is not about watching during pre-set primetime hours anymore.  How viewers watch and consume television has dramatically changed — and networks/studios need to adapt or die.

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

The Doctor is Out. Officially.

In a statement just released to the media, Executive Producers David Shore, Katie Jacobs and Hugh Laurie have announced that this current 8th season of the hit Fox series HOUSE will in fact be its last. See for yourself after the jump.

After much deliberation, the producers of House M.D. have decided that this season of the show, the 8th, should be the last. By April this year they will have completed 177 episodes, which is about 175 more than anyone expected back in 2004.

Everybody Lies.

For his part, Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company had this to say:

While it’s with much regret, and a lump in our throats, we respect the decision Hugh, David and Katie have made. A true original, on the page and amazingly brought to life by Hugh Laurie, there is only one Dr. House. For eight seasons, the entire HOUSE team has given us – and fans around the world – some of the most compelling characters and affecting stories ever seen on television. They have been creatively tenacious and collaborative throughout this incredible run, and they are amongst the most superior talents in the business. For all the above, we wholeheartedly thank them, and the fans who have supported the show.

In celebration of tonight’s much-anticipated return to SUBURGATORY — a neighbourhood so kooky it makes the denizens of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES look downright normal — theTVaddict.com recently had the pleasure of chatting with Chatswin’s newest resident George Altman. Also known as actor Jeremy Sisto, who was only too happy to talk about tonight’s episode that sees George find condoms in daughter Tessa’s room (again!), tease what it was like to reunite with Clueless co-star Alicia Silverstone and which lucky actress he’d like to see play his on-screen ex-wife. See for yourself after the jump.

As an actor who has been involved with a handful of television projects over the years — some of which turned out to be more successful than others — we’re wondering if there was a magic moment when you just knew that SUBURGATORY would work?
Jeremy Sisto: Well you know when we did the pilot we all kind of felt like this show knew what it was, which was a unique feeling and a direct result of creator Emily Kapnek’s ability and talent. I’ve been involved with shows that didn’t quite know what they were and was going to find it and sometimes it works but more often than not it doesn’t. With SUBURGATORY, there hasn’t been a feeling throughout that we were kind of adrift and I keep waiting to wake up from the dream because it is so very difficult to get a new show on the air, let alone people to tune in.

I’ve always thought that as an actor you know you’ve made it when fans start accosting you on the street. Have you had any interesting encounters thus far?
It’s funny because LAW & ORDER had a singular kind of reaction from the die hard fans who had a specific connection with the show, SIX FEET UNDER fans thought we were speaking to them directly, Clueless the same thing. But in terms of SUBURGATORY, and maybe it’s because I’m older, it feels like less of a big thing. It’s more of a casual… “Hey, I’m a big fan of the show kind of thing.” But I get it a lot, and from really random people too. People that you kind of wouldn’t expect, big masculine guys kind of under their breath a little bit! But overall, it has been very welcoming and I think people are happy when there is something on the air — especially comedies nowadays are even more appreciated — something you can look forward to, doesn’t involve a lot of energy but you tune in and are connected emotionally to these characters. It’s a light relationship with fans, but a really positive one.

Tonight’s episode once again has George accusing daughter Tessa of hoarding condoms. Has this show properly terrified you for when your kids grow up?
My kids are only two and a half so I don’t know if I’ll be more prepared but I really hope that when my kids get to be Tessa’s age I can really keep in mind my own mindset at 16 and take that into consideration. As I grow older and change from stage to stage in my life I see how difficult it is to remember, but that is such a key element of parenting and life. Hopefully I can use it and not be the mess that George is when he once again finds condoms on Tessa. Last time he freaked out and moved her to the suburbs! Rather than deal with the emotional affect of his daughter growing up, he just distracted the whole issue by doing a bunch of stuff and he kind of does the same stuff in this episode. Of course, then he tries to prove that he is not a prude and he ends up having sex that someone that is really surprising and really surprising. Ultimately he’s just unable to deal with it yet but he’s going to have to at some point.

What was it like to re-team with Clueless co-star Alicia Silverstone?
It’s so great you know. We were good friends when we were both teenagers and kind of at the beginning of our careers and I think that we’re both really excited that we’re still working. It has been nice to just kind of reconnect and share all the stories since we last spent time on set. She’s such a sweet sweet girl, smart and funny and I think the relationship that the writers are writing for my character with hers are going to be really quite satisfying for the Clueless fans.

Do you have a dream actress when SUBURGATORY inevitably brings back your ex-wife back into the fold?
You know I don’t even know exactly where they’re going to go with that storyline. A TV show as an actor you really have to give it up and be open and I’m not sure if the writers even know exactly what it’s going to be like either. In a way I hope they discovery someone new in the same way they d discovered Jane [Levy]. I think that’s always the most interesting thing to me, so I’m hoping for that because they cast very well on this show.

SUBURGATORY airs Wednesdays at 8:30PM on ABC (CityTV in Canada) Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

Since twenty-two hilariously heartfelt minutes per week is not nearly enough time to spend with the Chance family, theTVaddict.com proudly presents an exclusive one-on-one in which RAISING HOPE stars Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton preview what’s ahead for America’s first family of funny, the challenges that come with “parenting,” and what it’s like to work opposite two of the most adorable babies to ever grace the small screen. See for yourself after the jump.

RAISING HOPE airs Tuesdays at 9:30PM on FOX (CityTV in Canada). Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

In the world of mystery-writer Richard Castle and Detective Kate Beckett, murder is an everyday occurrence that they take in stride.  But things take a decidedly different turn in the upcoming episode “The Blue Butterfly” as the team investigates a double-homicide, one of which is decades old.  Stepping into the shoes of the players of another era, the cast of CASTLE gets to dance through a time when blues, torch-singers, and gangsters were all the rage.  It is a chance to playfully explore homicide on the lighter-side before tackling the darker-side once again as another serial killer places them in the crosshairs in the upcoming two-parter episodes “Pandora” and “Linchpin,” which air February 13th and 20th. Taking a few minutes to chat in an exclusive phone interview, co-star Tamala Jones, who plays medical examiner Dr. Lanie Parish, shared her insights on the fun they had bringing “The Blue Butterfly” episode to life, where the Lanie/Esposito relationship may be headed, and what to expect as yet another serial killer comes to town.

It looks like in the noir episode that the entire cast is having the time of their lives working in that kind of environment.  Do you want to talk about what it was like working on “The Blue Butterfly”?
TAMALA:  That is my favorite episode that I’ve worked on in CASTLE.  I have so many favorite episodes, but this season, I would say “The Blue Butterfly” is it.  It’s so cool how they are studying the case– it happened in 1947 — and they end up uncovering another homicide on top of the one they are looking at, which is about a treasure hunter.  What I love about it is that all of us get to play these characters in flashback scenes — to uncover what is going on, as one homicide is related to another one — which then uncovers something more.  I don’t want to say too much about that, but it’s really good.  The clothes and the acting — everyone really came together.  Not that we don’t always, but you can see the passion from the cast, the crew, the writers — I mean, everyone’s really excited and hoping you guys love this episode.

From the previews, it looks like you’re playing a “torch singer.”  Can you talk about what it was like to sing in front of everybody?
TAMALA:  Oh my gosh, well, I can tell you this.  I was nervous at first, but as the night went on it was second-nature to me.  I just really enjoyed myself and I tried to embody as much of Billie Holiday as I could.  So I hope that rings when you guys see it.

Is that going to trickle into future episodes where we might see Lanie singing around the morgue?
TAMALA:  No, I think it was just for that character, and her name was Betsy.

Are we going to find out Betsy’s story?
TAMALA:  Yes, she’s part of the actual investigation.  I think she comes in on the 2nd homicide ’cause as we’re studying the treasure hunter, another murder that was never solved comes up.  So it’s like a double homicide that we’re investigating in “The Blue Butterfly.” In fact, in this episode Seamus does a wonderful job.  He plays an Irish hitman and he is amazing.  Jon is amazing as well, he plays a Puerto Rican guy. He’s like a mirror, but only in 1947, which is where you’re seeing all this.  We’re definitely playing different characters.  It’s really fun.  I really hope you guys like it!

So everybody is dying to hear about not just the upcoming noir episode “The Blue Butterfly,” but the upcoming two-parter where things look like they take a very dark turn.  Can you talk or tease about those two episodes?
TAMALA: Well, I don’t want to give away too much.  But I can tell you that it is possible that we could have another serial killer.  I don’t want to tell you everything because you need to be there.  If I tell you, it’s going to ruin it.  But it’s action-packed and it’s mysterious, more mysterious than any CASTLE episode so far.  One thing I really love when they do these is  — that while this show already digs up so much mystery –  but in this they take it even deeper.  Everyone watches CASTLE and they think they know what’s going to happen, but this two-parter is really going to have your brain going.  I don’t want to say too much, but it’s something.  You’re gonna love it!

When there are these types of serial killer type episodes, because those haunt you a little bit, do those have more of an emotional impact on Lanie in her job or does she just take it in stride?
TAMALA:  First of all, I think it has an emotional impact on her, but I think she covers it up by taking it in stride.  Her thing is — and I believe this is the way she is written –  “Just go get him.  Whoever it is, let’s get these guys off the street and what can I do to help?”  I think she’s balanced in her emotions that way. 

So those types of crimes aren’t going to haunt her and make her creeped out and want to go buy a gun to take home with her?
TAMALA:  I think think Lanie has a gun already. I think we just don’t know that yet.  I even tried to pitch that storyline to Andrew. It’s a little too late, but I wanted to do it around when Beckett was shot.  Like maybe she was upset about what happened, and then one night she’s out with Beckett and Beckett freezes up and Lanie pulls out her gun, and everyone’s like, “What’s she doing with that?”  Then next thing we know, she’s at the shooting range.  [Laughs]

As a last teaser, it appeared at the wedding that everyone attended for Jenny and for Kevin that perhaps there might be something residual still going on with Lanie and Esposito.  Do you want to comment on whether Lanie feels ready to move on or whether she might want to give him a second chance?
TAMALA:  I would love to see Lanie and Esposito get together!  It’s really romantic, but the truth is, I don’t know what those writers are thinking right now.  Andrew is very ninja-like when it comes to the writing.  So we never know until we get the script what’s going on.  But I personally would love to see it.  I couldn’t tell you which way I thought they were going, ’cause I would be lying ’cause I don’t know!  [Laughs]  But they’re cute.  I think that might be a nice segue into a Lanie-centric episode which a lot of fans have been asking for a while.  To see why Lanie feels that way about relationships or why she’s so closed off.  I don’t know.  But they’re brilliant and amazing and I’m sure they’ll come up with something that you guys and I will really enjoy.

To see Tamala as the lovely torch singer Betsy and all our other favorite CASTLE characters living it up in the 1940′s, be sure to tune in for “The Blue Butterfly” on Monday, February 6th at 10 p.m. on ABC. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv.

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In the weeks leading up to tonight’s much-anticipated premiere, SMASH has been called many things by many people. Thus, rather than parrot an endless array of reports that have all pretty much pegged the series as GLEE for grown-ups or NBC’s last great white hope, we thought we’d take the more personal approach by proudly proclaiming the series to be simply this: The most exciting thing to grace our small screen in quite some time.

Based on an idea from Steven Spielberg, produced by Chicago’s Neil Meron and Craig Zadan and featuring songs by Broadway’s dynamic duo of Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Hairspray), SMASH chronicles the dizzying highs and crushing lows that come hand in hand with developing a Broadway musical about the life and times of Marilyn Monroe. Of course, where things really get interesting — and by “interesting” we mean spine-tingling-cannot-wait-to-see-what-happens-next kind of exciting — is not so much with regards to the aforementioned creative pedigree behind the camera, but the remarkable talent in front of it.

Much in the same way that Aaron Sorkin managed to turn mundane topics such as drafting legislation and filibusters into pulse-pounding-edge-of-your-seat entertainment with THE WEST WING, creator/executive producer Theresa Rebeck does a SMASH-ing job of whisking viewers behind-the-scenes of the high stakes world of big Broadway musicals thanks in no small part to a colorful collection of characters that audiences will very quickly find themselves rooting for and singing alongside with.

Will writing partners Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) be able to get their Marilyn musical off the ground while at the same time managing to navigate their increasingly complex personal lives? Can Producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) raise the astronomical sums of money necessary to take this show from page to stage in the midst of an incredibly messy divorce? Will director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) penchant for scheduling extra rehearsal time in his sprawling New York City bedroom backfire? And just how far will young ingenues Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) and Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) go to snag the role of a lifetime that is Marilyn Monroe? These are just some of the plot points we found ourselves heavily invested in thanks to the rich world Rebeck has created. That is, when we weren’t busy marvelling at the production value and ambitious scope of this exhilarating new series.

Which is where SMASH really shines.

Unlike that other singing show, which after a strong start has all but given up on coherent storytelling and character development in lieu of weekly assignments whose main purpose is to generate splashy headlines or sell music on iTunes (This week on you-know-what it’s a Spanish lesson from Ricky Martin!), the production numbers performed on SMASH are an integral part of the story. From the cinematically staged musical numbers from the show-within-a-show that pulls back the curtain on what Marilyn the musical might look like should it be lucky enough to make it to Broadway, to more familiar modern-day tunes that sees the likes of Katharine McPhee’s Karen Cartwright totally nail an audition with her own rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” the musical numbers don’t just mirror what the character’s are currently going through, they serve a genuine purpose in moving the story forward. A story which by the way — having already had the pleasure of previewing SMASH’s first four episodes — gets better and better as relationships are tested, stakes are raised, and characters make life-altering decisions.

And while it remains to be seen as to whether or not a compelling drama pulled off by an all-star ensemble is music to an audience’s ears that may not know the difference between a pilot and a playbill, we’re here to implore you that it should be. In a world of generic doctor/lawyer/cop shows — each more interchangeable than the next — SMASH dares to be different. Which in itself is reason enough to give the series a standing ovation. Grade: A

SMASH airs Mondays at 10PM on NBC (CTV in Canada). The series premiere can be watched in its entirety by heading on over to clicktowatch.tv