By Christopher Carter

Lights, camera, Smash!

Last night NBC debuted the new television show Smash.

NBC is trying to mooch off of the success of FOX’s Glee.

The crazy thing about this is, Smash might be considerably better.

Instead of weekly episodes that put you in the mind of High School Musical, Smash details the life of aspiring actresses and their pursuit of the role of Marilyn Monroe in the fictional theater play Marilyn.

The show begins with American Idol alum, Katherine McPhee as Karen Cartwright, belting the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on a beautiful stage with bright lights.

McPhee sings every note effortlessly as she channels her inner Jennifer Hudson.

It is revealed that McPhee is actually auditioning for a part, when a producer’s ringing phone abruptly interrupts her.

As McPhee is rudely rushed out of the room, musical theater sensation Megan Hilty, as Ivy Lynn, introduces herself to the world.

Hilty immediately captures viewers with her sex appeal that is a complete 180 from McPhee’s shy and sweet demeanor.

The characters Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn are about as different from each other as Taylor Swift and Shakira.

After Karen and Ivy’s auditions, Will and Grace star Debra Messing as playwright Julia Houston, and actor Christian Borle as the flamboyant play and songwriter Tom Levitt, are seen discussing their past theater failures.

When Tom’s assistant, Jaime Cepero as Ellis Tancharoen, brings up the idea of a play about the great Marilyn Monroe, his idea is immediately shut down.

Julia is taking a “break” from playwriting.

Tom and Julia had previously created a playwright of the late Marilyn Monroe, but it commercially “flopped.”

While the idea of “Marilyn” is shot down, Julia’s creative juices are starting to bubble with ideas, including a baseball number.

After an intense divorce mediation between Academy Award winner Anjelica Hutson as producer Eileen Rand and her husband, Tom and Julia are seen working on a demo recording for “Marilyn” with Ivy.

Ivy is working on one of Tom’s plays but is feeling unfulfilled.

The part of Marilyn in a big theater production would be a dream for her.

As Ivy records the song for Marilyn, she embodies everything Marilyn was.

She has the sex appeal but has a voice Marilyn Monroe only dreamed of having.

Her performance is one of the highlights of the premiere.

Apparently Tom’s assistant Ellis felt the same way because it is revealed that he taped the recording and posted it on the Internet.

While Julia is furious, the song receives outstanding reviews and catches the eye of producer Eileen Rand.

After a meeting between Eileen, Tom, Julia and the fired but rehired Ellis, the production of “Marilyn” is under-way.

The only problem is the arrogant, womanizing director Jack Davenport as Derek Willis.

Tom and Derek have a past filled with negative experiences so Tom expresses his dislike of Derek and his disapproval of him as the director.

Conflict arises when Derek choreographs an amazing dance and performance of Tom’s baseball themed song causing him to concede and ultimately hire him.

The baseball-themed song was another highlight of the show.

The dancing, singing, and acting were one-of-a-kind.

Megan Hilty’s performance as Marilyn was flawless.

She shows why she is a highly regarded musical theater actress.

Unfortunately, Derek doesn’t think so and opens up a casting call for the role of Marilyn.

In comes McPhee’s Karen Cartwright.

Karen had been portrayed as a sweet and humble young woman with a loving and supportive boyfriend Raza Jaffrey as Dev Sundaram.

Her parents are very loving but her dad believes Karen’s dream of being a star is childish.

All the while her mom is telling her to marry her loving boyfriend.

The next day, Karen wows Tom, Julia, Anjelica, and Derek with her vocal ability and physical appearance.

Derek thoroughly enjoys the performance, eventually texting Karen in the middle of the night to come by his apartment to read for the play.

While Karen believes she is only reading for a part, Derek has alternative motives.

He sees Karen and believes he can manipulate her into doing what he wants.

Karen gets the last laugh when she goes to the bathroom and comes back out with undergarments and one of his button up shirts.

She teases him and shows how “sexy” she really is only to ultimately mess with his mind and leave him wanting more.

The next day, Karen and Ivy are called back for the role of Marilyn and battle in different auditions.

This scene sets the table for a season of drama and great performances.

The new NBC television musical has the potential to be a commercial and critical success for years to come.

The musical drama returns Monday at 9 p.m. Central on NBC.

Smash will prove to be just that, a smash.