Can "Smash" save NBC? Well, it certainly can't hurt. And the Peacock needs this one. Bad.

Here's the nutshell version of tonight's big series debut (10 p.m.), in case you've missed the nine million promotional spots NBC has been pushing for weeks (but considering how few people actually watch NBC, maybe the pilot isn't as overexposed as many believe?):

"Smash" is a musical drama about a group of Broadway producers attempting to stage an original show about the life of Marilyn Monroe. It has a great cast (Debra Messing, Angelica Huston, Katharine McPhee), great original music, and lavish choreography.

Even for the most casual theater fans, "Smash" is an intoxicating insider's look at putting on a Broadway show, from the first spark of an idea through financing and casting, all the way to opening night.

Here are a couple of contrasting opinions regarding my "HSM 3" review:

"Craig,

Some people may think that you are a bitter person after reading what you said about the High School Musical Movie. Me?, I think that you hit the nail on the head. I went to high school in the late 70's. OK, graduated in '78. I didn't see any singing are dancing going on in the hallways. Maybe at a pep rally, I saw a little dancing or when I went to the Prom.

Yes "HSM" is just a movie that is suppose to be fun and not a real version of what high school is or what it is going to be. The movie didn't really show all aspect of high school, like the jocks, the nerds, the long-hairs dopers, or the intertwines, who don't know where they really fit. It didn't show you the real stuff with today's schools didn't show the peer pressure that kids have today that they have to go through to be liked.

You are right in saying as long as Disney is making movies (wholesome ones) people will go.

Later."

— Tom

"I really don't appreciate your suggestion that high school students can't be happy and that they will 'probably hate every moment you're there and can't wait to leave.' While your high school experience may not have been a happy one, it is by no means the rule.

It's evident that either you are either ignoring that this is musical theater or you simply don't understand musical theater. Have you seen 'West Side Story'? Have you seen the 'Sound of Music'? 'Cats'? Gangs, families, and stray animals don't act like that, but that doesn't make the works bad pieces of theater. Your lack of understanding of musical theater is even more evident by the mere mention of Michael Jackson. I assure you that while Jackson's dancing is an influence on all choreographers, it is not even remotely an important influence in today's theater. Kenny Ortega is not trying to be Michael, nor does he have to convey Michael to be a success. Does Kobe have to be better than Kareem to be considered a success? No. They are two totally different players playing totally different games on the court.

It seems like the strongest move for a dying newspaper is to offer material that shows an understanding of the subject matter and to avoid the pursuit of misery."

— Dana