MEGAN HILTY AT CTV UPFRONTS FOR "SMASH"

Megan Hilty in Toronto - May 2012

There was no other Star I was more excited to see arrive at the CTV Upfronts than Megan Hilty, the beautiful Broadway Actress-turned-TV Star known best for her work on Smash. Just one year after Debra Messing came to announce that the NBC Series would be added to CTV's Lineup, we get to meet the incredibly-talented Actress who plays Ivy on the Musical Drama Series.  

Hilty is every bit as delightful in-person, winning tons of praise from Fans who got to meet her yesterday, spreading a bit of that infectious personality.  She got a good chuckle when I told her, "Girl, you've gotta go back and get your revenge next Season!  That ain't right!", commenting on the recent conclusion of the Series' first Season which saw her defeated after we saw Katharine McPhee's Karen stealing her thunder in landing the coveted Role of Marilyn Monroe.

One bit of Trivia though - this wasn't New York-based Hilty's first visit to the City, as previously she starred in a run of Wicked here.     

Smash won't be a part of the Fall Lineup on CTV, however a second Season was just green-lit and Fans cannot wait!

Hilty was sweet enough to sign a Photo for my Readers. Click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before July 1, 2012. You should be following on Twitter too. Good luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

PILOT EPISODE A "SMASH"!

Still from Smash

Yes! I've finally seen that Pilot of NBC's Smash and can I express how pleased I am with it? It's actually more Fame than its lacking 2009 Remake! Here we see Julia (Debra Messing), the Co-Writer of this forthcoming Marilyn Monroe Musical and the tensions she is having at home with her Husband who disapproves of her branching into the venture. We also see Karen (Katharine McPhee) introduced as a green and struggling Actress on the verge of a big break after some unsuccessful auditions and her closest competition ultimately for the role of Marilyn Monroe, Ivy (Meg Hilty). Ivy appears to be struggling with some personal demons of her own and some insecurities after failing to get her big break despite having been schooled and having much experience in minor roles on Broadway. We also meet another of the main characters Derek (Jack Davenport), an arrogant and womanizing Choreographer who just almost pushes the boundaries too far with Karen.

We really feel Messing's excitement about what's to come, while McPhee is perfect in her vulnerability and eagerness.  Anjelica Huston is seen little but is commanding every moment she's on. Hilty wows us right off the bat as Monroe in a Baseball-themed number complete with thrusting, flung about from dancer to dancer like a sulty rag doll.  The Episode ends with the number Let Me Be Your Star, performed by Hilty and McPhee (which quickly has disappeared from YouTube) and quite honestly, I can't get it out of my head.

Smash premieres February 6, 2012 at 10:00 PM.  CTV airs in Canada.  I'm hooked.

(Photo credit: NBC)

FIVE-MINUTE PREVIEW FOR "SMASH"

Still from Smash

This new five-minute Preview of NBC's Smash sure will whet a few appetites and although the official Premiere for the Series isn't till Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:00 PM EST, this will just have to do for the time being.  It's almost like Glee... but with an actual Story Line!  *gasp*

Here we see two young Women - one a seasoned Actress, one more an aspiring Actress - up for the role of Marilyn Monroe in a new Broadway Musical about that Icon co-written by Julia (Debra Messing).  Ivy (Megan Hilty) has experience on her side, while Karen (Katharine McPhee) has that X-Factor about her and a real natural ability, but who will get it? Who will be Marilyn, damnit? We even see Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) push the boundaries a bit on that Casting Couch with Karen.

Watch the five-minute Preview of Smash below:

NBC'S "SMASH" STARRING KATHARINE MCPHEE: PREMIERES FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Mr. Will-W. & Katharine McPhee - October 2007

Just over a month until one of the most exciting new TV Series of 2012 debuts! NBC looks to have a deadly duo in both Toronto-filmed The Firm and now, Musical Drama Smash. The Series which centers around a group of people who are working on a Broadway Musical about Marilyn Monroe. It stars Will & Grace's Debra Messing as the Musical's Co-writer, Katharine McPhee as Karen (who plays Monroe) and also Megan Hilty (a veteran originally thought to be cast as Monroe). I can hear those nails scratching already.

Could this finally be the deserved big break we've always hoped for with former American Idol Runner-up McPhee? Already  named one of the eight Most Exciting New Series at the Critics' Choice Television Awards, Smash premieres on Monday, February 6, 2012 on NBC and CTV in Canada.

Watch Katherine McPhee perform Beautiful on Smash below: