'Smash': Watch the Series Premiere Before It Airs

NBC is betting big on "Smash," an ambitious drama that takes us behind the scenes of a big-budget Broadway musical. The series doesn't officially premiere until February 6, but we're sneaking you backstage before the curtain goes up: You can watch the series premiere in full right here, two weeks before it airs. 


"Smash" stars Debra Messing as a successful Broadway writer who's planning to stage a musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe. Her first big decision: whether to cast a veteran stage actress (real-life Broadway star Megan Hilty) or a captivating newcomer ("American Idol" alum Katharine McPhee) in the lead role.

The all-star cast includes Jack Davenport (the UK's "Coupling") as the show's cynical director and Oscar winner Anjelica Huston as a legendary Broadway producer who joins the project. But it's McPhee who's set up to be the show's breakout star. It remains to be seen whether her "Idol" popularity can translate to a scripted drama, but her performance here has us thinking she's poised to be TV's next "It" girl.

But what do you think? After you watch the premiere, give us your reaction in the comments: Is "Smash" going to live up to its title, or is it destined to flop?

"Smash" premieres Monday, 2/6 at 10pm ET on NBC.

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