The race to play Marilyn Monroe ensues as the second episode of “Smash” entitled “The Call Back” aired.  Characters Ivy (Megan Hilty) And Karen (Katharine McPhee) go step for step as they dance and belt their way through a grueling psychological call back to play the lead role in the shows newly produced Broadway musical “Marilyn.”

McPhee, playing the green ingénue Karen Cartwright, opens the episode singing Blondie’s “Call Me” far less edge then the original Indie Rocker.  McPhee, throughout episodes one and two, fails to deliver the goods necessary for a stand out as a Broadway diva we are coaxed into believing her to be. 

The episode does not fail to acknowledge this weakness and plays out with what audiences feared would take the entire season with the choice (Spoiler Alert!!!) made to cast Ivy (Hilty) as Marilyn and Karen (McPhee) as a member of the ensemble as the episode winds down.

What is troublesome about the episode is it fails to deliver scenes that audiences were expecting to make a connection with the final casting decision of who will play Marilyn.  Audiences were privy to Karen Cartwright’s final call back audition, which led into a commercial break.  When the show returned from commercial the shows producer (Angelica Houston), writers (Debra Messing, Christian Borle) and Director (Jack Davenport) were already in the decision making process!

What happened to Ivy’s audition?  Audiences might be wondering if there was a glitch in their DVR service because the transition from audition to decision-making process was so abrupt. 

With a show that is titled “The Call Back,” audiences want to see one thing, the call back auditions!  There is a time and a place for the tools of television such as what’s understood to occur off camera should be used effectively by a show.  This was not that time. 

Episode two also presents some weaknesses that are rolled over from the premiere.  The show seems intent on creating a serialized drama with focus on several plot lines that audiences might grow weary from.  The push to have Debra Messing’s character’s family adoption front and center distracts from what audiences tune in for that of the struggle between Ivy and Karen. 

While the struggle between the green and talented ingénue, Karen and ten year Broadway veteran, Ivy ensues, it is refreshing to see the show not drag on what seems like the obvious casting choice as Ivy cast as Marilyn. 

As we see from episode one to episode two, Mcphee’s character has trouble holding a candle to the classically trained Hilty’s strong an moving Broadway voice. Throughout the layered performances of McPhee and Hilty singing the episodes featured songs side by side, it is difficult not to notice at times Hilty completely drowns out McPhee’s pop star manufactured voice. 

Of course, there is no denying that Mcphee playing a struggling green up and comer does not shine with a glimmer of star quality leading us to believe we are all on to discovering an emerging talent.

This struggle to go with the choice that makes since vs. the choice that is a probable risk that will or won’t pay off is what makes the show attractive to audiences.  What we have in the upcoming season could easily be the difference between the brilliantly powerful struggle of, “All About Eve” or the catty calamity that is, “Show Girls.”

Tune in Monday nights on NBC to find out if we have a classic fight on our hands or a train wreck that you just can’t turn away from.  Eiher way it feels like a win win situation for audiences looking to fill their Monday night time slot with. 

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