* I really hope opera singer Chris Mann can make a stand, not only for himself but for his genre. Opera singers have more power in their lightest falsettos than most pop singers do in their most powerful belts, and his audition was one of the most interesting and unique of the whole cycle. AND he sang in a different language. Get it classical singers! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Lfc5aiW20)
* Jesse Campbell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-zl8vw3o7A) is just a crazy legit singer. With that kind of voice, you either have it or you don’t, and he most certainly does. And I even get why he chose Xtina- homegirl can riff like it’s her job. Because, ya know, it is…
* Sera Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK0xPDvnhI0), the very last member to join Xtina’s team, had the honor, nay, privilege of being upstaged by her coach almost immediately after tasting victory. Don’t worry, Sera. We know you’re a killa. Don’t let Big Boobs getcha down.

Saggy Ones.

* Anthony Evans, the Son of a Preacher Man if you will, had too much wobble to attribute all of it to nerves and had a few too many weird, pitchy moments for me to think he should’ve gotten on to any team. But if it had to be someone’s, I’m glad it’s Xtina’s.
* Geoff McBride is just a poor man’s Jesse Campbell. I’m sure these two will be matched up in the Battle Round, and I’m pretty sure homeboy’s going to get his ass handed to him. But only time will tell!

Well, I think we’re all now ready for next Monday to hurry up and get here so we can see how these Battle Rounds pan out!

Smash

Ok, so despite the fact that the plot didn’t make any huge advances this week, I’ma go ahead and say this past episode was a nice step in the right direction, and that previews for next week are incredibly promising. Not to mention, the musical numbers were OUT OF CONTROL. “I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn’t Love to Howl” is everything I could hope for out of a musical about Marilyn Monroe, and Ivy Lynn KILLZ it at that party. More on that later. Or how about right now?

For me, almost everything good about this episode happened at Derek’s soiree for child star Lyle West (Nick Jonas). Also, Nick Jonas is practically a minor being all of 19 years of age, and while he is one handsome looking manchild, that does not make it any less weird that Ivy Lynn (played by Megan Hilty, who is 30 years old), is making sexual passes at him. Also, he’s playing a 15-year-old on the show. So like… ew. However, the epicness of that musical number with the conveniently talented wait staff on hand was not only fun, but really gave a peek into what this season could become once the Marilyn musical solidifies. It occurred to me as I was watching Ivy Lynn own the hell out of that number that this musical is a legitimately phenomenal work. It’s like Smash has brought Broadway directly to the small screen, much like the movies Chicago and Hairspray did to the silver screen. The production value is top-notch and, ::GASP:: there’s even a REAL Broadway star in it!

Also, Eileen, in all her silly-putty-faced-glory, is starting to win me over. That lady is resourceful! And I like that she’s not above exploiting a 15-year-old child star. You go Glen Coco.

Perhaps the character most underrepresented on this blog who has turned out to be one of the more colorful, and does more to drive the plot than most of the other characters, is Tom Levitt (Christian Borle), Julia’s gorgeous and gay co-writer. We’ve all been on dates with people based on the suggestion (read: violent threat of being written out of the will) of our mothers, so the scene of Tom on the date with the stuffy finance guy was so relatable and sincere I couldn’t help but like the show more. Granted, the date turned out to be awesome and the guy is drop-dead GORGE which never happens in real life, but I still appreciated the effort. Also, “yay, Mom” is my new favorite phrase. I’ve been using it in really interesting situations. I suggest you do the same.

Dearest, darlingest Karen Cartwright, I must confess you bore me when you insist on speaking instead of singing. I suppose that’s not your fault, as you must adhere to the script you are given, but maybe the writers should consider having Karen only speak in song… I think that would make her more interesting/likeable/entertaining. And her dancing is hilarious, even after the “intervention” from her fellow chorusmates. But I’m glad Karen now has friends that aren’t from Iowa. God, I hated them.

I am very much looking forward to next week as it promises to FINALLY bring Karen back into the spotlight and hopefully pushes us in a forward-moving direction plot-wise. Check out this clip from E! Online for another awesome number from next week’s episode: http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/smash_first_look_someones_being_real_bad/297527

Until then, thanks for reading and more importantly, thanks for watching KPRC Local 2!