Rachel visits 'Smash' set, talks to stars

HOUSTON – There's nothing like ushering in "The Next Best Thing" to turn a Broadway battle on its ear. Enter Oscar-, Golden Globe-, and Grammy-award winner Jennifer Hudson, who guest stars on Smash this season as the latest muse.

I was thrilled to be invited to the show's New York set to sit down with the newest cast member.

I asked Hudson, "You're such an amazing fit for this show. How excited are you to be on this second season?"

Hudson replied, "When they came to me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it, I instantly said yes, like no question about it, and I'm so glad that I did because I'm having an amazing experience."

The ensemble cast includes some of the industry's biggest names, like Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston as martini-throwing, powerhouse producer Eileen Rand.

Upon meeting the star, I told Huston, "Such an honor. Your are a legend and I love this show and I love you on this show!"

She told me, "I have a great time with this character, you know. I get to be mean. I get to be strong and I also get to have a vulnerable side. So for me, all round as an actress, I get to have a lot of fun."

We've learned Emmy Award winner Debra Messing will belt out a tune in this second season, but will her character, Julia, be able to save her marriage despite the temptation?

Messing hinted, "Like chess pieces, things will be moved around. Relationships are being tested and created, so I think that's all I can say."

The stars of Smash make it look easy, but think about it: Every week, they're learning new lines, new songs, new choreography, basically producing a mini musical every week.

Messing said, "I'm pretty astonished every time we actually complete an episode on time."

Hudson added, "It's around the clock. It never stops, you know. It keeps moving. One minute I'm in the studio. Next I'm in choreography and then you have this big, grand performance. It's like the best of all worlds in one."

So this season on Smash, it's curtains up for plenty of superstars, scorching affairs and scandal.

Smash airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on KPRC Local 2.

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