Smash review – 2×13: ‘The Producers’

Deal-breaker! That’s it, I am officially annoyed with this season. After a mediocre start to the second season, Smash commits a cardinal sin: killing off a character that I like. Also the writers decide to make one of the worst couples ever to exist on television happen.

Let’s bitch!

With Bombshell now on Broadway and the critics raving, there’s only one thing to do, sit back and watch the money and Tonys roll in. That’s if they can sell enough seats to keep the show open till June. In one of the more interesting storylines of the night, Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and co. are working double-time to keep people interested in Bombshell because the tickets sales have been softer than they expected. Just because the show’s opened on Broadway doesn’t mean that the drama is over. Speaking to the reality of Broadway today, the whole team works to keep the show in the news, which includes a cameo by my favorite morning drinking buddy Katy Lee Gifford. I wish she would’ve been drinking during her number with Ivy, it could’ve been a great Eileen Stritch moment.

Of course, with the news that Hit List is trying to move to Broadway, Eileen and Agnes (Daphne Rubin-Vega) decide to go see what the competition is all about. And while Eileen is falling for the show, Agnes is sabotaging it by talking to would be producers and calling it too “edgy” for the Broadway crowd. Of course I am still wondering what part of the show was too edgy. Was it the use of iPads? Or maybe the haircuts?

Agnes isn’t the only one causing trouble for the Hit List team. While Derek (Jack Davenport) and Scott (Jesse L. Martin) are trying to woo producers to take the show to Broadway, pesky trouble maker Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) is making things difficult…again. Ugh! Boy is Jimmy annoying this week. After finally being honest with Karen (Katharine McPhee) about his past and going on a bender after she dumps his ass, he shows up late for a photo-shoot and then gets high before their big night and starts to wander on stage. After winning points last week, he loses them tonight and then some.

I’m not the only one who is pissed. After putting up with him and defending him to everyone, Kyle (Andy Mientus) finally has enough and decides to cut all ties with him. Kyle packs up Jimmy’s stuff and drops it off at Adam’s (David Call) house and then walks away and right into oncoming traffic.

Now I know the character of Kyle has been woefully underwritten this season, but he possessed a charm that I gravitate towards. Which is why killing him off is both a good twist and a terrible one. Obviously in terms of the action, this will bring about some character development and will fast track Hit List onto Broadway. But then again, WTF? Kyle was one of the only likable characters this season, and Smash kills him off just like that?! To make matters worse he was just recently dumped by his boyfriend, and his final scene is an awkward interaction with Karen and Ana (Krysta Rodriguez). The poor guy never stood a chance! This is the death of Dee Dualla (Battlestar: Galactica) all over again! (There is a lot of dust in this room)

I can think of 5 other characters that should have been killed off instead of Kyle that would have brought about the same results and made the show more enjoyable. I’m looking at you, Jimmy (and to a lesser extent Karen).

Alright, let’s take a moment to talk about Karen. After giving Jimmy the cold shoulder all episode, she decides to console Derek, and by console, I mean sleep with him. Ugh! Seriously Smash? Why do you insist on making these characters do stupid things that make us hate them? Now I have already talked about how unlikeable Derek has been this season, and I think we all know how I feel about Karen, so having these two hook up is in a way, a perfect marriage of grossness.

Other Observations:

• Is having Ivy (Megan Hilty) play at a senior centre really supposed to help ticket sales or give Bombshell a chance at a Tony? Let the girl sleep and catch up with Girls season two!
• The fight between Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) is totally bumming me out. Not just because their break-up is a terrible idea, but because Tom is turning into a jerk and I love Tom. I get that he is upset that Julia went ahead with her plans for Gatsby, but threatening her with legal action seems more like a Derek move. With Kyle being iced out, the show is running out of likable characters. Who am I supposed to root for now, Linda (Ann Harada)?
• I am also starting to feel sorry for Sam (Leslie Odom Jr.). First he gets dumped by Tom because he is going off on a touring company. Then he quits that show to come back to Bombshell only to be cut completely from the show. Now he is auditioning for an understudy role that will be given to him, but will obviously be taken away when Jimmy gets his act together to honor the memory of Kyle. Tough break man, tough break.

What did you think: Is the death of Kyle a good or bad thing? Were you totally grossed out by the Derek and Karen hook-up? Are you sad that Tom and Julia are fighting? Sound off below.

Smash airs Saturday nights at 8pm EST on NBC.