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    Steven Spielberg Talks Labor Of Love Project 'Smash'

    Access Hollywood – Mon, 16 Jan, 2012

    Steven Spielberg is bringing the ambitious behind-the-scenes-of-Broadway drama "Smash" to NBC and the television series really is a labor of love for the filmmaking legend.

    "I came up with the idea for the series," Steven told Access Hollywood's Billy Bush at Sunday night's Golden Globes, where his movie, "The Adventures of Tintin," won Best Animated Feature.

    PLAY IT NOW: 2012 Golden Globes Backstage: Steven Spielberg ‘Totally Surprised’ By ‘Tintin’ Win

    "I'd been flogging it for about five years," Steven continued of "Smash." "It took [NBC's entertainment president] Bob Greenblatt to step forward, because he's done musical theater with '9 to 5.' He really responded to the material."

    The legendary director and producer said that although he was behind the series, which stars Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing and former "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee, the NBC boss was the only one who realized the show had value.

    VIEW THE PHOTOS: Behind The Lens: Hollywood’s Directors

    "I couldn't get anybody else to buy it. Bob stepped forward and took the show for NBC," Steven added. "So, I hired myself and my... two TV partners at DreamWorks Television... We then hired Theresa Rebeck to really create the show. She wrote a wonderful play called, 'The Understudy.' She had done a lot of writing for theater and I wanted theater. I wanted writers from theater to write about theater."

    While the name Steven Spielberg can drum up fan interest in a project, he said he sometimes keeps his name from use in promotional materials for programs.

    "Do you ever say, can you please take my name down?" Billy asked.

    VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Lovely Ladies Of Primetime Television

    "I do. I do. I limit the use of the name on all of the billboards out there when I'm doing television and I limit it was much as I possibly can because it just... I get tired of seeing my own name," he laughed.

    But not with "Smash." The project proudly bares its top boss' name on the posters.

    VIEW THE PHOTOS: Katharine McPhee

    "Smash" premieres on NBC Monday, February 6, at 10 PM ET/PT, and, beginning Monday, the pilot episode is available on NBC's Video on Demand partners, including its parent company, Comcast.

    Starting January 23-February 6, the first episode of "Smash" will be available to stream on NBC.com and Hulu.

    Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    What do you feel about this article?

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    5 comments

    • misha
      misha  •  Minneapolis, United States  •  4 months ago
      Here is the synopsis of the show: The show revolves around a group of characters who come together to put on a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. But before that can happen, the people who will try to bring it all together must deal with their own personal acts.
      I don't think it should be the job of the comments section to provide information the articles leave out either.
    • theappraiser
      theappraiser  •  4 months ago
      Wouldn't it be nice if the writer of this article told clueless people like myself what "Smash" is about??
    • Travis
      Travis  •  Stockton, United States  •  4 months ago
      and the show " smash " is about WHAT exactly.... WOW journalism has really went downhill....HELLLLLLOOOOO focus and write ppl....
      • misha
        misha 4 months ago
        Yea it is kind of messed up that the only clue they give you that i can remember from the whole thing is " I wanted writers from theater to write about theater." I looked it up to make sure and this is the synopsis of the show: The show revolves around a group of characters who come together to put on a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. But before that can happen, the people who will try to bring it all together must deal with their own personal acts.
    • whit h
      whit h  •  Gardner, United States  •  4 months ago
      Jesus Christ. How many more retreads of "A Chorus Line" are we going to have to endure?
    • Dobby
      Dobby  •  Redwood City, United States  •  4 months ago
      While the name Steven Spielberg can drum up fan interest in a project, he said he sometimes keeps his name from use in promotional materials for programs.------BTW, if you want a partner over 6ft , try the club in my pic.
     Post a comment
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