'Smash' Exclusive First Look: Is This the Show That Will Save NBC?

It's no secret that things have been tricky lately for the Peacock Network. Some of its returning shows have been struggling in the ratings and none of its new fall offerings have been breakout hits.

That may be about to change: NBC debuts 'Smash' Feb. 6, and many critics who've seen it (including me) think it's one of the strongest new shows of the season. Below, Aol TV has an exclusive first look at the 'Smash' key art, which features former 'American Idol' contestant Katharine McPhee atop a pile of scheming Broadway strivers.

You're probably wondering if 'Smash' is merely a 'Glee' ripoff set on Broadway. Of course, it makes sense for 'Glee' to come up when discussing 'Smash,' but the latter show is different (and possibly better) in several respects.

Click the poster image to see a full-size version.

First, the NBC show isn't set in a high school -- it takes place in the high-stakes world of Broadway musicals -- and 'Smash' will feature some original songs. Tonally, 'Smash' feels more realistic and dramatic than the satiric (and often scattershot) 'Glee,' though the NBC show has a sly sense of humor and a promising sense of momentum.

McPhee plays one of two actresses struggling to move their careers into high gear, and Christian Borle and Debra Messing of 'Will and Grace' play a songwriting duo who begin working on a musical about Marilyn Monroe. Though 'Smash' will no doubt segue into various subplots along the way, the creation of that musical will form the spine of the first season.

Also participating in the delicious backstage cattiness are Anjelica Huston, who plays a high-powered producer, and Jack Davenport, who plays an amoral and ambitious director. I feel like I've been waiting forever for the versatile Brit Davenport to be cast in the right American project; this could be it.

All in all, the 'Smash' pilot provides all of these skilled performers ample opportunities to shine, and if the show keeps up the quality level of that first hour, we could well be in for a treat. The show certainly has a lot of experienced talent behind the scenes: Award-wining playwright and screenwriter Theresa Rebeck wrote the pilot, and veteran TV and theater producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ('Chicago,' 'Hairspray') are executive producers, as are songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ('Hairspray').

Will it all add up to a 'Smash' for NBC? Who knows. There will probably be a lot of butterflies for all involved right up until opening night.

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