'Smash' And 'Glee' Are 'Very Different,' Megan Hilty Says

'The glaring similarity is that we both have musical numbers in the show, but that's about it,' 'Smash' star tells MTV News.
By Christina Garibaldi

Megan Hilty in "Smash"
Photo: NBC

It's safe to assume that if you're watching the Super Bowl on Sunday night (February 5), you will see several promos for NBC's newest musical drama, "Smash," which premieres Monday.

The show centers on two potential Broadway stars — played by former "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee and newcomer Megan Hilty — who are competing for the lead role in a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. "Smash" has it all: flashy musical numbers, well-choreographed dance routines and, of course, entertaining drama.

Does that all sound a little similar to Fox's hit show "Glee"? Not so fast, says Hilty, who told MTV News the two shows couldn't be more different.

"Obviously, the glaring similarity is that we both have musical numbers in the show, but that's about it that we have in common," Hilty said. "We're very different in tone and theme and pretty much everything. We're kind of like a glam soap opera with some splashy musical elements in between."

But Hilty admits that if it weren't for "Glee," "Smash" might have never gotten off the ground.

"Thank God for 'Glee,' because they really opened doors for our show, specifically, to make it possible for us to do this," Hilty said. "They made it socially acceptable and even cool to love the arts, and hopefully our show will do the same, but they really were the people who started that and busted down those doors, so thank God for that."

Hilty's co-star, McPhee, agrees. "We're just actually really grateful that 'Glee' has opened the door," McPhee told MTV News on the Golden Globes red carpet last month.

Will you be watching "Smash"? Let us know in the comments!

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