Katharine McPhee’s ‘Smash’ scores high ratings

We were first introduced to Katharine McPhee and her stunning singing voice back in the fifth season of American Idol, and now we get to hear her all over again in her role in NBC’s Smash.

In the debut episode of Smash, which centers on the production of a Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe, we’re introduced to McPhee’s character as a country girl from Iowa with a whole lot of talent. McPhee’s character travels to the big city in hopes of following her dreams, and auditions for the role of Marilyn Monroe in the Broadway production.

There was a whole lot of hype-building from NBC leading up to the premier of Smash, so the network clearly was banking on the show being a success and, going by the first impressions, it looks like it may well be. Hank Stuever from the Washington Post had this to say:

“Smash,” the network’s easily engaging new Monday night drama about the making of a Broadway musical, turns out to be quite the little sunbeam. It has some endearing characters, an instinct for backstage meows and a firm grip on its own sense of camp control, which, if nothing else, sets it apart from Ryan Murphy’s now fully atrocious “Glee.”

In addition to being a critical success, at least initially, it looks like Smash was a hit with viewers as well. NY Daily News reports that upwards of 11.5 million viewers tuned in to watch McPhee in Smash‘s debut episode.

Did you catch Smash last night? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments.