Smash Hit

In the season one finale of Smash Hit, Margaret welcomes Cheryl Smallman of Broad Culture to the mic for a spirited dissection of Smash’s chaotic, campy, and unforgettable last episode of season one. The two podcasters—both clients of "podfather" Chris DeRosa—discuss Ivy's descent, Karen's blandness, and whether Derek actually loves anyone (besides himself).

From the logistics of Broadway costuming to Ivy’s bottle of pills, this episode covers it all: evil gay tropes, Marilyn’s missing girlfriends, and the joys of appointment TV. 

Margaret and Cheryl also touch on Smash's real-life backstage drama, their own creative pivots, and the joy of rediscovering long-lost reality gems like Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane—which is coming back (!).

💥 Smash recaps will return with season two this fall! In the meantime, listen to Margaret on the Fixing Famous People feed where she helped rehabilitate the Catherine McPhee. Stay tuned for summer fun! The Pitt, And Just Like That, and lots more. 

🎙Follow Cheryl: @cherylsmallman

🎭Follow Smash Hit: @smashhitpodcast

Margaret and Jake Anthony from Reality Gays break down Smash Season 1, Episode 14 just before Bombshell’s big premiere. They cover the peanut plot twist, preview night chaos, and the infamous line: “But Dev, I can’t marry you—I’m in tech.” Plus, Ivy vs. Karen, misused Broadway talent, Julia’s spiral, and Poodle’s pick for the most underrated comedy podcast.

You can find Reality Gays everywhere else you get your podcasts and Jake @jakeitorfakeit

Season 1, Episode 13 is all about “Tech,” and Margaret is joined by Connor and Dylan MacDowell of Drama the Podcast to revisit one of the most infamous—and meme-worthy—episodes of Smash. Yes, we’re talking about that proposal during tech rehearsal and all the offstage drama that somehow made it to the stage.

Together, they unpack the tension between Karen and Dev, the return of Ivy’s scheming, and whether Rebecca Duvall (played by Uma Thurman) ever really had a shot at pulling off Marilyn. 

The conversation touches on the realities of Broadway casting, producer power plays, and whether Smash’s original network constraints held it back from reaching its full potential. With their combined industry experience and long-time love of Smash, Connor and Dylan offer insight, critique, and just the right amount of nostalgia.

This episode was recorded in late 2024, prior to the official Broadway debut of Smash.

Follow @thedramapodcast to hear more from Dylan and Connor

In this episode of Smash Hit, host Margaret is joined by Shabnam and Sameem from the podcast Chai After Dark to discuss Season 1, Episode 12 of Smash, titled “Publicity.” Together, they explore the episode’s themes, cultural moments, and character dynamics through a South Asian lens.

Topics include:

A conversation about the Bollywood dream sequence—what worked, what didn’t, and how it compares to real South Asian dance traditions

The evolution of celebrity publicity, from planted tabloid stories to highly produced pap walks in India’s Bollywood scene

Reflections on power, control, and performance—including parallels between Derek’s character and current headlines surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

Shabnam and Sameem also share some of their favorite “undiscovered” picks—from Riz Ahmed’s indie films to the immigrant story portrayed in Welcome to Chippendales.

🎧 Follow Chai After Dark wherever you listen to podcasts

This week on Smash Hit, Margaret is joined by Katy from the Queens podcast for a deep dive into all things Smash. Together, they break down Uma Thurman’s unforgettable (and questionable?) arc as Rebecca Duvall, the iconic Karen vs. Ivy rivalry, and Eileen’s champagne-fueled power moves. They also revisit Smash’s portrayal of gay characters, the chemistry between the cast, and what the show says about women, fame, and ambition.

It’s a conversation that blends Broadway gossip, feminist critique, and a nostalgic look at 2012 TV chaos—with plenty of laughs along the way.

Plus, Katy shares her Queens “undiscovered” pick—Olympe de Gouges, the revolutionary feminist playwright who was centuries ahead of her time. Learn more about Queens: Podcast Info

Margaret is joined by Morgan Lutich from The AMPire Diaries to break down one of Smash’s most chaotic episodes yet. From Karen’s ongoing incompetence (she doesn’t know what “downstage” is?!) to Ivy being robbed of another Marilyn number, they unpack what still works, what’s aged poorly, and why we keep coming back to this beautiful mess.

They get into Derek and Ivy’s mysteriously serious relationship, Julia’s endless meltdowns, the underrated Tom sauna number, and the unforgettable early 2010s fashion choices.

Plus: Morgan’s Undiscovered pick is AMC’s Interview with the Vampire—a gorgeously gothic, overtly queer reimagining of the Anne Rice classic.

Follow Morgan @lorganmutich and check out The AMPire Diaries, a hilarious Vampire Diaries rewatch podcast with detours into Charmed, Legacies, and more.

Margaret is joined by Cathy & Dave from The Cinemile to break down one of Smash’s most chaotic episodes. From Ivy’s pill-fueled spiral to Karen’s Times Square Rihanna duet (why?!), we dive into what worked, what flopped, and why we’re still somehow obsessed. Plus: Frank finds out, Ellis stirs the pot, and the musical finally gets its name—Bombshell.

🎧 Undiscovered Picks:

Dave recommends Scavengers Reign (Netflix) — a gorgeously imagined animated sci-fi series that desperately needs a second season.

Cathy gives a shoutout to Bachelor in Retrospect, a podcast that rewatches classic Bachelor seasons through a feminist and historical lens.

🗣️ Follow Cathy & Dave

Smash Hit: Season 1, Episode 8 — “The Coup”

✨ Undiscovered Picks

Hit subscribe, leave a review, and stay tuned—because things are only getting messier from here.

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In this episode of Smash Hit, we delve into the pivotal seventh episode of NBC's Smash, titled "The Workshop." Joining us is Kelly Anderson from the Significant Lovers podcast, bringing her insights into the intricate relationships portrayed in the series.

Significant Lovers explores famous couples throughout history and pop culture. Follow the podcast on Instagram @significantlovers. 

In this episode, Margaret and Chris DeRosa (Fixing Famous People) dive headfirst into Smash Season 1, Episode 6—serving up hot takes on the chaotic glamor of 2012. From questionable fashion choices to messy love triangles, they break down the drama between Julia, Ivy, and the ever-problematic Derek. They don’t hold back on the show’s clunky handling of big themes like infidelity and power plays, but there’s plenty of love for the nostalgia, the camp, and, of course, Angelica Huston being an absolute icon.

Want more Chris? Listen to him on Fixing Famous People and follow him on Instagram @thechrisderosa for more pop culture chaos and impeccable side-eye. And if you’re dreaming of starting your own podcast, Chris also offers podcast consulting, send him a DM!