We love a Broadway show (that reminds us, we need to see Porgy and Bess!), but do we love a TV show about the makings of a Broadway show? We watched a two-episode sneak peek of NBC's upcoming Smash, wondering if it would be a witty, fresh and fun way to see Broadway actors show the rest of the country their chops. Unfortunately, we weren't jumping out of our seat at the end of the shows. If you've managed to ignore NBC's intense advertising campaign for the show, we'll fill you in. The very appealing Debra Messing is back on TV as Julia Houston, one half of a successful musical-writing team. Her other half is Tom Levitt, a saucy gay played by well-known theater actor, Christian Borle. They come up with the idea to stage a musical about Marilyn Monroe (this is really her year thanks to NBC and the Weinsteins!) and two actresses (a pitch-perfect blonde, played by Broadway regular, Megan Hilty and a "green" brunette, played by American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee) compete for the role of Marilyn. Below, a pros and cons list of why we may or may not tune in again after the show's post-Super Bowl premiere this Monday.

The call back list (Or reasons we're willing to tune again next week.)    

1. Megan Hilty as Ivy, the struggling Broadway chorus girl: A real-life Broadway actress, Hilty is best known for having gussied up her blonde hair and bazongas to play Dolly Parton in 9 to 5 the Musical. She's endearing as Ivy, the single actress who modestly pours herself a glass of red wine after hearing she got a call back for the part of Monroe.    

2. Raza Jaffrey: Jaffrey adds a lot of charm with his character Dev, the ever-sweet and supportive boyfriend of the aspiring actress Karen Cartwright (McPhee). We really felt for Dev when, spoiler alert!, she misses an important work dinner for him because of an audition.

3. Page-Six-worthy romance: Aside from making her return to cable, Messing has also a thing for Smash costar Will Chase. He's yet to make an appearance in the first two episodes, so we're looking forward to seeing what kind of on-screen chemistry we can spot. Hopefully their romance will last longer than Chase's last Broadway show The Story of My Life, did.

4. Katharine McPhee's pop-song renditions: There's a reason why her version of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" is used in the promos. And a performance of Blondie's "Call Me," is a reason to watch episode two.    

5. Anjelica Huston. She plays half of a producer couple in an embittered divorce, fighting over a revival of My Fair Lady. Even break-ups on Broadway involve musical numbers!     

Thanks, we'll be in touch (Or reasons we'll just stick Downton Abbey)    

1. The cliché-ridden script: The actress as a waitress; the actress who's frustrated with her chorus roles: "I just want a part"; the sleazy director who puts the moves on wannabe ingenues; the over-eager assistant; the frustrated suburban parents: "And sometimes, sweetie dreams just don't mix with reality." We could go on... but we've got Super Bowl plans to make. 

2. Debra Messing playing a gay's best gal... again!     

3. The let's-adopt-an-Asian-baby plotline: Julia and her husband Frank played by Brian D'Arcy James, (who we only thought of dressed as Shrek about three times throughout the hour-long pilot. Not bad!) should probably focus on getting their teenage son acting lessons instead of obsessing over adopting a baby from China. It's never clear why the couple is trying to adopt and we don't think they know either. The plotline is just sort of flung in among the Marilyn songs and the sleazy director saga. Were the producers afraid that Broadway wasn't dramatic enough for primetime?  

4. Strange shoutouts: Lines like, "This is a disaster! Michael Riedel's going to destroy us."; "I got Bond 45 in the divorce" and an appearance by Jordan Roth are too insider-y for Broadway outsiders and too groan-worthy for Broadway insiders. For the record, Broadway novices, Michael Riedel is the Post's theater gossip columnist, Bond 45 is a theater district Italian restaurant and Jordan Roth is a producer.   

5. Katharine McPhee's impersonations: Her version of "Happy Birthday Mr. President," made us cringe. #leaveittomarilyn