“Smash” Can’t Let Go of Jennifer Hudson

The second season of Smash has been firing on all cylinders with great new characters and story lines. I’m really loving it and I wish the ratings were higher. However, I will enjoy it as long as it’s on the air and one of the biggest reasons is the fantastic guest arc by Oscar/Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson. Playing a Broadway star looking to grow as an artist and leave her mother’s (the great original Dreamgirls star Sheryl Lee Ralph) controlling shadow, Hudson is wonderful. She’s sweet and sincere with a nice undercurrent of frustration and fear. Her pipes are in glorious Dreamgirls form and last night’s episode featured her character Veronica Moore doing a “one night only” show. I’ve got the amazing final number for you below, “Can’t Let Go”, which I immediately bought at iTunes when the show ended last night. After watching a number like this, I don’t know how Smash can let go of Hudson. Her guest stint is set to end soon, but hey, maybe she’ll grab an Emmy nomination for the role. Better yet, she could win and be 3/4 of the way to an EGOT! … We will see. In the meantime, enjoy Hudson’s thrilling performance of “Can’t Let Go” below and watch the fantastic and underrated Smash Tuesday nights on NBC. Oh and PS~ Emmy winner Sean Hayes joins the show next week~ even more of a reason to watch Smash!

Smash~ Veronica Moore (Jennifer Hudson) “Can’t Let Go”

Do You “Believe” Cher’s Life is going to be a Musical?!

“Do You Believe in Life After Love”? That sentiment sounds like the title of a big ballad from a big Broadway musical doesn’t it? And now it just might be… Those lyrics from Cher’s massive #1 comeback smash from 1999 “Believe” would likely be a highlight in an all new musical about Cher’s life that she is planning. The show would include all of her big hits from “I Got You Babe” to “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “Strong Enough” and has an interesting concept. According to Broadway.com, Cher would play herself in the current day looking back on her life and career while two younger actresses would portray her early years with Sonny Bono, etc and the years of her incredible solo career and acting triumphs. Cher, who has won 3/4 of the EGOT, i.e.: the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, could finally get that last piece (Broadway’s Tony Award) with the show. I think it’s a fantastic idea. How about you? For more on the show and Cher, head to Broadway.com here.

And here’s a countdown of my favorite Cher songs. Yes, I’m big on latter-day Cher…
20. “Half Breed” 1973
19. “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” 1966
18. “Gypsies Tramps and Thieves” 1971
17. “All or Nothing” 1999
16. “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)”- from Mermaids 1990
15. “Take Me Home”  1979
14. “Save Up All Your Tears” 1991
13. “Love and Understanding” 1991
12. “One by One” 1996
11. “Heart of Stone” 1990
10. “Strong Enough” 1999
9. “We All Sleep Alone” 1988
8. “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” (from Burlesque) 2010
7. “A Different Kind of Love Song” 2002
6. “Just Like Jessie James” 1990
5. “A Song for the Lonely” 2002

4. “I Found Someone” 1987

3. “Believe” 1999

2. “If I Could Turn Back Time” 1989

1. “After All” duet with Peter Cetera (from Chances Are) 1989