The National Pastime

"The National Pastime" is an original song introduced in the first episode of the first season of the musical TV series Smash, entitled "Pilot". The song was written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman,[1] but in the show's universe, it was written by songwriting duo Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) and Julia Houston (Debra Messing) for their Marilyn Monroe musical Bombshell.

Not to be confused with the Society for American Baseball Research annual, The National Pastime.
"The National Pastime"
Single by Smash cast feat. Megan Hilty
from the album Bombshell
ReleasedJanuary 16, 2012
Recorded2012
GenrePop
Length2:32 (Album Version)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
Producer(s)Marc Shaiman
Smash cast singles chronology
""Never Give All the Heart"" "The National Pastime" ""Let Me Be Your Star""

In the episode, Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) performs this baseball number, choreographed by director and choreographer Derek Wills (Jack Davenport), with a male ensemble in front of producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston), Derek, Tom and Julia as an audition for Derek to see if Tom and Julia want to work with him.

The song is reprised in the workshop medley of the first season's seventh episode entitled "The Workshop" by Ivy, and by Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) in the seventh episode of the second season "Musical Chairs".

The song was originally released as a single at digital music retailers and is available as a track on the cast album Bombshell.

Production

DFW.com describes the number as "Marilyn, now in love with Joe DiMaggio, tries to 'understand' baseball in a song laced with double-entendres".[2] The scene cuts between "rehearsal-hall test and what the Broadway show might look like when fully lit and costumed."[3]

Critical reception

Although Dodger Thoughts describes the performers as "enthusiastic" and full of "barely bridled sexuality," it notes that "corny doesn’t begin to describe [the number]," and concludes by saying "'The National Pastime' is a big fat swing, leg-kick and a miss."[4] Dan from TV Fanatic named the song as his favourite from the pilot, saying it "blew [him] away".[5] Brittany Frederick of Starpulse.com comments that she "can't warm to [the song] for some reason."[6] Andy Swift of HollywoodLife describes The National Pastime as a "show-stopping number."[7] DFW.com comments that "the song is staged with the razzmatazz that marks the best Broadway numbers, and when Hilty and a group of male dancers perform it, Smash begins to catch fire."[2]

Release History
Region Date Format Label
United States January 16, 2012 Digital download - Digital Single Columbia Records
February 6, 2012 Digital download - Digital Single

References
  1. ASCAP Database Music Search - Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman songs
  2. Philpot, Robert (February 6, 2012). "NBC's 'Smash': Review". DFW.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  3. Jones, Kenneth (February 6, 2012). "THE "SMASH" REPORT: Recapping the Pilot Episode, With Comments and Context". Playbill.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  4. "'Smash' upends 'The National Pastime'". Dodger Thoughts. February 6, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  5. "Smash Round Table: Series Premiere". TV Fanatic. February 10, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  6. Frederick, Brittany (February 7, 2012). "'Smash' Review: 'Pilot' Lives Up To The Buzz". Starpulse.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  7. Swift, Andy. "'Smash' Series Premiere Recap: Who Should Play Marilyn Monroe?". HollywoodLife. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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