Understudy (9 Apr. 2012)

The Marilyn project has a new title and a new star: "Bombshell" with movie star Rebecca Duvall in the lead role. The production still has short term problems in that Rebecca is stranded in ... See full summary »

Director:

Adam Bernstein

Writers:

Theresa Rebeck (creator), Jerome Hairston,

Stars:

Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Debra Messing	...	Julia Houston
Jack Davenport	...	Derek Wills
Katharine McPhee	...	Karen Cartwright
Christian Borle	...	Tom Levitt
Megan Hilty	...	Ivy Lynn
Raza Jaffrey	...	Dev Sundaram
Brian d'Arcy James	...	Frank Houston (credit only)
Jaime Cepero	...	Ellis Boyd
Anjelica Huston	...	Eileen Rand
Uma Thurman	...	Rebecca Duvall
Neal Bledsoe	...	John Goodwin
Emory Cohen	...	Leo Houston
Thorsten Kaye	...	Nick Felder
Leslie Odom Jr.	...	Sam Strickland
Terrence Mann	...	Randy Cobra

Storyline

The Marilyn project has a new title and a new star: "Bombshell" with movie star Rebecca Duvall in the lead role. The production still has short term problems in that Rebecca is stranded in Cuba and potential investors won't provide the money until they see some of the finished work. As such, Derek names Karen the understudy, she who is to work on the role to show the investors the project's progress in Rebecca's unavoidable absence. Ivy, who is angry that she wasn't given the understudy position but understanding of the reason why, tries a different tact to get back into the good graces of anyone of any importance who will listen. Karen being the understudy also doesn't please Dev, who learns of Karen's history with Derek and who is facing his own career crisis. Karen herself may regret taking the role based on her treatment by Derek. On the investment front, Nick believes he has a potential investor for the show. Ellis warns Eileen that having Nick as an investor has its risks. ...

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

9 April 2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madwoman in the Attic, DreamWorks Television, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Connections

References Niagara (1953)

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Soundtracks

"Don't Say Yes Until I Finish Talking"
Music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Performed by Christian Borle and the cast of "Bombshell"

User Reviews

Understudy is Well Stated ****

Excellent episode where Derek finally realizes that Karen is right for the part of Marilyn. Unfortunately, Eileen has made sure to get a noted Hollywood star, Uma Therman, to be the headliner in the show. While they eagerly await her from Cuba, Karen shows her mettle and Jack appreciates it.

The staging of the song about Richard Zannuck is well-staged in this show.

Our lyricist impatiently waits for the husband who left her for infedility returns. Methinks she will have a very long wait.

Ivey is as jealous as ever and will probably not stop at anything to certainly changed the way things have been going on.

This episode also proves that one still has to watch terminolgy, often, that of a continual series.