Smash Hit

Hi friends! I'm taking a little break from the pod to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. I will be back after Labor Day. There's SO much I want to cover from the Amanda Knox FX show, Golden Bachelor, Love is Blind, RIP AND JUST LIKE THAT, and much much more!    In the meantime, please enjoy my most recent appearance on Broad Culture with Cheryl Smallman. We discuss the 2nd season of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.    Feel free to DM your thoughts and ideas while I'm away.    XX Margaret      

This week, Margaret sits down with Lina and Jereme Hall, stars of the reality series Back on the Frontier, available for streaming on HBO Max. The Hall family shares what drew them to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live like 1880s homesteaders—and how the experience changed them forever. From bidding wars at the livestock auction to boiling water for baths and cooking from scratch, Lina and Jereme offer an honest look at frontier life with kids in tow. They talk about giving up modern conveniences, adjusting to life without tech, and the surprising joy of slow, intentional living. They also reflect on how the experience shaped their children’s worldview—and how their family life looks different now that they’re back home. Highlights include: Why they auditioned (despite not being a camping family!) How their son’s birthday shaped their auction strategy (spoiler: baby goats were non-negotiable) The hardest modern convenience to give up—and the one they never missed Life after the show: making ice cream at home, ditching the microwave, and feeding their dogs home-cooked meals Follow Lina and Jereme on social media. 

In this episode of Smash Hit, host Margaret Knudsen welcomes true crime journalist Jennifer Tisdale to unpack Netflix’s chilling new documentary, Amy Bradley is Missing, and revisit the 1998 disappearance of 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley, who vanished from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship under mysterious circumstances. Together, Margaret and Jennifer dissect: Cruise culture in the late ‘90s and pre-9/11 security lapses Theories around Amy’s disappearance: trafficking, voluntary exit, or something else? Questionable editing choices, missing footage, and the enduring mystery of "Brad Bradley" Reddit deep-dives, AmyBradleyIsMissing.com chaos, and the legacy of a family unable to move on How Jennifer’s background covering crime daily impacts her lens—and her cruise preferences ⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses themes including sex trafficking, addiction, and familial grief. If you have credible information about Amy Bradley’s disappearance, please visit Distractify and keep an eye out for her Undiscovered pick, Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes premiering July 30 on Netflix.

Margaret is joined by Becca from Little Miss Recap to break down the Freeform docuseries Not Her First Rodeo—now streaming on Hulu. The series follows elite female bull riders as they chase titles, buck stereotypes, and risk everything for the sport they love. We discuss the show's breakout star Jordan (a real-life Teeter?), Catalina’s resilience, and the quiet badassery of Alexa, Renata, and Afida. Topics include: the gender pay gap in rodeo, safety gear debates, training gaps in the edit, why we want a full 10-episode run next time, and how this show is the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team of the Western world. We also talk about what Freeform is even doing these days, dream casting Catalina in a Taylor Sheridan series, and whether Blue Geanes is a real name. Plus: McBee Dynasty updates, garden club drama, and Becca’s pick for what’s Undiscovered. Disclaimer: This episode contains spoilers for the whole season.

Margaret and Keisha from The Libra Lounge break down Back on the Frontier, the Magnolia Network’s surprisingly wholesome (and slightly unhinged) new reality experiment now streaming on HBO Max. Three modern families ditch their devices, makeup bags, and robot vacuums to live like it’s 1862 under the Homestead Act. Would you survive three months with no AC, no CPAP, and an outhouse? (Spoiler: we would not.) And should there be a Celebrity Frontier House spin-off? We’re casting it already — networks, call us. 🎧 What’s Undiscovered? Keisha’s watching NYC Next Gen, reading I’m Glad My Mom Died, and still covering everything unhinged on The Libra Lounge with Keisha and Pink Shade. Follow Keisha 

Margaret is joined by the hilarious Kendrick Tucker (@withkendricktucker) for a deep dive into the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2 reunion — with a quick shoutout to the Slamming Sodas at Denny’s that might just be your new summer obsession.  They break down the awkward July 1st drop, share their hopes (and worries) for Season 3 — less Marciano, more behind-the-scenes drama, and maybe even a MomTok spinoff in Wichita? Plus: the reunion host performance (Nick Viall — why?), the real unsung husbands, and what could make this cast truly shine. Stick around for Kendrick’s Undiscovered picks: a nostalgic Apple Music playlist trick and his top reality TV rewatch recs for the summer. Listen to Kendrick's podcast here. 

Ready to celebrate America’s birthday with the most insane disaster at sea since the Boston Tea Party? We’re diving bow-first into Netflix’s brand-new documentary Trainwreck: Poop Cruise—the wild retelling of Carnival Triumph’s 2013 “floating Porta-Potty” fiasco that stranded 4,000 passengers without power, plumbing, or dignity. Chris DeRosa (co-host of Fixing Famous People) joins Margaret to relive sewage-soaked hallways, makeshift tent cities on the lido deck, and the media frenzy that turned one busted engine into headline gold. New segment alert! We debut Smash Scripts, our satirical table-read series, starting with an unhinged And Just Like That mini-scene in which Carrie discovers Aiden’s “romantic” getaway is aboard the Carnival Sunshine (spoiler: the Poop Deck isn’t what she thinks). Follow Chris DeRosa  Listen to Fixing Famous People Follow Fixing Famous People  

In this Splash Hit 🧜‍♀️💰edition of Smash Hit, Margaret is joined by Natalie Katona, host of To All the Men I’ve Tolerated Before, to unpack Netflix’s chaotic limited series Sirens. They dissect sisterhood, succession, and society’s worst men, and pitch a smarter, darker, more satisfying conclusion than the one we got. (Spoiler alert: it involves Julianne Moore and bird sanctuaries.) From cringey prenups to lavender-spritzed lingerie, this conversation has everything—plus detours into One Tree Hill, Nicholas Sparks, and Dropout TV.     Follow Natalie: Podcast: To All the Men I’ve Tolerated Before IG: @menivetoleratedpod

Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2 with Cheryl Smallman of Broad Culture We’re back in Carrie’s chaotic closet of unresolved plotlines, and somehow, we never want to leave. Margaret is joined by Cheryl Smallman of Broad Culture to recap the Season 3 premiere and epsiode 2 of And Just Like That, a show we fully acknowledge is deeply broken—and yet, absolutely essential. It makes no sense. We love it. We hate it. We’re obsessed. Long live this high-gloss, emotionally incoherent fever dream. 🎧 Subscribe to Smash Hit wherever you get your podcasts

This week, Smash Hit takes a detour into the ER—specifically, The Pitt. Host Margaret is joined by Amanda Lipnack-Radel of Little Miss Recap, who finally gets her moment to talk about the show that’s too intense for Amye. Together, they unpack Season 1, Episode 1 of The Pitt, a gripping hospital drama that's NOT an ER reboot. It’s event television—you can’t second-screen this one. 🎧 Plus: Amanda shares more about Little Miss Recap and her podcast Amanda’s Coaching Corner, and reveals what she thinks is the most “undiscovered” show worth watching right now.

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 Check out The Cinemile on all podcast platforms, or visit thecinemile.com. For bonus TV content (and yes, they might just talk Smash again), join their Patreon at patreon.com/thecinemile.

Smash Hit: Season 1, Episode 8 — “The Coup” Margaret is joined by podcast icons Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer (By the Book, How to Be Fine) to unpack the chaos of Smash Season 1, Episode 8. From Derek’s sleazy power plays to Ivy vs. Karen, trust funds to creative coups, this episode has it all—including a prison-bed musical number and some unfiltered thoughts on nepotism casting. ✨ Undiscovered Picks 🎧 Jolenta: That’s a Gay Ass Podcast by Eric Williams 🎧 Kristen: Conspiracy, She Wrote by Kristin Conger Hit subscribe, leave a review, and stay tuned—because things are only getting messier from here. Follow Jolenta Follow Kristen

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! 

This week, we dive into Smash Season 1, Episode 5, "Let's Be Bad"—an episode that brings us some of the show's most iconic musical numbers and plenty of behind-the-scenes Broadway drama. Joining us is Roberta Blevins, host of the Life After MLM podcast and featured in the LulaRich miniseries, to break down all the high-stakes energy of this episode. From Ivy’s big Marilyn moment to Julia’s personal life spiraling, we discuss how Smash blends ambition, betrayal, and show-stopping performances. Plus, Roberta shares her insights on power dynamics in the entertainment world, drawing from her own experiences exposing the realities of MLMs (multi-level marketing). Episode recap begins around the 10-minute mark. Follow Roberta on Instagram @therealrobertablevins and check out Life After MLM wherever you get your podcasts!

This week, we’re diving into Smash Season 1, Episode 4, "The Cost of Art," where tensions rise, egos clash, and we get our first taste of Karen's initiation into the Broadway scene. From Ivy’s growing insecurities to Derek’s ongoing sketchy behavior, and the arrival of Lyle West (played by Nick Jonas!), there’s plenty of drama to dissect with Little Miss Recap host Amye Archer.   The English major and writer gives her solution to fix the wearisome adoption storyline. Plus, Margaret learns about the short-lived cult classic Cop Rock.   Learn more about Amye, Little Miss Recap, and the Back Door Friends here.    Note: this episode was recorded in Fall 2024.     

This week, Margaret is joined by Keisha from The Libra Lounge to break down Smash Season 1, Episode 3, "Enter Mr. DiMaggio." The search for the perfect Joe DiMaggio is on, and tensions are running high both on and off the stage. Michael Swift enters the chat (and Julia’s personal life), Ivy and Karen continue their subtle—and not-so-subtle—rivalry, and we ask the important question: is anyone in this show making good life choices? AND MOST IMPORTANT........Keisha gives us her official "Wig Court" ruling on all the platinum Marilyn wigs.  Keep up with Keisha on The Libra Lounge FB page.  Listen to Keisha recap Love is Blind with Mary Payne Gilbert on Pink Shade. 

This week, Margaret is joined by Kelli Williams from the Beyond the Blinds podcast to dive into Smash Season 1, Episode 2, "The Callback." The tension is high as Karen and Ivy go head-to-head for the coveted role of Marilyn, and we break down every juicy moment—from audition room drama to Tom and Derek’s creative clashes. Join us as we unpack the show's Broadway authenticity, behind-the-scenes power plays, and the sheer chaos of early-2010s TV musical storytelling. Plus, Kelli shares her thoughts on why Hayden Panettiere is the perfect Marilyn. She’s got the look, the voice (hello, Nashville), and the right mix of charm and confidence. Would she have changed the whole vibe of Smash? Probably. And we’re here for it. Kelli can be found on Instagram @laguna_biotch Listen to the Beyond the Blinds Podcast. 

On this episode of Smash Hit, host Margaret is joined by media literacy expert and former theater kid Meredith Constant to dissect what might just be the greatest pilot of all time—at least for one of TV’s most gloriously chaotic shows, Smash. From that iconic “Let Me Be Your Star” moment to the sheer audacity of introducing both Marilyn and baseball in the same breath, Margaret and Meredith break down what makes this first episode so compelling, ridiculous, and, dare we say, perfect television. Was Smash always destined for messiness, or was the pilot a trick of Broadway magic? Tune in as they revisit the show's dazzling highs, discuss the pilot’s place in TV history, and debate which Smash character had the most unhinged energy right from the start. 🎭✨ Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—because in Smash Hit, the show must go on! 🎶 Follow along on Instagram @SmashHitPodcast. About Our Guest: Meredith Constant Meredith Constant is a media literacy expert, pop culture analyst, and former theater kid who pulled on a thread about the British media and the monarchy—and never stopped. Through her sharp, engaging breakdowns, she unpacks the intersection of media, power, and culture, covering everything from the royals to Hollywood, politics, and beyond. With a signature mix of deep research and deliciously fun commentary, Meredith makes media literacy accessible (and addictive). Subscribe to her Substack for insightful deep dives: Meredith Constant | Substack Listen to her podcast for more media breakdowns: Off With Their Headlines Podcast - Apple Podcasts