Idol Chatter & Voice Views

 One of the most hyped new shows on TV finally airs Monday night.

And unlike some shows — oh, say The X Factor — “Smash” is apparently deserving of the hype, according to the critics.

The show, of course, stars former American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee as one of two actresses competing for the role of Marilyn Monroe in a new Broadway show.

Over the weekend, she was in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl, tweeting about meeting Jimmy Fallon, Tim Tebow and Alex Smith at the NFL Honors show Saturday night.

But it will soon be time to promote Smash, and Kat has a slew of TV appearances coming including Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Saturday (12:30 a.m.), Today (next Monday, 8 a.m.) and Live! With Kelly (next Monday, 9 a.m.).

Now, check out these reviews for “Smash” and Kat …

USA Today:  Gives the show 3.5 stars out of 4.  About Kat:  “The former American Idol contestant, who sounds much better here than she did in that contest, turns out to be a surprisingly appealing actor.”

Newsday:  Gives the show an A.  About Kat:  “McPhee’s the surprise. We knew she could sing. Who knew she could act?”

New York Times:  Positive review. “Smash” gets better as it goes along. It’s unlikely to achieve television greatness like “M*A*S*H” did, but by Episode 3 it shows signs of becoming an addictive pleasure along the lines of this season’s “Revenge.”

Los Angeles Time:  Positive review. “… what easily could have lurched across the screen like some dramatic-arts Frankenstein is instead as supple as a showgirl.”

But, not every review is positive …

Boston Herald:   “This Broadway baby has but one destination: Exit stage left.”

Philadelphia Inquirer:   “If musical theater gives you goose bumps, congratulations. You just got a front-row seat. If it doesn’t enthrall you, Smash will strike you as almost unbearably tedious and pretentious.”

“Smash” debuts Monday at 10 p.m. on NBC, right after a two-hour episode of The Voice.