Don't Forget Me - Comparison

The two amazing Marilyn's from NBC's Smash singing Don't Forget Me. Who was your favourite? Who was your least favourite? Any other comparisons you would like me to do? Feel free to comment below.
1. Katharine McPhee
2. Megan Hilty
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[@HeavensArcher77]

Hilty’s “they paid 50 cents for my soul” is GUT wrenching

[@steveparker9757]

I am always a McPhee fan. There is an angelic quality in her singing and I am drawn to it. I feel the emotion when she sings.

[@polyprinz]

Megan killed it, her voice is an instrument, she also portray more of Marilyn to me. Love it!!!

[@FreedomFighter2112]

I completely agree

[@daniellealeman1050]

I loved, loved, loved this show. I cannot choose between McPhee and Hilty. Both have tremendous voices. I was shocked and saddened by the cancellation of this show. Great actors in the show, great writing, great plot, & great songs.

[@garnetwoodham]

If I got a dollar for every time I said exactly what you just said, I would be a wealthy man. I literally shed a tear when they canceled the show. But fortunately I have both DVDs season 1 and season 2. I think I know every word of every episode especially in season 1. I cannot pick between them, do not want to pick between them, they both complement each other so well. They made each other more successful than each would’ve been without the other.

[@mefi1895]

I was disappointed but not shocked. The writing wasn't great. (Music was incredible though). And some of the characters weren't given enough development. Like I didn't care that much for some. Like something was missing? But the cast? In-fuckin-credible! I didn't know who they all were before it. Then when I looked up all the Broadway stars in it. Wow!! Although Jack Davenport was soo annoying as Derek. That was the big casting mistake in my opinion. It took away a lot for me. And maybe TV audience wasn't ready for it. It would do much better with a streaming audience I think. But overall. I don't know what it was, but something was missing. But not enough to have it be cut so short. And Hitlist? What was that even about? Haha. I guess it didn't matter really. Maybe it was also the timing? It's hard to compare the 2. They are both so different and great in their own ways. As far as voices more like Marilyn, hands down Katherine. But Megan also captures the essence of the character in a different way. Acting Megan Hilty. She is also a Broadway rockstar. But Katherine had her moments. They are in different categories.

[@mdmphd]

@@mefi1895 Yep - the writing was struggling by season 2 but really, unless the whole team moved on to another show, where could this go? Make a movie out of it and transport everyone into the un-comfort zone of LA? New director, of course, so you lose Jack Davenport, but the new guy could be an equally creative nightmare - maybe gay and after Borle for a moment but a talented user of people. Funded by foreigners with deep pockets, perhaps, looking to change the show per their money?That would force Borle and Messing into some boardrooms to defend their choices and repair the friendship to save their show (only after someone starts to woo each of them with separate contracts). Introduce a NEW Marilyn, one who can't sing but who will need to be dubbed. Then you could spend a few episodes on morals and integrity and our way or no show sort of thing and no movie gets done but it picks up and saves the Broadway show. COuld go that way. As for Jack Davenport, he was riding a wave of high profile appearances as the guy you cheat with or have an affair with but don't stay with. He had a series of UK and then US appearances (even the Pirates franchise) and age wise, fit that early to mid-40s hunk pocket for that demographic. He's still rolling with things like Why Women Kill, but in SMASH, I blame the writing again. They threw a lot of things at his character, lots of choices to be made and a smattering of dealing with consequences but that grew old. I guess as an actor, one of his main arcs is considering the choices he's made and living with them - not terribly happy in anything. I will gather haters for this but I don't particularly care for Jeremy Jordan so I didn't give a crap about Hitlist. It was given a decent intro but self destruction in someone with good skin and bangs is the same for everyone. That he dropped and hurt her was about where I was willing to go with him. I don't seek him out in other projects and think 'meh' when I hear he's been cast in others. He has a cult following, but there are others out there, just waiting for the chance to bring more to the table. (I was just as pleased that Jonathan Bailey got Fieyro in WICKED as I was that James Corden was blocked by the public.) Writers realized they needed something more for Angelica Houston to do once she put the wanna be producer in his place (that was the character I didn't like). Adding the ex con/bartender was a good solution, but there wasn't enough conflict; stakes weren't high enough. Hers was an ensemble storyline, separate from the 'who will play Marilyn' suspense, and there was no music around them in a musical format. I gravitated to the presentation of the music each week. It was a fun, creative experiment for tv and I hope they go there again.

[@mefi9788]

@@mdmphd Agree. Good points. It was definitely worth it for the music every week. If you've never seen Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, check that out. TOTALLY different but also a musical tv show that is very unique.

[@jessied44]

@@mdmphd Great comment. I'll duck with you when it comes to Jeremy Jordan. He just strikes me as being a little too impressed with himself.

[@jessied44]

Both actresses were incredible. This song has you crying for a woman dead since 1962. She will never be forgotten.

[@katerineermishova4166]

I'm killed by Katherine's version, it's so touching, soo deep, I can't stop crying when I listen her. I see that Megan is a great singer and I love her voice so much, but I see and hear Marilyn in McPhee

[@goawayleavemealone2880]

I do prefer Megan's version, the song is supposed to be triumphant which means Megan's version has a slight edge due to her more powerful voice. It's very slight and it really is a matter of opinion. Katherine's version of Never Give All The Heart is stunning, her voice really suits it's themes - despite the fact it's one of most Broadway songs that was never a set piece.

[@KristinaLopezWrites]

💯 The song isn’t about triumph. It’s about humanity. Katherine and the staging of hers was impeccable!

[@KristinaLopezWrites]

@@goawayleavemealone2880Not triumphant-human. That ending is AFTER she dies, so making it about the men around her and her boldness instead of a message to the world was not it (to me). I preferred the staging and arrangement and vocal inflections in Katherine’s version because it was about Marilyn and her as a person, not about the image of her or the men.

[@almaalexander5874]

oh this brought back memories. for me, McPhee was more the vulnterable marilyn that this song demands - but that doesn't take anything from Hilty's unmistakable vocal talents. they are just very different people and very differnet interpretations of the Marilyn idea - but I will always come down on the McPhee side of this one. Hilty sings the song as someone who KNOWS she won't be forgotten - McPhee's take is one of someone who is not at all sure, and is yearning for it. And THAT is what this song is all about.

[@garnetwoodham]

Very well said…

[@mefi1895]

Great explanation.

[@bajecho]

same!

[@linmorin2529]

Wow !!

[@garlandsimpson6397]

Agreed. Though they both sang it well.

[@clous081]

Hilty was it for me from Episode One through the finale

[@dananicki]

Megan Hilty's voice hit my soul in the best way oh my god 😍

[@PaulSmith-kw6we]

I love comparing the staging: off-Broadway (McPhee) vs Broadway (Hilty). And personally I think McPhee's best acting in the whole first season came while she was watching Hilty hit that high note: half regretting that wasn't her (who originated the role) up there, half realizing Ivy was crushing it.

[@girugiru27]

I love that about this scene too

[@seraphima_jayne]

You hit the nail on the head. Apart from Hilty's phenomenal performance was McPhee's acting as Katherine in this scene when she realised she was watching Ivy's performance that it should have been Ivy the whole time. It was that moment of both envy and regret that she couldn't perform as well. Probably a little embarrassment too, because she spent some time arrogantly flaunting herself as Marylin. And while I know there's no "bad blood" between these two actresses and that the whole point of the show was to show how messed up the theatre world is (I'm a theatre geek, I know), it still irks me that Katherine was originally made Marilyn because Ivy was leaps and bounds better. Little side tidbit: Megan Hilty went on to actually play Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"

[@bullmoose6253]

That's one opinion,. Interesting. I don't agree, but at least we all love and recognize great talent.

[@bullmoose6253]

@@seraphima_jayne I think we're all (those watching and commenting on a show about Broadway musicals) are indeed theatre geeks. LOL. I hope we rub off o more folks.... my opinion ultimately differs as the ability to emote to me is what makes or breaks a performance. But I love them both,

[@GopherBaroque61]

For my money, it has to be Megan Hilty. It just gave me chills.

[@FreedomFighter2112]

Exactly!!!

[@carmellegarcia7900]

I loved the tone of McPhee for the character of Marylin but Hilty’s belting was incredible.

[@aerialnay]

I love Katherine but Megan’s versions gives me chills every time, she’s amazing

[@jessiej9419]

Considering this song alone: Katherine McPhee's version, with Marilyn standing alone, is vulnerable and almost haunting - which is intentional and plays to the storyline well. I personally prefer her head voice to Hilty's. Because she is the only one onstage, her acting is completely to the audience, and is a plea to not be forgotten while maintaining a dignity that Monroe actually had. Megan Hilty's voice lends itself to power and control, which pairs well with having the other people on stage with her. If Bombshell was actually on Broadway, that would be the voice that portrayed Marilyn Monroe, hands down. Her belts are gorgeous. She also is given more opportunities to act as she sings, which is in part due to her subtle interactions with the other characters, as well as the audience. But with this particular song, and given the fact that this is TV and cameras can give us close ups that visually add to body language and voice acting, I think McPhee won. Hilty killed it, but I think that she played this song - which is asking other to not forget her - very confident, as if she already knows her legacy is secured. McPhee demonstrated the vulnerability and insecurity that comes with dying and not knowing what others will think, but hoping that they will remember the best parts, which I find to be more realistic and intriguing, and make me want to listen to and remember her. Both are obviously great, and I think that Hilty wins in many other songs (more songs than McPhee even), but when it comes to Don't Forget Me, I believe McPhee's version is better.

[@goawayleavemealone2880]

I think it rings more true when sung by Hilty, literally for some of the reasons you state. This song is a postscript, the previous scene is Marilyn dying - the episode where this song gets written is an over long joke about how to end the show on a high note when the main character is already dead. What better way to end on a high than to have Marilyn not only know her legacy, but demand it? I'm not one of those people that gush over Megan Hilty and won't give Katherine McPhee any credit, for example I love McPhee's version of Never Give All The Heart, it's so much better than Hilty's. For me there was always an instance where one was good but the other was better, for me with this song it was Hilty who was better although both where brilliant.

[@trishathespectre6801]

"They thought they could dispose of me, they tried to make me small - I suffered each indignity, but now rise above it all," sorry but no. The "vulnerability and insecurity" is not meant for this song, strength was the key to this song. The 2nd verse for McPhee was especially her weakest, it was not believable. Meanwhile, every single second of Hilty's version gave me massive chills. Mcphee's version is too weak to give me that.

[@corkynell]

That was an amazing way to break down both high and lows of this very difficult song, staging and 2 very amazing actresses without taking a thing from either one of their great contributions to this great show song and talents!!!!!

[@FreedomFighter2112]

I believe McPhee's version is technically better but Megan's version is better due to her passion, acting, and head voice.

[@whatever4863]

@@trishathespectre6801 McPhee is literally begging the audience to not forget them and not let what happened to them happen again. It’s hard to compare the two because they’re so different, but really I guess it comes down to personal preference. I think too that McPhee has more vocal agility which is important for this song.

[@BrightDirector]

There are two kinds of people in this world- people who think ivy Lynn is the only choice for Marilyn, and those who are wrong.

[@mefi1895]

😆

[@FreedomFighter2112]

Very well said

[@princexl2783]

But that would only be one kind of person 🤷

[@jameshamilton8245]

I guess I am wrong because I agree with Derek in season 1 when he told Ivy that Karen brought something to her Marilyn that Ivy didn't. Yes Megan (Ivy) has the stronger, better trained, and more experienced talent, and her figure is more Marilynesque. KATHERINE (KAREN) by coincidence or design conveys a sense of the vulnerability that was also a great part of Marilyn's appeal. Their was something about her that screamed to convey she knew she was stretching her talent and unsure that her performance was good enough to work on screen. Megan's Ivy comes across as too confident to portray a believable Marilyn and thus becomes a caricature of Marilyn instead of giving the audience a glimpse into her heart and soul. And let's not forget that Marilyn's vocal talents were not that great. Ivy's renditions thus come across as over acting and the deep insecurities that fueled Norma Jean's ambitions for fame and ultimately led to Marilyn's demise are completely lost.

[@jayoddi7730]

Ivy Lynn did it better and I will die on that hill.

[@davidkish9829]

Definitely Katherine. I feel her version is beautiful!

[@IAmJaguarPaw.ThisIsMyForest.]

Two priceless performances. Period.

[@lynnie5551]

I think Katherine does a good job, but the way Megan punches each word with such indignant passion is what puts her performance on the next level.

[@shoecop007]

I Love them Both....but just like there was only one Marilyn, The best to fill in for her is obviously Megan Hilty. She has the look the body but mostly the most fantastic voice I may have ever heard, for a pop singer. IF Marilyn would have had that Voice, she may not have died when she did. I wish both these ladies best wishes in their lives, But I Love MS. Hilty. I watch her and Just Dream. I would spend my last dollar to hear her sing in person, singing this type music. My Love to a Fantastic Singer and woman; LIKE Marilyn, herself.

[@becciemarshall6791]

Megan Hilty is PHENOMENAL. I COULD LISTEN TO HER EVERY DAY. Definitely Megan for me. 😊Xxx

[@marianbarwell3132]

I loved this show. They are both incredible. But to put it simply I love Katherines voice but I actually got goosebumps when Megan sang.

[@macabrereads2you]

I still have a Smash shaped show hole in my heart. This show was Epic! Both brought different things to the table and showed different aspects of Marilyn. I love getting to see booth of them give their unique and heartfelt interpretations!

[@babs0203]

Two totally different versions of such a great song!!! I’m a huge Marilyn fan and both ladies did justice to this beauty!!!!!

[@garlandsimpson6397]

There you said it correctly. They both did justice to that beautiful song. I am not afraid to choose but between such talent as this, no. . . . They did it well.

[@ginadelach8834]

Both exceptional, & amazing performers, but Megan's version is heart pounding, cry worthy, and thru the roof! Incredible!! I've watched this video 100 x's.

[@haleiwasteve8434]

I love both of these women, but Megan was on another level. They were both phenomenal.

[@carminegiordano3562]

Katharine McPhee or Megan Hilty, who played the best part as Marilyn in Smash. I love, love love Katharine as Marilyn or as herself for that matter. Her beautiful voice is that of an angel. She played in my opinion more to the innocent somewhat penetrable persona of Marilyn. Then there's the Marilyn played by Megan. She embodied the sexy sultry Marilyn, the powerful but tortured persona of Marilyn that no one could quite penetrate, or was allowed to penetrate or fully understand. As much as I love Katherine McPhee, I think Megan Hilty was as close to Marilyn as one could possibly portay.

[@Spinsterdiaries]

There is no comparison, Hilty is in a league of her own.

[@kathystork1185]

I miss this so show much.

[@boredinohio4]

I am so glad I would not have to choose. I loved them both. ❤

[@cactusbound]

They are both fabulous and I miss the show immensely.

[@digital_matt]

How can someone choose? They both bring something unique to the song

[@FreedomFighter2112]

It's easy...shoose the one that gives you more chills

[@endora1164]

They both are incredible. Each performer brings something to the interpretation, McPhee having a pop sound brings a contemporary take on the song while Hilty, being a broadway baby brings a rawness to the role. I love them both and I loved the show.

[@alandoyle1267]

I loved them both, but was always routing for Ivy from day 1 Meghan gas the voice and glamour. Don't get me wrong, I love Kaherine too, But there is no comparison.

[@lin-ud3qy]

I love Kat's version but Megan's delivery of the line "there are some in this world who have strength of their own, never broken or in need of repair; but there are some born to shine who can't do it alone, so protect them and take special care" brought tears to my eyes.

[@jailindamon]

I’m sorry but Megan gonna do it for me EACH TIME

[@tchklette]

Ivy Lynn/Megan Hilty owns this song.

[@cristinaflores5922]

They both were incredible I can’t pick a favorite I can say that I felt more emotion when Hilty sang it and she hit that note higher than I think anyone could ever hit it . I have no clue how she did that so smoothly but I love them both so much !

[@derekcarson4491]

I would absolutely love to see Katherine McPhee on Broadway as Audrey from Little Shops of Horrors.

[@rhondachristensen3568]

Loved smash all the music ,acting .awesome talent from so many especially Katherine & Megan . No need to compare .. Both were great!!!..... So glad I came upon this number on utube.... My big question is when/will there be a sequel. entertainment @. Its best!! Thank you to all responsible Rhonda c

[@andreasa8486]

I love both versions and both are fantastic singers and actresses.

[@KristinaLopezWrites]

I preferred Katherine’s interpretation and inflections and whispers, but Ivy has her own special magic with control and boldness and desperation that was so Marilyn. I see why they were both so torn between playing Marilyn-it’s the duality of woman. Honestly, SMASH in itself would’ve been a great meta Broadway show to have both play her.

[@samanthac5761]

Megan was Marilyn. Broadway voice. Great casting for both ladies

[@eddiePUGILIST]

I'm curious what qualities you think Megan matched in Marilyn? To me, it is a good Broadway style performance and amazing belt, but those were not the actual qualities MM exhibited.. more like a sort of, idea of what people think Marilyn was if they haven't actually watched her films.

[@strangestdays3101]

@@eddiePUGILIST It's a great typical Broadway belt your way through version but Megan's version really doesn't have any sublety or vulnerability to it. To me it just seems angry and brash. Her version of Marilyn would have lived until she was 90 years old and become a studio exec. I like Katharine's because it starts out as very vulnerable and slowly builds in strength and power.

[@jamesbidwell8947]

They both are wonderful singers, however, in my opinion Megan sang it better. She captured Marilyn.

[@natashasheibak3477]

I'm sorry, but Katherine is a beaten puppy here. I think the final song is supposed to show the print that Marilyn left in our hearts. The star that shines bright and far. And Megan's powerful performance is it. But yeah, i liked Megan more from the start. I could be prejudiced here

[@davideisenberg2743]

Megan killed it. McPhee was very good but Megan had the extra punch on this one

[@Anthony_OliveBranch]

I love both versions. Clearly Megan fits Marilyn way more. Katharine would have better suited for an Audrey Hepburn musical.

[@Enjoy-134]

McPhee captured Marilyn's vulnerability and sexiness perfectly, and her rendition of the song gives me tears and chills every time I watch it. Hilty never had that effect on me, she's a good actress and singer, but there's a toughness about her that is not at all like Marilyn.

[@Ruthlovesgardening]

Exactly

[@imisstoronto3121]

I always thought Megan Hilty looked and sounded like the real Marilyn. Katherine is very good but she's too tall and lean and lacks the curves that Marilyn was known for. I liked both endings but I would give a lot to see Bombshell with Megan Hilty.

[@jckholmes9194]

So sad I only discovered this series several years after it was cancelled. When it comes to this comparison Katherine made this a beautiful song where as Megan made it an emotional acting scene.

[@neilbruce123]

Katherine.She had that Marylin vulnerability down!

[@livinglifetoday9171]

I love Katherine and thing she's got an incredible voice - but have to say with this particular song Meaghan killed it for me.

[@derikshopinski5651]

Megan is the whole package. Katherine is the underdog you want to root for, but never quite commit to. They’re both insanely talented. But for me, it’s Megan all the way!

[@Positivekitten]

But Megan can’t dance, and she admits it!

[@laloibarra8217]

Both did an awsome job. But it has more merit Megans version , because she is out of her comfort zone. She is a classicaly trained soprano ,so reaching those high notes in chest voice/mix makes it more complicated for her. She deserves all the applauses.

[@duanealbro6998]

I loved this show! Megan is a pure talent and fabulous but Katherine was the protagonist and it was impossible not to root for her, plus she did a great job! Edge-Katherine ❤

[@Okk681]

Is it just me who likes both equally

[@elliott1410]

I loved this show so much and really miss it. Megan and Katherine were both phenomenal. I have to admit I like Katherine's performance more especially at the end. It's as much about the appearance of Marilyn behind Karen as the actual singing. That part gets me every time💔

[@rocioreyes3894]

Extraordinarias las dos.... las amé...GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR ESTAS MARAVILLOSAS ESCENAS DE ESTAS EXCELENTES VOCES....CARISMATICAS GRANDES ACTRICES....deberían volver a transmitir la serie....🤞🙏🏼👊

[@eddiePUGILIST]

To me, there's two types of comparisons: Whose *style* do you prefer, and who do you think embodies Marilyn more? I think a lot of people get swept up in Megan Hilty's incredible stage presence and Broadway star quality, without considering the source material (Marilyn) was nothing like that. If anyone knows anything about Marilyn Monroe, they know that she was fragile, vulnerable, and teased people with her innocence. That was part of her allure and persona.

[@goawayleavemealone2880]

But if you think about in terms of the character singing the song. Ivy is lot more like Marilyn than Karen is, this song is a personal triumph for Ivy a glimpse of her overcoming her demons in a way that Marilyn couldn't, sadly, and through Ivy Marilyn gets to demand her legacy instead of pleading for it. Both are great, I love McPhee's version of Never Give All The Heart - but this song isn't about vulnerability it's a postscript, it's about triumph... even if the triumphant don't get to live their triumph.

[@BikinFilmYok]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am more moved by Katharine's version. The vulnerability, the fear, the uncertainty, the hope, it's so bittersweet. Megan's is technically much better, but it's such a powerful Marilyn, I'm not worried about here. I'm like nodding, "Yeah, girl, show em."

[@DavidLawsonMusic]

Goodness gracious. Why couldn't they give these ladies another solid number like "Let Me Be Your Star"!! Either way, Megan & Katherine slayed So Hard & we should all be thankful that SMASH was a thing at all 💖

[@jamesmorris7674]

I prefer Megan because she just has a great voice and she acts the part. Both performers were great but if you had put Megan first I don’t think I would have felt this way.

[@karensmith8296]

They both are tremendous!!! Meghan has more of that dramatical impetus. Although Katherine's voice is a tiny bit less edgy, she takes a few more inflective liberties in the turns she puts in. Truthfully, I could listen to both equally all the time. Although I've never heard Meghan vocally tired, because she uses more of her voice all the time, she could be in danger of pushing it too far. Non the less, they are both great vocal technicians!!!

[@AnimeAngel88]

I think both are great. McPhee has more of a raw talent as a singer that seems to fit Marilyn's acting talents, but Hilty's more powerful vocals display more raw emotion for the starlet.

[@mtw5536]

This took a while to figure out. I love Katherine’s vocals she belts it to the back row. But, I have to go with Megan. She the vocals are flawless and she doesn’t sing the song she performs it.

[@grantponciano9386]

Katherine's Marilyn represents a possible Marilyn people would've wanted to see more of: the innocent Marilyn, an assumption of her inner feelings, like an unknown Marilyn. Megan's Marilyn is rooted in the more well known public Marilyn. A logical and well educated hypothesis based on research.

[@tartsonawire]

Team Ivy, any day. Season 1 >>>>>>> Season 2 And Karen should've gotten back with Dev. They made Jeremy Jordan so whiny and unlikable here.

[@rubengalindoaguilar4613]

It broke my hart the fist gril didnt got the part. I was in love whith her. Both great. The first touches my hart

[@elizabethpeterson455]

Team Megan all the way. Her voice, performance, and resemblance to Marilyn was uncanny and mesmerising. McGhee is good, but in no way portrays Monroe with any conviction. Her looking the part is not happening.

[@msjunebug123]

I love Kathryn McPhee’s version because she has such a pure, almost innocent and vulnerable quality she brings out in Marilyn’s character. Ivy does have an amazing voice, but I feel it’s too performed and less authentic.

[@leen-dy]

exactly what I touhgt! Kat's voice is just pure and angelic like Marilyn was

[@seanwhitaker484]

Hilty has more power and the better belt, but Katherine has more colors to her lower register that brings out more of the vulnerability in Marilyn and the vulnerability in the song. Put them together and you have the perfect voice. I prefer Mcphee

[@eddiePUGILIST]

I prefer McPhee too in that her style matches the essence of MM. I LOVE the performance by Megan Hilty as a standalone.

[@nssquared9174]

Not to mention the fact the K Mc actually looks like MM when she's made up.

[@purplevioletlilaclavender]

I've watched this a hundred times. Why did they have to cancel it's on soon?

[@ladyjanevoiceandart5619]

BOTH AMAZING....BUT --- MEGAN HILTY HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK!

[@rickabbott9663]

Comparing these two AMAZING performers is like comparing LeBron and Jordan. (I'll let you choose who you think is who in that scenario) Each rendition of this classic song is a goose bump moment for me. I will forever be upset that Smash, Bombshell, or Hit List never made it to the boards.

[@suzusocool2928]

I liked Katherines version a lot better because her voice embodies Marilyn. Her voice is soft and angelic the way i imagine Marilyn to be but Hilty's voice was much more powerful and strong which i dont think fits Marilyn. Both Katherine and Hilty's voices are amazing, i just prefered Katherine in this scene.

[@sergiodelgado7687]

I prefer Megan by a lot ❤️

[@hollabigT]

Megan.

[@stecreed]

Megan H. She is the great I love her more

[@liambarry9337]

Katherine better singer, Megan better performer! BOTH fab!❤

[@justatinyhalfling]

Hilty 100%

[@NightLunaLia]

Megan BEST

[@kevintieu2332]

Both are amazing. Katharine has a more effortless vulnerability, especially in the verses and chorus since her voice is naturally more airy. Megan shines after the bridge because it's all belting, and her more prominent vibrato works there better.

[@jiopineda6176]

Megan all the way

[@aaronhuggett9861]

Katherine mcphee is the best one for me

[@barbarares7970]

I just found Smash on Roku and watched two seasons through at least 3 times. Megan is a stage performer with a stage voice. It's not fair to compare the two. I love Katherine and think she is great and her voice is great especially in the more clubby songs. I don't think I would like Megan as much as Katherine in Hit List. But Don't Forget Me belongs absolutely and positively to Megan, as to most of the other songs, especially Moving the Line.

[@Dessperez1]

I love Khaterin voice but I just don’t see Marilyn but I believe that was the point the always intended that I was going to be Ivys role at Broadway

[@valentino4411]

Katharine showed more range & versatility & she displayed the fragility of Marilyn. Megan has more power but this song doesn't require power...it requires vulnerability. KM won

[@Ruthlovesgardening]

I enjoyed the softness and frailty that Katherine gave to the role, vulnerable. Meghan was to strong and angry.

[@mdmphd]

I liked the build around McPhee's version. There was more reference to who Marilyn was in the visuals instead of the menace of the men around her in the darker Hilty version. I really loved the pop in the McPhee version where she raises her hand and people responded and the final visual of the real Marilyn behind her. That was far more striking than the men clearing the stage for Hilty's final money note. Character wise, I think McPhee captured more vulnerability. Hilty's drama was more offstage as written. (Doesn't help that I heard stories about HIlty in the musical of VANITIES, not being kind to crew backstage in Mountain View but that was 2007.) This is a hell of a song & altho Bombshell is coming to Broadway, I think they could do a separate version of SMASH! SO MANY GREAT songs in the series that didn't deal with the musical or could tie in - see them being workshopped and changed in SMASH and the real thing in Bombshell. Same team wrote everything so why not book them both at the same time into different theaters?! What's that? Money? Get the tv company involved that put the series on! I know, I know. It's not that easy, nothing ever is with theater if it's worth something.

[@jeffbouchez5134]

I liked them both but I Would rather see Megan Hilty as Marilyn

[@mspalding9373]

HIlty is unbelievable.

[@stanleychua749]

Without argument Katherine McPhee nailed it. So much soul. Goosebumps.

[@billhiggins-ha4all795]

Katherine will be the BEST, Forever! Her raw talent began, then David became her coach and the luckiest man alive.

[@williamwatson4354]

Ivy was the more obvious choice, but that doesn't make it true. Can't believe its been ten years.

[@pariserm]

Seriously? You're going to make me choose??

[@neginahrandle2696]

You can show Julie reaction is happy and more pleased with Katharine performance then Megan performance Julie looks like she feels sick

[@annarich2614]

my personal favorite to listen to is mcphee. but hilty definitely won this

[@kgldude]

McPhee sang better but Hilty's performance was way better because she put more emotion into it.

[@BarrelsPolesandJack]

Megan Hilty; absolutely NO comparison! Katharine McPhee's voice is WAY too light for this type of song. The song is too big for her and she just can't hold a candle to Megan. Just MHO!

[@RonnieStewartJr]

I prefer Katharine’s voice on the song, but Ivy was the right choice for Marilyn.

[@toysanas]

I prefer Katharine's version hands down. Megan just didn't have the same power as Katharine's performance. With Katharine's I get goosebumps every single time, it was chilling and vulnerable and just perfect honestly.