Patrick Randak, Associated Press
Katharine McPhee who portrays Karen Cartwright, left, listens to Theresa Rebeck, creator and executive producer of "Smash," on the set in New York.
While America awaits the debut of the TV series "Smash," its creator is well ahead, planning tiny details of Episode 13.
Before sitting down for an interview last week, Theresa Rebeck quickly huddled with her assistants, telling them she's decided on which song she wants used at the top of the episode, scheduled to air deep in spring.
The song -- "There's No Business Like Show Business" -- will be performed while a still-to-be-filmed montage plays of stage workers packing up equipment and props and loading them onto trucks so that their Broadway-bound musical can first get a tryout on the road.
"I feel like at that point, we've earned a big old classic standard like 'There's No Business Like Show Business,'" Rebeck says from the show's offices in a converted factory in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood. "We actually don't do a lot of that big, old-fashioned, these-are-our-roots things."
The series tracks the genesis of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe from multiple perspectives, including those of composer and lyricist, producer and director-choreographer, and the two rival actresses competing for its title role.
Little on "Smash" escapes Rebeck's attention, whether it's the songs, dialogue or plot. She's the creator, executive producer and chief writer for the highly anticipated NBC show that begins airing Monday night.
"I don't sleep much anymore," she says.
Cyrus penning memoir for Amazon
Billy Ray Cyrus is the latest celebrity to sign up with Amazon.com
The singer of "Achy Breaky Heart" and father and former co-star of Miley Cyrus has a memoir, "Hillbilly Heart," coming in spring 2013.
Amazon.com, which has been aggressively expanding its publishing operation, announced Thursday that Cyrus would discuss with "great candor" everything from his early years to life as the parent of a teen superstar. Cyrus and his daughter starred together in the hit TV series "Hannah Montana."
Others with Amazon deals include actress-director Penny Marshall and actor James Franco. Those books will not be available everywhere. Barnes & Noble Inc. announced earlier this week that it would not stock releases from its rival retailer.
Leaky apartment brings lawsuit
A lawsuit claims a leak from Marisa Tomei's New York City apartment has damaged the homes of two downstairs neighbors, including director John Waters.
The neighbors' insurance companies filed the suit this week in a Manhattan court. The suit says the "My Cousin Vinny" actress' "negligence" caused a September 2010 leak that left more than $128,000 in damage at the building in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.
Waters said in an e-mail the case is a standard insurance claim and there's no animosity between him and Tomei.
-- From Our Press Services
Today's birthdays
Actor Conrad Bain ("Diff'rent Strokes"), 89; comedian David Brenner, 76; singer Alice Cooper, 64; actor Michael Beck, 63; singer Tim Booth of James, 52; country singer Clint Black, 50; bassist Rick Burch of Jimmy Eat World, 37. singer Natalie Imbruglia, 37; rapper Cam'ron, 36; singer Gavin DeGraw, 35.
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