Dubbed “‘Glee’ for adults,” the executive producers credit the Fox series for paving the way for “Smash.” “Actually, it’s a perfect description,” Shaiman says. “To say it’s ‘Glee’ for grownups is not any kind of a dig at ‘Glee’; it just means out characters are older.” The musical duo, who worked with “Glee’s” Matthew Morrison when he starred as “Hairspray’s” Link on Broadway, are even open to welcoming him — and other “Glee” cast — to “Smash.” “[Morrison] just texted us and said, ‘Could I direct ‘Smash’?’ I think that would be a great idea, someone from ‘Glee’ directing one of our episodes,” Shaiman says. “The world is big enough for both these shows. No one says, ‘Oh, there’s enough … you can’t have another cop procedural on TV.’ “

Smash Exective Producer/Composer Mark Shaiman on comparison to Glee. - source