The Insider.com

Out of all the actors on NBC's Smash, Christian Borle had the most to prove since he was the most deeply entrenched in the Broadway community -- the two-time Tony nominee (including a 2012 nod for Peter and the Starcatcher) doubled that pressure since Smash also marked his first regular series gig.

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But while the plots have meandered and the characters have acted a fool, Christian's composer character Tom has remained (mostly) level-headed and therefore a fan favorite. I caught up with Christian at NYC's Lucille Lortel Awards to find out how he learned of his latest Tony nom, what's next for Tom -- and Smash!

Insider.com: Congrats on the Tony nomination! How'd you find out?
Christian Borle: I woke up and watched it on TV. I was so excited to see!

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Insider: I like that you're being honest and not playing the "Oh, I slept through the nominations" card.
Christian: Come on, it's a huge honor! Who doesn't want to be nominated for a Tony?!? I have to say, I get nervous in a year when I'm not even able to be nominated. I get excited and wake up and watch it.

Insider: Smash has two episodes left in its first season -- what have you enjoyed about the experience?
Christian: Such a huge part of it has been the collaboration with Debra [Messing]. The fact they focus on that and continue to focus on that seems just right. It's a great dynamic and I love working with her. In the next two episodes they play with it and push it to some really intense places. Their friendship is tested and who knows what the future holds.

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Insider: Tom takes some big steps in his relationship with Sam tonight, but is it wrong to say that I miss John the lawyer?
Christian: [laughs] Not at all. One of the things I like about Tom is that he is, like a lot of us, his own worst enemy. He had something really good with John but he sabotaged it. He was looking for problems and he found them. Sam's function has been to come in and throw of his center a little bit.

Insider: Looking to season two, what are you hoping to get to do? Slap Ellis?
Christian: Maybe! [laughs] No, no, Tom is desperately trying to rise above. I want to make Jack Davenport laugh on screen. One of the fascinating parts of their dynamic is that we were friends. That's why we had such a big falling out – there was genuine affection there. So I'm curious to discover what actually made these two friends. Maybe have that play out at a bar at the end of the episode?

Smash airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC.