From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Schmigadoon!
Also known asSchmicago! (season 2)
Genre Musical comedy
Created by Cinco Paul
Ken Daurio
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld [1]
Alice Mathias [2]
Robert Luketic [3]
Starring
Music by Christopher Willis [4]
Cinco Paul (songs)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Cecily Strong
  • Caroline Maroney
  • Micah Frank (2021)
  • Rose Lam [1]
Production locations Vancouver, British Columbia
Running time25–34 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Apple TV+
ReleaseJuly 16, 2021 (2021-07-16) –
May 3, 2023 (2023-05-03)

Schmigadoon! is an American musical comedy television series created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, with all songs written by Paul, who also serves as showrunner. [5] The Apple TV+ series premiered July 16, 2021, [7] starring an ensemble cast led by Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key. The story centers around a couple from New York, both doctors, who become trapped in magical musical theatre settings and learn lessons about love and happiness.

Blending satire and homage, [8] Schmigadoon! alludes to numerous musicals in a pastiche of plots and song styles. The first season, set in the bucolic small town of Schmigadoon, blends elements of various Golden Age musicals of the 1940s and '50s, [9] [10] while the second season relocates the action to the gritty city of Schmicago and incorporates the darker, edgier themes of 1960s and '70s musicals. [11] [12] [13]

Barry Sonnenfeld directed the first season, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli, and Cinco Paul won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song "Corn Puddin'", featured in the pilot episode. The second season premiered April 5, 2023, directed by Alice Mathias [2] and Robert Luketic, [3] with Gattelli's choreography. [14]

The series was not renewed for a third season. [15]

Background

Cinco Paul had the idea for the show over 20 years before the series premiered, that it would be funny if two men, like the backpackers in An American Werewolf In London, stumbled upon a musical, instead of a horror story. [16] According to Paul, the concept only fully came into focus for him when it changed to "a couple who are stuck there until they can find true love". [17] Paul said that even though Schmigadoon's season 1 musical style, characters and satire are largely based on 1940s and 1950s musicals, the sets and costumes reflect 1910s America, like the setting in The Music Man. [18]

Premise

In the first season, two New York doctors, Melissa and Josh, go on a backpacking trip in an attempt to patch up their failing relationship, only to find themselves still arguing. They get lost and soon discover a magical town called Schmigadoon, which is perpetually trapped in a Golden Age-style musical, and soon learn that they cannot leave the town until they find "true love". The title and concept parody the 1947 musical Brigadoon. [17] [19]

In season 2, Melissa and Josh, now married, find their lives monotonous as doctors in New York City; they search for the quaint village of Schmigadoon but instead arrive in Schmicago, a world that pays satirical homage to sexy, dark 1960s and 1970s musicals; to escape, they are told, they must reach a happy ending. [20] The name of the setting, Schmicago, parodies the 1975 musical Chicago. [12] As in the first season, the last episode reaches beyond the time period of the rest of season 2 to reference later musical styles. [21]

Cast and characters

Main

Cast member Character and capacity per season
Schmigadoon Schmicago
Keegan-Michael Key Josh Skinner
Cecily Strong Melissa Gimble
Fred Armisen Rev. Howard Layton
Dove Cameron Betsy McDonough Jenny Banks
Jaime Camil Doc Jorge Lopez Sgt. Rivera
Kristin Chenoweth Mildred Layton Miss Codwell
Alan Cumming Mayor Aloysius Menlove Dooley Blight
Ariana DeBose Emma Tate Emcee
Ann Harada Florence Menlove Madam Frau
Jane Krakowski Countess Von Blerkom Bobby Flanagan
Martin Short Oscar the Leprechaun Oscar and Stephen the Leprechauns
Aaron Tveit Danny Bailey Topher
Tituss Burgess The Narrator
Patrick Page Octavius Kratt

Co-starring

  • Liam Quiring-Nkindi as Carson, a boy with a lisp, who announces scene changes; [23] Emma says that Carson is her kid brother, but it turns out that he is her son. [33] He is based on Winthrop Paroo from The Music Man. [30] (season 1) [34]

Guest

Multiple seasons

  • Kevin McNulty as
    • Farmer McDonough, Betsy's violent father (season 1)
    • Father Flanagan (season 2)
  • Darcey Johnson as
    • Innkeeper Harvey (season 1)
    • Reporter (season 2)
  • Scott Patey as
    • Larry the Fireman (season 1)
    • Reporter (season 2)
  • Amitai Marmorstein as
    • Pete, the cheerful Milkman, who is often the subject of offscreen violence in a running gag (season 1);
    • Skeet the jury foreman/hot dog man (season 2)
  • Timothy Webber as Marv
  • Bijou Brattston as
    • Tootie McDonough, one of Farmer McDonough's seven daughters (season 1);
    • An orphan (season 2)

Season 1

  • Peppermint as Madam Vina
  • Kyra Leroux as Carrie, one of Farmer McDonough's seven daughters
  • Pedro Salvin as Old Doc Lopez, Doc Lopez's father
  • Michelle Rios as Mrs. Lopez, Doc Lopez's mother
  • Garfield Wilson as Henry the Iceman
  • Cassandra Consiglio as Nancy, Freddy's pregnant girlfriend; she is later revealed to be the Laytons' daughter.
  • Alex Barima as Freddy, a sailor, Nancy's boyfriend

Season 2

  • Karin Konoval as Female Barfly, who emphasizes statements with "I'll drink to that!", in reference to Joanne from Company [25]
  • Alex Gullason, Marisa Gold and Michael Delleva, three of Topher's hippie friends (each credited under their own first names); Gullason previously appeared in the first season episode "Cross That Bridge" [25]
  • Isabel Birch, Kairo Ellis, and Milana Wan as the Orphans [35]
  • Jacqueline and Joyce Robbins as the Bernstein sisters, performers at the Kratt Klubb. The name may be a reference to Leonard Bernstein. [36]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
16July 16, 2021 (2021-07-16)August 13, 2021 (2021-08-13)
26April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)May 3, 2023 (2023-05-03)

Season 1 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten by  [37]Original release date  [38]
11"Schmigadoon!" Barry Sonnenfeld Cinco Paul & Ken DaurioJuly 16, 2021 (2021-07-16)
Melissa Gimble and Josh Skinner, doctors in New York City, [39] meet when kicking a hospital vending machine gives them all the candy in the machine. Four years later, their relationship has become strained, so they go on a backpacking retreat to shore it up. They become lost in the woods and cross a stone bridge through the mist to find a seemingly idyllic town, reminiscent of River City, called Schmigadoon, where everyone acts like they are in a musical from the 1940s and 1950s. Melissa plays along, since she is a fan of musicals, but Josh does not like it. Melissa also takes a liking to Danny Bailey, a carnival barker, like Billy Bigelow. The next morning, Melissa and Josh discover that they cannot leave the town. A leprechaun tells them that they cannot leave Schmigadoon until they find " true love".
22"Lovers' Spat"Barry SonnenfeldCinco Paul & Ken Daurio and Julie KlausnerJuly 16, 2021 (2021-07-16)
Immediately after discovering they cannot leave Schmigadoon, Melissa and Josh get into an argument, not helped at all by the singing townspeople, which ends in them breaking up. Melissa goes on a walk where she finds Schmigadoon's Mayor Aloysius Menlove, who cheers her up with a song heavily implying that he is in the closet. Meanwhile, Josh becomes interested in flirtatious young waitress Betsy, who offers her picnic basket at the auction later. During the auction, Melissa becomes intoxicated on spiked punch, and Josh wins Betsy. Melissa auctions herself off and is won by Danny. Later that evening, Josh becomes uncomfortable because Betsy appears to be a minor. The evening is cut short by Betsy's father and his shotgun.
33"Cross That Bridge"Barry SonnenfeldJulie Klausner and Bowen YangJuly 23, 2021 (2021-07-23)
The next morning, Melissa wakes up to find Danny making her breakfast. But she sees him as a one-night stand and leaves while he is still soliloquizing about his future offspring. Meanwhile, Josh is quickly engaged to Betsy. Mildred Layton has Josh and Melissa banned from the inn because of her prejudices against them. Josh attempts to cross the bridge with Betsy to see if she is his true love, but he fails, so he tries again with other women, to no avail. Melissa seeks help from the Mayor's wife, who implies that she is frustrated by her husband's sexual orientation. Farmer McDonough chases Josh, who seeks sanctuary in Reverend Layton's church. Inside, he notices Emma Tate, Schmigadoon's schoolmarm, who did not cross the bridge with him. Melissa asks Doc Lopez for a job as a nurse and is instantly smitten with him.
44"Suddenly"Barry SonnenfeldCinco Paul & Ken Daurio and Kate GerstenJuly 30, 2021 (2021-07-30)
In a flashback, Josh and Melissa flee an Off-off-Broadway play that their friend is starring in; they express their love for each other. In Schmigadoon, Josh becomes Emma's new handyman in exchange for lodging; she is stern but encourages him to believe in himself. She also saves him from Betsy's father. Melissa starts work as a nurse, but Lopez is tyrannical and conservative. He refuses to assist Nancy, a pregnant young woman, and her boyfriend, so Melissa gives them a sex-education lesson; she and Josh help to deliver the baby. Mayor Menlove shares a romantic moment with Reverend Layton at the bake sale and later comes out to the townsfolk. Reflecting on this and his growing respect for Melissa, Lopez softens his absolutist outlook and declares his love for her, while Emma admits her love for Josh after he kindly aids her lisping little brother's confidence.
55"Tribulation"Barry Sonnenfeld Allison SilvermanAugust 6, 2021 (2021-08-06)
In a flashback, Josh is passed over for a fellowship. Melissa comforts him, but he mocks her for a misspoken cliché, apologizing that night. In Schmigadoon, Mildred incites a moral panic against the "strangers" and announces her candidacy for mayor. Meanwhile, Lopez's glamorous fiancée, Countess Gabrielle von Blerkom, returns unexpectedly from the city. Melissa expects the Countess to graciously step aside, as in The Sound of Music, but instead she takes Melissa for a drive and abandons her at gunpoint in the countryside. Melissa discovers that the symbolic heart she thought Josh lost had been in her backpack all along; she dismisses a dream ballet in its opening moments. Emma confides in Josh that she is Carson's mother and that her parents disowned her for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Carson overhears and runs off. Josh searches for him in the woods, where Danny ambushes Josh and knocks him to the ground, where Josh finds the symbolic heart that Melissa threw across the lake.
66"How We Change"Barry SonnenfeldCinco Paul & Ken DaurioAugust 13, 2021 (2021-08-13)
Josh finds Carson and they discuss how good relationships take work. Emma arrives and proposes that she and Carson cross the bridge to start a life with Josh. Lopez retrieves Melissa, declaring that he has chosen her over the Countess, but she wants to save her relationship with Josh. Meanwhile, Josh realizes that he wants the same thing. In town, Mildred is about to win the election. Melissa arrives, followed by Josh, interrupting the vote. She apologizes for their breakup, and he offers his love in song. The two dance together and kiss. Mildred denounces the New Yorkers, but Emma says that they have taught the townspeople to accept their true selves. Emma announces that she is Carson's mom, and other townspeople reveal long-held secrets; for example, Mildred is Nancy's mother, and Rev. Layton has feelings for Mayor Menlove. Mildred throws a tantrum and the Mayor is reelected in a landslide. Melissa tells Mildred that it is not too late to change, and the town celebrates its progress with more modern musical stylings. Hand in hand, Josh and Melissa step onto the bridge, but it is not revealed whether they are able to leave Schmigadoon.

Season 2 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten by  [37]Original release date  [38]
71"Welcome to Schmicago" Alice Mathias Cinco PaulApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
Josh and Melissa found true love and were able to leave Schmigadoon. They return to their medical practices, get married and buy a house, but their lives become lackluster, and their attempts to have a child fail. They return to the woods looking for Schmigadoon to regain their happiness but have no luck. On a foggy bridge, their car gets a flat tire and they end up in Schmicago, another magical place that echoes the musicals of the 1960s and 1970s, with which Melissa is less familiar. They are welcomed by a sardonic Narrator and some of the people they recognize from Schmigadoon, who have assumed different personas and do not remember Josh and Melissa or Schmigadoon. After finding a place to stay at a seedy hotel, they go to a cabaret. Josh accidentally enters a dressing room to find one of the dancers, Elsie Vale, dead. He and Melissa attempt to drive away, but the Leprechaun has disabled their car and explains that they cannot leave until their relationship reaches a happy ending. Josh is arrested for the murder of Elsie Vale.
82"Doorway to Where"Alice MathiasJonathan TolinsApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
Josh meets his cell mate, Topher, a hippie who wants to find his purpose in life. Melissa hires Bobby Flanagan as Josh's lawyer, who suggests that Melissa go undercover as a dancer at the cabaret to find the real killer. After an audition process reminiscent of that in A Chorus Line, Melissa, despite being not as skinny or as skillful a dancer as the other girls is selected for the part by club owner Octavius Kratt, and she becomes roommates with the friendly star dancer, Jenny Banks. Josh's press conference with Bobby ends in disaster, as everyone still thinks he killed Elsie Vale and will get the chair. Topher's hippie friends bust him and Josh out of jail, and they party on the Happiness Bus. Meanwhile, Melissa and the dancers celebrate her opening night at the cabaret. She then finds a clue about Quick Street in Elsie's date book, which she hopes will lead to information about Elsie's murder.
93"Bells and Whistles"Alice Mathias Julie KlausnerApril 12, 2023 (2023-04-12)
Topher and his hippie tribe take Josh to their commune for a hippie communion. After Bobby tells Melissa of her husband's jail break, Melissa follows the clue to Quick Street and meets Miss Codwell, the owner of the orphanage (she offers to sell the "brats"), and Dooley Blight, a butcher who was recently released from prison. She learns that Dooley is Jenny's father and was convicted of the murder of his wife, who was really murdered by Octavius Kratt; Dooley wants revenge. Melissa finds and retrieves Josh in time for his trial. Bobby swings into court to deliver a fast-paced, razzle-dazzling defense, and Josh is acquitted. He and Melissa hope this is their happy ending so that they can leave Schmicago, but Kratt, who admits privately to murdering Elsie, now plots to marry Melissa and eliminate Josh.
104"Something Real"Alice MathiasRaina MorrisApril 19, 2023 (2023-04-19)
Josh and Melissa attempt to cross the bridge but are unable to leave Schmicago. Prompted by the Narrator's hints, they speculate that this is because they need to help make others in Schmicago happy. They start by attempting to reunite Jenny with her father, Dooley, but she believes that he killed her mother and refuses to speak to him. They bring her to meet the hippie tribe, hoping that their ethos of forgiveness will rub off on her, and Josh makes up a "parable" about a girl who forgives her father, but Jenny becomes romantically interested in Topher. Seeing how happy this romance makes Jenny and Topher, Josh and Melissa take Dooley and Miss Codwell on a double date at the Kratt Klubb. This begins awkwardly, but the two finally hit it off, and Dooley goes up to Miss Codwell's orphanage for a nightcap. When they open up to each other, they realize that they can solve their problems by making the orphans into meat products.
115"Famous as Hell" Robert Luketic Josh LiebApril 26, 2023 (2023-04-26)
With Jenny and Topher spending time together, Melissa takes over as the headliner at the cabaret, and Josh becomes the new leader of the tribe. The two begin reveling in their fame, but Jenny and Topher feel betrayed and evict the couple from Jenny's apartment. Josh and Melissa move in with Dooley and Miss Codwell, who have been feeding the orphans to fatten them up, and uncover the plot of making the orphans into sausages. Realizing that Dooley is transferring his anger at Kratt onto the orphans, they instead offer to get Dooley alone with Kratt in Melissa's dressing room. Sgt. Rivera and Madame Frau reflect that life does not always turn out as planned. Melissa flirts with Kratt and attempts to lure him to her dressing room, but he instead forces her into his car and drives away. Rivera holds Josh at gunpoint at the club as Kratt proposes to Melissa, threatening to kill Josh if she does not agree.
126"Over and Done"Robert LuketicCinco PaulMay 3, 2023 (2023-05-03)
Melissa is about to be married to Kratt (the Narrator officiates; Bobbie handles the legal paperwork), and Josh is tied up in Kratt's power plant. Kratt instructs Rivera to kill Josh, but Josh stalls by regaling Rivera with "parables" based on his favorite movies. Dooley determines to rescue Josh, as do Topher and Jenny, with help from the tribe. They arrive, and Jenny is reunited with her father after Rivera admits that he framed Dooley for the murder of his wife. They all attempt to stop the wedding. Dooley throws his cleaver at Kratt, but it misses, pinning Kratt's tuxedo tail to the floor. Miss Codwell releases a chandelier that falls, killing Kratt. Madame Frau takes over the cabaret, where Rivera becomes a drag performer, and the now-business-minded tribe, aided by Bobbie, help to run Kratt's empire. Jenny and Topher run the orphanage, and Miss Codwell works with Dooley at the shop. Josh and Melissa are free to go, but the Narrator and the Schmicagoans tempt them to stay. The doctors explain that they want "Something Real". Leprechaun (Stephen) and his brother (Oscar) reveal that there are no "happy endings", but every day can be a "happy beginning". Back in New York, Josh cheerfully teaches medical students, and Melissa is finally pregnant.

Production

It was announced in January 2020 that Cecily Strong was set to star in and produce the series, with a series order at Apple TV+ close to finalizing. [40] In October, Keegan-Michael Key, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Dove Cameron, Ariana DeBose, Jaime Camil, Jane Krakowski and Ann Harada were added to the cast. [41]

Barry Sonnenfeld directed the season and also executive produced. Besides starring, Cecily Strong served as producer, and Ken Daurio served as consulting producer and writer. Andrew Singer also executive produces with Lorne Michaels on behalf of Broadway Video. [5] The musical numbers were choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. [42] In addition to Paul and Daurio, Allison Silverman, Julie Klausner, Kate Gersten and Bowen Yang were writers on the show. The first season was written in the summer of 2019. [43] The season consisted of six episodes, although it was originally planned to be eight episodes. [18] Bo Welch serves as the series' production designer. [44] Filming for season 1 began in Vancouver on October 13, 2020, and concluded on December 10, taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic. [45]

Logo for the second season of Schmigadoon!

The series' second season consists of six episodes, [13] with all of the main cast returning, except for Armisen and Quiring-Nkindi; Tituss Burgess and Patrick Page join the cast. [34] Alice Mathias and Robert Luketic directed. [2] [3] By June 2022 filming of season 2 had begun, [46] and it was completed in July 2022. [47] The second season writers include Paul, Josh Lieb, Jonathan Tolins, Raina Morris, and Klausner. [6]

On January 18, 2024, Apple announced that it would not pick up the series for a third season. [15] On the same date, Paul posted on his social media that the third season's episodes and songs have been written, and he stated: "[T]he optimist in me is convinced it's not the end of Schmigadoon!". [48]

Music

Season 1

Cinco Paul wrote all of the original songs, and the underscore was composed by Christopher Willis. [4] Soundtrack albums for the first season were released by Milan Records as each episode was released. [49]

Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack) track listing
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Schmigadoon!"
4:12
2."You Can't Tame Me" Aaron Tveit3:23
3."Corn Puddin'"
1:45
4."Leprechaun Song" Martin Short0:42
5."Lovers' Spat"
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
  • Chenoweth
3:40
6."Somewhere Love Is Waiting for You"Cumming1:53
7."Enjoy the Ride (Part I)"
  • Strong
  • Tveit
2:24
8."Enjoy the Ride (Part II)"
1:50
9."To the Right, to the Left"Paul0:52
10."You Done Tamed Me"Tveit1:55
11."He's a Queer One, That Man o' Mine" Ann Harada2:19
12."Cross That Bridge"Cast of Schmigadoon!2:37
13."Enjoy the Ride (Reprise)"Strong0:30
14."With All of Your Heart" Ariana DeBose, The Kids of Schmigadoon3:46
15."Va-Gi-Na"Strong, Cassandra Consiglio, Alex Barima1:18
16."Somewhere Love Is Waiting for You (Coming Out Reprise)"Cumming0:37
17."Suddenly"3:16
18."Suddenly (Melissa Reprise)"
  • Strong
  • Camil
1:17
19."Tribulation"
  • Chenoweth
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
3:59
20."I Always, Always, Never Get My Man" Jane Krakowski1:41
21."You Make Me Wanna Sing"3:37
22."How We Change/Finale"The Cast of Schmigadoon!1:14
23."Schmigadoon! Main Title" Cinco Paul1:14
24."Score: "Just one kick and apparently magic?"" Christopher Willis2:19
25."Score: "See you at seven.""Willis2:01
26."Score: "It's like a trick bridge or something.""Willis1:08
27."Score: "Have you been crying?""Willis0:43
28."Score: "It's the Picnic Basket Auction!""Willis0:37
29."Score: "Oh, Betsy...""Willis1:02
30."Score: "That is the most beautiful thing that I've ever heard.""Willis0:32
31."Score: "She told Poppa!""Willis0:35
32."Score: "Can I tempt you with anything?""Willis0:35
33."Score: "You were amazing.""Willis0:35
34."Score: "It'th raithin' bread!""Willis0:38
35."Score: "I want Jorge!""Willis0:52
36."Score: "It wasn't meant to happen.""Willis1:08
37."Score: "That's for stealin' my gal.""Willis0:59
38."Score: "It's a tent!""Willis1:26
39."Score: "I'm so glad I found you.""Willis1:07
40."Score: "You want to give it to someone else.""Willis0:51
41."Score: "You go, Harvey!""Willis0:53
Total length:60:11

Season 2

Paul and Willis returned to write the original songs and underscoring, respectively, for season 2. Due to licensing issues, the album was released all at once on May 3, 2023, following the finale, as opposed to weekly releases. [50]

Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack) track listing
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Schmigadoon! Season 2 Main Title" Cinco Paul0:31
2."Welcome to Schmicago"3:18
3."Do We Shock You?"
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
  • Ericka Hunter, Justine Louise Gera & Sharona D’Ornellas
2:39
4."Kaput"
  • Cameron
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
2:37
5."Leprechaun Song #2" Martin Short0:36
6."Doorway to Where" Aaron Tveit2:10
7."I Need to Eat"
4:25
8."Bobby's Vamp (Prison Reprise)"Cast of Schmigadoon!1:21
9."Bustin' Out"
2:40
10."Everyone's Gotta Get Naked"
2:36
11."The Worst Brats in Town"Chenoweth1:24
12."The Worst Brats in Town (Dooley's Reprise)"Cumming0:34
13."There Was a Butcher"Cumming1:45
14."Bells and Whistles"Krakowski3:01
15."Two Birds with One Stone"
  • Page
  • Burgess
2:08
16."Why Are You Hassling Me?"Tveit0:34
17."Talk to Daddy"
  • Key
  • Strong
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
3:22
18."Something Real"
  • Cameron
  • Tveit
3:11
19."Good Enough to Eat"
  • Chenoweth
  • Cumming
  • The Orphans of Schmigadoon!
4:08
20."Welcome to Schmicago (Reprise)"Burgess1:22
21."Maybe It's My Turn Now"Strong2:48
22."Famous as Hell"
  • Burgess
  • Cameron
  • Tveit
  • Chenoweth
  • Cumming
  • Page
  • Karin Konoval
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
3:26
23."You Betrayed Me"
  • Tveit
  • Key
  • Cameron
1:27
24."There's Always a Twist"
  • Ann Harada
  • Camil
  • Paula Leggett Chase, Leah Horowitz & Shayna Steele
2:21
25."Over and Done"
  • DeBose
  • Phoenix Best, Cassondra James Kellam & Shayna Steele
3:15
26."Something Real (Reprise)"
  • Strong
  • Key
2:02
27."A Happy Beginning"
  • Cast of Schmigadoon!
  • Short
  • Key
  • Strong
4:01
Total length:60:03

Release

A trailer for the series was released on June 25, 2021. The first two episodes aired on Apple TV+ on July 16, followed by one new episode each subsequent Friday until season 1 ended with episode 6 on August 13, 2021. [7]

The first two episodes of the second season premiered on April 5, [14] with episodes continuing to be released weekly until May 3, 2023. [13]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 of Schmigadoon! holds an approval rating of 89% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Schmigadoon!'s clever inside-theater jokes may not be for everyone, but there's no denying the joy of seeing this talented ensemble sing (and dance!) their hearts out." [51] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the series has a score of 77 out of 100 based on 48 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [52] In The Boston Globe, Matthew Gilbert noted the show's "underlying affection for musical theater [though it] makes ruthless fun of the conventions of show tunes. ... There is plenty of snark afoot. But the songs are also wittily written, and catchy. The choreography is top-notch and well-shot. And the cast members ... have an infectious enthusiasm." [53]

The second season of Schmigadoon! was met with critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds an approval rating of 97% based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Schmigadoon! returns with more libido, pizzazz, and all the jazz in a sophomore season that improves upon what was already a nifty production." [54] On Metacritic, the second season has a score of 86 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". [55] Kelly Lawler, writing in USA Today, called the season "an even more enjoyable affair with better music and a cheekily absurdist tone that makes the series just silly enough to be serious". [56] In The Washington Post, Peter Marks wrote, "The cockeyed genius of the series ... is finding profundity in parody." [57]

A review of both seasons in Collider calls it "Apple TV+'s Most Underrated Show". [58] Julia Glassman wrote in The Mary Sue: "The music and storytelling play off each other in perfect balance." [59] Tributes to the show have included a live performance presented at 54 Below titled "54 Sings Schmigadoon!" in September 2023. [60]

Accolades

Among other accolades, the first season of the series was nominated for four Emmy Awards, winning one. [61] [62] The soundtrack to Episode 1 was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, [63] and Chenoweth was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. [64] The season, its writers, Key, DeBose and Chenoweth were all nominated for Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards. [65] The season was also nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Streaming Fantasy Television Series.

Among accolades for the show's second season were three nominations for Emmy Awards [66] and three nominations for Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards. [67] The award ceremonies for these honors were delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, and both organizations plan to present their awards in January 2024. [68] [69] The season was also nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Television Series.

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022
Art Directors Guild Awards Excellence in Production Design for a Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series Bo Welch (for "Schmigadoon!") Nominated [70]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Kristin Chenoweth Nominated [64]
Golden Reel Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – 1/2 Hour – Comedy or Drama Cormac Funge, Peter Nichols and John Green (for "Suddenly") Nominated [71]
Grammy Awards Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media Schmigadoon! Episode 1 Nominated [63]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Streaming Series, Comedy Schmigadoon! Nominated [67]
Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy Keegan-Michael Key Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy Kristin Chenoweth Nominated
Ariana DeBose Nominated
Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Comedy Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (for "Schmigadoon") Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming Christopher Gattelli
(for “Corn Puddin'" / "Tribulation" / "With All of Your Heart”)
Nominated [61]
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) Christopher Willis (for "Schmigadoon!'") Nominated
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Cinco Paul (for "Corn Puddin'") Won
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) Bo Welch, Don Macaulay and Carol Lavallee (for "Schmigadoon!'") Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Streaming Fantasy Television Series Schmigadoon! Nominated [72]
2023
Astra TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy Kristin Chenoweth Nominated [73]
Astra Creative Arts TV Awards Best Period Costumes Schmigadoon! Nominated
Best Original Song "Talk to Daddy" Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming Christopher Gattelli (for "Bells And Whistles / Good Enough To Eat / Bustin' Out") Nominated [66]
Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour) Jon Joffin (for "Something Real") Nominated
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) Jamie Walker McCall, Ryan Garton, Gregory Clarke, Carol Lavallee (for "Famous as Hell") Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Fantasy Television Series Schmigadoon! Nominated [74]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Schmigadoon!". Apple.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Schmigadoon Season 2 Review: Sophomore Outing Builds on First with Stronger, Funnier Storytelling". ThePlaylist.net. March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Melis, Amber (April 26, 2023). "Schmigadoon Recap: (S02E05) 'Famous as Hell'". Geek Girl Authority. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Christopher Willis Scoring Apple TV+'s 'Schmigadoon!'". Filmmusicreporter.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c ""Schmigadoon!," from executive producer Lorne Michaels and starring Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key, to premiere globally this summer on Apple TV+". Apple.com (Press release). February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Schmigadoon! Cast and Crew". Apple TV+ Press. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  7. ^ a b BWW News Desk (April 30, 2021). "Breaking: Broadway-Packed SCHMIGADOON! Musical Series Will Premiere This July on Apple TV+ - First Look!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  8. ^ Rubins, Dan "Review: Schmigadoon! Dithers Between Homage and Satire of Musical Theater", Slant Magazine, July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2023
  9. ^ Edwards, Belen. "The original songs in Schmigadoon! perfectly capture the joy of musicals" Archived July 29, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Mashable, July 22, 2021
  10. ^ Eckmann, Sam. "Making of Schmigadoon!" Archived January 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine at time marking 16:10, GoldDerby.com via Youtube, June 6, 2022
  11. ^ Cao, Caroline (May 3, 2023). "Schmigadoon season 2's many musical theater references missed one crucial thing". Polygon. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Rice, Lynette (June 10, 2022). "Schmigadoon! Renewed for Second Season by Apple TV". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Schwartz, Ryan (January 18, 2023). "Schmigadoon! Sets Season 2 Premiere – Get First Look at Chicago Homage". TVLine. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Lewis, Erianne (February 21, 2023). "TVLine Items: Judge Mathis Returns, New Schmigadoon! Date and More". TVLine. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Petski, Denise (January 18, 2024). "Schmigadoon! Canceled After 2 Seasons at Apple TV+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Spoilers: Schmigadoon! Season 1 Episode 6" Archived August 11, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Otakukart.com, August 9, 2021; and Clark, Jason. "Why 'Corn Puddin' Needed to Be the Tune to Represent Schmigadoon! at the Emmys" Archived September 5, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, TheWrap.com, August 15, 2022
  17. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (February 19, 2021). "'Schmigadoon!' First Look: Creator Cinco Paul on Why the Show Is "A Love Letter to Golden Age Musicals" – TCA". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan. "Schmigadoon! EP Reveals Season 1 Episode Order Was Trimmed – What Was Left on the Cutting Room Floor?" Archived August 17, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, TVLine, August 17, 2021
  19. ^ a b c d e Cleal, Sam. "19 Reasons Why I Recommend You Watch Schmigadoon! Immediately" Archived August 4, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, BuzzFeed, July 27, 2021
  20. ^ Jackson, Dory. "Schmigadoon! Promises 'More Sex and Violence' and Award-Winning New Stars in Fosse-Infused Season 2 Trailer" Archived March 8, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, People, March 7, 2023
  21. ^ a b Amber, Melis. "Schmigadoon! Season Finale Recap: (S02E06) Over and Done", GeekGirlAuthority.com, May 3, 2023
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Apple TV+. "Schmigadoon!". Apple TV+. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  23. ^ a b c d e Cleal, Sam. "The Cast of Schmigadoon! Is Positively Stacked – Here's Where You Know Them From" Archived August 7, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Buzzfeed, July 20, 2021
  24. ^ a b c Schwartz, Ryan (April 5, 2023). "Schmigadoon! Team Previews 4 Major Changes in Season 2 — Plus, Your Guide to Who's Who in Schmicago!". TVLine. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j LaGuerre-Lewis, Kayla (April 5, 2023). "Schmigadoon! Season 2 Cast & Character Guide (& Who They Were in Season 1)". ScreenRant. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  26. ^ Sava, Oliver. "Schmigadoon! Recap: Sex Education" Archived August 4, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Vulture, July 30, 2021
  27. ^ a b Armstrong, Vanessa. "Alan Cumming Might Bake You into a Pie in Next Season of Schmigadoon!" Archived March 8, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Tor.com, March 7, 2023
  28. ^ a b Murphy, Chris. "Welcome to Schmicago: An Exclusive Look at Season 2 of Schmigadoon!" Archived March 22, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Vanity Fair, March 21, 2023
  29. ^ a b c Harms, Talaura; Culwell-Block, Logan (April 5, 2023). "Murder, Hippies, and Fosse: What Happened in the First 2 Episodes of Schmigadoon! Season 2, Schmicago?". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  30. ^ a b c Kenrick, John. "Musicals101.com's Aisle Say: Is Schmigadoon Worth Watching?" Archived July 29, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Musicals101.com via YouTube, July 28, 2021
  31. ^ Axelrod, Joshua. "Moulin Rouge!, Schmigadoon! star Aaron Tveit excited to play the hits at Mercyhurst University", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 29, 2023
  32. ^ Laguerre-Lewis, Kayla. "13 Musicals Schmigadoon! Season 2 Parodies", Screen Rant, May 4, 2023
  33. ^ Dockery, Clay. "Schmigadoon! Episode 5 – 'Tribulation'" Archived August 6, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, 25YearsLater, August 6, 2021
  34. ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (June 10, 2022). "Schmigadoon! Is Now... Schmicago! Musical Satire Renewed for Season 2 at Apple — Who's New? Who's Returning?". Tvline.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  35. ^ "Schmigadoon! – 'Bells and Whistles'", Starry Constellation Magazine, April 19, 2023
  36. ^ Harms, Talaura and Logan Culwell-Block. "Jesus Christ Superstar Megamix! What Happened in Episode 5 of Schmigadoon! Season 2, Schmicago?",Playbill, April 26, 2023
  37. ^ a b "Schmigadoon!". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Schmigadoon! – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  39. ^ Ariano, Tara (July 14, 2021). "Musical Parody Schmigadoon Sings a Surprisingly Familiar Tune". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  40. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (January 30, 2020). "Cecily Strong To Star In Musical Comedy Nearing Series Order At Apple". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  41. ^ Petski, Denise (October 1, 2020). "Keegan-Michael Key, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, Kristin Chenoweth Among 10 Cast For Apple Musical Comedy Project Starring Cecily Strong". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  42. ^ Bianculli, David. "Schmigadoon! Is a Star-Studded Parody That's Worth Singing About" Archived August 4, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, NPR, July 16, 2021
  43. ^ Cinco Paul [@cincopedia] (February 24, 2021). "Here's to the brilliant writers of the Schmigadoon! writers room: @allisonsilvermn, @julieklausner, @thekategersten, @KDaurio & Bowen Yang. We spent the summer of '19 together and now two years later there's a show!" ( Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Pearson, Ben (July 7, 2021). "'Schmigadoon!' Director Barry Sonnenfeld on His Favorite Song and Dance Number in the New Musical Comedy Series [Interview]". Slashfilm.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  45. ^ "REOPENING: Apple TV+ Series Schmigadoon! Starts Filming In Vancouver With Cecily Strong & Cast of Comedians & Broadway Stars". HollywoodNorth.buzz. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  46. ^ Ramos, Alexandra. "Schmigadoon Season 2: 5 Quick Things We Know About The Next Season of the Apple TV+ Musical" Archived July 14, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, CinemaBlend, June 29, 2022
  47. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi. "Schmigadoon! Season 2 Wraps Filming in Vancouver" Archived August 14, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, Collider.com, August 1, 2022
  48. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 18, 2024). "Schmigadoon Canceled After Two Seasons at Apple TV+". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  49. ^ Lovitt, Maggie (July 16, 2021). "Listen to the Music From the First Two Episodes of 'Schmigadoon!'". Collider. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  50. ^ filmmusicreporter (May 1, 2023). "Schmigadoon Season 2 Soundtrack Album Details". Filmmusicreporter. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  51. ^ "Schmigadoon!: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  52. ^ "Schmigadoon!". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  53. ^ Gilbert, Matthew. "Schmigadoon! sends up old musicals while sending relevant messages" Archived December 3, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, The Boston Globe, December 2, 2021
  54. ^ "Schmigadoon!: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  55. ^ "Schmigadoon! – Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  56. ^ Lawler, Kelly. "Review: Schmigadoon is all that jazz and then some in Chicago-themed Season 2", USA Today, April 7, 2023
  57. ^ Marks, Peter. "How Schmicago made this critic a Schmigadoon! schmuperfan", The Washington Post, May 26, 2023
  58. ^ Shalapata, Alicia. "This Is Apple TV+’s Most Underrated Show", Collider, August 21, 2023
  59. ^ Glassman, Julia. "If You Liked the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Musical, You Have to Watch This Apple TV+ Series", The Mary Sue, August 4, 2023
  60. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "'54 Sings Schmigadoon!' to Take Place This Month at 54 Below", BroadwayWorld, September 20, 2023
  61. ^ a b "Schmigadoon!". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  62. ^ Friedlander, Whitney. "The Innuendo-Filled Inspirations Behind Schmigadoon!'s Emmy-Nominated 'Corn Puddin'" Archived August 16, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, Vanity Fair, August 15, 2022
  63. ^ a b Meyer, Dan. "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella, Girl From the North Country, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, More Earn 2022 Grammy Nominations" Archived November 24, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, November 23, 2021
  64. ^ a b Pedersen, Eric (December 6, 2022). "Critics Choice TV Nominations: Succession Leads Field as HBO Edges Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  65. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (July 7, 2022). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession', 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  66. ^ a b Rice, Lynette; Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2023). "Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  67. ^ a b Anderson, Erik. "The Boys, Yellowjackets, Abbott Elementary lead 2023 HCA TV Awards nominations", AwardsWatch.com, July 11, 2023
  68. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 10, 2023). "2023 Emmys Set January 2024 Date on Fox After Delay Amid Hollywood Strikes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  69. ^ "2023/2024 HCA TV Awards Information", Hollywood Creative Alliance. Retrieved November 27, 2023
  70. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (January 24, 2022). "Art Directors Guild 2022 Nominations Headed by Nightmare Alley, Cruella, No Time to Die, In the Heights". Variety. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  71. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 24, 2022). "Golden Reel Awards: Sound Editors Crank Up Nominations For 69th Annual Ceremony". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  72. ^ Tinoco, Armando (August 12, 2022). "Saturn Awards Nominations: The Batman, Nightmare Alley, Spider-Man, Better Call Saul Top List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  73. ^ Moye, Clarence (July 11, 2023). "2023 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards: 'Yellowjackets', 'The Boys' lead All Nominees with 14 Nominations". Awards Daily. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  74. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 6, 2023). "'Avatar: The Way Of Water', 'Oppenheimer', 'Star Trek' Series Lead Nominations For Genre-Focused Saturn Awards". Deadline. Penske Media. Retrieved December 7, 2023.

External links