Schmigadoon! | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by | Cinco Paul Ken Daurio |
Directed by | Barry Sonnenfeld[1] |
Starring | |
Music by | Christopher Willis[2] Cinco Paul (songs) |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 6 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producers |
|
Production locations | Vancouver, British Columbia |
Running time | 25–34 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Distributor | Apple Inc. |
Release | |
Original network | Apple TV+ |
Original release | July 16, 2021 present | –
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.[3] The series aired on Apple TV+ and premiered on July 16, 2021.[4]
Schmigadoon! is a parody of, and homage to, Golden Age musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.[5] The series stars an ensemble cast led by Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key. It is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli.
Cinco Paul had the idea for the show over 20 years ago, 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.[6] 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".[7] Paul has said that even though Schmigadoon's 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.[8]
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.[7][9]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [16] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Schmigadoon!" | Barry Sonnenfeld | Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio[18] | July 16, 2021 | |
Melissa Gimble and Josh Skinner, doctors in New York City,[17] 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 up the relationship. They become lost 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". | |||||
2 | "Lovers' Spat" | Barry Sonnenfeld | Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, Julie Klausner[18] | July 16, 2021 | |
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. | |||||
3 | "Cross That Bridge" | Barry Sonnenfeld | Julie Klausner & Bowen Yang[18] | July 23, 2021 | |
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. | |||||
4 | "Suddenly" | Barry Sonnenfeld | Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, Kate Gersten[18] | July 30, 2021 | |
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, and 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. | |||||
5 | "Tribulation" | Barry Sonnenfeld | Allison Silverman[18] | August 6, 2021 | |
In a flashback, Josh is passed over for a fellowship. Melissa comforts him, but he mocks her for a misspoken cliche, 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 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. | |||||
6 | "How We Change" | Barry Sonnenfeld | Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio[18] | August 13, 2021 | |
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. |
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.[19] 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.[20]
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.[3] The musical numbers were choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.[21] 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.[22] The season consisted of six episodes, although it was originally planned to be eight episodes.[8] Bo Welch serves as the series' production designer.[23]
Filming began in Vancouver on October 13, 2020, and concluded on December 10, taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]
Paul has stated that his concept for the show involves more than one season.[8]
Cinco Paul wrote all of the original songs for the series and also serves as showrunner. The underscore was composed by Christopher Willis.[2] Soundtrack albums were released by Milan Records as each episode was released.[25]
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Schmigadoon! Main Title" | Cinco Paul | 1:14 |
2. | "Schmigadoon!" |
| 4:12 |
3. | "You Can't Tame Me" | Aaron Tveit | 3:23 |
4. | "Corn Puddin'" |
| 1:45 |
5. | "Leprechaun Song" | Martin Short | 0:42 |
6. | "Score: "Just one kick and apparently magic?"" | Christopher Willis | 2:19 |
7. | "Score: "See you at seven."" | Willis | 2:01 |
8. | "Score: "It's like a trick bridge or something."" | Willis | 1:08 |
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Lovers' Spat" |
| 3:40 |
2. | "Somewhere Love Is Waiting for You" | Cumming | 1:53 |
3. | "Enjoy the Ride (Part I)" |
| 2:24 |
4. | "Enjoy the Ride (Part II)" |
| 1:50 |
5. | "Score: "Have you been crying?"" | Willis | 0:43 |
6. | "Score: "It's the Picnic Basket Auction!"" | Willis | 0:37 |
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "To the Right, to the Left" | Paul | 0:52 |
2. | "You Done Tamed Me" | Tveit | 1:55 |
3. | "He's a Queer One, That Man o' Mine" | Ann Harada | 2:19 |
4. | "Cross That Bridge" | Cast of Schmigadoon! | 2:37 |
5. | "Enjoy the Ride (Reprise)" | Strong | 0:30 |
6. | "Score: "Oh, Betsy..."" | Willis | 1:02 |
7. | "Score: "That is the most beautiful thing that I've ever heard."" | Willis | 0:32 |
8. | "Score: "She told Poppa!"" | Willis | 0:35 |
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "With All of Your Heart" |
| 3:46 |
2. | "Va-Gi-Na" |
| 1:18 |
3. | "Somewhere Love Is Waiting for You (Coming Out Reprise)" | Cumming | 0:37 |
4. | "Suddenly" |
| 3:16 |
5. | "Score: "Can I tempt you with anything?"" | Willis | 0:50 |
6. | "Score: "You were amazing."" | Willis | 1:23 |
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Suddenly (Melissa Reprise)" |
| 1:17 |
2. | "Tribulation" |
| 3:59 |
3. | "I Always, Always, Never Get My Man" | Jane Krakowski | 1:41 |
4. | "Score: "It'th raithin' bread!"" | Willis | 0:38 |
5. | "Score: "I want Jorge!"" | Willis | 0:52 |
6. | "Score: "It wasn't meant to happen."" | Willis | 1:08 |
7. | "Score: "That's for stealin' my gal."" | Willis | 0:59 |
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "You Make Me Wanna Sing" |
| 3:37 |
2. | "How We Change/Finale" | Cast of Schmigadoon! | 3:40 |
3. | "Score: "It's a tent!"" | Willis | 1:26 |
4. | "Score: "I'm so glad I found you."" | Willis | 1:07 |
5. | "Score: "You want to give it to someone else."" | Willis | 0:51 |
6. | "Score: "You go, Harvey!"" | Willis | 0:53 |
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.[4]
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Schmigadoon! holds an approval rating of 88% based on 75 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. 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."[32] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the series has a score of 73 out of 100 based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33] 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."[34]
Among other accolades, the soundtrack to Episode 1 was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media,[35] and Chenoweth was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the Critics' Choice Television Awards.[36]
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 | [37] |
Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | [36] | |
Golden Reel Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – 1/2 Hour – Comedy or Drama | Cormac Funge, Peter Nichols and John Green (for "Suddenly") | Nominated | [38] | |
Grammy Awards | Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | Schmigadoon! Episode 1 | Nominated | [35] |