Schmigadoon!

Schmigadoon is such a unique concept. I have seen parallels made to Galvant, but I ended up turning that off because although I respected its uniqueness it was a bit too cringe at times and the story a bit boring. Schmigadoon doesn't try so hard to be funny, it is more about fun, love, and happiness. It is a tribute to many of the old Hollywood musicals of old. Some of the songs are really good, though probably not ones you are going to add to your spotify playlist for the car. But watching them play out in the series is a lot of fun. It looks like a Tim Burton film - highly stylised saturated coloured buildings etc. It radiates warmth that you can nestle in for a couple of hours. But ultimately what kept me watching, rather than just being impressed by the concept, is that there is nice story at the heart of it about a couple who have relationship challenges but learn from others in the town about how to navigate them to improve their relationship for the better. They also have a positive effect on the townsfolk during their time there.

The intelligence of this show is encased in the fact that it's unmistakably a musical with song and dance, and yet is also a parody of musicals. There may be a dark side that emerges only at the end of the first episode, but until that develops, it's a story filled with amusing ironies. Two of the songs in the first episode are clearly meant to resonate Rogers and Hammerstein musicals. The opening song is a riff on Oklahoma and another a riff on Carousel. But they are at one and the same time well-written and well-rehearsed numbers, and yet are funny because of their self-conscious acknowledgment that they are musicals. Hard to explain, perhaps, but you'll see what I mean when you watch. Parts are laugh out loud funny.

I stumbled across this show one night flipping through streaming services. I have always been a fan of Cecily Strong and still miss her in SNL so...why not watch this strange show called 'Schmigadoon!' I loved it from the very beginning! I have always been a big fan of musicals...the more showy and over-the-top the better and this show starts out strong and stays that way through both seasons. Some people might say it's satire but I think instead it pays homage to the shows of decades past. For the most part I always knew what musical they were stealing from during both seasons (and so glad they got in 'Phantom of the Opera' at the end with the chandelier finally landing on someone!).

The jokes are smart, the musical numbers are spot on and I love how Cecily Strong admits that as a size 12 she can't compete with the skinny girls but...there she is...singing and dancing and showing them all how it's done.

Loved Patrick Martin in 'Spirited' and I hope he's found a home on Apple TV.

My favorite part was watching the actors change characters between season 1 and season 2 with Dove Cameron and Alan Cumming as my favorites.

I can only hope that there is a season 3...

Either you like musical theater or you don't. If you do, then Schmigadoon - the town and the series - is for you. If not, stay away. The musical parodies are clever, though obviously derivative; the production numbers are appropriately over the top. At a few moments, it's a little too cute and self-aware for its own good, but for the most part, don't ask why, just enjoy. As the couple trapped in a Broadway fantasy while trying to revive their flagging relationship, Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Strong play their parts well, but the real standouts are Broadway veterans like Alan Cumming and Kristen Chenowitz playing it for all the Camp it's worth.

Halfway through, it's not hard to guess where this is likely going. Maybe there will be surprises, but even if it ends crossing that bridge hand in hand, it will more than enough fun.

2 episodes watched so far.

Good pace, good jokes, good songs (most of them) and a "universe" that feels like it will be able to very well keep giving for a whole good season.

Not sure people who don't like musicals will find enough otherwise to keep them watching.

Lucky enough, you can just watch the first 10 minutes to find out.

I'll keep watching!