In brings his musical comedy Schmigadoon! Back for a second season on Apple TV+, Cinco Paul knew it wanted to go new places.
“I didn’t want to go back to Schmigadoon, as much as I love Schmigadoon,” the series co-creator and writer said at Deadline’s Contenders Television Awards ceremony. “The idea was always that if we got another season, I wanted to go into the ’60s and ’70s musicals. As much as I love Rodgers and Hammerstein, it’s the musicals I’m passionate about – Sweeney And pee And Chicago. It’s just a big contrast to the first season, isn’t it? Where it’s darker, it’s sexier, it’s darker, it’s creepier in every way.”
The show, co-created by Ken Daurio, introduced viewers in its first season to Melissa (Cecily Strong) and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key), two doctors in New York City struggling with relationship problems. While backpacking, they stumble upon a magical town called Schmigadoon, forever trapped in a musical from a bygone era, and realize they can’t leave until they find true love. Season 2 follows the pair’s experiences in Schmicago, a reimagined world of ’60s and ’70s musicals.
Speaking with Paul and co-stars Tituss Burgess, Kristin Chenoweth and Jane Krakowski, Key noted that the show also grapples with more dramatic real-world issues as the musical numbers turn darker — including Melissa and Josh’s struggle for a child to beget “They come back from Schmigadoon and they’re on this amazing high … and then life starts to come back. Having problems with the baby is one thing. And what is happiness?” said the actor. “They thought they had achieved happiness and now they don’t really know what’s going on. Everything fades. So it’s kind of a crisis for them, and it’s really serious.
Paul said that the production of the second season is “a little crazy”, as the musical numbers jump from about 20 in the first episode to 36 this time around. At the same time, however, he noted that working on the show was “a dream come true” — an experience he would expand on Schmigadoon! to Broadway. “I say it all the time, but I mean it every time. I will spend the rest of my life working with these people and making things,” he said. “Well, would love that.”
Returning for Season 2 earlier this month, Schmigadoon! is produced by Broadway Video and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Paul serves as showrunner and writes all of the show’s original songs, with Lorne Michaels and Andrew Singer executive producing for Broadway Video, and Micah Frank serving as co-EP.
Check back Tuesday for the panel video.
Deadline contender television is sponsored by Apple TV+, Coverfly, Eyepetizer, Final Draft, Los Siete Misterios, Michter’s and Village Roadshow Entertainment. Partners include: Four Seasons Resort Maui, The American Pavilion, Julia Wong Designs and Pamring.
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
