Apple TV+ Can Make Good Shows Actually (UNTIL THEY CANCEL THEM)

 Remember in the last article when I promised that one about an actual musical was coming soon? Well, here it is, timely as ever. I am still talking about a show as in a TV show, not a live show. However, this is a musical style show, called Schmigadoon!

Schmigadoon! is a musical comedy series on Apple TV+ that parodies and pays tribute to various eras of musical theatre. Starring Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key, the story follows a modern couple who becomes trapped in a magical town where everyone acts as if they are in a studio musical.

Schmigadoon is broken down into two seasons, with season one exploring the titular, Schmigadoon and season two exploring Schmicago. As you can tell, both names are remixes of popular musical titles, Brigadoon and Chicago respectively. In true Brigadoon fashion, the entirety of season one focuses on the golden age of musical theatre. For more technical information about this era, check out my article about the history of musical theatre! But for now, let me tell you that this era was defined by happy endings, big jazzy musical numbers, and saccharine sweet moments. Think of Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, and of course, Oklahoma! Sticking to this theme, the first season of the show has bright colors, pastels, and has a smiling cast ready to sing about how much they love clam chowder. The musical plays on typical archetypes from this era, like the woman passed up for the more mediocre main character, the philanderer immediately tamed by the love interest, etc. It's truly a romp, with some bangers. 'You've Done Tamed Me" and "Always Never Get My Man" are bangers that I return to time and time again. The supporting cast is BRILLIANT with big names like Aaron Tveit, Dove Cameron, and Jane Krakowski my beloved. 

Season two is set in Schmicago, and from the aesthetic shift to a darker, more broody environment, it's made pretty obvious that the narrative is set in the pre-contemporary era. Defined by musicals like Miss Saigon, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, and Cabaret, this era was much darker, both in terms of aesthetics and the stories being told. This era is one of my favourite, and I really loved the season as well. "Busting out" goes so hard on any playlist, and Dove Cameron's newer grittier songs fit the pre-contemporary era so well, I really think she should consider a return to musical theatre. 

I don't want to spoil too much of the plot, but this show is really wonderful. If you've read my last article then I'm sure you know how angry I am that INVASION GOT RENEWED FOR SEASON THREE AND SCHMIGADOON DIDNT. Apparently all the songs were complete, and it was going to be set in MY FAVOURITE ERA which is the contemporary era (okay I'm a newgen, I admit it). The thought of money that could've gone towards funding Schmigadoon going to fund a stupid alien statue to be used in the worst show ever genuinely boils my blood, I truly believe I'm going to have a Miss Hannigan level crashout about it one of these days. 

P.S: The fact that I could spare only 600 words on a show I genuinely adore and have been watching since I was in 9th grade, but was able to write over 1500 words on a show that I despise more than anything else (AGAIN PLEASE READ MY LAST POST IF THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO YOU) is a true testament to hate being a far stronger motivator than love. 

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