This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli, professor of television studies at Rowan University, in for Terry Gross. "Schmigadoon!" the TV series that is a loving parody of stage and screen musicals of a bygone era, returns for Season 2 next week. I'll have a review of it later in the show. But first, let's listen to Terry's 2021 interview with Cinco Paul, who wrote all the songs for "Schmigadoon!" He also co-created and co-wrote the series. Along with his writing partner Ken Daurio, he wrote the animated films "Despicable Me," "The Secret Life Of Pets" and the Dr. Seuss adaptations "Horton Hears A Who" and "The Lorax."

"Schmigadoon!" streams on Apple TV+. It stars Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key as a couple who try to repair their relationship by taking a hike in the woods. They get lost, cross over a bridge and suddenly find themselves in a small town called Schmigadoon, which looks like a stage or movie set from the early 20th century. The women are wearing prairie dresses with long petticoats, and the men are dressed like they're in a barbershop quartet. It turns out that in this town, life is a musical. People sing their feelings and dance, too...

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/31/1166808020/schmigadoon-co-creator-says-series-was-onspired-by-a-love-affair-with-musicals

This is FRESH AIR. I'm TV critic David Bianculli. We've just heard from songwriter Cinco Paul about collaborating on the first season of "Schmigadoon!" Next Wednesday, "Schmigadoon!" returns on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes of a new six-part second season. As in Season 1, Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key star as Melissa and Josh, a modern couple who find themselves transported to a mythical musical land in which everyone tends to break into song and dance. Last season echoed the setting, feeling and music of classic midcentury musicals, like "Oklahoma!" and, of course, "Brigadoon." For Season 2, the tone is inspired by musicals of the '60s and '70s, and it's a lot darker. Once again, this gives Cinco Paul and company the chance to salute or parody some very familiar musical theater classics. But this time the supporting players from last season get to return as entirely new characters, like the ensemble cast members of "American Horror Story" get to do in that anthology series...

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/31/1166803692/season-2-of-schmigadoon-is-bursting-with-enthusiasm-and-broadway-talent

Schmigadoon! — I Always Never Get My Man Sing-along | Apple TV+

Apple TV

2021 Aug 28

The Countess deserved a main character moment… Sing along with her to "I Always Never Get My Man" and stream the full season of Schmigadoon! on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_Schmigadoon

A parody of iconic musicals, Schmigadoon! is a new musical comedy series executive produced by Lorne Michaels and starring Emmy Award nominee Cecily Strong and Emmy Award winner Keegan-Michael Key as a couple on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship when they discover a magical town in which everyone is living in a studio musical from the 1940s. They then discover that they can’t leave until they find “true love.” The cast also includes Broadway and TV veterans including Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Dove Cameron, Ariana DeBose, Fred Armisen, Jaime Camil, Jane Krakowski, and Ann Harada.

Hailing from Broadway Video and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, Schmigadoon! is co-created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. Paul serves as showrunner, and wrote all of the original songs for the series. Barry Sonnenfeld directs and executive produces. In addition to starring, Strong serves as producer, and Daurio serves as consulting producer and writer. Andrew Singer executive produces with Lorne Michaels on behalf of Broadway Video.

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