Schmigadoon! Thoughts: TV Comedy for the Musical Fans
Schmigadoon! is an Apple TV+ show about two people on a couple’s therapy retreat hoping to mend their relationship of almost 5 years. In the midst of hiking in the woods, they find themselves stuck in a musical town called Schmigadoon, where everyone dances, sings, and act in stereotypically over-the-top ways. It’s a show filled with comedic legends and Broadway superstars like Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Kristin Chenoweth, and Ariana DeBose. I was sold on the premise of the show because of how it both pokes fun at and pays homage to old-school musicals in the mid-1900s. For those who know a lot about musicals, there are sure to be plenty of fun easter eggs.
Schmigadoon! is ultimately a show about love and accepting people for who they are. Our main characters, Melissa and Josh, have been dating for years and are going through a rough patch. Each episode starts with a flashback scene of the two of them during various phases of their relationship to help the audience get a better understanding of who they are and their history. But in Schmigadoon, they end up exploring relationships with other people, which inherently helps them explore more about themselves. The final episode is really wholesome and sends the message that people and stories are capable of growing and maturing with the changing times.
I think the premise of the story is pretty interesting, but the real hook is how funny it is to watch Melissa and Josh navigate the weirdness of being in a musical. One of my favorite side characters was Dove Cameron as Betsy, who is a gorgeous young girl who is supposedly very innocent but does a lot of suggestively sexy things. With the range of characters and things going on in this show, it’s hard to find yourself getting too bored.
If you’re looking for a fun distraction while chilling or eating food, Schmigadoon! has got you covered. The quality of the jokes, acting, and music are all great! I’m actually looking forward to listening to the songs again on Spotify.