Quickie Review: Schmigadoon!

[Kevin M.]

The two leads are almost unwatchable, but the series is somehow fun to watch anyway? The premise is basically a retread of Pleasantville set to music. I can’t help but feel the show was conceived to provide paychecks to out of work Broadway actors. 

On Apple TV + (or whatever it is called)

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

[M-D November]

Kevin - I respect your opinion but humbly disagree. As a fan of musicals (and meta commentary) I thought Schmigadoon! worked really well, although it could have used another episode or two, as the resolution to the B-plots felt really rushed.  There were lots of little details outside of the song pastiches that, as a theater nerd, I really appreciated - like the fact that songs were always performed (more or less) to camera, as if they were being performed on stage, and that the exterior sets in the 'town square' were very obviously flat fronts, as you'd expect from a stage set, and you only got detail when you entered a space. 

Certain talents were criminally underused (Martin Short, Jane Krakowski), while others I could have done with a recasting (Cecily Strong, who I think got the role because Lorne was the EP). For once Fred Armisen didn't make me want to put my fist through the TV.

Strangely enough, I think I saw that Schmigadoon! was shot in Vancouver, which would explain why, beyond the leads, there weren't more recognizable Broadway names.

[Dave Sikula]

As much as I love musicals, I've avoided this one like poison, mainly because of Strong, who strikes me as another of Lorne's pet one-note performers.

I felt justified in this decision when listening to Cinco Paul on Fresh Air last week. Granted, Terry Gross's usual gushing ineptness didn't help matters, but the two numbers that were excerpted on the show, combined with Paul's takes on Golden Age musicals (of which he claims to be a fan), just solidified my preconceptions.

--Dave Sikula

[Kevin M.]

On Sat, Sep 4, 2021 at 3:39 AM 'Dave Sikula' via TVorNotTV <tvor...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

As much as I love musicals, I've avoided this one like poison, mainly because of Strong, who strikes me as another of Lorne's pet one-note performers.

I felt justified in this decision when listening to Cinco Paul on Fresh Air last week. Granted, Terry Gross's usual gushing ineptness didn't help matters, but the two numbers that were excerpted on the show, combined with Paul's takes on Golden Age musicals (of which he claims to be a fan), just solidified my preconceptions.

I heard the same interview and agree it was off-putting, to say the least. But it actually did make me curious how bad a train wreck the show is. The badness of the two leads, the aforementioned Strong as well as Keegan Michael Key, cannot be emphasized enough. Their roles in the show are to express “dull surprise” while others do the actual singing, dancing, and acting… even Kathy Ireland can handle dull surprise… Key and Strong struggle with it. As satire/parody of Broadway, it fails… they could’ve brought in Weird Al to pen some more poignant send-ups. But the supporting cast is strong, and some of the songs are solid.

--Dave Sikula

On Friday, September 3, 2021 at 9:17:45 AM UTC-7 mdnov...@gmail.com wrote:

Kevin - I respect your opinion but humbly disagree. As a fan of musicals (and meta commentary) I thought Schmigadoon! worked really well, although it could have used another episode or two, as the resolution to the B-plots felt really rushed.  There were lots of little details outside of the song pastiches that, as a theater nerd, I really appreciated - like the fact that songs were always performed (more or less) to camera, as if they were being performed on stage, and that the exterior sets in the 'town square' were very obviously flat fronts, as you'd expect from a stage set, and you only got detail when you entered a space. 

Certain talents were criminally underused (Martin Short, Jane Krakowski), while others I could have done with a recasting (Cecily Strong, who I think got the role because Lorne was the EP). For once Fred Armisen didn't make me want to put my fist through the TV.

Strangely enough, I think I saw that Schmigadoon! was shot in Vancouver, which would explain why, beyond the leads, there weren't more recognizable Broadway names.

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

[Bill Partsch]

I’ve been traveling backward through the archive of Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, and I just listened to the Kristen Chenoweth episode. In it she mentions she’s Zooming in from a hotel in Vancouver, where her next-door neighbor is Alan Cumming. Those are recognizable Broadway names. Also in the cast is the woman who originally played The Bullet in “Hamilton,” although I admittedly cannot tell you her name without looking it up.

On Sep 3, 2021, at 12:17 PM, M-D November <mdnov...@gmail.com> wrote:

Kevin - I respect your opinion but humbly disagree. As a fan of musicals (and meta commentary) I thought Schmigadoon! worked really well, although it could have used another episode or two, as the resolution to the B-plots felt really rushed.  There were lots of little details outside of the song pastiches that, as a theater nerd, I really appreciated - like the fact that songs were always performed (more or less) to camera, as if they were being performed on stage, and that the exterior sets in the 'town square' were very obviously flat fronts, as you'd expect from a stage set, and you only got detail when you entered a space. 

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[M-D November]

In fairness to Key, his role is largely “guy who doesn’t like musicals who gets tossed into a musical and negs the whole thing” - I felt like he did the best with the material he .was given (although he’s capable of much more.)

Points for the MST3K reference, tho.

[M-D November]

Ariana Dubose (she played the schoolteacher, and will be Anita in Speilberg’s “West Side Story”).

I’m not denying that Cumming and Chenowith aren’t bankable Broadway names, that’s hardly all they’re known for. Similarly, I’d argue that Krakowski is a legit Broadway star, but better known for her TV work. Same with Aaron Tveit. But look beyond to the ensemble, and my guess is that they’re mostly local talent. 

[Jim Ellwanger]

Not to mention Ann Harada, who I know from the one Broadway musical I've actually seen on Broadway ("Avenue Q").

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[Bill Partsch]

I should’ve added (or started with), “You’re probably right,” because I pointed out 3 cast members among, what, dozens? 

And for the record, I bailed at some point during the second episode, although a lot of that is being severely time constrained. I thought it was OK. 

On Sep 5, 2021, at 12:43 AM, M-D November <mdnov...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ariana Dubose (she played the schoolteacher, and will be Anita in Speilberg’s “West Side Story”).

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[Jon Delfin]

On Sun, Sep 5, 2021 at 12:43 AM M-D November <mdnov...@gmail.com> wrote:

[snip] Similarly, I’d argue that Krakowski is a legit Broadway star, but better known for her TV work.

point of order: _all_ Broadway stars are better known for their TV work

 

[Bill Partsch]

…except Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

[M-D November]

It’s a fair cop, but society is to blame.

[M-D November]

…unless you’re my kids, who knew him from his contributions to Sesame Street long before we let them watch “Hamilton” or “Mary Poppins Returns”.

[Jon Delfin]

Sure, society, but also the death of MOR radio. And Ed Sullivan. 

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[Bill Partsch]

Good point. Both my kids know his “Silent E is a Ninja” from Electric Company redux. But my daughter is pretty hardcore Hamilton the past year and change. 

On Sep 6, 2021, at 11:08 PM, M-D November <mdnov...@gmail.com> wrote:

…unless you’re my kids, who knew him from his contributions to Sesame Street long before we let them watch “Hamilton” or “Mary Poppins Returns”.

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