I'm going to frame this review as being for the first season. At the time of writing no second season is confirmed, but the strong notices and open premise could well lead to another. (if it doesn't, I'll add this review to the main page later on). Though perhaps not quite as funny as I'd hoped, I enjoyed the show overall.
Several years into their relationship, Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) get lost on a couples excursion and stumble into Schmigadoon, a town which resembles small town America from a hundred years previously and, even more strangely, one whose inhabitants act as if they're in a classic musical. As the residents sing and dance their feelings, Josh and Melissa decide to leave, but discover they are trapped in the town, unless they cross the bridge with their true love. Their inability to leave together has them questioning whether their relationship is right for them.
As I say, there was lots to admire about the show. The songs are very good and perfectly ape the musicals that they affectionately parody. There are some great performers from stage and screen drafted in, whether it's for a meaty role, such as Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth or Dove Cameron, or to steal a single episode like Jane Krakowski. But all of the cast (with perhaps the exception of Keegan-Michael Key (but that suits the role)) are capable songsters.
Though it was funny, my only criticism is that perhaps it's not quite funny enough. Key's character would have been a good way to skewer some of the tropes a bit more. It's a very sweet and good-natured show though, as seems to be the preference with Apple's comedy output. I can easily see another season, perhaps with another couple coming to the town, or the same premise in another location, maybe a district of an unnamed city doing a "Chicago", "Guys and Dolls", "West Side Story" lampoon. I'd certainly be back for it.
Several years into their relationship, Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) get lost on a couples excursion and stumble into Schmigadoon, a town which resembles small town America from a hundred years previously and, even more strangely, one whose inhabitants act as if they're in a classic musical. As the residents sing and dance their feelings, Josh and Melissa decide to leave, but discover they are trapped in the town, unless they cross the bridge with their true love. Their inability to leave together has them questioning whether their relationship is right for them.
As I say, there was lots to admire about the show. The songs are very good and perfectly ape the musicals that they affectionately parody. There are some great performers from stage and screen drafted in, whether it's for a meaty role, such as Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth or Dove Cameron, or to steal a single episode like Jane Krakowski. But all of the cast (with perhaps the exception of Keegan-Michael Key (but that suits the role)) are capable songsters.
Though it was funny, my only criticism is that perhaps it's not quite funny enough. Key's character would have been a good way to skewer some of the tropes a bit more. It's a very sweet and good-natured show though, as seems to be the preference with Apple's comedy output. I can easily see another season, perhaps with another couple coming to the town, or the same premise in another location, maybe a district of an unnamed city doing a "Chicago", "Guys and Dolls", "West Side Story" lampoon. I'd certainly be back for it.
