The second season of Apple TV+'s comedic musical series Schmigadoon! makes a comeback this week with a lively two-episode premiere that immediately throws our protagonists, Josh (Keegan Michael Key) and Michelle (Cecily Strong), into a thrilling adventure through a fresh era of stage musicals. The show now takes on a sultrier, sexier, and smokier vibe, while also becoming more perplexed about its intended time period. Welcome to Schmicago!
Starting two years after the events of Season 1, Josh and Melissa return to their lives in New York and quickly adjust to their renewed lease on life and relationship. The positive influence of their time in Schmigadoon is evident, but as reality sets in, they begin to experience setbacks, particularly in their attempts to start a family. In the hopes of recapturing some of the magic, they return to Schmigadoon, only to encounter unexpected challenges. Just when they're about to give up and head home, they find themselves on a familiar stone bridge, crossing through the fog and into the dazzling and smoky streets of Schmicago. The Narrator (Titus Burgess) and other familiar faces, such as Dove Cameron and Alan Cumming, greet them in new roles, adding to the excitement of this brand-new era.
Season 2 of Schmigadoon! sees Josh and Melissa facing initial challenges, but the show quickly shifts its focus away from their relationship problems. Instead, the couple must unite when Josh is wrongly accused of murdering a showgirl at the cabaret where Jenny Banks (played by Dove Cameron) is employed. As they delve into the unknowns of Schmicago, Melissa takes on the task of clearing Josh's name in a town where Octavius Kratt (played by the menacing Patrick Page) holds corrupt sway, and the locals are eager to cover up any wrongdoing.
The second season of Schmigadoon! seamlessly integrates both old and new cast members, with Kristin Chenoweth and Aaron Tveit delivering standout performances. While Josh and Melissa make passing references to their previous encounters with Schmicago residents, the show never feels lacking. Although it could have been a challenge for the audience to adjust to the lead characters remaining the same while the rest of the cast changes roles completely, the fully-realized world around them ensures that the show doesn't miss a beat.
Season 2 takes a departure from the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals, as suggested by the alternate title. Instead, the show draws from the grittier musicals of the 1970s, such as Chicago, Cabaret, Hair, Sweeney Todd, Annie, and Jesus Christ Superstar. While familiarity with these musicals may not be necessary to appreciate the humor and understand the plot, viewers may be surprised by how much they've absorbed through cultural osmosis. The music remains the backbone of the show, with showrunner Cinco Paul pulling out all the stops to deliver even catchier tracks that blend seamlessly between the Rodgers & Hammerstein style and the brassy showstoppers of the new era.
Schmigadoon! takes its premise to new heights in Season 2. While it stays true to the foundation laid in the first season, where Josh and Melissa find themselves trapped in a town that adheres to the style and norms of a specific era of musicals, it goes further by fully embracing the absurdity of the situation. In the previous season, the main characters spent most of their time reacting to the peculiarities of the world around them, from sudden singing to heightened behavior. This time, they are no longer caught off guard, and the audience is in on the joke too. By swiftly accepting the oddity of their circumstances, Season 2 allows Josh and Melissa to interact more meaningfully with the story and become fully immersed in it right from the start.
Despite the continued presence of absurdity and comedy, the second season of Schmigadoon! impresses with its thoughtfulness. With Key and Strong leading the way, the show retains its trademark humor. However, what sets this season apart is its sincere message of thriving rather than merely surviving, avoiding the trap of snarky jadedness that could have easily befallen the story. While the Golden Age style of Season 1 offered a fantastical take on the world we wish we had, Season 2 adopts a grittier approach that confronts reality head-on while keeping the fun. I hope to see the show renewed for season 3!
The first two episodes of Season 2 are available now on AppleTV+.
