Posted: 7/23/21 at 6:06pm
I agree that Ann Harada handled her number with aplomb. She has a fantastic voice. It is too bad that the leads were not played by Patrick Wilson and Laura Benanti . They would have brought so much more to the table.
that Ann Harada handled her number with aplomb.
Posted: 7/23/21 at 7:13pm
SmoothLover said: " It is too bad that the leads were not played by Patrick Wilson and Laura Benanti. They would have brought so much more to the table.”
Laura Benanti most likely wouldn’t have been to take part in this series even if she wanted to. She was very busy during the pandemic filming the final season of Younger as well as the Gossip Girl Reboot. I’m a huge fan of Cecily Strong so I have no complaints with her being the lead of this….. I mean she is an EP and it is a Lorne Michaels production, so you knew he’d have his people involved.
Posted: 7/24/21 at 3:43pm
As much as I love Patrick Wilson and Laura Benanti, and would be thrilled to see them cast in most any TV show, that wouldn't have been right for ''Schmigadoon!'' for various reasons. One: The Apple+ show isn't being only made for Broadway buffs. I imagine the hope is that Strong and Key would help draw in their followings, who aren't necessarily musical-theater buffs. Two: Wilson and Benanti are KNOWN for their singing on Broadway. ''Schmigadoon!'' is more novel for featuring two stars who AREN'T known for breaking into song. Three, Wilson and Benanti would've been another white couple that could've led most any Golden Age musical. Strong and Key play interracial leads that wouldn't have been seen in that era.
To me, the most thankless role in ''Schmigadoon!'' is Josh. Because he doesn't get to sing (yet), Key has to play the straight man to the wackier, more colorful characters that surround him. Yet Key is an Emmy winner for ''Key and Peele,'' and in fact, a 10-time Emmy nominee for his work in sketch comedy and variety shows, and a former member of ''MadTV.'' He has comic chops, and I'm looking forward to the day when Josh finally breaks into song. Even in the newest episode, ''Cross That Bridge,'' his reactions are amusing to the title tune, which is a rousing, toe-tapping chorus number worthy of Loesser.
Updated On: 7/24/21 at 03:43 PM
Posted: 7/24/21 at 4:40pm
Wilson and Benanti are very good actors and would have developed more interesting characters. They both would have found more humor ( as good actors do) and would have made unexpected acting choices. Perhaps in the land of Schmigadoon, Wilson’s character could have gone from tone deaf to and accomplished singer totally catching him be surprise. So many possibilities. The current leads are one dimensional.
Posted: 7/30/21 at 11:35pm
Just coming back on this thread to rave about Episode 4 - the best episode of the series thus far.
Ariana DeBose is a freakin' star, and I've been singing her praises since Bring It On. She has the best song in "Schmigadoon!" so far IMO, and those tap-dancing kids are just the cutest. It's nice to see her and Key get some time together, especially since their Prom characters pretty much go on separate paths.
Special mention must also go to a hilarious "Do-Re-Mi" parody about reproduction entitled "Va-Gi-Na," sung by Cecily Strong's Melissa to a couple on the verge of having a baby out of wedlock. I was cackling for a good minute.
I never thought I would say this two weeks ago, but "Schmigadoon!" is becoming a pleasantly watchable series with two episodes to go. What a perfect way to end one of the best Fridays I've had in a long time. The B'way mask and vaccine mandate for audiences, a night out, a wildly eventful day in the world of sports, and now this. I'm in a great mood at the moment.
Posted: 7/31/21 at 2:08am
6 episodes are too short. I WANT MORE. And I agree about the 2 leads, I reckon the 'straighter' actors would have made it better, although the whole supporting cast made up for it.
Posted: 7/31/21 at 7:27pm
Ariana DeBose is dynamite and delightful with this episode's toe-tapping tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9Jyw_EEFk
Updated On: 7/31/21 at 07:27 PM
Posted: 7/31/21 at 9:51pm
I am really trying to give this a try but it just feels like a 5 minute sketch stretched out WAY TOO long and it is painful to sit through the same character beats of the main characters not understanding anything over and over and again, and because this is so locked into SUCH a specific period all of the songs sound similar
also The Sound of Music number this week was bizarre and so on the nose
Posted: 8/1/21 at 1:57pm
PlayItAgain said: "I am really trying to give this a try but it just feels like a 5 minute sketch stretched out WAY TOO long and it is painful to sit through the same character beats of the main characters not understanding anything over and over and again, and because this is so locked into SUCH a specific period all of the songs sound similar
also The Sound of Music number this week was bizarre and so on the nose"
i agree, it just leaves me feeling “Why?” All this talent and money and it is pointless.
At least Ariana de Bose (sp?) injected some life into it this week.
Posted: 8/2/21 at 8:23am
I thought more people on this board would be loving this series. I sure do, as does my Broadway Musical-loving daughter and my Non-Broadway Musical Give Me More Televised Hockey - son-in-law.
The premise is funny, the sets are lovely, the musical tribute/spoofs are clever and entertaining - Corn Puddin', Va-Gi-Na.
The cast, wow! For once we get a TV series with a LOT of Broadway, actors who can sing, dance and act.
Ariana DeBose is a standout! Super talented.
Aaron Tveit redeems his chemistry fail in Moulin Rouge! I give him an A for his sexy Billy Bigelow nod.
Speaking of sexy, Jaime Camil, who I was not familiar with and had to google, appears to have had brief roles on Broadway. We need more of his earthiness and luscious pipes on the NY stage.
All in all, I am enjoying this romp into Broadway fantasyland.
And kudos for color blind casting that doesn't call attention to itself.
Posted: 8/2/21 at 8:42am
Posted: 8/2/21 at 12:10pm
Very much enjoying the whole show, but after seeing Ariana get more to do this week it has me a bit worried about West Side Story. She's such a strong dancer, but the acting and singing both felt like a high schooler to me. I don't think she has the talent to pull of something much bigger than this.
Posted: 8/2/21 at 12:22pm
bwaydreamer said: "Very much enjoying the whole show, but after seeing Ariana get more to do this week it has me a bit worried about West Side Story. She's such a strong dancer, but the acting and singing both felt like a high schooler to me. I don't think she has the talent to pull of something much bigger than this."
Her performance for this was more on the camp/farce/tongue-in-cheek side because that's the material. Her performance in WSS will tap into the raw and more realistic nature of that material.
Posted: 8/2/21 at 5:10pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "bwaydreamer said: "Very much enjoying the whole show, but after seeing Ariana get more to do this week it has me a bit worried about West Side Story. She's such a strong dancer, but the acting and singing both felt like a high schooler to me. I don't think she has the talent to pull of something much bigger than this."
Her performance for this was more on the camp/farce/tongue-in-cheek side because that's the material. Her performance in WSS will tap into the raw and more realistic nature of that material."
That's probably true so I will take the acting with a grain of salt. Though I'm still not sure she has the acting chops for Anita and she definitely doesn't have the vocal prowess.
Posted: 8/2/21 at 10:12pm
Posted: 8/2/21 at 10:15pm
SmoothLover said: "Wilson and Benanti are very good actors and would have developed more interesting characters. They both would have found more humor ( as good actors do) and would have made unexpected acting choices. Perhaps in the land of Schmigadoon,Wilson’s character could have gone from tone deaf to and accomplished singer totally catching him be surprise.So many possibilities. The current leads are one dimensional."
More humor than Strong and Key who are proven sketch comedy legends? Doubtful. The show works so great the way it is because these 2 don’t live in that world. You wouldn’t want them to be perfect Broadway singers.
Posted: 8/5/21 at 10:54am
SouthernCakes said: "SmoothLover said: "Wilson and Benanti are very good actors and would have developed more interesting characters. They both would have found more humor ( as good actors do) and would have made unexpected acting choices. Perhaps in the land of Schmigadoon,Wilson’s character could have gone from tone deaf to and accomplished singer totally catching him be surprise.So many possibilities. The current leads are one dimensional."
More humor than Strong and Key who are proven sketch comedy legends? Doubtful. The show works so great the way it is because these 2 don’t live in that world. You wouldn’t want them to be perfect Broadway singers."
I disagree. Both Wilson and Benanti have proven time and again to have strong comedic chops. Strong and Key are not bad or unlikeable, just 2 dimensional. They are not very good actors. They don’t follow through with their choices. They just go for the joke. All the praises on this thread have gone to supporting actors. Why not have the leads be just as amazing? Strong and Key legends? Seems a bit of a stretch.
Posted: 8/6/21 at 9:53am
This week's episode went by pretty fast, but it was great seeing Jane Krakowski and hearing Kristin Chenoweth's "Ya Got Trouble"-style number. Cannot believe next week is the season finale. I definitely plan on rewatching the series back-to-back once the season is over... this week's episode definitely started off with that feeling that I should have watched the previous episode immediately before to maintain the rhythm and pacing.
Posted: 8/6/21 at 2:26pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "This week's episode went by pretty fast, but it was great seeing Jane Krakowski and hearing Kristin Chenoweth's "Ya Got Trouble"-style number. Cannot believe next week is the season finale. I definitely plan on rewatching the series back-to-back once the season is over... this week's episode definitely started off with that feeling that I should have watched the previous episode immediately before to maintain the rhythm and pacing."
Totally echo the same sentiments. Chenoweth's Music Man number is hands down my favorite to this point, and I also loved Krakowski's- the song reminded me a lot of Always True to You (Kiss Me Kate) and Trip to the Library (She Loves Me), probably coincidental but it made my heart warm. The following scene was pretty funny when Strong got booted from the car. I'm also finding myself liking Josh a lot more now that he's with Emma, felt like we had to tough it out a bit but the dialogue between him, Emma, and Carson is bringing out a lot more of his character and it's quite fun to watch.
Posted: 8/6/21 at 2:43pm
Posted: 8/6/21 at 3:08pm
Just finished Episode 5. In another sign the show could very well end on a high, Key and Strong are both becoming more likable, Jane Krakowski is a knockout, and the kid playing Carson - who was simply annoying for the first episode or two - is starting to show greater depth. I'm starting to like him as well. The songs were okay this week.
Did anyone notice the names listed on the blackboard in DeBose's room when she was telling Key that she is actually Carson's mother?
Posted: 8/6/21 at 6:53pm
Jordan Levinson said: "Just finished Episode 5. In another sign the show could very well end on a high, Key and Strong are both becoming more likable, Jane Krakowski isa knockout, and the kid playing Carson - who was simply annoying for the first episode or two - is starting to show greater depth. I'm starting to like him as well. The songs were okay this week.
"
I totally noticed and laughed quite audibly!!! Loved it!!!
Posted: 8/6/21 at 7:21pm
I’ve liked the series well enough so far, but episode 5 is a stinker. Both new songs were the worst of the lot. Jane somehow shines even though her material is so bad.
Posted: 8/6/21 at 8:36pm
Posted: 8/6/21 at 10:07pm
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