‘Schmigadoon!’ Canceled at Apple TV+ — Season 3 Was Already Written, Creator Reveals
Schmigadoon! Season 2 ended with a “happy beginning,” but the original musical series is coming to an end at Apple TV+. Creator Cinco Paul has announced that Schmigadoon! has been canceled by the streaming platform, revealing that Season 3 was already written and 25 new songs had been made for the Emmy-winning series.
“I am sad to share that Apple will not be moving forward with Season 3 of Schmigadoon! The season is written (including 25 new songs), but we unfortunately won’t be making it. Such is life,” Paul shared on Twitter on Thursday, January 18. “I want to thank everyone involved with the show, our incredible cast & crew & writers, our wonderful supporters at Broadway Video, Universal, & Apple, for everything they did to make it happen.”
Paul implied there’s hope for more Schmigadoon in the future.
“It’s a miracle we even got two seasons, honestly, and I’m so grateful we did. And to all the fans of the show out there — thank you with all of my heart,” his statement continues. “Your love and support has meant so much, and the fact that you connected with our show, that it brought you some joy, means the world to me. This was tough news to get, but the optimist in me is convinced it’s not the end of Schmigadoon… and maybe it’s even a happy beginning. Love, Cinco.”
— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) January 18, 2024
Having found true love in the town of Schmigadoon (a world based in 1940s Golden Age musicals) in Season 1, Schmigadoon! Season 2 found Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) in Schmicago, the reimagined world of ’60s and ’70s musicals.
The second season of Apple’s broadly acclaimed comedy included new original musical numbers from co-creator and executive producer Paul. The songs parodied beloved Stephen Sondheim, Bob Fosse, Stephen Schwartz, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Burt Bacharach musicals such as Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Promises, Promises, and more.
The series stars some of the biggest names in TV and musical theater: Key, Strong, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Dove Cameron, Aaron Tveit, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ariana DeBose, Patrick Page, Ann Harada, Jaime Camil, and Martin Short. Season 1 was nominated for four Emmys, winning one (Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song “Corn Puddin’.” Season 2 was nominated for three Emmys.
The cast and creators told TV Insider in 2023 that they hoped to explore more Webber musicals and more ’80s Broadway hits in a potential third season. Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables were all touted as potential show inspirations.
Schmigadoon!, Seasons 1 and 2, Available now, Apple TV+
