What I’m Watching: Schmigadoon

Schmigadoon: Season 2, Episode 3 “Bells and Whistles” (B+)

This episode featured some pretty fantastic performances, with its title indicating the show-stopping number featuring Jane Krakowski’s Bobby explaining just what it is that she does to dazzle the jurors and the crowd. She’s a phenomenal actress, and this was an excellent showcase for her that really allowed her to be put to tremendous use. There’s a certain hilarity to the concept of these hippies getting naked and telling parables for months without noticing any change, which has modern-day relevance for the echo chambers people create for themselves that don’t actually result in them transmitting their message beyond like minds. Josh’s reaction to the nudity was expected but humorous, along with his commentary that there were moles he was concerned about when he saw everyone’s bare bodies. When I had the chance to speak with a number of actors on this show, they all said they wished they could share scenes with Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming, both of whom had great scenes in this episode. Melissa’s analysis that Miss Coldwell was selling the children was a fitting wrap-up for that appearance, and it’s really so striking how different Cumming’s character is this season. I am a fan of “Sweeney Todd” and appreciated the parody here that was still dark and chilling but also pointed out the flaws in his revenge plan that wouldn’t in fact accomplish the goals he truly wanted to achieve, focused instead on making everyone miserable when outright happiness and fulfillment might be much easier to attain.