Cinco Paul is the man behind the music of Apple TV+'s hit musical comedy Schmigadoon!
Paul co-created the series with longtime screenwriting partner Ken Daurio (the pair are also responsible for Despicable Me and The Secret Life Of Pets, among others).
Paul serves as showrunner, songwriter, executive producer, and director of several episodes. He even won an Emmy for Schmigadoon! Season 1's rollicking number, "Corn Puddin'."
We caught up with Paul at a recent press day to talk about what went into the creation of Schmigadoon! Season 2.
How has the fan response impacted how you approached Season 2, or did you already know what you wanted to do?
Going into Season 1, I knew I wanted to do multiple seasons. My concept has always been [to] move through all the different eras of musicals.
During Season 1, when we were shooting, as I started to figure things out, watching the cast, I pulled Dove [Cameron] aside and said, "How would you like to be Sally Bowles next season?"
I pulled Aaron [Tveit] aside with, "What do you think of being Pippin/Jesus?" I just wanted to plant the seeds of what Season 2 had in store for them. So that was always the plan.
It's been a thrill for me to see the response of fans and musical theatre people — that's my people! — whenever anyone says, "I feel this show was written just for me," that's the greatest thing to hear because the show was written just for me! (laughs)
It's nice that there are others out there.
These three weirdos. Schmigadoon! season two coming April 5th! pic.twitter.com/xeV9ux9JAh
— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) March 21, 2023
Please choose your favorite child -- er, song! What's your favorite song that you've written for Season 2?
(laughs) By saying child, you've pinpointed the problem! It's really hard to choose one.
The one that's [currently] my favorite is "Over and Done," the song Ariana [DeBose] sings in the final episode.
It was kind of a bold choice to start off the episode that way, but it's Ariana DeBose -- no one's going to have an issue with watching her sing for three minutes! So that's my favorite right now.
You said you have ideas for multiple seasons. If there were to be a season 3, what could we expect?
(laughs) Let's just focus our positive energy on Season 2, and then maybe I'll be forced to answer that question!
Schmigadoon! Season 2 premieres with two episodes on Wednesday, April 5, streaming on Apple TV+. Watch the trailer here!
This interview has been edited for length/clarity.
