PAUL: Yeah. CHE: (As himself) So I assume you're not happy with the election. STRONG: I did - and I mean, not always. You know, my grandmother would buy me musicals on VHS. Because, I mean, we shot last fall, so that wasn't even - I didn't even know we'd get to be vaccinated. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) Just 'cause you feuded don't mean that you're concluded. Strong slid into a corner booth with her fellow "S.N.L." cast member Heidi Gardner. Mama's got one volume, and it's three chardonnays deep at a crowded party. GROSS: You did you first paid gig when you were 10. And I always wanted to be an actor since I was little. "You know how much I hate musicals. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key in "Schmigadoon!" premiering July 16, 2021 on Apple TV+. Cecily Strong. I mean, they - I got it expunged from my record by doing a hundred hours of community service, and I wound up really loving the community service I did. It's a nice melody. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, chanting) Corn puddin', corn puddin', corn puddin', corn puddin'. And so we'll hear Cecily Strong doing a little solo in part of this as Keegan-Michael Key objects (laughter) to her participation. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) We want corn puddin'. Just like the idea, you know, that it's like, you can have so much passion and feelings about these things that you don't really understand and haven't given much thought to and using them to sort of put down other people. Did you get to go backstage? I mean, he did a couple attempts here and there. She also stars in the new series "Schmigadoon!," which is a very smart, funny and loving satire of musicals from the '40s and '50s. (SOUNDBITE OF GWENDOLYN DEASE'S "PORKCHOP'S BLUES"), GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. (As characters, singing) And then he gives her a snack. GROSS: Reports are that you're not sure whether you're going back to "SNL" in the fall. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #2: (As character, singing) Every steak's bound to have some fat. Also, Keegan has, you know, this young farm girl pursuing him, played by Dove Cameron. So we did her on "Update.". Thea Chaloner directed today's show. This is a colostomy, Michael Che. I'm Terry Gross. STRONG: I almost enjoy it more to see when someone's laughing. I met Daisy Eagen. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) And then he gives her a smack. This was performed after Pirro made anti-Muslim remarks about Representative Ilhan Omar. And, you know, I desperately wanted to be on stage, but probably because I didn't really belong there, they kept saying, no, but, Cinco, we need you on the piano. And so that's really - that's when my love affair with musicals began. All rights reserved. And then they kind of looked - they made, like, a show of it and looked in every pocket but that pocket and then said, OK, you're good to go. It's not like I drove myself. He co-created and co-wrote the series with Ken Daurio. Cecily Strong's new book, This Will All Be Over Soon, isn't what you expect from a Saturday Night Live cast member's . UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) Schmigadoon, where the Sun shines bright from July to June and the air's as sweet as a macaroon, Schmigadoon - Schmigadoon, where it's warm and safe as a new cocoon and our hearts all glow like a harvest moon, Schmigadoon - Schmigadoon, where the men are men and the cows are cows and the farmers smile as we push their plows. Her new memoir, "This Will All Be Over Soon," will be published tomorrow. Cecily Legler Strong (born February 8, 1984) is an American actress and comedian who has been a cast member of Saturday Night Live since 2012, making her the longest-tenured female cast member in the show's history. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. I've always loved musicals. I saw "Once Upon A Mattress," which I absolutely loved and really wanted to do. ", which is a loving satire of classic musicals from the '40s and '50s. But I was just always performing around the house. STRONG: (As The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party) Here's a thought, Michael - maybe try being woke for a change, OK? We'll first hear the voice of Michael Che on "Weekend Update.". And I wound up writing a lot of my "Update" characters with him or sort of those - anybody that's a real - you know, I write Marjorie Taylor Greene with him, and we did Sidney Powell together this year, too. GROSS: Had you been vaccinated when you shot the series? HARADA: (As Florence, singing) Some men stumble home at dark, want dinner and dessert. So right away I was like, oh, God. So I want to ask you about another character that you've done, and that's the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. And for her, it's all these really positive qualities. So I think that led to my love of these 1920s songs, you know, the Tin Pan Alley stuff. Thank you so much for creating this series. And the contrast between that and the depression and anxiety you describe in your memoir, which - a lot of your memoir is about living through the pandemic, like, the first almost year of the pandemic. I had the idea for this almost 25 years ago, and it was while I was watching the movie "An American Werewolf In London," of all things, one of my favorite movies. And it almost cost me my brother. It's on or near the Hudson River. ", which is now streaming on Apple TV+. And actually, my dad took a bunch of pictures. and also a terrific revival of "How To Succeed In Business," a Sondheim tribute. STRONG: Thank you. And it's - more than anything, it's like, watching my brother deal with his own depression, and it's like how I feel about mine. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) No - oh, no, that's not OK - unless it's consensual. Hi. In watching "Schmigadoon!," I had to wonder who is able to produce such a great series that is both a tribute to and a satire of musicals of the 1940s and early '50s like "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "The Sound Of Music," "The Music Man" and, of course, "Brigadoon." Apple TV+ is close to putting in a series order for the project. GROSS: How did you come up with the idea of a musical about people trapped in a musical set in the early 20th century? GROSS: What was the impact of that on you? She is best known for being a cast member of Saturday Night Live. It went to dress and not to air. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) No. And she used the playbill and a lot of those pictures. I'm Terry Gross, and this is FRESH AIR. STRONG: You know, we definitely loved the exclamations, you know, saving those for the - what? JOST: That's great. I did, like, a video for kids - for schools to show about kids with parents with drug and alcohol problems. GROSS: And who did you think of as being the girl? GROSS: That's Cecily Strong is Judge Jeanine Pirro. And you know, there is still an element of, like, you're playing with your friends. STRONG: (As Melissa) This was literally me in high school. was a lifetime in the making. Stop. Then I kind of want to, like, go further. 'Cause "Kevin Can Wait," but Syrian referees can't, OK? And it was like, I really was thinking about those two things as nice options and had to tell my mom. Let's start with "Schmigadoon!," which is filled with references to classic musicals, like "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "The Music Man," "The Sound of Music" and, of course, "Brigadoon." And is it hard for you to keep a straight face when he's having trouble keeping a straight face? One of the really funny songs - the mayor, who's played by Alan Cumming, is secretly gay, and it's a secret he's never disclosed to anybody. You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. You put the corn in the puddin' and the puddin' in the bowl. SNL season 48 premiered without some cast members many considered synonymous with the show in recent years. GROSS: Cinco Paul, welcome to FRESH AIR. OK, can you just please tell us about the candidates? So I really was like, come on, everybody. (SOUNDBITE OF RICHARD RODGERS' "'OKLAHOMA!' GROSS: (Laughter) The music is kind of like a hoedown. My guest, Cecily Strong, is nominated for an Emmy for the second year in a row for her work on "Saturday Night Live." Of course I love you. He's a queer one, that man o' mine. And then it was just such a gift. HARADA: (As Florence, singing) Sometimes it may seem like he is too good to be true, like there's a man that I can't see just aching to break through. GROSS: And he's not just a Broadway producer. I want to get to another song. So let's talk a little bit about your work on "Saturday Night Live." Please continue playing piano for us. And I think they knew that about me. And I think my uncle probably didn't want me to be an actor as much as I did, just knowing that it was a tough life. My guest is Cecily Strong. So it's like something my family had already been dealing with. And, you know, even, like, operas have, like, songs like that, where there's, you know, like, a festival or, you know, a picnic or something. . And they've asked me to leave. He co-created, co-wrote and wrote all the songs for the series "Schmigadoon!" (As characters, singing) Then she complains that he don't understand her. GROSS: Were you surprised that you told your mother about how you were feeling and about having thoughts about suicide? Later, we'll hear from Cinco Paul, who co-created the series and wrote all the songs. And you're being, you know, waited on by a - you know, a very lovely, very young (laughter) waitress. ", (SOUNDBITE OF PODCAST, "MAKE HIM WATCH IT"). I think, you know, we were told - we went on our hiatus that was supposed to be our three-week or two-week hiatus in March and then just didn't come back until May. Cecily Strong (actress) social media, news and video. You just really got her down (laughter). "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life . But I want to play the theme song from this because I think it's you and Ken actually singing the song. It went to dress and not to air - and then kind of like, well, I don't know that we'll ever get to do that again. GROSS: And he's not just a Broadway producer. And so - but everything that is evidence that he's gay, she sees as a really positive quality. It's like, why are we learning this? GROSS: Well, let's take a break here, and then we'll talk some more. And I think a lot of that, you can feel it when you watch the show, and I think that's probably why I enjoy rewatching it so much is just taking myself back there. (Carolyn Van Houten / Chicago Tribune) . STRONG: No. STRONG: And it would, like, end in some crazy, like, exclamation. Is that an idea that you originated? And so it was like, I was going to be a fifth-year senior, which just felt bonkers. GROSS: My interview with Cecily Strong was recorded in August. So I dropped out. GROSS: And the waitress delivering the corn pudding is the younger woman who's pursuing him. And I wound up never stopping. The six episodes follow a couple (played by Strong and Keegan-Michael Key) stumbling upon the titular magical town trapped in a Golden Age-era musical, and star an A-list cast of Broadway greats . STRONG: Well, first of all, just thank you for saying that. And we wrote a sketch, actually, that didn't make it onto the show. Why couldn't we cross? So here's another scene from "Schmigadoon!". JOST: (As himself) That's great. And so I want to play that scene 'cause it'll give a sense of how people just kind of break out into song around you and how you sometimes just chime right in. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Seriously, please? is initially really charmed by the idea that they're, like, living in a world of a musical. Thanks for finally letting a woman on late-night TV. We live in Brooklyn. I got the recipe. We can't wait to make him watch it - with Cinco and Ken. You know, the first show we did, we did the table read on Wednesday. It was Gardner's first time, and her eyes widened as a pile of men in short shorts burst into a number . I think I took my first drama class when I was 3. And my mom made a little poster for me for my room growing up that said Cecily on Broadway. GROSS: And he's not just a Broadway producer. I was so, like, mad that no one was letting me have my rehearsal. It's - so I just don't know for sure yet. What - my parents put me in one, I should say. So - but I definitely feel more anxious again. And the first morning that you're there, you're having breakfast on the porch. I feel like my bubble just burst recently. And that's according to doctors, Michael Che. And we both enjoy malapropisms, I think, as much as each other, so it's a lot of that. Strong achingly conveys her fears of loss and uncertainty, as well as the emotional scars left by a physically . . Why couldn't we cross? It's brought me such pleasure at a time when I think we all need some pleasure. Farmer McDonough craved a son. Sure, she's popped up in small cameos for shows like Angie Tribeca , Superstore, and Scream . So they'll be - I think that'll brighten her day. Cecily Strong is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer who has a net worth of $4 million. I mean, first of all, it's really funny to have someone who hates musicals be stuck in a musical but also for him to be the eyes and ears of the people unlike me, who don't love musicals. Strong also has a new memoir called "This Will All Be Over Soon." And so in the spirit of turning your life into a musical, I just want to play the opening theme from your podcast, "Make Him Watch It. GROSS: All right. STRONG: Yeah. And like, hi, I haven't seen you. You want to try with other people? GROSS: They didn't connect to the world I lived in. And I'd go, well, tonight I'm going to either - I'll just keep driving. PAUL: From your mouth to God's ears. total viewers were 4.1 million after three weeks lingering around 3.7 million. . UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) I got us corn puddin'. And so it's like, I knew I was kind of - it wouldn't last, this safety that I was feeling by being vaccinated. Let's start with "Schmigadoon!," which is filled with references to classic musicals, like "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "The Music Man," "The Sound Of Music" and, of course, "Brigadoon." - which is now streaming on Apple TV+. I was a new cast member. Thanks for finally letting a woman on late night TV. It's very beautiful there. PAUL: Well, it's kind of crazy. I'm also - love the show and get a lot of joy from it. CHE: (As himself) Yeah, OK. Can you just please tell us about the candidates? We're not going to spend another minute in this town. STRONG: Well, thank you so much. And it's like, you don't know what corn puddin' is? And it would, like, end in some crazy, like, exclamation. Like, you know? And, like, I'll never understand why they took joy in that because it was such a huge and awful moment in my life. The women are wearing long, colorful prairie dresses with big petticoats. So you're back on Fox? So we just were relying on testing. It's an ode to those songs. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. And I'm now back to worrying about someone I love with COVID. Developed by Cinco Paul and Ken . I'm like, well, live with my brother for a week and tell me you don't think psych meds are good. What did it feel like to be honest and say, I'm not ready, I can't do it yet? And so it makes me want to, like, poke harder. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) It's just a lover's spat. And you can't have love without having a lover's spat. She is also the longest-tenured female cast member in the show's history. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. I love the show so much. - in late September usually. It was like as soon as I started singing, I knew what to say. It was my first year talking with Colin. And, like, those are usually boring, too, and I never really understand the function that they serve. But I certainly - I remember getting to go backstage after "Secret Garden." We'll hear from the co-creator of "Schmigadoon!" That's called a bubble standard. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Come on. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key star as a couple of trying to reinvigorate their relationship by going on a hike designed for couples who need to reconnect. STRONG: (As The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party) And I'm sorry - if I could play devil's advocate for just a second, I think we all know the real reason Julian Assange is in jail, and that's 'cause she's a woman. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) Are you serious? She's taken all these concepts and just turned them into something confusing and wrong that she's very passionate about. Was this all through movies? MICHAEL CHE: (As himself) With the election only two weeks away, both candidates are trying to get a final message out there to their supporters. I'm also - love the show and get a lot of joy from it. And I should mention here that you now - you bought a home in the Hudson Valley, which is outside of New York City. PAUL: He was not a fan. People don't just burst into song in real life," complains Josh ( Keegan-Michael Key) to girlfriend Melissa ( Cecily Strong) early in the new . And anything I can do to help (laughter) would make me feel very good. Paul will be the showrunner and Daurio is a consulting producer. They just performed, you know? Can we skip that and get to the good stuff? I did a driver's-ed video for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. I saw "Once Upon A Mattress," which I absolutely loved and really wanted to do. That was weird. I love the show so much. And I think it's wrong to throw those kids out. A powerful memoir from the Saturday Night Live cast member Cecily Strong about grieving the death of her cousinand embracing the life-affirming lessons he taught heramid the coronavirus pandemic. (Singing) Some men like to fight and curse. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) No. But that's really where it deepened into something different. I think it'll - honestly, I think she'll be so touched to hear that from you, too. In case you are wondering about his identity, Jack is an international traveler. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) Then she complains that he don't understand her. It was all just this crazy bad timing. (As characters, singing) Just 'cause you feuded don't mean that you're concluded. Yes, he is not anyone from the film industry. Yeah, I got handcuffed and brought to a cop car and taken to the station. We'll be right back. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Guys, we're actually in the middle of something. that's streaming on Apple TV+, and she has a new memoir. But they both soon realize they're trapped in Schmigadoon, where life is a musical. Cecily Strong is unsure about her future at Saturday Night Live after nine seasons on the iconic sketch comedy series. PAUL: You know, he's amazing, and he's so tender, and he loves cooking. You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. And I think, you know, whatever name is next to an Emmy nomination, it still feels like everybody there is a part of that - why there's a nomination. So you're not in the middle of New York City right now. And whenever a musical theater song would somehow pop up in my mix, he would say, skip. We'll be right back after we take a short break. I'm Terry Gross. And I think she's doing well. This is FRESH AIR. And, like, we're ending someone's, like, educational career right now in this moment, and you're playing a game with it. is a weird show. The off . How did it affect your sense of self to be arrested and to be expelled and to think, maybe, you wouldn't even graduate high school? STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Then what are you saying? Viewers noticed that longtime cast member Cecily Strong was missing from the show and its opening credits sparking rumors of her exit. 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