GROSS: What was the impact of that on you? It became my community, you know. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) In Schmigadoon. The reason there's a nomination is because it was a really strong year during a really tough time. He's a queer one, that man o' mine. We'll be right back after a short break. It was like as soon as I started singing, I knew what to say. And this is from the February 20, 2017, edition of "Saturday Night Live." She has no clue that he's gay, but she knows that, you know, he's different from the other men. STRONG: (As Melissa) This was literally me in high school. Strong, who joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 2012, received several accolades for her impersonations of Melania Trump, Fox News host, Judge Jeanine Pirro, and many others. And I'm now back to worrying about someone I love with COVID. Thanks for finally letting a woman on late night TV. What's YOUR favorite Ceci. It just felt like, I've fallen through the cracks. But also, I remember singing "Singin' In The Rain" for the first time as a kid and Donald O'Connor doing "Make 'Em Laugh," and I thought that was the greatest thing I'd ever seen in my life. 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? GROSS: Yeah, he's great in it. and "The Lorax.". In her second season, she co-anchored "Weekend Update" with Seth Meyers and then Colin Jost. The star appeared on The . And then just being loud and over annunciating and trying to have a stern look, you know? She's now starring in the new series "Schmigadoon! She is also the longest-tenured female cast member in the show's history. And then it was just such a gift. When I went to - they called me down to security to say they'd found my bag. And, you know, their - a lot of their movies were kind of musicals. And new flash, Michael - 40% of children are just their legs. But she left the desk, preferring to do sketch comedy, which she's great at. This Mueller report completely exonerated the president, and therefore everybody on the Trump train - woo, woo (ph). JOST: That's great. Disha Kandpal. GROSS: Cecily Strong, welcome to FRESH AIR. It was so funny, and I just loved it. "Saturday Night Live" picked up around 400,000 viewers on Saturday from the previous week. And he was trying to help me find things. But she kept going, what? Corn, corn, corn, corn, corn puddin'. Schmigadoon! So it is more of a romantic comedy, and it can be more about, what does love mean? So right away I was like, oh, God. And the first morning that you're there, you're having breakfast on the porch. She has over 500k followers on her Instagram. STRONG: No because it wasn't like they were not emotional thoughts, you know? UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) It's just a lover's spat. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble, singing) And it may be a waste. I guess I knew it as a job. And, you know, she talks about, like, other men are really harsh and - but he's gentle, you know, like a lacy valentine. I'm Terry Gross. CHE: (As himself) So I assume you're not happy with the election. Let's get back to my interview with Cecily Strong. She's always got a very gravely serious affectation. And then it took a while to really understand, here's all of the things we're going to put in place, here's all the safety measures, until I finally felt safe. Our digital media producer is Molly Seavy-Nesper. A married couple, played by Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key, have gotten lost in the woods and emerged to find themselves in a small town called Schmigadoon. 'Cause Kevin can wait, but Syrian refugees can't, OK? during the pandemic. And for her, it's all these really positive qualities. Barry Sonnenfeld directs and executive produces. We live in Brooklyn. I was a new cast member. I wish I could free him so I could finally see him the way he truly is and let him shine. During a 2021 interview with Terry Gross on the National Public Radio program Fresh Air, she said that because her uncle is a Broadway producer, as a child she often got to go to . You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. I think with the school, this new superintendent came in, and she made it her thing to have zero tolerance. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Seriously, please? I met Daisy Eagen. So here's another scene from "Schmigadoon!". I'm Terry Gross. You know, the first show we did, we did the table read on Wednesday. I met Daisy Eagen. And so it makes me want to, like, poke harder. GROSS: To make your point about being a good student, you were a National Merit-commended scholar based on your PSATs. PAUL: You know, he's amazing, and he's so tender, and he loves cooking. total viewers were 4.1 million after three weeks lingering around 3.7 million. Talking about her love interest, Cecily Strong's Partner is Jack. And it was like, now let's read our sketches and see - and then, like, have to film them all by Saturday. So if he wants my puddin', he'll have to marry me. If I think that he's laughing at something, I'll want to hit that harder. Terry, I have to say it is so meaningful to me that you like the show and that you responded to it like this. If you're a nerd, just be a nerd. Here to explain is Jeanine Pirro. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) So you're ready to give up on us because of what a leprechaun said? And this is from the February 20, 2017, edition of "Saturday Night Live." And is it hard for you to keep a straight face when he's having trouble keeping a straight face? PAUL: From your mouth to God's ears. And she recommends the corn puddin'. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) First, she said something bad to get his gander. Saturday Night Live cast member Cecily Strong will provide an exclusive preview of her new memoir, "This Will All Be Over . (Carolyn Van Houten / Chicago Tribune) . I wish your mother well. Strong also has a new book that will be published tomorrow called "This Will All Be Over Soon." COLIN JOST: (As himself) Fox News personality Judge Jeanine Pirro returned to television tonight after being suspended two weeks for controversial comments about a Muslim congresswoman. GROSS: So when does a decision have to be made? Production Photos See Emmy Nominee Cecily Strong Take the Stage in Los Angeles Run of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. GROSS: And who did you think of as being the girl? GROSS: But the mayor's wife sings a song that's called "He's A Queer One, That Man O' Mine." UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) It's just a lover's spat. OK, so here's "He's A Queer One," and this is Ann Harada singing. And then my uncle is also a Broadway producer. GROSS: Yeah. And then it ends in a very - you know, Ann does an amazing job with the song, and it ends in a really sweet spot - right? And it's only recently that are - there are actually musicals about gay people who are out of the closet. In "Schmigadoon!," a musical comedy about musical theater starting a six-episode run Friday on Apple TV+, Cecily Strong and Keegan Michael-Key play Melissa and Josh . now and Cecily's character really likes to get involved in people's lives, she helps push him to, you know, proclaim to the whole town who he really is. GROSS: A turning point in your young life (laughter) was in 1999 when you were a sophomore in high school. And I was enjoying watching it so much. Yum. is a weird show. SNL's Cecily Strong stars in it as Melissa and is also a producer. And so we play with that trope as well. And she has a new memoir called "This Will All Be Over Soon." And we just thought it was so funny, and it was a fun way to play her. You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. You have to do people that everybody knows. So how much do you love musicals? UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) And then he gives her a smack. So we just were relying on testing. Strong has been a cast member of "Saturday Night Live" since 2012. During a recent . And you know, everybody that was there was supposed to be there. He's . UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #5: (As character) Did somebody say corn puddin'? And it is - it still feels a bit like controlled chaos, on "Update" especially, where it feels kind of fresh, and we're not exactly sure what's going to happen. Why couldn't we cross? UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) Oh, she sure would like a taste. STRONG: Yeah. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble, singing) And it may be a waste. STRONG: Oh, totally. GROSS: Well, listen. 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. He co-wrote, co-created and wrote all the songs for the satire of musicals called "Schmigadoon!" Cecily Legler Strong (born February 8, 1984) is an American actress, comedian, producer, author, and singer. And then to be on those sets that were also gorgeous and then to be with this amazing group of people - and we are able to do musicals in a time when Broadway is shuttered, and that's so depressing to walk next to. "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life . STRONG: (As Jeanine Pirro) And Colin, I just want to take this opportunity to say hi to my super fans out there. STRONG: Yeah, absolutely I do. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) Are you serious? And it's - I'm a bad person. ", (SOUNDBITE OF PODCAST, "MAKE HIM WATCH IT"). Because, I mean, we shot last fall, so that wasn't even - I didn't even know we'd get to be vaccinated. And my roommates - my COVID roommates, Matt (ph) and Kevin - were helping me shoot everything. I mean, the season starts - what? And I'd go, well, tonight I'm going to either - I'll just keep driving. So, you know, I'm - I would love to do it. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #2: (As character, singing) Every steak's bound to have some fat. And, you know, everybody that was there was supposed to be there. She grew up visiting him backstage . It wasn't like I'm pulling out. GROSS: And the waitress delivering the corn pudding is the younger woman who's pursuing him. Outside of SNL, Cecily Strong hasn't really established an especially large presence in Hollywood. This is FRESH AIR. So I'd like you to talk a little bit about what you think of those moments in musicals where you have to sing about food or a picnic or a clambake. So we just were relying on testing. It went to dress and not to air. And then one is the older sort of father figure love interest, you know, that you see in "King And I" and "Sound Of Music" and "South Pacific." And I always wanted to be an actor since I was little. And it would, like, end in some crazy, like, exclamation. PAUL: Well, I thought it was really important. He's a queer one, that man o' mine. I've never caught him looking at other gals more young, petite or fine. So I've gotten to see a lot of his . during the pandemic. So it wasn't, like, a big shock or anything I thought would - you know, that it was something she couldn't deal with. GROSS: Oh, that's nice of you to say. Her characters have included Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Melania Trump and the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. Then I kind of want to, like, go further. So it was really important for the show to have that perspective. It's like, why are we learning this? STRONG: You know, luckily, I have producers there and and Lorne, too, and I feel very taken care of by the show. It's streaming on Apple TV+. STRONG: No. And then my uncle is also a Broadway producer. Our interview was recorded in August. Courtesy: Apple TV+. So this starts - this clip will start with Cecily Strong speaking, and I should say that the mayor's last name is Menlove. So a few weeks after talking to Cecily Strong about starring in the series, I spoke with Cinco Paul, who wrote all the songs. This is FRESH AIR. ANN HARADA: (As Florence Menlove) That's a good question. GROSS: Reports are that you're not sure whether you're going back to "SNL" in the fall. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble, singing) Never had had corn puddin'. 4. During her youth, she often attended Broadway shows, thanks to her uncle's career as a Broadway producer, and she sometimes got to meet the casts. But to then think I'm - not only do I not fit in, I'm not welcome. Please, no song. 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. I can hear you. KEN DAURIO: (Singing) Some Cinco hasn't seen, too. I think there's nothing more thrilling than hearing Terry Gross likes (laughter) your show and (laughter) enjoys it and it has joy from it. The townspeople are singing and dancing as if they're in an old musical. This past summer, Strong published a memoir called "This Will All Be Over Soon." 1 year ago. You put the corn in the puddin' and the puddin' in the bowl. Cinco Paul, who also wrote all the songs, after we take a short break. (SOUNDBITE OF GEORGE SHEARING'S "THINKING OF YOU"). Oh, he'll have to marry me. ", "Carousel," "The Music Man," "The Sound Of Music," "South Pacific" and "Brigadoon." PAUL: Yeah, that was part of the curriculum somehow. Like, he doesn't look at other women. STRONG: And it would, like, end in some crazy, like, exclamation. Talk about the process of writing that. And I was really, like, a kid who sort of wanted to stay under the radar, anyway. He co-created and co-wrote the series with Ken Daurio. STRONG: (As The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party) Hello, Michael Che. - about a couple who find themselves trapped in a small town from the early 1900s where life is a musical. And then I thought, what if these two modern guys, instead of stumbling on a town that has a werewolf, stumbled on a town that was in a musical? And I should mention here that you now - you bought a home in the Hudson Valley, which is outside of New York City. Can we please go now? Cecily Strong attends the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards at L.A. LIVE on September 19, 2021 in Los . Do you remember it? - because, you know, every kid wants to go to California. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. And we are able to do musicals in a time when Broadway is shuttered, and that's so depressing to walk next to. Was it your idea to do her, or did someone say, oh, you should do her? It's on or near the Hudson River. He's so different from other men. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #5: (As character) Did somebody say corn puddin'? 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 think I took my first drama class when I was 3. Trailer Developed by Cinco Paul and Ken . I wound up being lucky and getting to go to the Catholic school I went to. And he sings a song that kind of is a "Secret Love" kind of song (laughter) but PAUL: Yes, where he inadvertently reveals to Cecily's character that he's gay. Was it your idea to do her, or did someone say, oh, you should do her? Oh, he'll have to marry me. And it was like, I really was thinking about those two things as nice options and had to tell my mom. GROSS: I love the way mansplaining becomes, like, don't man-terrupt me. GROSS: Yeah. And so it feels like breakthrough infections are going to be a part of all of our lives soon, too. I saw "Once Upon A Mattress," which I absolutely loved and really wanted to do. Can we skip that and get to the good stuff? 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. ", which is a loving satire of classic musicals from the '40s and '50s. And in many ways, it's my wife. GROSS: Why don't we hear "Corn Puddin'"? STRONG: I said no, actually, at first to going to Vancouver and shooting because I was - I really was afraid, you know? GROSS: So your character in "Schmigadoon!" . Corn puddin'. Cecily Strong's new show (lovingly) pokes fun at 'problematic' Golden Age musicals. And then I remembered, like, hearing my straight, male friends talk about interactions that they'd had, like, with some girl that seems normal, and then it's like, oh, she just said something crazy, and how do I get out of this conversation? You know, she's always got a very gravely serious affectation. STRONG: It was awful. Let's get back to my interview with Cecily Strong, a star of the series "Schmigadoon!," which is a loving satire of classic musicals from the '40s and '50s that's streaming on Apple TV+. And I'm really - I'm so proud of everybody. And they're sitting on the porch and about to have breakfast, and they're asked if they want some corn pudding. GROSS: Like, among the shows he did was terrific revivals of "Music Man," which is, of course, referenced (laughter) in "Schmigadoon!" Strong mentioned that her uncle is a Broadway producer in a 2021 interview with Terry Gross on the NPR program Fresh Air, thus she was able to see several Broadway productions as a child and even go backstage . Stop. She stars in the new series "Schmigadoon!" 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Show & # x27 ; s your favorite Ceci stars in the new series `` Schmigadoon! completely exonerated president...
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