It airs Tuesdays on ABC, and everyone should be watching. It is created by and stars Quinta Brunson, who is absolutely hilarious! Her writing and performance show the makings of a new household name in comedy.
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style show with side interviews, direct to camera side-eye, the whole shebang. This style of sitcom has created some of the most beloved sitcoms in recent years, like The Office (9 seasons), Modern Family (11 seasons) and Parks and Recreation (7 seasons). With all its heart and jokes, this new primetime sitcom has the potential to be on air for many years to come.
Centring around six faculty members at the sitcom’s namesake school, Abbott Elementary explores the failings of American Education Systems that lack proper funding and resources. In that sense, Quinta Brunson’s protagonist, Janine Teagues, is very similar to Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation because she is determined to do with what she has and stay optimistic.
While taking place in Philadelphia, Abbott Elementary pokes fun at the education system’s failings while also critiquing those failings in earnest. The main characters’ dedication to the school and their students is enough to make you root for them. However, their character quirks and peaks into their personal lives make you fall in love with them, flaws and all.
Tyler James William is home in this genre: his delivery and facial expressions add a Jim Halpert (of The Office) to the mix. His and Quinta Brunson’s onscreen chemistry is palpable as a version of the quintessential The Office ship: Jam and Pam. They start very similarly to the famous Office couple: Brunson’s character, Janine, is in a long-term relationship with someone who does not fully appreciate her and William’s character, Gregory, pines for her quietly while offering friendship. It’s cute, it’s hopeful, it’s funny.
The senior teachers, Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter), are depicted as thicker skinned and stronger stock than the younger teachers. Janine idolizes Barbara and thinks of her as a mentor. Although Barbara will guide Janine, when need be, she is reluctant – why? Well, Barbara has plenty of other things to do. Her expert with children is clear from the get-go as her children are always much more well-behaved than the other classes. Melissa is the Italian with all the underground connections. Melissa is harsh but fair – the kind of woman to take no crap because she’s done that before, and what had it gotten her? Nothing.
The useless but hilarious principal, Ava, is played by comedian Janelle James whose stand-up comedy style shines through in her performance. Ava is nothing but laughs whenever in the room, her ego is huge, her sexual energy is on fire, and her money handling is terrible. Ava is the perfect stand-in for government incompetence regarding the support of public-school teachers in the United States.
Quinta Brunson has created something that wide audiences can enjoy. Majority of westerners have been to school and understand the kind of hoops teachers jump through to provide proper education. Teachers are fundamental in growing up: most people have fond memories of when learning clicked for them at school. Yet, teachers are extremely underpaid for the hours and effort they’re putting into their classrooms and extracurriculars. Abbott Elementary is hopefully a beacon for people to realize that schools and teachers deserve better resources, and the children need a healthy, stable learning environment to thrive.