Awarded for the Television Critics Association Best Program of the Year, for its first two years in production, Abbott Elementary has been slowly rising to the top charts of comedy sitcom series. As it gains popularity it is fascinating to see the growth of the plot line, characters, relationships, and even the romance, albeit a subplot that is painstakingly slow. With its humorous flair and lovable characters the show’s lure doesn’t need to be justified—the three Emmys and Golden Globes speak for themselves.
The mockumentary of diverse teachers putting up with the school system and their various debacles was created by Quinta Brunson. Brunson stars in the show as Janine Teagues and is also the executive producer and co-writer. In many interviews, Brunson said that her mother’s teaching career of 40 years inspired her to create Abbott Elementary, which is set in her hometown, Philadelphia. The show is named after Joyce Abbott, one of Brunson’s elementary school teachers. The show’s way of entrancing viewers while bringing light to the tribulations teachers experience forms parallels between everyday teachers and students. So has the buzz of Abbott reached North Atlanta?
Sophomore Ella Jaye has no problem expressing her love for the sitcom. Jaye came across the show because a family friend suggested it and soon after, she started watching Abbott with her family over the weekends. Their love for sitcoms enthralled them and Abbott’s elements kept them tuning in constantly. Abbott’s weekly aired episodes give her something to look forward to especially since it comes with family bonding time and seeing her favorite character, Janine, on the screen. “It is the perfect show for a family,” she said.
From a teacher’s perspective, AP World History teacher Caitlin Tripp notices the relatability of Abbott and admires the fact that they have it a lot worse than herself most days, and for her, it’s a nice “hey, it could be worse” moment. Tripp was intrigued immediately when the show first came out because of the connection between teachers and the environment of a school. Her love for the show stems from the relationships between the staff and how they support one another. Tripp relates to the love she has for kids, wanting to make learning creative and fun and having teammates she relies on, and it is no surprise that her favorite character is Barbra Howard. Tripp won’t be shocked if the show lasts a while because of the show’s heartfeltness and genuine emotion making many want to tune in. “One thing Abbott has addressed well is the tendency of people to get hired because of who they know rather than what they can do—it doesn’t happen constantly, but it happens,” she said. “People get hired for all kinds of jobs because they can talk a big game but then don’t know how to show up and do the work for students. Ava’s storyline is…not a surprise.”
The show’s appeal transcends demographics, drawing in viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Abbott has firmly secured its place as a beloved fixture in the world of television, leaving an indelible mark on viewers and critics alike. Abbott Elementary stands as a testament to the power of authentic storytelling and relatable characters in the realm of sitcoms.
