Charlie Garner

Opinion Editor

avg6206@psu.edu

With the third season of “Abbott Elementary” premiering soon on February 7, I thought it would be the perfect time to discuss my opinions on the show. 

“Abbott Elementary” is a mockumentary sitcom that follows a group of devoted teachers working together at an underfunded Philadelphia public school where, despite their struggles and hardships, they still do everything they can to aid their students and each other. And with a self-serving and incompetent principal, that makes the situation even more of a challenge for the teachers at Abbott. The show may seem like something you have already seen one hundred times- a mockumentary style show in a workplace setting- but I promise that it does not seem that way when you watch it and it is absolutely worth your viewing time. 

First of all, the show is absolutely hilarious. It has some of the best comedy writing out of any recent sitcom I have seen. The character that brings out most of the humorous moments in the show is Ava Coleman, the principal of Abbott Elementary. She may be terrible at her job but, man, is she funny. She is the biggest comedic relief of the show and it makes it very difficult to dislike her. And, sometimes, she has her moments and pulls through and supports the teachers at Abbott. Even though Ava is the main comedic highlight, all of the other characters shine comedically as well. 

Along with being funny, “Abbott Elementary” is also extremely heartwarming and tackles very real topics and struggles within the American public school education system. Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of the show, told the Los Angeles Times “It’s a bigger commentary on America’s treatment of the lower classes” and that could not be more true, especially in places that have predominantly Black communities. The show does not shy away from this and makes it something to keep bringing up to make it stick with the audience. 

One of the main highpoints of the show for me is certainly the cast. The main character, Janine Teagues, is an overly positive second grade teacher who is always going out of her way to fix problems and tries to do what is right, which proves to cause annoyance to the other characters. Janine is the sunshine of the show, but there is more depth to her character as you continue to watch it. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter give amazing performances as Barbara Howard and Melissa Schemmenti. Barbara is a no-nonsense kindergarten teacher that turns out to have a big soft side and Melissa is a character that is a tough and boisterous woman, but really cares about her second grade students unconditionally. On paper, these two characters would seemingly not be a great pair, but their friendship is honestly so wholesome and I love when these two characters are on screen together. Chris Perfetti portrays a slightly pretentious, but well-intentioned and knowledgeable teacher named Jacob Hill. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory Eddie, who starts out as a temporary substitute but ends up being a permanent teacher. We get to see him grow and develop throughout the two seasons and his connections to the other characters make him super likable. And, as I mentioned before, Ava Coleman is the principal of Abbott and is played by Janelle James. Janelle James IS Ava Coleman. I think the whole show was perfectly casted, but I especially feel this way about Ava’s character. The relationships and dynamics between all of the characters are certainly a huge part of what makes the show as successful as it is and it is amazing to watch this cast work together.

With its messages, humor, chemistry with the characters, and so many other factors, it is not hard to see why this show has great ratings and is gaining in popularity. “Abbott Elementary” is a very realistic show with very realistic struggles and it gives a valid critique on the education system that it is not afraid to shy away from. 

Make sure to catch the first episode of the next season coming out February 7!