Abbott Elementary

Been there*, laugh at that.

* Well, close. The Philadelphia elementary school that my wife worked in and our son attended was in Center City, not South Philly, with a more mixed enrollment (racially and economically), but all the targets of Quinta Brunson’s humor ring true. She’s wonderful in the lead role, too.


We love the show. My wife is a teacher and recognizes all the characters. 

A couple (the principal in particular) are kind of broad caricatures but I’m hoping they get some nuance in the future. We’re only 5 episodes in so maybe it’s already happened. 


Agreed about the caricatures, and the principal is by far the least credible. But she starts getting in more wisecracks that make it clearer she’s no fool.


(And as the son of a landscaper, I can vouch for the authenticity of Episode 7.)


Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Streaming where?

It’s television program on ABC. Just put up an antenna. 

We’re watching on Hulu though. 


We both teach and really enjoy it.  Agree that the principal started out as a bit over the top.

The janitor needs more air time!


mrincredible said:

We love the show. My wife is a teacher and recognizes all the characters. 

A couple (the principal in particular) are kind of broad caricatures but I’m hoping they get some nuance in the future. We’re only 5 episodes in so maybe it’s already happened. 

one of the teachers has his principal certificate and is trying to get a principal job..so i'm thinking they are going to phase out the cartoon act principal and promote the teacher in a season or 2


jmitw said:

one of the teachers has his principal certificate and is trying to get a principal job..so i'm thinking they are going to phase out the cartoon act principal and promote the teacher in a season or 2

Even though Everybody Hates Chris?


jmitw said:

one of the teachers has his principal certificate and is trying to get a principal job..so i'm thinking they are going to phase out the cartoon act principal and promote the teacher in a season or 2

I’m going to predict that he finds out that being a teacher is personally fulfilling and he puts off looking for a principal job. But maybe it’s a season-ending cliffhanger that he has an offer at a different school and we don’t know if he’s going to leave or not. 

Principal Coleman is a good foil for the teachers at the moment. But it would be interesting to see her lose her principal job then wrangle a teaching job to stick around. 


DaveSchmidt said:

jmitw said:

one of the teachers has his principal certificate and is trying to get a principal job..so i'm thinking they are going to phase out the cartoon act principal and promote the teacher in a season or 2

Even though Everybody Hates Chris?

word


the one with the principal cert was seen making improvements (this week/last week)..his class was doing bad at math, he got advice from more experienced teacher and his class and the other staff warmed up to him..i think his name is gregory eddie on the show


jmitw said:

i think his name is gregory eddie on the show

As a child actor, he portrayed a young Chris Rock on Everybody Hates Chris.


My niece directed two episodes of the show one of which aired already (the guest artist one). She only agrees to direct high quality shows with immense talent. 


Enjoying this based on all of your recommendations.

Reminds so much of The Office, with the documentary device, the Principal/Michael Scott character, the Janine and Gregory/ Pam and Jim chemistry, the janitor/warehouse supporting cast.


It's definitely not breaking any new ground there, and I've been wondering since the pilot how much of my enjoyment is due to all the Philly asides. Its national popularity came as a bit of a surprise to me, but the public school gallows humor must be hitting home for lots of viewers.

ETA: And where The Office was fueled by cynicism, Abbott runs on optimism.


I'm enjoying this show, too. Makes me smile and also hits home every week.


I've been watching it, too. I can't watch more than 2 or 3 episodes at a time. I find it depressing: the characters are situations are wacky and funny but those are real children in those classrooms. Seeing a young child pee on the rug out of anxiety or from lack of attention to his needs is despairing. But it's very funny at times. 


The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

I've been watching it, too. I can't watch more than 2 or 3 episodes at a time. I find it depressing: the characters are situations are wacky and funny but those are real children in those classrooms. Seeing a young child pee on the rug out of anxiety or from lack of attention to his needs is despairing. But it's very funny at times. 

There have only been 8 episodes aired thus far with the 9th airing tomorrow evening.


“Philadelphia-style pizza has five things.”

Cracked. Me. Up.


I especially look forward to the 3/22 episode as the director is near and dear to my heart (it's the second one she directed). 



In order to add a comment – you must Join this community – Click here to do so.