The Award-Winning sitcom Abbott Elementary has quickly become a fan favorite, with people excitedly awaiting Wednesday night to see what new shenanigans the gang are up to. As someone who has been watching this show since it aired in 2021, I can honestly say that it has only gotten better with time. And with the trajectory that it is on, it will likely thrive for the next 5, to even 10 years. How has this show been able to attain the longevity that other modern sitcoms have not? Easy. Let’s delve into it!!!!
1. The Relatable & Lovable Characters
All the Abbott characters are reminiscent of people that you have encountered in real life.
Barbara is that seasoned yet warm teacher who students always end up growing attached to. Jacob is that ally you know who tries a litttttttttle too hard to be “down”. And Mr. Johnson is that wise but random older guy in your community with thousands of miscellaneous stories. This familiarity makes it so easy to fall in love with these characters and root for them as if they are people we know. Because we do!
2. The Accuracy
Quinta Brunson, showrunner, writer, and star of this beloved sitcom creates plotlines based on experiences and stories that she acquired from actual teachers. Brunson’s mother, whom she based the character of Barbara Howard on, was a dedicated elementary school teacher. Brunson pulls stories from both her mom and her teacher friends to make the show feel as real as possible. As an avid watcher and lover of the show, this is a huge part of what makes the show so enjoyable. A lot of the storylines are some that I’ve experienced as a student in elementary and middle school.
3. Heartwarming Storylines
Abbott Elementary advertises itself simply as a workplace comedy, but as the episodes progress, viewers become very interested in the heartbreaks and the emotional moments that are embedded in the storyline. Ava, for example, begins the series viewed as an incompetent & coldhearted principal. But in latter episodes, the viewers see her dedication to taking her of her sick grandmother, her genuine care for both her students and “work family” and most recently, her frayed relationship with her father. The writer’s and actor’s ability to create three-dimensional black characters in a workplace sitcom is something that does not go overlooked (well, by me at least).
4. Reference to Previous Sitcoms
Abbott Elementary is repeatedly described as “the black (version of the) office”. This is due to the fact that it is shot as a mockumentary. This comparison was always weird to me because there are several shows shot in this style, but only Abbott gets referred to as another version of the office.
In my opinion, Abbott Elementary is the most similar to the sitcom Parks and Recreation. Janine is strikingly similar to Parks and Recreation’s main character, Leslie Knope, with both of them being overly ambitious, awkward, and quirky. Gregory, the main male lead, has stark similarities to Ben from Parks and Rec. with both of them having monotone, odd, and strangely calming personalities. Because Quinta sticks to these archetypes that have been proven successful, Abbott Elementary was an continues to be an instant hit.
Quinta isn’t shy in admitting that other sitcoms and comedians directly influence the way that she writes the jokes and punchlines present in the show. In fact, in the upcoming episode next year, this show is doing a collaboration with the critically acclaimed sitcom, Its Always Sunny in California.
5. The Child Actors
The many, many children who act on Abbott Elementary make the show 1000x more enjoyable, in my opinion. They are such excellent actors and thus make it easy to get fully immersed in the show. Whether it’s the first-grade actors in Barbara’s class or the sixth graders in Jacob’s class, all of them pull their weight acting-wise. I look forward to seeing them and their hilarious facial expressions & delivery when the show returns next year.
6. The Guest Stars
After Abbott Elementary started gaining traction in its very first season, it began incorporating popular celebrities and influencers as recurring or one-time characters on the show. From established movie stars like Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Hart, and Leslie Odom Jr., to iconic sports players like basketball player Andre Iguodala, and football players Jason Kelce and Jalen Hurts, this show has had some brilliant cameos. In addition, this show gives platforms to both emerging and long-time influencers/social media personalities who have gained a following from their comedic posts, i.e. Zack Fox, Vince Staples, Sabrina Brier, Casey Frey, and many more.
If you haven’t already, make sure to tune into Abbott Elementary on ABC Wednesdays at 9:00pm EST, or start binge-watching on Hulu or (HBO) Max.
The show is currently on mid-winter break and will return at 8:30 on January 8th, 2025!
Sincerely, your favorite trendy girl,
That Trendy Black Girl🎀 
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