Why Abbott Elementary is 2022's stand-out sitcom
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2022
- Even at its funniest, Quinta Brunson's Abbott Elementary reminds us constantly that teachers’ work is never easy. There’s never enough money and there are no magic solutions. This focus on relatability ties into Abbott Elementary’s relationship with TV history. So what makes it so fresh, and popular?
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It’s so refreshing to see a show with normal Black people living normal and good lives. So rare and refreshing.
and soooo needed
South Side is also really good in that way.
Can you imagine that you're so fragile that you need fictional positive role models?
@@aishabintabubakr4944 the only fragile person here is you lmao
@@justagirl36
Not really. I can be called the n-word and not have a cow
Abbott is my favorite live action show cause it have a main cast of black people with 3 unambiguous black women leads and it doesn't revolve around black trauma
This
That part
Agreeeeee
And you'll note every "suggestion" on "what the show needs" is some BS from some jealous person who wants to undermine that.
and it manages to depict the problems with public schools having no funding etc without going down that trauma road, it’s still a joyful show
Speaking of how online trends are depicted on Abbott Elementary, I think Quinta's background in online journalism & entertainment gives her an edge in comparison to some other writers who only have an IDEA of what people are talking about online.
The desk-ing challenge is super realistic because this was something we actually did at my school before the internet
Buzzfeed was like media bootcamp for Quinta. From script writing, video editing, directing, set design, costuming, comedic timing, current events and trends all those years at buzzfeed polished Quinta into a powerhouse!
What I love about this show is that:
1) The show doesn't rely on racial stereotypes. They can write non-white characters living normal lives, just like their white counterparts.
2) Unlike a lot of shows that try show generational differences and fail horribly in such a tone deaf way, this show doesn't follow the "young people = bad, stupid, and privileged" or "old people = selfish, bitter, and ignorant" cliches. It's more honest.
3) It addresses and acknowledges the real issues of the American school system. I mean, I think it's the most honest portrayal of an elementary school that I've ever seen. This show is not afraid to be honest, and I love shows like that.
4) All of the characters, though flawed and imperfect, are pretty likable. None of the main characters are unbearable to watch. Even the principal, who's obviously the least likeable main character (for obvious reasons), is fun to watch.
5) The humor is smart and fantastic.
None of these comments are true.
The show is smart and The Office is smart.
The white characters are lame - and the butt of a ton of racial jokes.
The show invents issues about schools, which they know nothing about...like the writers aren't teachers and do not, and have not, worked in urban schools
I still remember in one episode where Ava said something about "Love after lockup" and "free puppy" which is a real show and person it was hilarious and relatable that her character watched a show I've seen.
Honestly, I dislike(d) Ava so much, every time she opened her mouth, I had to wrap a metaphysical shield around myself to block out her mean-spirited words.
The smart thing they did with her was making her one of the funniest characters on there. THAT, plus the step episode with her grandma kinda redeemed her in my eyes.
She's still my least favourite character... but I can actually stand her now... if that makes sense
@@Temzy17 That's pretty much how I feel about her too. She's the classic "narcissistic character who's so funny and/or sympathetic that viewers end up tolerating and even liking them" kind of character.
@@elizrebezilmadommdo1662 I just thought about how this same logic applies to Gina (if you watch Brooklyn 99). She's exactly this person, but whereas you can see Ava using her attitude as some kind of shield as a buffer to stop people from realising the true person she is, I don't get it with her. April from Parks and Rec is the same, although I haven't seen the whole show, so I can't say for sure.
My point is that this formula doesn't work on everyone... but considering the characters I've listed and how much other viewers love them, I think I might be in the minority 😅
This show manages to be cute, real, endearing, and hilarious
Indeed, I really love how warm and hilarious the storylines are, it's like a hug from a friend, if that makes sense. 💖💞
This literally is The (Black) Office
@@aishabintabubakr4944 way better
@@nalimlattarai2873
Not really
This show helps us realize that even those “hardass” elementary teachers we’ve had in life were super hard working and actually cared about us in their own ways
Abbott Elementary came out at right time when the world needs a comfort show in the midst of the chaos we are currently in
As an elementary school teacher myself, these situations are both hilarious and immensely relatable, since many similar events have either happened to me or one of my coworkers!
Girl I literally see you everywhere😭
@@Melissdan same but there really nice
Janine: "How do you and Barbara stop yourselves from caring too much if that's a thing?"
Melissa: "Because it's the opposite. We care so much we refuse to burn out . If we burn out, who's here for these kids? That's why you gotta take care of yourself."
That answer right there. That hits right at home.
I love watching it bc my mom has been an elementary school teacher in an underfunded area since before I was born so I understand all the situations too well lol
Ok, hearing that Quinta has a teacher mom makes total sense! I feel like, as a teacher, school shows are often so unrealistic, but watching this was actually realistic and hopeful.
oh yeah totally. I never saw a teacher being portrayed properly before this show.
I hope Ms. Brunson stays true to her vision because idiots have been bullying her since the third episode with 'suggestions' that would completely undermine the show and change it in ways that don't benefit. I mean some idiot white person said she should do a "a very school shooting special" episode where Black children should be canon fodder as motivation for lazy people to finally get active politically. Imagine the levels of contempt you must have to think it's OK to 'ask' to see Black people dying FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT! And that was just the latest in a long list I've seen sent to her on Twitter. Other people saying she should add to cast with certain groups of people -- who never reciprocate or initiate casting Black characters on THEIR shows of course. The disrespect is so prevalent.
@Strawberry’s Shortest cake What did she respond?
@Strawberry’s Shortest cake hundreds of shows have done episodes like that her show doing a episodes on school shootings isn't changing anything, nor is she obligated to do it. There other ways to get the message out without just relying on television.
wow 🥺 I didn't know that. I really hope she can stay authentic and gets the support she needs to create great tv
I was worried they would actually go for that sort of plot but reading about Quinta refusing to go for it was a relief. We deal with it enough on social media and the news so we should at least get a break from it from a lighthearted sitcom like this even with the realism.
Quinta is a brilliant writer and she needs to know that and back herself 1000%
I’m just so happy for Quinta because I’ve known them since the OG BuzzFeed with my favourite sketch being the one where she plays a version of ‘Real Housewives’ on the BuzzFeed Campus. They’re going places, have some form of creative control and setting an example for new and fresh voices. Also, Happy Pride Month!
Is Quinta non-binary?
@@ms.bubs4fun506 no
@@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913!!
@@ms.bubs4fun506 Quinta is a woman
Her* She*
No offence, but if you're pushing for correct identification and representation... how about using HER correct pronouns? 🙃
Abbott is special because it immediately destroys the "lone teacher who cares"
Actually we all care about our students and are, in the words of Mariah Carey, "Doing the best with what we got."
No one is alone and I really love how the show puts that to bed and focuses on all the people who bring education to their community.
As a Philadelphia native and having seen Quinta around the city literally just a few years ago I am so proud and happy for her! I love the show and wish it many more seasons 🥹💖
Yet another great thing about this show is that it's a cast of unknown/lesser known actors, and all of them are amazing.
Minus Tyler James Williams
I don't think this applies to Tyler James Williams tbh, he has had pretty iconic/well-known roles like Chris from Everybody Hates Chris and Cyrus from Let it Shine
I’m 37. I was a huge fan of the show Moesha (starring singer Brandy), Sheryl Lee Ralph was Moesha’s stepmom. They had a love/hate relationship. Other than her, I didn’t know the other actors and actresses.
Unrelated but I recognized mellisa from parent trap and it’s INSANE how little she has aged.
I can't think of any insightful comment to write so I'm not even gonna try, Abbott Elementary's just a really solid show. Genuinely so funny, the scene in the library where the teachers analyze Janine's love life is one of my favs, and we need to give more credit to the kid actors cause whether intentional or not they're so funny and realistic
I really do think the child actors are amazing and unlike any other I’ve seen
@@anvisriva1824 It's because the kid actors don't know they're on a show lol. They think Quinta and the others are actual teachers 😂
@@ellax325 yea she said dis lol
Yeah "The take" didn't even mention that Thursday kids are what makes this show special. They have some of the best one liners "ice... brrr"🤣😅😂
Thinking of your video on the problems with the teacher who cares trope I think Abbott is the redemption of that plot line by showing teachers who instead of crossing boundaries with their students (Ahem* Mr Shue) actually fight against institutional problems in the education system to better provide for their kids
Who else knew Quinta from buzzfeed? You go girl
When the janitor was teaching the children about the illuminati,. "Theses are the people that run the world" ,. That caught me so off guard. 😁 They literally had to have the janitor teach the teacher because they was short on teachers . And the circle time carpets, the mafia lady teacher was able to get them from the football arena the city was building.
Abbott was funny, authentic and relatable. Including to a wider audience. I’m from the UK never been in an American school but found it hilarious.
I just became a full time teacher last year, and this show was instantly relatable. Just a good time.
It’s worth talking about how Abbott Elementary is spotlighting people who are rarely represented. It may not “have to” be relatable, but for myself and so many others, it’s incredibly relatable BECAUSE it is intentionally different than all the other comedies mentioned in the video. And as a WOC who teaches in title one schools, the different situations the teachers go through parallels my work life hilariously.
I miss her on Black Lady Sketch Show but proud of her for this great new show
“Why are her pies wet, Lord?”
I just finally watched s3, and she makes an appearance 😀
It’s missing something since her departure. The first season was perfect. I’m glad she was given a chance to create on a larger network TV stage
As a former high school teacher it's fun to watch because like most professions, movies and tv rarely get a job profession correct but Abbott gets as close as you can get. It gets so many little things right. My favorite are the looks of the veteran teachers to the younger teachers because I was both and your outlook and demeanor change as well as the comment of how to pace yourself. When you first start you're energetic but can start to burn out fast in the year, teaching is a marathon but every day is a sprint and when you first start learning how to manage the year mentally is tough and you burn out around April. Once you have experience you learn how to pace yourself throughout the year.
The other thing I loved is how it shows the difference of managing a classroom. As a veteran teacher when I walked in the room I just had that presence, you gain it and students just instinctively know to listen whereas when you start you try different tactics, you're testing out how you want to run your classroom, takes time to get that voice and presence that automatically commands. It isn't even about volume, it's more of the tone and the show does that very well.
Lastly just the way they go about solving problems is so true to life. I had a SmartBoard projector but a classroom that wasn't built for technology so I had to figure out how to have chords run across the room while not violating fire code so I had carpets over chords, ran chords in different places, just to avoid fire code violations. It was ridiculous, the carpeting I used often didn't match, my students would make fun of it but it was all in fun and in the understanding that hey, it won't look pretty but it will get the job done. When a show can get a lot of the little things correct it makes it so much more fun to watch.
I love that despite this is a mockumentary, they still treat this show like a real documentary. The direction, the cinematography, the acting, etc are true to the core documentary. Unlike Modern Family where the "documentary" included taping the families sleeping and other private things.
im so proud of quinta she’s come so far
🙌🏾 yes she has and going further!
Ava reminded me a lot of Gina Linetti from Brooklyn 99. Same obsession with social media. Same nasty sense of humour. Same contempt for her job & colleagues and thinking she was made for better things. Same plot point of where you see a sensitive side of her and then all the characters are like "omg she's nice underneath it all" redemption arc within the episode. An amazing character though. Even similar episodes of the uncool character (Janine/Amy) needing the showmanship of the cooler character (Gina/Ava). Oh yes, not to forget the sexual harassment - Terry in Gina's case & Greg in Ava's case
Never saw that parallel. Great breakdown!
I thought Ava's character is a great combination of what you really see in all low quality admin where they blackmail to get or keep a powerful job. Schools have huge politics behind the scenes just like any other job. People always seem to see schools as like "safe" from drama or whatever because it's a school and it's like nope. I worked in a school where the teachers were really bad and they had blackmail on the principal who was afraid of them so they'd just teach when they felt like it, leave early with classrooms left alone full of high school kids, and there were like 5 parents waiting for an excuse to sue the school for sped violations. It's the same school that when I quit (4-5 years ago) "forgot" to send me my last paycheck and thought I wouldn't notice. I heard they got audited last year and they found some really corrupt union contract stuff with double dipping and weird financial stuff and oh boy. Glad I got out after a year.
Janine and Barbara also have a similar dynamic to Jake and Holt :D
I'm a teacher and this show is on point. I too have a mostly empty box of shitty scissors and empty glue. Literally having budget issues right now and losing programs. Who needs music, amiright... 😭
I'm so glad there's a show featuring teachers that doesn't include ridiculous high drama or clear abuses of our duty of care (looking at you Glee). Melissa and Barb are my new spirit animals. Hope to get that awesome in the next 10 years of my career.
I love Abbott Elementary. When I was a kid, most shows with majority black cast made the show about being black. Now, modern day, we’re seeing more shows with people of color being regular people. The fact that all the characters are different is a big deal to me. As a kid, I was a black science fiction and comic book nerd. Sometimes people of different races asked me why am I acting white when I was just being myself. I’m happy that black people aren’t considered tropes or basic stereotypes as much anymore. That’s a big part of what I like about shows like Abbott. Proof that people are just people.
I teach in an urban district and this is just SOOOO relatable! The issues and the different ways that teachers react to the struggles we face is spot on. We all know teachers like each one of the characters. And we have a diversity of staff (and administration). I absolutely ADORE this show and cannot wait for season 2.
whoa. the intricate level at which racial and class representation in television being driven so directly by the need for marketing to the most profitable demographic... i never put it together quite like that before. i've looked at bias in television in terms of class, race, and power dynamics, but my understanding was always more general, maybe even abstract. that one statement really shifted my understanding.
Ava is my favorite character. I want to know so much more about her but she keeps everyone at arms length with her giant personality. I can’t wait to get to know her more
This show really excells in being both escapist and realist. It displays the real social problems of underfunded schools; specifically in "the inner-city". Yet has endeauring enough characters where its not overly pessimistic about the state of the world in the way say The Wire approached education
Getting to the
"BLACK?? 🤨" "actually, it's pronounced Zack 😁" part in the series is when I knew the show was special 😂👌🏼 haha
This will be the best "why I left buzzfeed" 🥰😄
THIS IS MY SHOW!!!! Ms. Quinta is my hero! I have followed her career since her "You got Money" days.....Brilliant is an understatement !!!!!
its true the stakes feel much higher. i was FUMING at the peter rabbit thing
I love this show’s relatability. I went to a severely underfunded elementary school, and it was hard being a student there so I don’t even know how the teachers coped. Quinta and the rest of the cast did an amazing job and I am so happy for their mainstream recognition!😊🎊🎉
abbott elementary is such a breath of fresh air - I'm so tired of waiting 3+ years for an highly edited, cgi filled season from some mid netflix show. It's crazy how it's been less than a year and season 2 is only a few days away from being released. real tv is back!!
Same. I miss when television was actually good.
This show is pure genius!
Only came to post how I love this show, I thought I was alone though. I use to teach at an inner city middle school so this show really speaks to my heart, sometimes making me want to go back, sometimes making glad I'm not there anymore.
This show is so good and I think it's really cool that it's created by someone who first made a name for herself making videos on the internet
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇧🇷
I was dealing with a lot at home and my parents were loving but were dealing with issues of their own. Grade school was my oasis in a lot of ways. I received lots of attention for my positive for activities instead of the negative ones. Theses were inner city black teachers who were well read, talented and smart. They really cared about their students being well rounded, concerned about the world they lived in and making a difference in life, not in a big splash but in our everyday lives, even if that difference was treating ourselves and others with respect. The funny thing is even though it's been over 45 years since I've seen my grade school teachers I still remember them vividly. Abbott Elementary brings all that back. Oh yeah and it's funny as hell.
Everything Ava does is hilarious!!
Abbott Elementary has the same charm that gave Ted Lasso its edge. Just funny people doing normal stuff while being heartfelt and endearing. And I love it. I just binged this show and really look forward to where it can go
I find the show so relatable since I was a substitute teacher. I love how they tackle a lot of the issues I've witnessed in the school system, since they are 100% accurate. Plus, the comedy spun into it is so hilarious.
12:22 And I am not counting SIT DOWN! So realistic. That's an experienced teacher.
it is absolutely thrilling for me to see tyler williams and lisa ann walter on my tv screen in 2022 as someone who grew up watching and loving both of them
It’s honestly one of the most pleasant shows I’ve seen in a long time. Tuning in every Tuesday has been my ritual and I’ve greatly enjoyed the show.
I happened to work at an elementary school in Philly when they started advertising this show. It was fun picking up the Philly references and getting to know the charming characters within a school context, in the same way that I developed my familiarity with Philly life through my coworkers at the school (which was a lot grittier, to say the least). I could really tell the show came from a caring place, and absolutely love the support Quinta has brought to Philly schools after the success of her show. I have seen teachers and staff members go above and beyond, even through the difficulties of handling challenging students. All that to say that the show sure was definitely a highlight for me!
Plus, the kids are super adorable and very talented!
So glad you’re talking about this show. It’s great!
I clicked this so fast 😂 I saw Abbot Elementary and that’s all I needed to know
Omg that “old book” joke KILLED me, when I was in high school in the early 00s our social studies textbooks still featured the USSR
omg the money issue is what really annoys me in other sitcoms. i know they don't have to be realistic, but sometimes it just doesn't make sense character-wise
The Desking episode deserves and Emmy Nom.
Yay! You all and the folks who work for you do read the comment section and do videos based on that ! So appreciate you covering what makes this show great! As a teacher it’s beyond relatable and as a black person it’s so nice not seeing the struggle of slavery and black suffering yet again…it’s great to see black people just being normal and having different personalities. I read through the other comments and it’s really disgusting that some people on Twitter are harassing the creator of Abbott by telling her to do a school shooting episode? WTF is wrong with people? Turn on the news and you’ll see that reality. This is a light hearted show with a message-leave it at that!
I think the show 2 Broke Girls is an expectation to sitcoms and money. It was popular at the beginning because it was about characters who didn't have much money and it premiered shortly after the recession started.
SO glad to see such a quality show not only get made but get love and acclaim! May it continue!
I'm new to this show and I teach. This show makes me feel that I'm not the only teacher working in those conditions. This show makes me laugh alot!! Lol
reminds me if how scrubs was medically accurate. this show seems to rival it in that aspect of authenticity. it's super charming!
I worked in a hospital cafeteria for 5 years. And when I heard the doctors have their lunchtime convos, I flashbacked to Scrubs. 😂 I was a nursing student and then became an NA. So yeah... the medical accuracy and ways the doctors and nurses communicated was pretty on point. Definitely dramatized for entertainment. But way better than ER or Grey’s Anatomany and the sins they committed. 😅
I will say one thing about Grey’s; in the ED at my hospital everyone was indeed hooking up with each other. 😅
It totally feels more normal than other shows.
As someone who worked in education pre-pandemic, this show made me feel seen. Everyone might feel that the admin at 6:40 is supporting her teachers, but it's also a way for her to flex her own strengths as a leader of all of these "dedicated" teachers.
I taught kindergarten to High School students in both private and public schools for two decades. I always thought that elementary school kids are hilarious. Also, many of my former colleagues are so funny and unique that sometimes I felt like I was on a TV show. Abbott Elementary is a really genuine show and is hysterical. Thanks, Quinta!
I love this show! Barbara is(was) my mom. My educator cousins put me on this show and now we do a AE chat weekly. As a mixed race family it’s nice to see characters of color where it’s not just about the struggle and the work of education is shown for how desperate, noble and funny as it is.
I’m so proud of Quinta, I’ve been a fan since the buzzfeed days.
The desking episode was some of the best tv I’ve seen in years
they casted the right people
Ava is such a great character and I can not think of any actor to play her
Dosent anyone see Janine Teague as Leslie Knope? Both inspirational characters
Such a fun show. Hope it has a long run
This was great! Thank you for spotlighting this show 🙌
Quinta also helped co- write S1 of the Black Lady Sketch show. Equally brilliant
I've always thought one of the key to a comedy show is having characters whom you want to cheer for. The jokes by themselves aren't enough; it's the characters that keep people coming back for more.
I love Abbott Elementary so much! Thanks for making this video.
Love this show! Any scene with the principal is hilarious! She’s my favorite character!
I have never seen this show, but now i am interested!
I don't trust people that don't like Abbott Elementary
I hope they don't ruin the storyline in season 2
I love this show! Thx for covering!
i'm so happy for quinta and everyone involved 🥰🥰
whenever she talks about the show we can see how much though and care she put on this idea that is now a hit show
Came across a content where they interview actors if they would be in a different series what would it be and most of them answered Abbott Elementary. That sparked my curiosity why it’s popular and I never regretted watching its pilot. Lovin it and looking forward for the second season.
Yes appreciate this show 👏🏾👏🏾
The crazy part is the principal is a combination of REAL situations I've seen with principals I've witnessed in my work experience in the past. If you saw how lots of people get and stay in admin power, the ava's story isn't really weird or "out there".
so proud of quinta!!!
Ava is my favorite character.
A lot of public schools with majority Black students have majority female staff & administration; majority Black, female in certain cities.
i think it's my favorite show because of how it's so realistic about what being in public school is like. yes it sucks when funding is low, but guess what? it doesn't mean you're miserable all of the time. for me, i was always in underfunded public schools and you could absolutely tell. and despite that, despite being poor, i loved public school despite everything. i had terrible times, but i also had plently good and fun times that could only have happened in schools that didn't take education seriously due to lack of funds.
i feel like rich people don't actually understand this fact about being poor and in poor areas. being poor absolutely sucks and it's extremely stressful, and yet if you have people with you, you can make it fun and make it bearable. but that doesn't mean that being in these poor settings should be idolized and i deeply hate the trope of "poor but happy family" because it negates the real tragedy of being poor. i just wish people understood that we can both be miserable being poor but also making our own happiness is why we become fond of our childhoods. because a lot of my childhood was sad bc I was poor, but a lot of my childhood was happy because of how I had to deal with being poor and the things it brought me (pirated content lmao).
Abbott is just so honest about the public school system and specifically underfunded and predominately black schools. Living in the south, I have been to both predominately white and black schools as someone who is asian. and Abbott is so real to what going to a predominately black school while not looking down at the people OR making fun of stereotypes.
and i think Quinta working at buzzfeed and being one of their more famous workers, gives her such a big advantage in hollywood. she knows how to incorporate the internet into her work in a way that most writers can't because Buzzfeed, the monster it was, was so deep into internet culture, they know it best. They made their workers do scriptwriting, directing, performing, costume designing, editing, etc. And the ones who survived buzzfeed and left, they're some of the most popular content creators on youtube right now. a whole generation of celebrities can be directly tied to Buzzfeed, Quinta one of them. like its insane and also i think the only person I could trust to have made this show because of how well she understands what the people genuinely think.
Thanks for this. This was well done!
YES, I REQUESTED THIS VIDEO!
I hope they bring back black sitcoms. I grew up in a time when we can just turn the tv on afterschool and our entire afternoon and evening was filled with different black shows. From Martin to one on one, half and half, the steve harvey show (sitcom not talkshow), whatever show eve was on and numerous more. On the weekend mornings we had smart guy, moesha, sister sister and proud family. The impact of growing up feeling represented and not neglected is immense. I hope the future generations have that as well.
This show is so timely, considering the current war against Public education and teachers.
I need to watch this show ASAP.
Just finished the show, i highly recommend it! 🙌🏽
All that AND Sheryl Lee Ralph?...
SOCRE!!
Great job as usual ladies!
This made me genuinely joyous.
Excellent video essay!
Waiting @The Take to have a series on Abbott Elementary. Such a great show!
I love this show. Also, this was a great video! 💙
Ok fine, you've twisted my arm into watching this show. lol *fires up Hulu*
I'm going to have to check you guys. Bernier Mac show came out in 2001 and ran till 2006 way before parks and recs and won numerous awards, but gets no credit for being the foundation of the monumentaries. But, that always the way. Black shows never get the credit they deserve. I'm surprised your giving this show credit.
Mockumentaries existed before Bernie Mac.
@@robtheoutsider I know that but it was rare and after the success of Bernie Mac you started seeing more shows. The mentioned shows that were even the same kind of show, but they were all white lead cast shows.
Loved The Bernie Mac Show but have to disagree with you about being a mockumentary. It was Bernie breaking the 4th wall. You know, talking directly to his audience. Where we do agree is Bernie Mac was funny as hell. Still miss him.