As a fan of workplace comedies such as Parks and Recreation and The Office, I eagerly anticipated ABC’s Abbott Elementary. Quinton Brunson’s comedy takes place in a low income elementary school, constantly battling an indecisive school district and daily pettiness. A group of dedicated, passionate mostly black teachers—and a slightly tone-deaf principal—find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school. Despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students achieve success later in life.
Though inspiring, the show features some of the funniest sitcom episodes in a very long time. The teachers each have their own eccentric personalities—yet none of them seem excessively caricatured by any means.
What is most impressive about Abbott Elementary is that the show feels uniquely in the present. Many dialogues include typical Gen Z slang and references, yet never once does it seem concerningly out of place or out of touch. The show tackles controversies and current events with a nonsensical yet healthy approach. Examples include perpetuations surrounding marijuana, misinformation, and the whitewashing of education.
Of course, no good workplace sitcom is complete without the inclusion of a love story at the heart of the chaotic comedy. Instead of Jim and Pam or Ben and Leslie, Abbott features Janine and Gregory. Both are classically cute couples, who bond over their love for their profession as well as the madness of their situation.
Workplace comedies often seek to define a generation, and Abbott Elementary looks to define our current one.