Since the season one finale premiered earlier this month, the hit new sitcom Abbott Elementary has already been renewed for a highly anticipated second season following an announcement in March before the show’s breakthrough season even concluded. Its debut was a resounding success; the show has achieved staggering ratings and viewers and has rightfully been awarded an impressive 97% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show’s humor and mockumentary-style narrative device are comparable to its wildly popular sitcom predecessors, The Office and Parks and Recreation. The protagonist is reminiscent of Leslie Knope, an enthusiastic young elementary school teacher named Janine Teagues, who is portrayed by actress and show creator Quinta Brunson.
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Abbott Elementary takes place in an underfunded Philadelphia public elementary school, Abbott Elementary, whose student and staff population are mostly Black. The series offers a refreshing perspective, a wealth of positive and educational representation, and an abundance of humor. The series takes on the responsibility of showcasing the gloomy reality of the United States’ public education system, but it manages to do so in a humorous, palatable light. After the wholesome hit’s initial success, people are already excited about what the next season might have in store. Here’s what we are hoping to see in season two!
More Endearing Efforts and Small Triumphs
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Abbott Elementary centers on Janine’s youthful and undying enthusiasm about her career and her determination to best serve the young students for whom she works so tirelessly. The show follows the teachers in their efforts to provide the students with the best possible education and resources. With no help from Principal Ava (Janelle James), obtaining funds from the school board for basic supplies is a nearly impossible task; however, Janine refuses to be discouraged, rallying her jaded colleagues to exceed their job expectations to achieve small successes on behalf of the children in their care. Toward the end of the first season, Ava finally acknowledges her position of influence and successfully secures funding for the school. The series highlights the importance of American educators and the lengths they go to ensure a successful future for their students.
While watching Abbott Elementary, one celebrates with the teachers in their small victories, whether it’s fixing an electrical outage, finding bizarre new rugs for the classroom, or hosting an enriching event for the kids. The show’s wholesome nature, combined with the humor characteristic of the mockumentary comedy subgenre, is largely responsible for its success. It is a lighthearted representation of the very real issues that plague the United States education system. Surely, we can expect to experience more of these few yet fulfilling moments with Janine and her colleagues.
Relationship Potential
In the first season of Abbott Elementary, Gregory (Tyler James Williams) is the new guy who was supposed to come in and take Ava’s position as principal. He is the designated malcontent; whereas Janine is optimistic and bubbly, Gregory is realistic and awkward. There are moments of romantic tension between them, but Janine is still tied down to her broke DJ boyfriend, Tariq, whom she reluctantly admits is dead weight. Fans began rooting for the slow burn between Greg and Janine, waiting anxiously for something to finally happen between them outside of meaningful yet brief conversations and longing glances.
However, in the season finale, Janine finally lets go of Tariq, opening season two up for a potential romantic relationship between Gregory and herself. Quinta Brunson has certainly set the pairing up to make for an exciting second season. Janine is an educator who is passionate about her career and responsibility as an educator, allowing Gregory to rediscover his own excitement. Their opposing yet complementary energies would balance each other out perfectly.
More Shenanigans
Abbott Elementary’s narrative style and relatable sentiment appeal to a broad demographic, and part of that is thanks to the clever characterization. As in the aforementioned successful mockumentary sitcoms Parks and Recreation and The Office, each character has their own defining, exaggerated characteristics. Janine is optimistic to the point that it often becomes tiresome. She appears to burn out at times, but she always recovers her composure because she simply loves what she does. Principal Ava is usually internet-meming instead of working, as she doesn’t know how to do her job properly, nor does she care to. There is the strict veteran teacher, Barbara Howard, who is accustomed to the state of things but doesn’t let it burn her out for the sake of the children she has committed to teach. Gregory quietly observes everyone, believing that they’re all crazy. He also doesn’t like pizza. The two white characters are teachers, one of whom is a gay man who tries a little too hard to be woke and winds up making people uncomfortable with his inadvertent microaggressions. The other is a hardened (and intimidating) Philly woman with suspiciously close ties to the mafia. Refreshingly, they are the weirdos of the show. When these traits are put together in often clumsy interactions, farcical hilarity ensues.
In season two, we hope that Quinta Brunson further develops these character traits and strengthens the strange yet endearing bond between the teachers. As different from one another as they each are, they all share the same passion for providing the next young generation with the best possible education, often going well above and beyond the call of duty to do so. We are excited to see what lengths their passion takes them to next. There hasn’t yet been an official season two release date, but Brunson has suggested that Abbott Elementary will be back sometime later this year.
