What are you watching on TV?
Are you looking for a new lighthearted, mockumentary-style show to binge?
Try Abbott Elementary on ABC and streaming on MAX and Hulu.
The show follows a school of teachers in a Philadelphia public school determined to teach their students to succeed, while also being supervised by an unfit, but hilarious principal who attained her job in all of the wrong ways.
Janine, the young teacher who is the show’s main focus, is seen as naive and too cheerful by her peers and older, more experienced teachers who often poke fun at her for her crazy determination to help her students and the school. The differences between the younger teachers and older teachers are shown through humorous situations between parents, students, and coworkers, but the caring mentor-like relationships are also shown between the older and younger teachers throughout the show, bringing a heartwarming feeling to watchers.
Although the show may not be the most accurate when describing teaching, it is a fun watch that seems to captivate the spirit of the new generations of teachers. But if just the friendship dynamics of shows do not pull you in, don’t worry! Abbott also focuses on the romantic relationships of the characters, both in and outside of school, the main focus on Janine and Gregory, a substitute teacher turned permanent, who originally wanted to be principal. Without spoiling too much, their relationship is not established in the show, but the set up for a slow burn through the three seasons that are released is obvious. The small moments between the two are nice to watch, which leaves watchers mildly frustrated thinking “will they won’t they” but the hope that eventually the pair will get together engages viewers to keep watching the show. Their relationship is very similar to the dynamic between Jim and Pam in the first few seasons of The Office, as well as most of the show really, just one in an office setting and one in an elementary school.
The episodes are also pretty short, and reasons are released rather quickly, bringing back the feel of 2000’s comedy shows. Abbott Elementary really seems to have something for everyone, comedy, friendship, and romance, which makes it an appealing show to a wide variety of audiences to enjoy.
