Abbott Elementary - Seasons 1-4
“Abbott Elementary leans into its feel-good credentials without ignoring difficult material.”
Title: Abbott Elementary
Episodes Reviewed: Seasons 1-4
Creator: Quinta Brunson 👩🏾🇺🇸
Writers: Quinta Brunson 👩🏾🇺🇸 (5 episodes), Brian Rubenstein 👨🏼🇺🇸 (7 episodes), Jordan Temple 👨🏾🇺🇸 (6 episodes), Brittani Nichols 👩🏾🇺🇸🌈 (6 episodes), Joya McCrory 👩🏾🇺🇸 (4 episodes), Justin Tan 👨🏻🇺🇸 (4 episodes), Morgan Murphy 👩🏼🇺🇸 (4 episodes), Ava Coleman 👩🏾🇺🇸 (4 episodes), and various
Reviewed by Sam 🧑🏻🇺🇸🌈
Technical: 5/5
When inclusive, feel-good sitcoms Superstore (2015–2021) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021) ended their runs in 2021, ABC’s Abbott Elementary quickly filled the void. Thanks to its endearing cast of characters, this series won over fans with its standard 30-minute format and touching stories.
The comedy follows fresh-faced teacher Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) and her adventures at Abbott Elementary School in Philadelphia. She works with her awkward but enthusiastic friend Jacob (Chris Perfetti), wise mentor Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), and South Philly stalwart Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter). Janine also has a compelling will-they-won’t-they romance with fellow teacher Gregory (Tyler James Williams). He also happens to be the object of affection for the quirky Principal Ava (Janelle James), who loves picking on Janine. With this all-star ensemble, Abbott Elementary explores the ups and downs of working in a public Philadelphia elementary school, from stressful school trips with rowdy kids to tight budgets and challenging district policies.
In addition to playing Janine, Brunson is the showrunner. She cites her mother, a teacher in the Philadelphia school system for 40 years, as inspiration for the series—and that lived experience shows. A respect for educators shines through the hilarious plot points, giving Abbott Elementary the heart that’s turned it into such a successful, award-winning show.
Gender: 5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? YES
The comedy features several well-rounded women, each compelling in her own way. Janine is a perfectionist who has trouble accepting when things don’t go as expected. Melissa is fiercely loyal and determined, but also stubborn to a fault. In contrast, Ava seems outwardly flawed with her cavalier personality, but at her core, she cares a lot about the school and the teachers.
Abbott Elementary also spotlights a range of female relationships, as women both sass and uplift one another. Janine and Barbara’s mentor-mentee relationship is especially endearing: Janine, a young Black woman, looks to Barbara, a Black woman in her 60s, for advice and approval. While Barbara outwardly pretends not to care, she supports Janine in ways that matter, such as throwing her weight behind Janine’s proposed library program because she knows how hard the young and idealistic teacher worked to make it happen. It’s rare to see such positive and nuanced depictions of intergenerational kinship between Black women on television.
Barbara and Melissa’s friendship also provides a fun dynamic. They’re as thick as thieves, bound by shared wisdom from years of working in public education together. When challenges come up, they always have each other’s backs, coming up with creative solutions that show, rather than tell, the depth of their bond. Together, these relationships celebrate the women who find community in an overlooked profession.
Race: 5/5
Unlike other sitcoms about educators, from Teachers (2016–19) to Bad Education (2012–2024), Abbott Elementary intentionally explores race in the workplace and shows how Black kids especially are affected by systemic inequality—all while using the approachable language of comedy.
For instance, in the pilot episode, Janine has to fight to get funding for classroom necessities like new rugs. She also advocates for a step-dancing program to allow students, most of whom are Black, to enjoy an after-school activity. Her passion for ensuring that her students get culturally relevant programs underscores the extra emotional labor teachers of color often take on.
The show also tackles challenges that many Black kids face in schools. In a Season 3 episode, Gregory notices that a student, Alex (Mason Renfro), hasn’t been coming to class. He and Janine find out that it’s because he misses Janine, his former teacher who had gone on to work at the district office. Alex’s absence reflects a reality where many Black students feel disconnected from school, but the episode also echoes the positive ways that Black teachers show up for their communities. Janine and Gregory visit Alex’s home and coax him back to class, using a caring and proactive approach that leans into the sitcom’s feel-good credentials. The fact that they do so without ignoring difficult and culturally specific realities makes the payoff all the sweeter.
LGBTQ: 4/5
Among the main cast, Jacob is the only queer character. Thankfully, Abbott Elementary avoids turning him into a “token gay.” His romance with Zach (Larry Owens) unfolds with care and authenticity, and rather than reducing Jacob to gay stereotypes, the show presents him as someone who brings his genuine self to his teaching career and friendships. His struggles with fitting in as a White, queer person among his predominantly Black and straight colleagues only add layers to his character.
Neither does Jacob have to completely shoulder the weight of LGBTQ representation on his own; Zach and other romantic prospects appear from time to time. And in Season 3, drag queens Shea Couleé and Symone make guest appearances when a few characters attend drag brunch. By casually including LGBTQ characters, the show weaves queer culture into everyday life. Furthermore, characters like Janine actively support Jacob at school, or in Melissa’s case, at home as Jacob’s roommate. By caring for him as a whole person, Jacob’s peers demonstrate the kind of allyship that goes beyond surface-level gestures and ensures a deeper sense of inclusion.
That said, having a single representative in the main ensemble means that Abbott Elementary really only delves into one type of LGBTQ experience—one that’s cisgender, male, thin, and white. Including more queer and trans characters of color would offer a more enriched portrayal of the broader community.
Bonus for Age: +0.75
In Abbott Elementary, Melissa (played by Walter, who’s 61 at the time of this review) and Barbara (Ralph, 67), along with eccentric janitor Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis, 76), are all portrayed as valuable employees. The show embraces their wisdom and resilience. Melissa and Barbara are not just seasoned teachers; they’re role models who provide guidance for younger colleagues like Janine, Jacob, and Gregory, even as they come with their own foibles and biases. With such age diversity among the cast, Abbott Elementary happily mines intergenerational friction for laughs that never punch down.
Mr. Johnson also challenges the additional stereotype that janitorial work is undeserving of respect. While he provides comic relief, the custodian has unique insights that prove invaluable to both staff and students, such as solving issues like electrical circuit malfunctions. He refuses to be pigeonholed by societal views on aging, instead embracing his role as a vital part of the school community.
Mediaversity Grade: A 4.93/5
As one of the most inclusive sitcoms on TV in recent years, Abbott Elementary stands out for its strong female leads, meaningful plotlines about race in public education, and energetic characters over 60. It also incorporates some LGBTQ representation with Jacob, though there is room to expand on that front.
As this comedy grows in popularity, its sharp humor and heartfelt moments continue to captivate audiences. With Season 4 currently airing weekly on ABC, fans have been eager to tune in and learn more about these beloved characters’ lives, as well as their approaches to important social topics.
Like Abbott Elementary? Try these other inclusive sitcoms.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season 5
One Day at a Time - Seasons 1-2
Superstore - Seasons 1-3