Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary

TV-PG

A wry mockumentary with a big heart

The Very Best

8.5

TV Show

United States, United States of America
English
Comedy
2021
Chris Perfetti, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter
22 min

What it's about

In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

The take

Abbot Elementary is a mockumentary that follows a group of well-meaning but cash-strapped teachers trying to make their school a better place. The premise sounds simple enough, but the show's big heart and sharp observations about the rotting U.S. education system make it a breath of fresh air in the sitcom world. Abbot Elementary's characters are funny and likable, while also being fearless, defined, and nuanced. 

The show manages to do the seemingly impossible: genuinely and lightheartedly uplift the people it represents. It shines some much-needed light on the public service these undervalued teachers provide, without ever sounding too preachy or patronizing: an impressive feat for such a progressive show.

Comments

This show is not funny at all. I don’t see how anyone with a brain could even watch this. It puts black people in ambiguous and unflattering situations. Total thumbs down. Glad Gene Siskel didn’t live to see this.

As a young person who quit teaching this year, I found this extremely accurate of what our education system has come to be. The show has kept a decent portrayal of reality while keeping it lighthearted and fun.

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