Abbott Elementary

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.

Abbott Elementary (2021-present) is an American mockumentary workplace sitcom created by Quinta Brunson for ABC. Quinta Brunson plays Janine Teagues, an idealistic second-grade teacher at a chronically underfunded public school in Philadelphia, alongside Tyler James Williams as the sharp, ambitious Gregory Eddie, Sheryl Lee Ralph as veteran teacher Barbara Howard, and Janelle James as the self-absorbed Ava Coleman, with Lisa Ann Walter and William Stanford Davis rounding out the staff. The engine of the show is ordinary staff life: scrounging for classroom supplies, navigating a principal who is slightly tone-deaf, and trying to give children a real shot despite a district that seems to have stopped caring. Each episode is built from small, escalating workplace mishaps and sincere confessional interviews that let characters reveal their hopes and frustrations to the camera. The show runs on an evolving ensemble across six seasons, with episodes that stand on their own while recurring storylines accumulate. Its tone is warm, witty and hopeful, with a sharp eye for the realities of teaching. Fans of The Office, Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine will find the same mix of affectionate mockumentary cringe and sincere ensemble heart.

Audiences broadly acclaim the series as a warm, funny workplace comedy whose ensemble teachers carry it, though enthusiasm has eased in later seasons.

• The Office (US)mockumentary workplace comedy with talking head confessionals and an ensemble of well-meaning underdogs
• Parks and Recreationoptimistic workplace sitcom about devoted public servants and an earnest, flawed leader
• Brooklyn Nine-Nineensemble comedy about institutional dysfunction and warm found family in a public workplace

Created by

Quinta Brunson

Release Date

2021-12-07

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

8.2 / 10 (345)

What is Abbott Elementary about?

A mockumentary sitcom following dedicated teachers and their well-meaning but tone-deaf principal at an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school.

What is Abbott Elementary like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Abbott Elementary as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Abbott Elementary violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Abbott Elementary.

What did critics think of Abbott Elementary?

Audiences broadly acclaim the series as a warm, funny workplace comedy whose ensemble teachers carry it, though enthusiasm has eased in later seasons.

Which shows are like Abbott Elementary?

Shows with a similar feel include The Office (US), Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

How long is Abbott Elementary?

Abbott Elementary: 6 seasons, 101 episodes.

Is Abbott Elementary still running?

Yes, Abbott Elementary is still running.

Where can I watch Abbott Elementary?

In United States, Abbott Elementary streams on Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, HBO Max.