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As a child, Quinta Brunson loved being able to gather around the TV with her family for the shows they all enjoyed, from 227 to Martin to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Now, the writer and executive producer of Abbott Elementary is hoping the new sitcom will become that kind of show for families today.
Brunson stars in the mockumentary-style show as Janine Teagues, an idealistic second-grade teacher eager to solve the many problems plaguing her underfunded Philadelphia public school, from outdated textbooks to broken hallway lights. It premiered at a time when the pandemic has made teachers’ jobs more challenging than ever and has drawn more attention to the important role of public schools within a community.
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Brunson, a comedian who previously produced and starred in videos for BuzzFeed and co-starred on HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, says she has heard “an overwhelming response” from real teachers who see themselves in the show’s characters. She named the show after her middle-school teacher, Ms. Abbott, and also drew inspiration from her mother, who taught kindergarten in Philadelphia public schools for about 40 years before retiring.
Brunson talked to TIME about transitioning to network TV and finding a way to address big issues in education while making sure her show remains a comedy.
Why did you want to set this workplace sitcom in a school environment?
I’m a big fan of workplace sitcoms, and I got inspired from spending some time with my mom before she retired. For about 40 years, she had taught and I’d been with her so much. I was in her kindergarten class when I was little. I went to the school she taught at. I rode to school with her; I rode home with her. That environment felt very natural to me, and I felt that I could tell some really strong stories there.
How did your mom shape your understanding of what it’s like to be a teacher today?
The hours my mom put in were crazy, and the impact she had on children’s…
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Source : time
