Though I knew about the show, and probably would have gotten around to it, it took "Abbott Elementary" appearing on the Guardian's top TV of 2022 list for me to get around to starting it. Whilst I as initially a bit nonplussed at the start, once the show settles into its characters, I thought it picked up pretty quickly,
On his first day as a substitute teacher at Abbott Elementary, a school in Philadelphia where he'd applied to be head teacher, Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) discovers that there is a documentary film being made about the school, but also that Ava Coleman (Janelle James) who beat him to the post, is laughably unprepared and largely uninterested in the role. Despite a lack of investment, Eddie discovers a teaching team trying to help prepare their students as best they can. One teacher, the endlessly optimistic Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) particularly catches his eye.
Reading that back it's strange that I've framed the show as being more about Eddie than it really is. It's a workplace ensemble comedy, like so many others before it, and I suppose if it really has a lead, it's Brunson herself, who is also the shows producer and creator. The first few episodes were fine, if perhaps a bit tepid. It's definitely another show locking into that wholesome positive vibe that sitcoms have these days. I initially worried that Ava would be the shows Gina from "Brooklyn 99". Though I like Chelsea Peretti I felt that she was too wacky and unbalanced the show, fortunately they ground Ava a bit quicker than that and when the show picks up after the first few, she's one of the highlights.
It ticks all the boxes for a popular sitcom. There's even a will they/wont they romance at the heart of it. I'm a bit concerned that the second season ups the number of episodes to 22. I understand the reasons for it, but I feel it might dilute the show too much - we'll see though. This first run won me over in it's back half and I certainly carry on with an optimistic mind.