This show was on my list long before won ALL the Emmy’s. Just making sure everyone knows I am not a bandwagoner!! Jk who TF cares.

Abbot Elementary is a “mock-umentrary” like The Office, Reno 911, or Parks & Recreation, so the characters are interviewed by a never-seen “cameraman” in between scenes, and during scenes the casts looks directly at the camera (usually that indicate something like “wtf” or “this bitch”). The effect is just as hilarious if not more than it’s predecessors.

Abbott Elementary is set in a public elementary school and follows the teachers/ staff and students as they navigate the insane bureaucracy of the public school system, as well as interpersonal relationships and issues with the adorable but sometimes hellish kids they teach. The public school system in this country could be the subject of a truly depressing documentary (or movie – see, Dangerous Minds – yes, I’m old. Gangster’s Paradise y’all!). But the show’s genius is it doesn’t pretend these aspects don’t exist. The show fully embraces the rougher aspects (like the total lack of funds for supplies) of public school life and highlights the absolute absurdity of the issues. It’s also an homage to the teachers who subject themselves to this insane system daily out of the love for what they do.

I am picky about comedies because it is not my genre of choice. Not even top three. A lot of universally loved comedies I find unwatchable (see: New Girl, Simpsons/Family Guy (ugh ugh ugh), Modern Family, etc.) Abbot Elementary is not one of those. It’s truly funny and heartwarming. But I also count Parks and Recreation at the top of my comedy list so this is clearly squarely in my comedy wheelhouse.

One of the first scenes is a classroom of first graders going absolute goblin mode over Baby Shark, while the teacher comments directly to the camera that it’s like adults with Back that Azz Up. First of all, Back that Azz Up is one of the greatest songs of all time and, like the first graders with Baby Shark, I also go absolute goblin mode when it comes on. Thank god I went to college before smart phones were invented.

The characters also follow a tried and true formula for this type of show, but it’s not boring. You have the eager overachiever aka Parks and Rec’s Leslie Knope, the salty veteran employee (Ron Swanson), the cringey white dude who is too stupid to understand how offensive he is (Andy), the bitter sarcastic girl (April) etc. But it works because the jokes and situations are genuinely fresh and funny.

I can’t really binge comedies because I get bored. I only made it through two episodes but I’m confidently giving this show….

4.5 stars!

*Update – I did not, in fact, stop watching, and instead watched the entirety of the first season in one sitting. The show has no flaws and I have no complaints. Watch it.