Although her self-interest has led to some questionable decisions as an elementary school principal, we still love her. Why? because she is much more than her comedy and ego, as her unparalleled character development since the pilot episode has shown.

From her hostile first moments to her unforgettable quotes to the character she is now and everything in between, this is why we love Ava Coleman.

Ava Coleman’s Humor Makes Abbott Elementary

Undoubtedly, the Abbott Elementary principal is one of, if not the funniest character on the hit mockumentary. From her notable one-liners to her physical comedy, Ava always brings the laughs.

How could you not die when Janine asks how long she has been dating her boyfriend?

She responds, “Well, he’s been dating me for five years, but I’ve only been dating him for two.” Or when she asks the bartender to pour her something cheap so she can spit it out, spits it out, then says, “Hit me again!”

She uses her humor as a way to still have audiences love her and as a tactic to be “the bad guy” without being unlikable.

Usually, we hate narcissists, especially when their behavior takes away from an underprivileged public elementary school, yet we never hold that against her.

Ava is the reason for the camera crew. When she asks the teachers why they aren’t excited to be on TV, Barb acknowledges that it is only because they are following underfunded and poorly managed public schools.

But in Ava’s eyes, there’s no such thing as bad press, “look at Mel Gibson, still thriving.”

We learned early on that she is a doomsday prepper — a trait that surprised me — when she came into the teacher’s lounge to borrow some oats because her earthquake kit was out of them.

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Despite Philly not being known for earthquakes, that doesn’t stop Ava because everyone thinks they’re immune until they wake up and their kitchen is across the street.

Wake up, there is always a constant threat of global catastrophe!

Her feud with the teachers, especially Janine, and her constant flirtation with Gregory Eddie — who does not know how to handle the attention! — are highlights of the ABC series in themselves.

The Mystique Around Ava Coleman

Part of Ava’s appeal also lies in her air of mystery. We know she caught the superintendent cheating on his wife and blackmailed him for the principal position, but we get no details on how that happened.

She is also dating NBA star Andre Iguodala and has dated another NBA superstar, Allen Iverson. Where and how she met them is not revealed, nor are the details of her and Iverson’s breakup.

You have to wonder what circle of friends, events, or people brought her two notable athletes.

She is not shy about mentioning that she had an exciting life before Abbott Elementary, but the details are told in nondescript bits and pieces that must be picked up on.

For example, over the summer, she gets a hookah flavor named after her, Ava-lade, which embodies hints of malt liquor and marmalade.

Only someone important or worthwhile could accomplish such a thing. Did she pick those flavors or did someone else?

In “Holiday Hookah,” when Ava runs into Janine and Eddie at a nightclub, she walks right past the whole line.

When Janine gets her attention, Ava responds, “Sorry. I don’t speak line. Ladies, don’t talk to them.” I would love to know how she attained VIP status.

In addition, she mentions that being the Abbott Elementary principal is one of her favorite jobs. What else has she done? Plus, she has been on the cover of a doomsday preppers magazine.

What are her true motivations? Why so eager to be a principal? She is clearly a huge Eagles fan, but was she born or raised in Philly?

There is obviously a lot more behind her than what fans first see. So many questions.

Ava Coleman Has a Caring Side

Despite her trademark characteristics of being underqualified and self-centered, fans do get glimpses of a more caring and humanized side of Ava Coleman.

When she picks up on the chemistry between her workplace nemesis and workplace crush in “Valentine’s Day,” instead of shutting Janine down, she says, “Just don’t do anything nast on school grounds because if I can’t, y’all can’t.”

Maybe it is not your everyday person’s version of being caring, but that is huge for Ava.

When Janine (Quinta Brunson) is upset outside the club, Ava tells her she is coming to the next bar with her and her boyfriend.

Sure, she uses the excuse that Janine is all dressed up, and who knows when that will happen again, but you can tell by her voice that she doesn’t want Janine to go home upset.

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The most obvious example is when Season 2 begins, and Ava starts taking her job seriously, but more on that later. However, she is interested in the kids she usually wouldn’t in the Step Class episode.

In the episode, fans also learn that she is the guardian of her grandma, who has been living with her for two weeks. While we assumed her week-long vacation was an actual vacation, it turns out she was looking for a place to take care of her grandma.

She missed the step class’s presentation because her grandma had an episode.

In “Fundraiser,” it is revealed that she has extra uniforms for students who can’t afford them. She even notices a student’s repeated tardiness in “Light Bulb.”

Ava also stands up for her colleague Barb in “Breakup” when her choir group is bullying her.

She not only lets the group use the gym to practice, but she also encourages Barb to stand up for herself, and the two have an extraordinarily intimate and sincere talk.

The Abbott Elementary principal may never completely change, and for fan’s sake, I hope she doesn’t, but these more humanizing moments reveal that Ava has layers, and we are yet to even come close to peeling them all back.

Ava Coleman’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

Scams, influencing, schemes, side hustles — whichever you think fits best, Ava has a unique entrepreneurial drive, even if it occasionally comes at the expense of the school.

In Sick Day, we learn about Ava’s eye mask side hustle when she ignores Janine’s calls to read her product reviews.

She also sells vintage clothes online from the closet attached to her office during school hours.

Said closet is also the shipping center for her eye masks, for which she used all of the school’s copy paper to make fliers and the teacher’s fridge to store them.

She also has a green screen in her office for her influencer needs, and what better way to utilize the school’s parking lot than turning it into a Philadelphia Eagles tailgating location for some extra cash?

Her idea of helping the school when it receives an emergency funds check is not to buy anything the teachers are complaining about but to purchase a new sign for the school with her face on it. Classic, Ava.

You have to marvel at the audacity.

Maybe passing her scamming ways down to the kids while they are trying to sell candy bars to raise funds for a field trip is a questionable move.

But they did sell a lot of candy bars, and her tactics aren’t necessarily logically wrong; ethically yes, but it is a dog-eat-dog world.

Ava Coleman’s Character Growth

When the show first aired, I will admit I wrote Ava off as a Michael Scott from The Office but with style, actual humor, and more likable. However, her character growth has to be one of the best of all time.

She blackmails her way to her job, misuses school funds, makes brutal comments and jokes, boarder line sexually harasses Gregory, and dismisses the teachers’ and students’ concerns.

However, dismissive behavior can be said about most public school principals.

The mockumentary’s character offended people, but I think that’s the point. Through Ava, fans also grow. She realizes that she wants to take her job more seriously.

No, she will never be the shining example of being a principal or boss, but she is more interested in her colleague’s concerns and takes action.

Regardless of how harsh her jokes can be or her real motives when helping a teacher or student, she does come through and wants to learn.

She is in a book club and spends time in the library, and her curious nature is one of her most underrated qualities.

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Ava Coleman wants things to get done, so she takes action. I can’t say that about my former principal. Her ways may be unconventional, but underfunded schools need a leader willing to creatively cross the line now and again to benefit the greater good.

Yes, she goes back to “her old ways,” but not wholly, and Ava wouldn’t be Ava if the character completely changed because she does make the show and resembles a real person, flaws and all.

We want to know what you think of the Abbott Elementary principal in the comments. Share your favorite Ava lines and scenes and opinions of her below!

Watch Abbott Elementary Online

The post Abbott Elementary: Ava Coleman’s Finest and Funniest Moments appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This list of TV’s most unshakable optimists presents the most upbeat, positive people on television. These optimists are known for their bubbly disposition, happy thoughts, and obnoxious perkiness.

No matter what life throws at these eternally optimistic TV characters, they refuse to lose their positive outlook.

Check out our top unshakable TV optimists, and then jump into our comments section and tell us your favorite optimistic TV character.

How We Spot TV’s Most Unshakable Optimists

Characters with unshakable optimism always find the silver lining in the clouds and the bright spot in the bad.

Happy, upbeat, and sometimes neurotic optimists often try to spread their positive demeanor to others. Happy people love to be around them, and cranky people love to hate them.

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But loved or hated, optimistic people live their lives to the fullest and never give up.

They inspire others and us to find the good in every situation and never stay down too long. Check out our selection of TV’s most unshakable optimists.

Jess Day – New Girl

Jess Day is an annoyingly perky elementary school teacher with an envigorating thirst for life on New Girl. Her quirky personality, crazy dance moves, and bold, colorful clothing make her endearing to her close friends and roommates.

She also proves that people of the opposite gender can have a strong, successful platonic relationship.

Day’s eternally optimistic outlook rubs off on her four male roommates and snarky best friend, helping them through tough times.

Jess kept a positive outlook, no matter what crisis she went through — from her cheating boyfriend to losing her job to having to live with her (annoying AF) ex (that becomes her current at the end) BF.

Luther Hargreeves – The Umbrella Academy

Luther Hargreeves is also affectionately known as Number One to his adopted father and family of seven adopted children who had unnatural abilities.

Number One was half man, half ape, thanks to a life-saving serum given to him by his father. Despite Reginald causing the massive physicological malformation, Luther kept a deep, unwavering loyalty to his father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves.

When all the other children left their abusive, morally compromised father and the Umbrella Academy, Luther stayed out of misplaced family duty.

Despite physical deformities, spending time alone in space, and massive family dysfunction, Luther retains a happy, positive attitude.

Even when he and the other members of the Umbrella Academy team faced the destruction of all life, Luther stayed optimistic and always tried to find the positive.

Betty Suarez – Ugly Betty

Ugly Betty follows the life of Betty Suarez, a uniquely different “internally beautiful” ugly duckling amid a world of beauty.

Her nerdy looks often get her dismissed and insulted by her co-workers. But she never lets it get to her.

She finds a way to look past the ugly of people’s personalities and see the good within them, no matter how vile they behave.

Betty’s optimism and friendliness are fresh air in a world of yucky people. Her willingness to overlook being dismissed for her appearance rather than valued for her personality makes her optimism unshakable.

Phil Dunphy – Modern Family

Phil Dunphy is one of those annoyingly unapologetically positive people, a complete contrast to his snarky, bitchy wife and brash father-in-law.

Dunphy is very in touch with his inner feelings and isn’t afraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve — good or bad.

He’s very optimistic and uber-excited about everything. His general joy of life and nails on a chalkboard voice are great in small quantities on Modern Family.

Frequently, his over-exuberant personality rubs everyone in his family the wrong way, although strangers don’t seem to mind his too muchness.

Janine Teagues – Abbot Elementary

Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) is a second-grade elementary school teacher at Abbott Elementary who is on a mission to improve the lives of her students.

Her plucky positivity inspires her students and some of her co-workers. She stays happy and keeps a bright outlook, while the rest of the staff becomes jaded from the hustle and bustle of the school’s inner workings.

Ms. Teagues embraces and inspires her students to be their best, even when everyone around them gives up and punches the clock.

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Her optimism was infectious, and a bright spot in an otherwise blah school system to keep the show entertaining and the audience captivated.

Max Goodwin – New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam gave viewers a new spin on the traditional medical series. It had the same complex medical cases, an expansive group of talented doctors, and memorable patients.

But what stood out amongst its relatives was that the show focused on medical cases in a public hospital, meaning no insurance didn’t mean no care.

Max Goodwin was a different kind of doctor. He cared about his patients and his hospital staff. When problems came up, he created solutions, no matter what it took.

Even while he was battling life-threatening cancer and single parenthood, Max stayed optimistic about things working out.

He was the best hospital administrator because instead of worrying about how much medical care a person could afford, he cared about what treatment the patient needed and how to get it to them.

Glenn Sturgis – Superstore

Glenn was the high-pitched, devout Christian co-manager of a large superstore with an optimistic disposition.

Between his religious beliefs and his naive, push-over nature, Glenn often finds himself at odds with his assistant manager over expressing his Christian views at work.

Despite the stress of having eleven foster children with his wife, Glenn stays happy and keeps a positive outlook.

Erin Hannon – The Office

The Office was full of memorable characters, from the often inappropriate manager, Michael Scott (Jim Carell), to the chirpy receptionist, Erin (Ellie Kemper).

Erin took over the position from Pam Beesly, replacing the snarky older receptionist with her happy, silly, and often childlike demeanor.

While Pam despised her job and many of the people she worked with, Erin adores her co-workers, including the exceptionally annoying antics of Michael and Dwight.

Erin often participated in office shenanigans, giving in to having fun at work. While the rest of the staff had become jaded to the work environment, frequently acting snarky and miserable at work, Erin thrived in her positivity.

Ray Palmer – Legends of Tomorrow

Brandon Routh portrays the playful, overly positive Ray Palmer in Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow.

Brilliant and cheerful, Palmer made everyone around him want to do the right thing and be a better person, including the villain who fell in love with him.

Even while he and his gang of good guys travel through time to stop uber-bad guys from committing heinous events, he finds a way to look on the bright side.

No matter what timeline he’s in or what situation he’s dealing with, Ray finds the silver lining and inspires those around him not to give up.

Ella Lopez – Lucifer

You don’t expect humor, honor, justice, or perkiness when watching a show about the Devil. But then again, you don’t expect to see the Devil be a good guy.

Lucifer was a series that put an awesome spin on an overdone trope. We didn’t just like the devil. We loved him, as did everyone except criminals.

Including devout religious forensic scientist Ella Lopez. Ella saw spirituality differently than others, including how she viewed the devil, Lucifer Morningstar, as he called himself.

Ella’s sweet demeanor and bubbly persona make her a delightful breath of fresh air amid death and evil.

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The Lucifer series tackled religion, crime, justice (vengeance), romance, and more in a light, comedic yet entertaining dramedy. Most of the bright spots in the darkness came from Miss Lopez, the ray of sunshine.

Elsbeth Tascioni – Elsbeth

Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) isn’t just unconventional in her wardrobe, obsession with one too many bags, and all things NY touristy.

She’s also a brilliant attorney who uses her keen sense of perception to help the Chicago PD solve casts alongside her partner and best friend, Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson).

But Tascioni isn’t meant to solve cases. She was sent to Chicago as a spy to determine whether the police captain, C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce), was a corrupt cop on the loose.

Elsbeth maintains a positive disposition even when confronted with criminals, horrible crime scenes, or heinous illegal activity. It’s admirable — if a bit creepy — how she confronts killers and crooks in such an off-handed, optimistic way.

Kimmy Schmidt – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

The premise of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) turns a horror story — living with a cult — into a comedy as she starts over in New York City after escaping her kidnappers.

She faces dozens of trials and tribulations as she tries to get on with her life post-cult. Kimmy has to overcome her lack of exposure to the outside world and delve headfirst into all that life offers.

From normal, everyday activities like getting a job or going outside to more advanced life adventures like having a love triangle and going to court.

Everything was a source of bewilderment and amazement as Kimmy embraced living independently and exploring the world.

Throughout it all, she had the most amazing optimism and an inspiring way of overcoming severe traumas without letting them affect her future.

Leslie Knope – Parks & Recreation

Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is the Deputy Director of the Pawnee, Indiana Parks and Recreation Department and a dedicated public servant.

She aims to become the first female President and, as part of her civic duty, sits on multiple action committees for her town.

Despite having a lot on her plate and huge political ambitions, Leslie stays upbeat and optimistic about everything in her life.

She feels a deep loyalty to those she considers her friends and fellow townsfolk, and she strongly desires always to do the right thing.

What Do You Think About TV’s Most Unshakable Optimists?

While there are many different TV characters tropes, optimists are the ones we tend to remember the most. Happy, perky people tend to catch our eyes, whether because their optimism is infectious or their cheerfulness is annoying AF.

Are you the type of TV viewer who likes cheerful, optimistic characters, or do you prefer the relatable grumps and their disdain for people?

Leave your thoughts in the comments and weigh in on your favorite unshakable TV optimist. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all things TV Fanatic delivered to your inbox, and follow us on social for more cool TV stuff.

The post Rain or Shine: TV’s Most Unshakable Optimists Never Give Up appeared first on TV Fanatic.

By contrast, Monica Geller and Rachel Green were, respectively, (in Friends‘ first season) a chef and a coffee shop waitress who lived in an apartment about four times the size of Jerry’s.

Oh, and their place was always spotlessly clean and impeccably decorated, to boot.

And don’t get us started on how much free time they had to hang out with their pals!

We’re obviously not the first ones to observe that Friends offered an escapist, proudly unrealistic portrayal of life in one of America’s most expensive cities.

And to the show’s credit, like Sex and the City, it at least made occasional mention of the characters’ financial struggles.

But these brief allusions usually took the form of jokes, or one-off, single-episode storylines.

Neither series was interested in truly engaging with the grim realities of life under grinding poverty.

Of course, these shows are not alone in their lack of interest in money troubles.

Stories thrive on conflict, and the struggle to make ends meet is one that most viewers can relate to.

Scenes From the Class Struggle on Sitcoms

And yet, modern TV writers seem to have little interest in that nearly universal aspect of the human condition. But it wasn’t always that way.

We mention the difference between Jerry’s apartment and Monica and Rachel’s because the years when both shows aired simultaneously marked a transitional period that was rarely discussed at the time:

Though their respective runs on NBC overlapped by several years, Seinfeld and Friends were designed to appeal to different generations:

Seinfeld was a show by and primarily for baby boomers, a group who was, at that time, settling into middle age.

Friends, conversely, was written for bright-eyed, optimistic members of Gen X, many of whom looked at the characters as aspirational figures.

This, we could say, was the beginning of TV’s troubling attitude toward the struggles of the working class.

A Time of Plenty (At Least on TV)

After decades of shows like All in the Family, Sanford and Son, and Roseanne, with the dawn of the 21st century, writers and networks seemed suddenly uninterested in the struggles of folks who find themselves clinging to the bottom rung of the economic ladder.

It’s no coincidence that the characters on Friends proved upwardly mobile beyond most people’s wildest dreams:

(Joey, for example, advanced from chronically unemployed aspiring actor to daytime soap star.)

Like sitcoms of the 1950s, the show was more interested in presenting an idealized version of the world than a believable one.

You could call it a step back for the genre, but it’s fine for some shows to take such an idealistic approach — the problem arises when every show chooses to conveniently sidestep real life.

And the problem’s not limited to sitcoms, either.

The Elites of the 10 pm Time Slot

The top dramas of the 2020s are almost all focused on doctors, lawyers, and cops who never seem to experience a single financial setback.

Think of a show like Fire Country, where at least half of the characters should be coping with financial constraints (firefighters and EMTs are, like teachers, sadly underpaid in this country).

And yet, we never see that side of their lives on screen.

The biggest drama of last season, CBS’ Tracker, had the potential to undermine this trend.

After all, Justin Hartley’s survivalist character is technically unemployed.

But it seems that the life of an itinerant reward-seeker is a surprisingly lucrative one.

So instead of presenting the hero as a Steinbeckian modern-day tramp, we get a living testament to the joys and advantages of the gig economy.

The Last Gasp of Socio-Economic Realism

Few recent dramas have made any real effort to depict the lives of Americans who do their best amid daily worries about making next month’s rent.

The handful series that demonstrated any interest in this segment of the population — like Showtime’s Shameless — presented the working poor as cartoonish, white-trash con artists and criminals.

To be fair, there are some shows that still reflect an interest in the struggles faced by most working Americas.

There’s the Roseanne spinoff The Conners, of course — though that show will soon come to an end with its seventh and final season.

And there’s Abbott Elementary, which — deals with the realities of trying to provide equal opportunities in a school beset by budgetary issues.

But such series are few and far between these days, which is a surprising development in an era and medium that’s otherwise reflecting a refreshing, newfound interest in representation.

As is usually the case with widespread cultural trends, there’s no single explanation for this phenomenon.

Generally, in situations like this one, network execs are simultaneously responding to the public’s tastes while shaping them at the same time.

You would think that in a time of record inflation and growing uncertainty about the future of the job market, Americans would embrace TV shows that portray their current woes in realistic fashion.

But maybe the opposite is true.

Perhaps after a day of stressing over the rising cost of living, the average viewer just wants to live vicariously through characters who have no such concerns.

And it’s not as if writers are ignoring economic matters entirely.

In fact, shows like Succession and Billions deserve credit for deftly threading the needle — offering commentary on the current state of American capitalism through searing portrayals of its victors.

In this way, they enable viewers to enjoy a bit of righteous indignation — a little smattering of class warfare — with their escapism.

Perhaps in the end, watching the relentless suffering of our nation’s impoverished classes is just too depressing for the average viewer.

But watching undeservedly rich people suffer? Well, that never gets old!

What do you think, TV fanatics? Do we need more socio-economic diversity on TV?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post Working Class Heroes: Why Don’t We See Poor People on TV Anymore? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

There is your standard comedian who can tell a joke and think on their feet. Other times, the comedy comes from a certain type of stupidity where it is so dumb it is funny.

Some thrive because of their dry sense of humor or cynicism, and physical, witty, observational, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and satirical humor all have homes, too.

There are the ones who try to be funny and the ones who don’t, who might be meant to be laughed at rather than with, and all leave impressions.

Regardless of the type, the one thing distinguishing a character for their sense of humor is their delivery, which has to be believable. It is not just what you say but also how you say it that resonates with audiences.

And these characters, in no particular order, have certainly defined themselves as obtaining a unique sense of humor.

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Charlie Kelly – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

From bashing rats to being an illiterate who knows German to huffing paint to knowing how to play instruments and coming up with songs on the spot, Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) is a prime example of absurd comedy.

Charlie has “Gone America All Over Everybody’s Ass,” proved he isn’t white trash by the motility of his jean shorts, put on his Nightman Cometh musical, has to be told not to try to swim to Europe, and has a real cheese addiction.

There is also the great moment when Mac and Dennis try to help him set up a dating app profile.

His likes? Little green ghouls. Hobby? Magnets. Favorite food? Milk steak. Dislikes? People’s knees. I mean, cover your knees up if you’re gonna be walking around everywhere…

What does he pretend his career is on the date? Well, he tries to say philanthropist, but the words “get blocked up in [his] mouth and [he] don’t say it no good,” so “full-on rapist” is what ends up coming out.

Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David is “pretty, pretty” hilarious. His obscure opinions on society’s norms and taboos lead him to say and do things that scream cringe.

This fictional version of himself is brilliant, unconventional, opinionated, and easily hated, yet there will be moments you find yourself agreeing.

We all put people in our phones using a one-word identifying descriptor, pick up hookers to use the carpool lane, wear MAGA hats so no one wants to have any social interaction with us, pretend to be an Orthodox Jew to get our best friend a kidney faster…

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The show is unscripted and ridiculous, and no one could ever dream of recreating Larry David’s sense of humor.

Gregory Eddie – Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary has a deep talent pool, and there is no shortage of humor on the hit sitcom.

However, Gregory Eddie’s (Tyler James Williams) subtle humor is underrated.

His facial expressions, timing, and consistency are top-notch.

His effortless and simple facial expressions are what set his character apart.

The way he takes Ava’s crude and flirtatious comments leaves fans cracking up.

His side eyes and how he looks into the camera do not go unnoticed. It is physical comedy at its finest.

Lucille Bluth – Arrested Development

The Lucille Bluth lines are endless…

“I wanna cry so bad, but I don’t think I can spare the moisture.”

“Your wrist is testing the tensile strength of that bracelet.”

“It’s one banana, Michael, what could it cost, 10 dollars?”

Her drinking problem is also an amazing center of her humor, ordering vodka on the rocks with a piece of toast for breakfast, winning a drinking contest while in rehab, saying people hate hospitals because there aren’t bars in them.

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Jessica Walter delivers all her lines flawlessly, beautifully, and with genius.

Everyone else could only hope to master the art as well as she has.

The comedic gold she has left behind is historic, and Lucille Bluth is undoubtedly an Arrested Development fan favorite character because of her sense of humor.

Leon Black- Curb Your Enthusiasm

Yes, Larry David may be the show’s star, but Leon Black’s (J.B. Smoove) sense of humor stole the spotlight the second he got in front of that camera.

He is proud of his ability to “brings the ruckus to the ladies,” comparing himself to “Barack Obama, motherf*****! I’m the president of hittin’ that a**!”

Without Leon, fans would never know the nickname “long-ball Larry” or the term “lampin’.”

He is not shy either, admitting to shooting a porno constipated, and his natural skill to handle Larry’s unusual behaviors with quick-witted one-liners is brilliant.

His entry into the show was even top-tier comedy.

His whole family left the David household, and despite having no reason to stay, he told Larry he was “going upstairs to eat this f***in’ Chinese food in my f***in’ room.” He has been a staple in the HBO hit ever since.

Phil Dunphy- Modern Family

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when fans think of the Modern Family Dunphy father figure is one thing— his book of “Phil’sosophy.”

Always look people in the eye, even if they are blind. If you get pulled over for speeding, tell the police officer your spouse has diarrhea.

Watch a sunrise at least once a day. Marry someone who looks sexy while disappointed.

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Phil’s childish behavior, novelty, and awkwardness distinguish him from the other cast members.

His dad jokes and goofiness are played out perfectly. It is hard to do dumb humor without it being a bit cringe-worthy, but Phil is a wizard at it.

April Ludgate- Parks & Recreation

April Ludgate (Audrey Plaza), a Parks and Recreation favorite, is a brilliant contrast to Leslie. She is detached, shrewd, and loves ravens — a beacon for dark comedy fans.

Her head is a “terror dome,” and may or may not have a giant needle on hand if someone tells her secrets and thinks going insane is fun!

Her interest in national parks may stem from them being the best places for a full-moon werewolf transformation, but at least she is fighting for them!

Plus, she makes a very solid point — all wine tastes the same. If you spend more than $5 on it, then you are very stupid.

Her deadpan manner, obvious boredom, sarcasm, and dry sense of humor are praiseworthy and have garnered her character much-deserved comedic attention.

George Lopez- The George Lopez Show

Like Larry David, the titular comedian George Lopez plays a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC sitcom of the same name.

His childhood is the center of a lot of the comedy because his mother was a hedonistic alcoholic.

This leads to many hilarious one-liners because now he is a helicopter parent. This family dynamic and Lopez’s humor create a relatability and lighten up a rough childhood.

Related: Heavy On The Rizz: The Most CHarismatic Leading Men on TV

For example, when his mother complimented him on always being independent, crossing the street alone when he was 2, Lopez responded, “I was looking for food!”

He teaches life lessons in unique ways, playing “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and queuing it up to the educational part, hoping that watching scary stuff would make his son more careful of the dangers in the world.

Lopez also has a repertoire of catchphrases, which are always delivered beautifully and in a way that never gets old.

He does not hide his disdain for people and loves to mess with anyone who tries to offend him.

When an in-law asks what he has been up to, knowing they don’t think highly of him, he responds that he just got off of parole due to stabbing someone when they looked at his wife in the wrong way.

Licked the knife clean, too, because that is how he rolls, fool!

Creed Bratton – The Office

Creed also plays a fictionalized version of himself on The Office.

The real-life former Grass Roots musician plays a hippie and homeless man with a strange sense of humor who is employed at Dunder Mifflin.

The show has a long list of talent, but everything that comes from Creed’s mouth is hysterical. He may not be the main character, but it will surely be an unforgettable moment when the cameras focus on him. The fact his golden nuggets are sporadic only adds to the intrigue and comedy.

Offended by homosexuality? Not Creed.

In the ’60s, he “made love to many, many women, often outdoors, in the mud and the rain, and it’s possible a man slipped in. There would be no way of knowing.”

He has a mysterious way of never being fired despite not actually knowing what is going on, and his literal grassroots is obvious when he says, “The copier did tricks on the high wire. A lady tried to give away a baby that looked like a cat.

“There was a Dwight impersonator and a Jim impersonator. A strongman crushed a turtle. I laughed, and I cried. Not bad for a day in the life of a dog food company.”

As fans, we go along with his nonsense. Of course, he understands pirate code but can’t speak it, though. Need a worm dealer? Creed’s got you.

Related: Fixated Females: 17 Duos Who Obsess Over Each Other

He thinks Jim is gay but tries to set him up with his daughter. Points out you can only ooze two things: sexuality and pus. And, if he can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about? What is he working towards?

Jim Lahey – Trailer Park Boys

Famous for being a drunk trailer park supervisor, Jim Lahey (John Dunsworth) may be best known for his line, “I am the liquor,” talk of the winds of shit, and constant failure to take down whatever illegal activity Julian, Ricky, and Bubbles are conducting.

He is absurd, and his sense of humor is heightened when he is “on the liquor,” telling stories of shitfish, shitnets, and shitpower because “when you are in a man’s power, you must do as he bids you.”

Lahey’s struggle with alcohol leads to the most quotable moments of TPB, like, “Alcoholics go to meetings. I don’t go to meetings; therefore, I’m not an alcoholic.”

Before Dunsworth unexpectedly passed away, he coincidentally said at some point while shooting the show, “When you’re dead, you’re dead. But you’re not quite so dead if you contribute something.”

He undoubtedly contributed moments on the screen that will live on through memes and fan’s hearts.

Kimiko Miyashiro – The Boys

Kimiko Miyashiro (Karen Fukuhara) may be a largely nonverbal character, but her sense of humor shines in other forms, such as sign language and text messages.

She is quick-witted and sharp-minded and keeps Frenchie and the other boys alert with her clever insults and callouts.

She can grasp fans uniquely, which speaks a lot about her character.

Even though she may be a little more reserved, guarded, and tougher than your average character known for their sense of humor, she still stands out among the rest of The Boys cast.

Terry Jeffords – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine lieutenant is another character based on the actors themselves.

Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) may physically be huge, eating 10,000 calories a day to maintain his size, but he is really a softy.

His size has played into many of the best moments on the show, like when he attempted to get a vasectomy.

Related: 13 Pro Athletes Who Found Great Success as Actors

The doctors had to stop the surgery because they didn’t realize before that they didn’t have enough anesthesia for the procedure due to his size, which forced them to pause the operation.

In his state of delusion, he utters numerous hilarious lines, like commenting on how small Jake Peralta’s head is and asking him where he keeps his brain.

His obsession with yogurt and his frequent use of the third person add a layer to his sense of humor that makes him unforgettable.

Tormund Giantsbane- Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones Free Folk leader is by far one of the funniest characters. His vulgarity, brute nature, and directness lead to some of the show’s best banter and comedic lines.

His facial expressions are on point, and his obsession with Brienne of Tarth makes for some of his most iconic moments.

His words were quite literal, like when someone referred to the Queen.

He wasn’t sure if they were talking about Cersei or Daenerys, so for clarification, he asked, “The one with the dragons or the one that f**** her brother?”

Or his advice on how to survive the cold, “You have to keep moving; that’s the secret. Walking’s good, fight’s better, f******’s best.”

Giantsbane’s sense of humor is a series highlight and makes for some epic memes.

Willie Jack – Reservation Dogs

Reservation Dogs is a revolutionary FX show hailed for depicting Native Americans through an Indigenous perspective rather than a white perspective.

Although it is centered around a tragic event, it has its hysterical moments.

Related: Single Season Shows That Live on in Our Hearts

Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis) is tough, fierce, loyal, and unafraid to call someone out when needed. She is known for her memorable digs and clever sense of humor, which feels natural.

Even if her moments are just tiny sections of her lines, she makes them count.

Just the way she thinks of learning the wizard ways as not being sure if it’s a wax-on, wax-off situation, so she just shuts up and goes with it, creating a laughable and memorable moment.

Her facial expressions also make fans crack up, and there is something special about a character’s ability to evoke laughter from simple reactions.

Samantha Jones – Sex and the City

Samantha Jones left her mark on the industry with her brilliantly hilarious moments in Sex and the City. She does not care what anyone thinks about her, lives life to the fullest, and never stifles her passion or personality.

She always wants to have a good time, obviously, when she says, “I don’t believe in the Republican party or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties.”

She is also not afraid to tell a man she loves them but loves herself more.

She knows who she is and is not afraid to flaunt it. Her delivery and willingness to make her presence none makes for some of the most quotable TV moments.

“Yeah, I am harsh. I’m also demanding, stubborn, self-sufficient, and always right. In bed, at the office, and everywhere else.”

Grandma Huang – Fresh Off the Boat

Grandma Huang (Lucille Soong) is the comedic relief on Fresh Off the Boat.

Fans love her attitude and sense of humor, both verbal and physical. Her facial expressions and wheelchair make for the best parts of the show.

Related: 11 Series Finales That Hit Us Right In the Feels

With the looming threat of Y2K and Emery’s idea to live it up, instead of following the public’s panic, she decides to pour a can of soda on the carpet because there is no need to worry about consequences with the crash of computers on the horizon.

Using the same reasoning when Emery and Evan tell her not to sign up for a credit card because she has no way of paying it off, she tells them, no need to worry, you pile up the debt and wait until January when bank records get erased. Y2K. Her way of living it up.

In her free time, she likes to take pennies from the public fountain, and she loves Garfield.

She loves free things from the bank, and after the disappointment of learning the pen she wanted was chained to the desk, she takes a potted plant instead.

Supposedly, she has also knitted a cape for Evel Knievel in the past, and she watches “Twins” because she is attracted to Danny DeVito.

Grandma Huang’s delivery is flawless, and her humor is unparalleled.

Chandler Bing – Friends

Chandler Bing’s (Matthew Perry) sarcastic sense of humor and ability to “say more dumb things before 9 a.m. than most people say all day” certainly established him as a character known for his humor.

He also uses comedy as a defense mechanism and a way to cope with his rough childhood upbringing, which started after his parents split up.

This makes him a relatable character, as this tends to be a way for many people to cope.

Chandler is also a comedian who uses his self-esteem issues as the center of jokes, and quitting often becomes the joke.

He always delivers the best zingers and witty comments, but he tends to mess up often, which only adds to his comedy.

His natural humor is extremely effective and has created infamous humor throughout Friends.

Related: What Generation Was Friends Anyway? GenX, Boomers, or Millennials?

Dr. Gregory House – House

Dr. Gregory House has a dry sense of that resonates with fans. He is intelligent and crude, but in the most captivating way that made his sometimes insensitive remarks absolutely hilarious.

When someone asks him if he minds if they come in his place, he responds, “Not at all. Do you mind if I leave?”

How could fans not crack up when he said, “I cared for eight seconds. Then got distracted,” or “The good news is he won’t be bitching about losing his hand if he can’t breathe”?

He doesn’t care what people think of him and calls it as it is.

He also has his own unconventional way of caring for people, like when he knocked on Wilson’s door and said, “I know you’re in there. I can hear you caring.”

The star of House brought humor to a hit show that otherwise is not considered a comedy.

Red Forman – That ’70s Show

Red Forman of That ’70s Show is an icon of bitter humor, sarcasm, and edgy jabs.

He is irritable and grumpy but not actually a cruel person, which makes an interesting contrast and his comedy even better because, you know, at his core, he isn’t truly hateful.

He is blunt and has an irreverent tone and manner that fans cling to and enjoy.

He is the king of insults and is always looking for someone’s ass to put his boot up. He also wants to be buried facedown when the time comes so anyone who doesn’t like him can kiss it.

His deadpan humor makes him an icon for the ages.

Related: TV Moments That Give Meaning to the Word Crescendo

The TV characters known for their sense of humor will always live on in fans’ hearts and through the most infamous memes.

Regardless of their style or the show’s genre, the ones who provide comedic relief or outdo the other show members will continue to be favorites because of their hilarity.

In the comments below, please tell us what you think of the characters listed and some of your favorite lines or scenes!

The post TV Characters Defined by Their Sense of Humor appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Every TV show genre features at least one thoroughly self-satisfied character who would be insufferable in real life but is a delight onscreen.

They might not literally hog the mirror like their namesake, Narcissus, but they fully occupy our attention whenever the camera is on them.

All the world’s their stage, and they seriously believe that the world is better off for it.

The TV Fanatic team collected their favorite examples of these supremely self-absorbed characters who think they’re exceptional — and we agree!

Related: 15 Actors Who Left Successful TV Shows

Ava Coleman, Narcissist — Abbott Elementary

It’s fitting that Ava is the principal of Abbott Elementary because she is also the central authority figure in every room she enters.

Ava may view her long-suffering staff as simply the supporting cast of her one wild and precious life, but really, why wouldn’t she?

She infuses a high level of glamour into her surroundings no matter where she is and can charm anyone from city officials to club bouncers.

Related: Is Abbott Elementary a Realistic Portrayal of Teaching?

She’s hilarious, even if her humor tends to punch down sometimes.

However, she is also capable of self-reflection and is willing to correct her mistakes — as long as it’s her idea!

Ava’s outsized vision of herself shapes her expansive life, and we can’t help rooting for her (even if we hope she doesn’t make a cutting comment).

Beth Dutton, Narcissist — Yellowstone

The apex narcissist and reigning queen of the Yellowstone Dutton family ranch, Beth is a barely contained maelstrom of anger, manipulation, and unpredictability.

Her luxe cowgirl-core outfits and appreciation of a good glass (or six) of bourbon are splashy indulgences when she’s not plotting the much-deserved downfall of her brother Jamie or meeting up with on-again, off-again love interest Rip Wheeler.

Beth is a baffling blend of femme fatale, wounded teenager, and ruthless business mogul. She operates on her own schedule and has a moral playbook written in disappearing ink.

Related: Yellowstone Spinoff: Everything We Know So Far About the Unnamed Series

She is electrifying to watch, and when her warped code of honor aligns with traditional notions of right and wrong, it’s a rush to watch her exact justifiable revenge in creative ways.

But then she will just as quickly perform a random act of cruelty that’s truly hard to watch.

Through it all, Beth believes she is right in just about everything. And when it comes to business, she’s usually correct.

If anyone can keep this ranch going it’s her; one day we’ll all realize that and let her get on with it!

Tony Soprano, Narcissist — The Sopranos

Tony embodies the lack of self-awareness that’s so common among narcissists.

He says he admires the “strong, silent” Gary Cooper type, but he’s the kind of guy who makes it everybody’s problem when he’s having a bad day. He despises his mother and Uncle Junior while failing to recognize that he possesses many of their worst traits.

The Sopranos is rife with brilliant comedic moments, but Tony’s story is ultimately tragic.

By failing to recognize the need for fundamental change in his life — even after countless sessions with a gifted therapist — he transfers his suffering to others. He allows his pain to metastasize into a family curse.

Related: 19 Integral The Sopranos Storylines You Might Have Forgotten About

We might not know precisely what happens to Tony after he finishes that basket of onion rings in the show’s finale.

But we know what becomes of people like him, not to mention their loved ones.

And that’s enough to leave us feeling as empty as the infamous black screen at the series’ conclusion.

Tanya McQuoid, Narcissist — The White Lotus

Tanya is the stupendously wealthy and highly medicated connoisseur of The White Lotus, a high-end hotel chain, who inadvertently wreaks havoc at each location she visits.

To describe her as a bottomless pit of need would be… accurate.

Tanya exemplifies narcissism by being utterly oblivious to the emotions or even the existence of people around her.

She also forgets promises made to them at the moment, like when she bails on helping fund Belinda, the spa manager’s business plan, in Season 1.

There’s a sweet, childlike vulnerability to Tanya’s demeanor that is charming and fools people into trusting her more than they should.

She’s far too self-absorbed to be truly evil and is kept docile in any event by her copious drug use.

Related: The White Lotus Season 3: Parker Posey, Michelle Monaghan Join Cast as Show Charts New Course Post-Jennifer Coolidge

Despite a harrowing past, Tanya lives in the moment, which gives her such hyperfocus and can make those around her feel like they are the only people in her world.

But that person will only and ever be Tanya herself.

Still, she is incredibly entertaining, always dresses completely over the top, and has flashes of perception that almost redeem her.

Owen Strand, Narcissist — 9-1-1: Lone Star

Owen Strand is so annoyingly self-involved. He gives the term narcissist new meaning.

You could say many not-so-flattering things about this Austin, Texas, firehouse captain, not that he’d agree with you about any of them.

He thinks he’s the male version of Malibu Barbie, for starters.

He can’t stay within an inch of his job description because he thinks he should be able to do it all and is too self-important. 

He definitely has an overly complicated skincare regimen.

But, c’mon: LOOK AT HIM!

If anyone on this list can be forgiven for enjoying mirrors a bit too much, it’s the deeply heroic and symmetrical Captain Strand.

Dexter Morgan, Narcissist — Dexter

One of the original TV narcissists, Dexter Morgan is smart enough to realize that his superiority complex might be off-putting to the people around him.

Since most of those people are also in law enforcement, he knows that their suspicion will only slow down his serial killing body count.

Dexter is a jumble of justifications, all of which sound good in voiceover but tend to shift as needed for various situations.

Related: Dennis Quaid to Star as Infamous Serial Killer in Paramount+ Series Happy Face

He does have the track record to back up his high opinion of himself, always escaping detection at the very last second.

Dexter’s facility in mimicking appropriate human emotions and facial expressions is first and foremost a self-preservation skill.

But there’s also a wistfulness behind it that provokes empathy, even if it’s faked.

Jenna Maroney, Narcissist — 30 Rock

The Main Character of her life and yours, Jenna never met a promotional opportunity that was too small to book or a friend’s back that was too big to stab.

This narcissist is obsessed with fame and cannot understand why the world has yet to recognize her stratospheric fabulousness as a singer and actress.

Jenna views her coworkers and friends as a dress rehearsal audience more than real people.

Related: Nine Monumental TV Episodes That Changed TV Forever

Her relationships are transactional and shallow, but she’s too busy scheming for her next big break to notice.

That said, Jenna has a sharp, biting wit that sometimes surprises her. And even though she is utterly convinced of her talent, she works hard to hone her craft.

Supremely confident and show biz savvy, Jenna almost gives narcissists a good name!

What narcissists of the small screen would you have chosen? Let us know in the comments!

The post Unforgettable Narcissists of the Small Screen appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Earlier this week, NBC announced its fall schedule.

Shortly thereafter, FX followed suit with a slew of September premiere dates.

Now, ABC has joined the party with dates for four new shows and a whole bunch of returning favorites!

So without further ado, let’s see what the alphabet network has in store for us come September.

High Potential

Like Michael Jordan launching his baseball career, Kaitlin Olsen apparently decided that starring on TV’s longest-running live-action sitcom wasn’t enough.

Related: High Potential Season 1: Everything We Know So Far

She also wanted to play the lead in a drama on one of the OG major networks.

Of course, there are differences between Kaitlin and MJ’s situation:

For one thing, Kaitlin isn’t ditching the gig that made her famous.

As far as we can tell, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia will continue its run until the time when the sun explodes and engulfs the Earth.

Additionally, Olson’s new gig has a much better chance for success than Jordan’s time on the diamond.

Dee Reynolds as a cleaning lady with a genius IQ who helps the authorities solve crimes? Sign us up!

High Potential will premiere on Monday, September 17 at 10 pm, following the Season 33 premiere of Dancing With the Stars.

The Golden Bachelorette

Next up is The Golden Bachelorette, a spinoff of last season’s surprisingly successful The Golden Bachelor.

We should note that the previous series was successful in terms of ratings, not romance.

Related: Bachelor In Paradise Renewed For Tenth Season at ABC

The 72-year-old widower Gerry Turner found love and married Theresa Nist — but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Gerry and Theresa got divorced just a few months after their televised wedding.

Hopefully, Joan Vassos will have better luck when she takes over as the rose master general.

The Golden Bachelorette will premiere on ABC on Wednesday, September 18 at 8 pm.

Doctor Odyssey

On Thursdays, ABC will reassert its dominance as one of TV’s top platforms for hourlong dramas with three — count ’em, three — 60-minute series.

The newcomer in the bunch is Doctor Odyssey, a new series from Ryan Murphy with Dawson’s Creek and Fringe alum Joshua Jackson in the lead role.

Jackson will play the doctor aboard a luxury cruise ship.

As he and his small but mighty crew navigate medical mysteries, we’re sure that wackiness will ensue, romantic interests will develop, and the boat will be rocked.

Related: Doctor Odyssey Season 1: Everything We Know So Far

Doctor Odyssey will set sail on Thursday, September 26 at 9 pm.

It’ll be sandwiched between two beloved returning series:

9-1-1 Season 8 will premiere at 8 pm, and perennial favorite Grey’s Anatomy will return for its 21st season (!!!) at 10 pm.

The following month will bring the fall premiere of Abbott Elementary, which will return for its fourth season on Monday, October 9 at 9:30.

It’ll be followed by the premiere of Scamanda, a docuseries based on the wildly popular podcast about a wife, mother, and con artist.

Sadly, last season’s ABC casualties — The Good Doctor, Not Dead Yet and Station 19 — remain canceled.

Despite valiant efforts from Station 19 fans to rescue the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, it has yet to secure a new home or a second life on ABC.

So yeah, there are fewer scripted series than in years past and no new sitcoms (though High Potential has its comedic elements) on ABC’s 2024 fall schedule.

But hey — after a year in which labor disputes ravaged the industry and threatened the existence of some of our favorite shows, we’re just glad to have a full season of TV to look forward to.

Related: Grey’s Anatomy Season 21: Cast and Character Guide

What do you think, TV fanatics?

Which new series are you most looking forward to?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post ABC Announces Fall 2024 Premiere Dates! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The main cast has remained mostly the same since the comedy's inception.

Quinta Brunson stepped in a different light as we saw her work in her new role as a temporary fellowship in the school district.

This gave Season 3 a little twist, following her trying to adjust to bureaucracy and her co-workers' happenings.

The cast brings mightier humor to our TV screens each new season.

Meet Abbott Elementary Season 4 cast and characters:

Quinta Brunson (Janine Teagues)

Janine Teagues is the main character of Abbott Elementary and a second-grade teacher. She always remains optimistic despite the school's underfunding and lack of essentials.

In season 3, she was offered a temporary fellowship at the school district.

Her mission is to help the lives of her students, and her cheeriness can sometimes get on her co-worker's nerves.

Quinta Brunson is best known for creating, executive producing, co-writing, and starring in ABC's Abbott Elementary.

Abbott Elementary's District Storyline Has Left Fans Divided

She was the daughter of a school teacher, and her mom's real-world teacher struggles inspired the show.

At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, she became the first Black woman nominated three times in the comedy category. For the hit pilot episode, she won Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

In 2024, she was nominated for three Emmys in the comedy sector and won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Brunson has also been nominated for and has won many other awards for the show.

She was on the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2022 list.

Brunson has also acted in iZombie, Single Parents, and Miracle Workers and starred in the first season of the HBO series A Black Lady Sketch Show.

Tyler James Williams (Gregory Eddie)

Greg was initially hired as a substitute first-grade teacher despite interviewing for the principal position, which was his original goal.

He eventually becomes a full-time first-grade teacher.

Although he is considered to be more serious than his co-workers, he has a great sense of humor.

Why We're Rooting Against Janine and Gregory on Abbott Elementary

He is also pretty nonconfrontational and initially fosters a secret crush on Janine.

Williams is widely known for his role as Chris Rock on Everybody Hates Chris.

He has also been on The Walking Dead and starred in the Disney movie Let It Shine.

For his role as Greg, he was twice nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

He won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor- Television Series.

He also received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performances by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Janelle James (Ava Coleman)

Ava is the school's aloof principal who singles out Janine due to their personality clashes.

She also constantly does things that give her staff good reasons not to respect her as a principal.

After all, she did get the job after blackmailing the superintendent.

Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 10 Review: 2 Ava 2 Fest

She focuses on her social media and her crush on Gregory more than her job.

However, as the seasons go on, she realizes she actually likes her job and starts acting accordingly.

Janelle is best known for her role as Ava, for which she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award and NCAAP Image Award.

She has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.

She wrote for and acted on the Showtime comedy Black Monday. She has also been in Crashing, Corporate, and Central Park.

She has a comedy album called Black and Mild and has hosted podcasts, including Strong Black Laughs and You in Danger, Gurl.

Lisa Ann Walter (Melissa Schemmenti)

Melissa is a second-grade teacher at Abbott and is close to veteran teacher Barbara.

She comes from a large Italian-American family and hints at having questionable connections to municipal government agencies and crime.

Melissa also has a sister with whom she has a rivalry because of family issues and works at a competing school.

Lisa Ann Walter is known for her role as Chessy, the housekeeper, in The Parent Trap, and Melissa.

She won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy for Abbott Elementary.

She was the creator and executive producer of the Oxygen reality show, Dance Your Ass Off.

She has also been a judge on The Next Best Thing: Who Is The Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?

Is Abbott Elementary a Realistic Portrayal of Teaching?

Walter created and starred in Life's Work and appeared in Bruce Almighty, Shall We Dance, and War of the Worlds.

Chris Perfetti (Jacob Hill)

Jacob Hill, a 6th-grade history teacher, backs Janine in her calling to help students.

He is the awkward one who is also occasionally the negative one as well.

He was also once part of the "Story Samurai," which tells entertaining stories from school to school.

Chris Perfetti was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award and won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role as Jacob Hill.

He was also Tim Fletch on Crossbones, Brady on the HBO series Looking, and Ben on In the Dark.

Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard)

Barbara is an old-school veteran kindergarten teacher who is idolized by Janine and was inspired by Brunson's mom.

She is also vocal regarding her religion and sings in a choir.

Her daughter, who visits and we learn has not impressed her mother with her career choices, starts dating Gregory.

She then eventually has to break up the two.

Barbara is known for bribing Delisha Sloss, a school board member, into giving the school a loan.

As a highly respectable teacher, she receives some disappointing news when a former student comes to visit Abbott.

Sheryl Lee Ralph not only acts on screen but on stage, too.

Quinta Brunson and the End of Abbott Elementary: Are We In For Another Short-Lived Classic?

She is praised for her role as Deema Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which landed her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical nomination.

She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Barbara.

She was the first Black woman in 35 years to win the award.

For her role as Barbara, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series.

As well as an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Her debut was in the comedy film A Piece of the Action in 1977.

In 1990, she was in To Sleep with Anger, for which she won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.

She has also been in The Mighty Quinn, Mistress, The Distinguished Gentleman, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and The Comeback Trail.

William Stanford Davis (Mr. Johnson)

Mr. Johnson is the school's custodian, but he is much more than that.

He is a little quirky but hilarious, lovable, and gifted.

Abbott Elementary Writer Brittani Nichols Talks Love Interests and Guest Stars

He didn't become a show regular until Season 2, but now we are graced to learn about all his conspiracy theories.

A brilliant on-screen moment for Mr. Johnson was convincing Jacob that a ghost lives in the school's basement.

For his role as Mr. Johnson, William Stanford Davis won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

He was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Previously, he was in the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

Davis was Potato Pie on the Showtime Golden Globe-winning series Ray Donovan and Coach Max in Swagger.

Abbott Elementary Season 3 just ended, so an air date for Season 4 is unknown.

The great news is that there will definitely be a Season 4, and the cast is guaranteed to have audiences laughing.

We want to know your favorite Abbott Elementary characters in the comments below!

The post Abbott Elementary Season 4: Cast & Character Guide appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Fans of the show either swooned at this continuation of their slow-burn relationship or lost hope (and interest) in the series ever delivering on this particular storyline.

In either case, it seemed a safe bet that these two characters would spend a lot of time apart during the next season and maybe even explore other dating opportunities.

Season 3 opened with a five-month time jump (a creative way to account for delays from the Hollywood writers and actors strikes) and with Janine now working for the Philadelphia school district. 

This potentially series-changing news was walked back a bit when we learned that it's only a temporary internship and that it also included Janine being on-site at Abbott two days a week. 

This having-it-both-ways work situation for Janine (Quinta Brunson) has proved to be a template for the third season, where several character arcs felt more like circles that brought everyone back to their original starting point. 

Ava (Janelle James) cycled through an entire one of these in the space of the first episode, after a Harvard (campus wifi-assisted Education Connection) degree makes her a principal who's now a stickler for the rules.

The disgruntled teaching staff decides that the devilishly unprofessional Ava they know is better than this new no-nonsense version who took away their off-campus lunches, so they summon her back with a favorite dance song by the time the credits roll.

Ava's cheerful impropriety is arguably the best part of the entire show, so of course, her playing it straight was never going to last.

Still, even just the few minutes we get of her outsized take on scholarly decorum are priceless, and it would have been interesting to see her find a leadership balance on her own over the course of more than one episode. 

The District storyline seemed to promise an exciting, game-changing reset for the series but instead turned out to be an empty threat due to a lack of true stakes for everyone involved.

Janine's internship was a perfect-on-paper career match for her relentless enthusiasm, attention to detail, and facility with red tape.

Working in different buildings may have given Janine and Gregory the green light to pursue a relationship. Or, even better, the space to date other people. 

In this hypothetical scenario, did I want Janine's other potential dating person to be District representative Manny (Josh Segarra)?

HECK. YES.

It was the cruelest of cruel bait-and-switches to give us Josh Segarra in a variety of cozy earth-toned sweaters and then NOT have him become a love interest for Janine. 

(Do better, Abbott Elementary.)

Even when strictly focused on Janine's career aspirations, the District storyline failed to provide any real tension because there was never any narrative doubt that Janine would return to teaching.

Part of this was because throughout her internship at the District, Janine always seemed to be either at Abbott or meeting up with Gregory (Tyler James Williams) and Jacob (Chris Perfetti) for after-work drinks.

If it felt like she never left the school, that's because she was always there!

Janine even spent a lot of time in her old classroom micromanaging the substitutes who were now teaching her students.

Without a clear, extended separation from Abbott, it was hard to see Janine's internship as anything other than a fun after-school job. 

Her administrative wins with the District (such as the librarian program) were so closely tied to Abbott that it was easy to overlook their wider applications.

It seems that Janie herself was lulled into thinking she hadn't really moved away from Abbott. When her internship ended and District Superintendant John Reynolds (Keegan-Michael Key) gave her a full-time position, she was shocked to learn she'd be expected to work with schools other than Abbott. 

Yes, she should have realized this much sooner, but we as viewers also should have seen this coming. 

After all, there were signs: right before being offered the internship, Janine started her fourth year of teaching as her usual upbeat self with no burnout in sight.

When Manny and the other District reps praised her ideas and floated the internship opportunity, Janine seemed flattered but ambivalent rather than excited.

She finally consulted her mentor Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), who reminded Janine that she'd still have Abbott to come home to when the internship ended.

Between Janine's initial reluctance to participate and the District's office setting not getting equal screentime to Abbott's school campus, the District storyline never really had a chance to fully tempt Janine or engage the viewing audience.

It squandered the opportunity to make Janine's internship a real turning point for her career choice and even her life, since her return to teaching was pretty much set in stone from the start.

What the District storyline did provide, however, was enough space for other members of the main cast to grow and shine.

Jacob's arc was perhaps the biggest departure from a personal status quo. He broke up with his longtime live-in boyfriend and ended up renting a room from Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter). 

The two became not just roommates but close buddies who shared inside jokes and dinner leftovers in the breakroom. This affected their dynamic with the other teachers and even Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis). 

We got to see Barbara's preternatural calm tested by her dislike of the new librarian (Cree Summer) brought in by Janine's pilot library program. And, we saw Janine summon the courage to stand up to her beloved mentor when she was wrong.

Meanwhile, Gregory unwittingly became the "cool teacher" and was inspired to create a school program proposal of his own, "Gregory's Garden Goofballs."

The District storyline served as a release valve that gave these subplots room to breathe. Janine's journey was still centered this season, but there was more time left to expand the world of Abbott without her daily presence. 

However, those very same teacher subplots could have happened in a regular school year, so was the District storyline really necessary?

Should the series just forget it ever happened and go back to its previous schoolday-focused stories every week?

That seems to be where the show is headed since Janine's abrupt exit after her internship has definitely burned bridges at the District. This will undoubtedly create even more difficulties for Abbott to obtain necessary resources in the future.

Season 3 featured some great celebrity cameos like Bradley Cooper and Jalen Hurts, but a return to original form for the series would severely limit opportunities to introduce new recurring characters. 

Also, Gregory's personality is still wildly inconsistent! That really needs to be fixed if next season is going to be confined to the school setting.

When the series began, Gregory and Janine were both idealistic and offbeat in complementary enough ways that a close friendship (and perhaps more) between the two seemed plausible.

As time went on, though, Gregory's quirks went into overdrive and also seemed to pop up at random during his default setting of stern and inflexible.  

The few times we saw him get emotionally close to Janine revealed him as a potentially great romantic partner. However, the show always yanked his character back into acting distant and vaguely judgmental.

If the show is truly committed to a glacially-paced, chemistry-free romance between Janine and Gregory it needs to show us why these two people are better together than apart, because so far that hasn't come across at all.

(TEAM MANNY!!!)

Abbott Elementary Season 3 tackled Hollywood strike delays with creativity and aplomb, but the District storyline was a great idea that just didn't go far enough. 

Somewhere out in the ether there's a version of Season 4 where Janine stays at the District and serves as a valuable inside contact for Abbott. SHE MARRIES MANNY (your version of this season may vary), goes on adventures with her Abbott friends, and fosters systemic change in her new position of authority.

For better or worse, Season 4 may bring us back to the start where the world of Abbott Elementary is just five classrooms and a breakroom. It worked before, so there's no reason it can't do so again.

Still, this detour with the District storyline has shown that the series can benefit from a revamp. 

The District storyline failed to provide a narrative Doorway of No Return since Janine never risked physical, professional, or psychological death by accepting the internship.

Everything was always going to be the same, no matter what she chose.

This lack of real stakes made Season 3 an exercise in treading water and a missed opportunity to expand rather than contract the world of Abbott Elementary.

However, each episode this season has featured some laugh-out-loud lines that are still buzzing in the back of my head.

How are all of you Abbott fans enjoying Season 3 so far?

What do you think will happen in Season 4?

(Bonus points if your answer involves Manny!)

Let us know in the comments! 

The post Abbott Elementary’s District Storyline Has Left Fans Divided: Is It Time For the Show to Get Back To Basics? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This was probably the best episode of the season, and for that reason, we're giving it five stars.

When you have an ensemble cast like this one, it can be hard to make sure everyone's story gets told. But the writers of this show know what they're doing, and it never feels like anyone is left behind.

The big news from Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 10 was Janine's big career decision. We definitely saw it coming, as she's been dropping hints about how much she misses being in the classroom all season.

The district fellowship was a nice storyline for her because it gave her opportunities for growth and helped her understand where she really wanted to be.

Plus, it gave us Manny, who will be missed as the show pulls away from the district. Maybe they'll find a way to keep him involved, which would be great!

But we've always known that Janine belonged at Abbott, so there wasn't really much suspense involved with her decision about which job to move forward with.

Unsurprisingly, everyone at Abbott is thrilled that Janine will be returning to the school. Maybe none so much as Gregory. Their friendship is really solid right now, and fingers crossed it stays that way.

Like we've said before, we're not shipping them romantically, and as it turns out, we're not alone. Tyler James Williams recently said that he supports his character's friendship with Janine but doesn't think they should date.

There just aren't ever enough platonic friendships between characters of different genders on TV. For some reason, writers love to ruin a good bond by forcing a relationship.

So, we're still rooting against Janine and Gregory as a couple but hoping their friendship continues to evolve.

The episode was really funny, which comes as no surprise, but one of the best parts was the slew of impressions Melissa hit us with. Her version of Sylvester Stallone as Robert DeNiro was top-tier.

Ava: Ava Fest, on the other hand, is going to be special. I just have to come up with a way to take it over the top. A way to make it unhinged.

Melissa: Have you ever tried just being hinged?

_{🔗 permalink: Have you ever tried just being hinged?}

Melissa Schemmenti continues to be one of the show's most hilarious characters. She always has a comeback, her Philadelphia accent is spot-on, and her exaggerated portrayal of a stereotypical Philly resident is excellent.

She spent the episode making fun of Ava, who swore Questlove would be attending Ava Fest. Ava has become a "boy who cried wolf" after her last celebrity cameo promise turned out to be a bust.

Melissa was joined by Barb, Gregory, and Jacob in an attempt to get Ava to admit that Questlove wasn't really going to be attending Ava Fest. Jacob even went behind Ava's back and made a flier that clearly said the claim was false.

We can't really blame the teachers for not believing Ava. Obviously, it turned out she wasn't lying, and Questlove's cameo at the end of the episode was great. Abbott Elementary knows how to produce a good cameo!

2 Ava 2 Fest nailed down a point we've made before: earlier in the season, Ava's character development was incredible. But for some reason, it took a left turn, and she's been back to her old ways.

While she turned out to be telling the truth this time, she was pretty rude to everyone throughout the episode. The running gag where she's cruel to Janine Teagues for no reason is getting a little old.

Plus, making a joke (or trying to start a rumor) that someone is pregnant will never be funny.

There's still a little time for redemption, and now that Janine will be coming back to the school, we'll hold out hope that Ava will find her way back to the maturity she was displaying before.

With the reveal that Gregory's Garden Goofballs — his gardening and outreach program — has officially been approved for funding at the district, there's a chance we could still get to see our friends from there in future episodes.

Honestly, we wouldn't mind seeing Manny brought on as a love interest for Janine now that she's not working under him.

It would be a shame to have to say goodbye to him after getting attached throughout this season!

That being said, it's okay if Janine doesn't get a love interest. There doesn't always need to be one to make a character have value.

Overall, it was a great episode. Janine's decision to come back to Abbott wasn't a surprise, but it was still welcome news after all of the back-and-forth.

Gregory's program deserves to get off the ground (no pun intended). It'll be really exciting to see where the show takes that and how much it'll be scaled up.

Ava: We all know the real reason you came back is to see Questlove.

Janine: Ava, Questlove is not coming here.

_{🔗 permalink: Questlove is not coming here.}

As for what's going on with Ava Coleman, well, we just hope the writers can point her back in the right direction.

The Ava who was kind, thoughtful, and selfless was preferable to the one who only thinks about herself. Of course, people can have more than one layer, so maybe it's about making her character multi-dimensional.

So, fanatics — what did you think? Did you enjoy the episode as much as we did? Let us know in the comments, and sound off about what you think is coming next for the Abbott Elementary crew.

Don't forget to watch Abbott Elementary online in the meantime!

The post Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 10 Review: 2 Ava 2 Fest appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The superintendent announces that Janine's library program has been very successful. A photo of Janine's class is included in his presentation, and she feels emotional about seeing them.

Manny is back and hosting a new hire party for Janine since she accepted the full-time district position.

Ava tells the teachers that the open house is going to be the second annual Ava Fest. The teachers try to temper her excitement.

Gregory goes to the district to submit his proposal for Gregory's Garden Goofballs.

Ava claims Questlove is coming to Ava Fest, but they don't believe her because her "special guest" didn't show up last year.

Gregory visits Janine at the district and brings her a gift from the school. She's touched.

Ava tells an elaborate story about how she met Questlove and claims to be a founding member of The Roots.

The superintendent tells Janine that she will be working with all of the schools in the district and can't focus her attention on Abbott Elementary.

Jacob creates a flier for Ava Fest like Ava asked him to, but he announces that Questlove will not be attending on the flier.

The other employees at the district are trying to get her to complete all of her onboarding tasks, but she's being evasive and having anxiety about the new job.

Ava confronts Jacob about the flier. The teachers explain that they don't want to lie to the community.

At the party, Janine doesn't want to sign her new hire paperwork, so she makes up an excuse about needing a lucky pen. In her office, she finds mementos from her friends at Abbott.

Ava Fest starts. Gregory announces he got approval for Gregory's Garden Goofballs. Janine shows up to Ava Fest and tells everyone she decided not to take the district job. She decides to come back to teach at Abbott.

Barbara rants at Ava about lying, and then Questlove shows up. Everyone is shocked.

The post Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 10 Recap: 2 Ava 2 Fest appeared first on TV Fanatic.