Abbott Elementary - Minority Mindset

SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains spoilers for the Season 4 finale of “Abbott Elementary.”

For four seasons now, the “Abbott Elementary” field trip episode has been a cherished tradition. With only one exception – during Season 3 when it was the second-to-last episode – the season finales of this beloved ABC sitcom have always taken place outside of school, where teachers and students often encounter difficulties and emotions that aren’t typically found in a classroom setting.

This year, I found myself visiting Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum with my loved ones, a place where interactive displays encourage kids to immerse themselves, unlike many museums that enforce the “hands off” rule. However, this outing stirred up some nerves for me, as my dad, Martin (Orlando Jones), was in town and joining us as a chaperone. While I was eager to finally meet my boyfriend’s father, I fretted over his no-nonsense demeanor potentially leading him to disapprove of me. To alleviate my concerns, I donned a suit jacket and adopted a formal, by-the-book persona – until I realized that being playful and goofy was the key to connecting with my second graders.

When I ditched my serious facade and started playing pretend with the kids, Martin was initially taken aback. But before long, he joined in, adopting a funny squirrel voice to tickle the laughter of the seven-year-olds. For the remainder of our trip, my dad and I were inseparable, engaged in one hilarious escapade after another.

It’s an unusual sensation for Gregory, who, due to Martin’s strict military-like upbringing, seldom had opportunities to have fun as a child. Initially, Janine is puzzled by his unease, but she urges him to express his feelings to Martin. When Martin acknowledges that he might have been less harsh with Gregory in the past, it seems to mend something within Gregory, particularly when Martin mentions that Janine reminds him of Faith, who passed away when Gregory was just nine years old. Understanding that Janine has shown him how to appreciate life, which he found challenging before, Gregory departs from the conversation with fresh understanding towards his father and gratitude for Janine.

Simultaneously, Ava is given a pair of earrings that she dislikes as a gift from O’Shon (Matthew Law), and eventually understands that it’s better to be truthful. They then share a kiss and appear ready to explore the idea of a long-term relationship. On the other hand, Jacob’s (Chris Perfetti) eighth graders initially find the Please Touch museum dull, but they later collaborate on writing a play where the Abbott teachers act out, affectionately poking fun at each one’s peculiarities.

Brunson discussed with EbMaster about his plans for Gregory and Janine, the reasons behind Janelle James’ Emmy nomination, and the exciting developments brewing for Season 5.

Each season of “Abbott Elementary” ends with a field trip episode. How did you decide on the Please Touch Museum as this year’s location?

The place exhibited all the characteristic charm of “Abbott.” It’s a beloved Philly institution – unique to Philadelphia yet an exciting discovery for viewers. None in our writing team were familiar with it before I introduced it. Upon seeing the images of the museum, everyone was captivated by its breathtaking visual appeal, and the warmth, playfulness, and vibrancy it exuded.

“Abbott” finales also always bring a new turning point or milestone in Janine and Gregory’s relationship. What motivated you to bring back Martin, Gregory’s dad, for this one?

Instead of Orlando, we deeply felt the absence of a significant moment with them. We considered several alternatives, but for the finale, the most feasible seemed to be introducing a parental figure. Gregory’s father is readily available and fits well into our narrative. A meal featuring his meeting with Janine’s mother could potentially be quite dramatic, but we aimed to create an enjoyable scene without burdening the plot too much. In essence, this event is taking place within their storyline, yet it primarily revolves around the graduating eighth graders. Our goal was to incorporate character development for both of them while maintaining focus on the main narrative.

What does it say about Gregory and his relationship with Janine that it’s difficult for him to see her get along so well with his dad?

In a casual, understandable manner,

Gregory often sees his military father being kinder towards his partner, Janine, in a light-hearted way that many people make passing comments about. However, we wanted to delve deeper into this situation. For Gregory, seeing his father open up in this new way as an adult, after not experiencing it as a child, holds significant meaning. It seems like Janine brings out something within him that he was unable to connect with before. Although we may not always realize it while it’s happening, hearing about it from someone, especially a parent, makes you value your relationship more, and I believe Gregory values his relationship with Janine much more as a result.

On the other hand, Janine appears to have learned to appreciate that she doesn’t need to change herself for anyone, including Gregory. In fact, she can’t, because maintaining her identity is crucial to doing her job effectively. The moment when Janine shows vulnerability, such as saying “If this makes you not like me, so be it,” resonates deeply, as we all sometimes feel the urge to change ourselves, but for Janine, it would prevent her from being true to herself.

It was interesting to hear Martin say that Janine reminded him of Gregory’s mom. We don’t know much about her besides that she was kindhearted and died when Gregory was young.

We’ll delve deeper into this topic later, but it was intriguing to discover aspects of Gregory’s relationship with his mother without delving too deeply into her role in his family dynamics or personal life. This approach offered a delightfully complex and heavy portrayal – a common challenge when crafting sitcoms: how to convey essential character information swiftly, without bogging down the narrative. In essence, we managed to reveal significant details about Janine and Gregory’s bond succinctly, avoiding lengthy exposition on their actions towards each other.

You’re now coming off of your first full season of writing Janine and Gregory as partners instead of a will-they-won’t-they. How has that changed the feeling of writing the show? What did you learn from it?

It was genuinely soothing for our entire writing team to portray the pair as a couple who have moved past the uncertainties of, “I’m not sure! Who are we? What is our purpose?” They simply coexist harmoniously. I aimed to depict a strong relationship between these two Black characters. While there may be challenges, we deliberately chose not to focus on them excessively. Instead, we wanted their relationship to evoke positivity. I’ve witnessed many people in effortless, blissful relationships, and I believe it would be refreshing to see more of such portrayals on television in general. And with Janine and Gregory, we had a unique chance to bring that to life on screen.

This approach offers a valuable benefit: it enables us to delve deeper into the professional goals of our characters like Gregory and Janine. For instance, Gregory’s primary goal is realizing his role as a leader, while Janine strives to excel in her position as a second-grade teacher once more after her district assignment during Season 3. Additionally, it provides us with an opportunity to explore the romantic aspects of other characters, making it exciting to develop their world further since we already appreciate Gregory and Janine’s goodness, but there’s still potential for intriguing developments with Ava.

This episode is the first time we see Ava and O’Shon kiss, after a nice moment where they talk through a misunderstanding. It’s a new look for Ava. Should we expect more of O’Shon in Season 5? Might he become a series regular?

It’s highly likely that you’ll encounter more of O’Shon, as Matthew Law fits seamlessly into our ensemble. This compatibility is crucial to us since we appreciate individuals who quickly mesh with the team, making them feel like part of our family. Interestingly enough, I’ve known Matt since college days. We were close friends, and it’s been a delight to welcome him into this realm and see him become so well-received by the audience.

Beyond Ava, it was remarkable not just to see her personal life unfold, but also her professional journey. It’s fascinating to witness the impact when she’s absent, not only for the series, but for the viewers. Over three years, we’ve built a connection with her that allows us to ask, “Don’t you admire her?” Initially, this wasn’t the case. To me, this is a clear demonstration of character growth, a testament to the skillful writing and acting involved in her portrayal.

It feels like there’s potential for this to be Janelle James’ Emmy year.

I’d be thrilled by that. It’s important for people to recognize the efforts put forth by Janelle, as well as the writers. Their tasks aren’t simple. Kudos to Janelle for handling it so well, and to the writers’ team for transforming a character initially seen as divisive into one who is deeply admired on TV. Often, this aspect is overlooked!

You should know that I plan on delving further into this topic. The character I’ve brought to life is a Black woman, with rich dark skin, who is blossoming in love and gaining support from many. It has been one of my most joyful experiences. I take immense pride in creating Ava.

The episode ends on a really poignant note, with the eighth graders showing their love for their teachers by roasting them in an original play, and the teachers reflecting on how their students grow up and eventually leave Abbott. What was on your mind while writing that?

The setting we chose was organic, as it held significant importance this season, with RJ’s story playing a major role. Our interactions were primarily with eighth graders, leading us eventually to the Please Touch Museum. Initially, we thought it might not resonate with our older audience, considering its focus on baby-related exhibits. However, it offered an excellent platform to discuss the experiences and challenges educators face when their students transition to new stages of their lives. This theme seemed fresh and relevant, given its personal connection to many educators in my life. As we’ve been filming, we’ve witnessed some of our own kids growing up, a bittersweet realization as they approach the end of their time with us. Some have even been part of the show since the pilot, like Andrew, who is now in sixth grade. It’s hard to believe he was once so small! Lela Hoffmeister, playing Courtney, has also grown significantly. Thinking about them growing older brings a tear to my eye, as it’s a reality educators face every year. Although most people only experience this with their own children, teachers deal with it constantly. The finale carries a charming, nostalgic feel that I embraced for the conclusion of our season.

What ideas are you planning to explore in Season 5?

Although I might not be able to offer fully developed ideas, I’m well-acquainted with certain facts. It’s clear that we aim to have Gregory encounter Janine’s mother, and that’s something we’re determined to accomplish. Additionally, showing Gregory’s apartment is on our agenda, as it was a goal for this season, though we couldn’t make it happen earlier. Furthermore, you can expect more scenes featuring Barbara in the music class.

During this time, which I refer to as my “summer break” (though it’s April), I’m exploring various concepts, drawing inspiration from the freedom this period offers. I’ve been reaching out to educator friends to understand the current landscape in education. Despite significant shifts in the educational sector, many teachers find their daily routines largely unchanged. I’m keen to delve deeper into the challenges that today’s teachers face, particularly under our present administration and with advancements like ChatGPT. We live in a rapidly evolving technological world, and I’m curious about its impact on students. For now, I’m focusing on listening, learning, and eagerly anticipate returning to the classroom.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-17 04:18