‘Part Of The Brilliance’: Abbott Elementary’s Tyler James Williams Explains Why Working With All Those Kids On The Show Is Way Easier Than You Might Expect

by

Child actors have been a staple in Hollywood, from Shirley Temple to Corey Feldman and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons from Modern Family. The experience can involve complex logistics, rules, and chaos, depending on the age of the children involved. For Tyler James Williams from Abbott Elementary, it’s one of the best aspects of working on this successful ABC show, which has been renewed for Season 5. And judging by this, it seems that his perspective is validated.

The fourth season of the show remained enjoyable and introduced several new, engaging storylines featuring the Abbott students. Notably, the cast enjoyed having DeVito on set due to his connection with Jersey Mike’s. Now that all 22 episodes have been aired, the actor who once starred in children’s roles sat down with Esquire to discuss the series’ final season. During this conversation, he discussed various aspects of working with minors on set, having previously worked in such environments, and the restrictions placed on their work hours.

The show’s excellence lies in part with these rules and limitations that were a constant during my working years when I was their age. I’m quite accustomed to them, having grown up with them. It seems everyone else is still adjusting. In reality, we can hardly work more than nine and a half hours a day due to the children’s needs for school. They need three hours of education each day, leaving us with approximately six hours. Lunch breaks must be taken at a precise time and extending beyond that isn’t an option. [Laughs.]

In simpler terms, it seems like an appealing arrangement when it comes to active sets. The necessity of following a school-work blend kind of schedule for the children isn’t too inconvenient. Moreover, after being a prominent figure on Chris Rock’s sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris” in 2005 (which is planned for a reboot without Williams), the actor played by Gregory Eddie appeared to adjust comfortably to this familiar setting.

The young performer who made a strong return to acting went on to explain a typical day in an Abbott production. He pointed out that the entire operation functions smoothly, with everyone giving their best since they must adhere to child labor regulations. Once necessary and routine tasks are handled by both children and adults, filming takes place within a few attempts. The series, which can be watched with a Hulu subscription, appears to have perfected its methodology.

Our production runs smoothly as we manage to complete tasks swiftly with minimal retakes. Once the children are settled and prepared, and everyone has attended to their needs, we make the most of the opportunity. Despite having children present, our set maintains a positive work environment that people often comment on. The presence of kids encourages everyone to be at their best.

Formerly an educator myself, I must express my admiration. Managing students, making sure they’ve had their bathroom breaks, keeping them focused on tasks, and ensuring they are ready to work – these can be quite challenging responsibilities. Thus, it’s heartening to learn about Abbott having such a positive atmosphere and high standards for everyone participating.

During the interview, the most amusing moment might have been when Williams was asked about which group he found it easier to focus with. He humorously shared that the adult faculty and staff are actually harder to manage compared to the kids, claiming that some of the younger ones display a level of professionalism.

In my experience, working with children on a project this year has proven to be a breeze compared to managing the adults. It’s as if they were born for this, always eager and often more dedicated than some of us veterans.

As a cinema enthusiast, I can confidently say that I’ve got a strong feeling about this! Even so, I’m certain that people won’t waste much time diving back into their work routines, and the set will be a blast for everyone involved. Managing kids in such a grand production setup sounds like an endless joy to me.

In addition to the creator and lead actor Quinta Brunson, others associated with the show have expressed their enjoyment of working with children on set. Personally, I share this sentiment wholeheartedly. The heartwarming comments from Williams and other Abbott cast members about collaborating with kids only increases my fondness for the series.

Read More

2025-04-22 03:37