Abbott Elementaryis a comedic powerhouse, but the ABC darling is ignoring one classic trick that could make it even better. The camera crew atAbbott Elementarycaptures the highs and lows of teachers and students at the titular underfunded public school. Yet, for all thereal issues tackled byAbbott Elementary, humor has always been at the sitcom’s heart.
Whether it’s the mentor/mentee relationships between veteran teachers and newbies or wholesome subplots focused on the children,Abbott Elementary’s heartwarming momentsadd further depth to ABC’s smash hit. Despite the mockumentary being recognized as a modern classic, however,Abbott Elementaryhasn’t hit its ceiling— there is always room for improvement, and a change of pace could up the ante.
The Mockumentary Sticks To The Script, Unlike Its Crossover Partners
At their recent San Diego Comic Con panel, theAbbott Elementarycast broke down the most iconic parts of season 4— from the beloved karaoke episode to the bizarreIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia&Abbott Elementarycrossoverepisode. As Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard) and Lisa Ann Walter (Melissa Schemmenti) discussed, filming the crossover was somewhat of a culture shock.
Barbara and Melissa’s subplot involving Charlie (Charlie Day) learning to read was a hilarious highlight, but the actors mentioned how jarring it was to roll with Day’s“off-the-rails ad-libbing”— especially since, as Lisa Ann Walter revealed,theAbbott Elementarycastdoesn’t improv during filming. Despite ad-libbing being a staple of most series, ABC’s mockumentary has prioritized sticking to the script.
How Improvisation Can Make Abbott Elementary Better
The Funniest Moments Can Happen Off-The-Cuff
Nonetheless, not encouraging its talented ensemble to ad-lib may be a major misstep for the ABC comedy.Abbott Elementary’s humorhas been well-received since its 2021 premiere, but the actors have all portrayed their roles for long enough to include their own jokes, which may take the Emmy-nominated mockumentary to the next level in season 5 and beyond.
Throughout similar mockumentaries— most notablyThe OfficeandParks and Recreation— one-liners and full scenes were often improvised and, years later, are still remembered as some of the best moments in the entire series. As history has proven,giving a talented cast leeway to ad-lib can strengthen the show’s comedyand characterization, which is key for a long-running, ensemble-driven sitcom.
Considering the already witty dialogue and scene-stealingside characters inAbbott Elementary, ad-libbing could be a great way to enrich its comedy and prevent the mockumentary from getting stale. Furthermore, letting actors speak through their characters directly would add realism and make the mockumentary feel more authentic. While it can be unpredictable, ad-libbing could also step upAbbott Elementary’s game.
