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Season 1 – Abbott Elementary

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1:04

2021

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A group of dedicated, passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do -- even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

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Critics Consensus

Abbott Elementary earns top marks for its empathetic yet sidesplitting critique of the U.S. education system, plus some extra credit for a deftly handled will-they-won't-they dynamic.

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Alison Herman

The Ringer

Abbott Elementary is neither saccharine nor cynical in its treatment of systemic issues, an impressive balancing act that’s actually earned the acclaim it deserves.

Jul 9, 2022

Full Review

Dan Einav

Financial Times

For all the sharp, referential dialogue, cut-scenes and unexpected, throwaway gags, Abbott Elementary disarmingly succeeds in reminding us of the value of dedicated teachers who care for their students even when their own employers don’t care for them.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 20, 2022

Full Review

Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

This is one of the best surprises of the television year so far. And those 22-minute episodes are an absolute balm in the current age of demanding drama. That’s a lesson we can all learn.

Apr 1, 2022

Full Review

Tamma Moksha

The Hindu

A witty critique of the American education system.

Jun 12, 2024

Full Review

Ezequiel Boetti

Otroscines.com

Efficient and hilarious, though at times it gives you the sense that you've seen this before... and better. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Natalia Trzenko

La Nación (Argentina)

Without heavy-handed phrases or low blows, Abbott Elementary advocates for kindness and solidarity... [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 15, 2022

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Gary V

Woefully unfunny, not sure how this has so many positive reviews.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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Izzy G

One of the funniest comedies. Great watch for any age, 8.7/10

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

Travis B

When is it going to start being funny? every "Joke" is Borrowed by a far better show

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Ted C

this review is for the whole show, at least through season 4. quinta brunson could carry a show by herself, but not this show, because everyone is great!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

Full Review

Julian Rex M

It borrows heavily from preceding TV shows without being half as funny, but the first season of Abbott Elementary's wildcard humor and compelling characters makes it a relatively painless viewing experience.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

Mike P

This is a solid new version of that old chestnut...THE TEACHER SHOW...(see Room 222, Glee, Fame, Welcome Back Kotter, Our Miss Brooks, To Sir With Love, etc...) And this is as solid a version as any; although this version leans more in to quirky comedy than most of the others...But it's still a well done dramedy; and it works. Janine Teagues, Jacob Hill and Sheryl Lee Ralph are particularly good. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

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Quinta Brunson

Janine Teagues

Tyler James Williams

Gregory Eddie

Janelle James

Ava Coleman

Chris Perfetti

Jacob Hill

Lisa Ann Walter

Melissa Schemmenti

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Barbara Howard

Episode 1

Aired Dec 7, 2021

Pilot

Passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- are determined to help their students succeed.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Jan 4, 2022

Light Bulb

Janine takes it upon herself to fix every problem when she notices a flicking light bulb in the hallway; Gregory asks Barbara for help talking to a parent, which leads him to spend his lunch period in an unexpected way.

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Episode 3

Aired Jan 11, 2022

Wishlist

The teachers to ask the local community for new school supplies; Janine encourages Gregory to decorate his classroom.

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Episode 4

Aired Jan 18, 2022

New Tech

When a new computer program is introduced at Abbott, Janine is excited to finally help Barbara with something; Barbara is reluctant to accept change and finds herself in a tricky situation; Melissa surprises Jacob.

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Episode 5

Aired Jan 25, 2022

Student Transfer

After a negative teacher review, Janine gets a confidence boost when a student gets transferred from Melissa's class into hers; Jacob tries to forge a friendship with an uninterested Gregory.

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Episode 6

Aired Feb 1, 2022

Gifted Program

Janine convinces Ava to start a gifted program at Abbott led by Jacob; Barbara pushes a hesitant Melissa to start dating again.

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Episode 7

Aired Feb 8, 2022

Art Teacher

Janine is thrilled when her best friend from college is hired as the art teacher; Jacob and Barbara decide to start a school garden.

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Episode 8

Aired Feb 15, 2022

Work Family

After Jacob reveals a detail about his personal life, Janine realizes she doesn't know the other teachers as well as she thought; Gregory's stern teaching approach is causing his whole class to underperform.

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Episode 9

Aired Feb 22, 2022

Step Class

Ava asks Janine to help her teach the after-school step class, but they don't agree on how to run the program; Gregory must reveal a secret when Barbara, Melissa and Jacob plan a pizza "eat-off."

Details

Episode 10

Aired Mar 22, 2022

Open House

Janine prepares to meet her struggling student's mother during open house, while the rest of the faculty uses the time to relax; Gregory is taken aback when he learns how Ava got the principal job; Barbara's daughter's visit creates a commotion.

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Episode 11

Aired Mar 29, 2022

Desking

When the students start participating in a new online trend that causes disruption to the school, the teachers band together to put an end to it; Mr. Johnson provides comforting life advice to Gregory; the teachers finally meet Jacob's boyfriend.

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Episode 12

Aired Apr 5, 2022

Ava vs. Superintendent

With the school board threatening to pull their funds, Janine and Gregory decide to help Ava out with her presentation; their plan is derailed when a curveball is thrown at Ava; Barbara offends Melissa when she doesn't agree with her blackmail idea.

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Episode 13

Aired Apr 12, 2022

Zoo Balloon

While on Abbott's annual zoo field trip, Tariq reveals that he has been offered a job in New York; Janine struggles with a big choice; Barbara starts questioning her future after finding out her favorite tuatara has been retired because of old age.

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Schooled

73%

66%

Schooled

Watchlist

The Cool Kids

75%

91%

The Cool Kids

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Speechless

79%

Speechless

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Bless This Mess

82%

76%

Bless This Mess

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bless This Mess

The Kids Are Alright

82%

97%

The Kids Are Alright

Watchlist

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