‘English Teacher’ Review: FX’s Dryly Hilarious Public-School Comedy Makes the Grade

As a seasoned gamer of TV shows with a soft spot for quirky comedies that pack a punch, let me tell you, English Teacher is right up my alley. I’ve seen my fair share of educational-themed series, from the heartwarming to the absurd, but this one stands out like a teacher with a flair for fashion in a sea of khaki pants and blazers.

One minor criticism of the show, “English Teacher,” lies in its limited content. The first season consists of only eight episodes, each approximately 20 minutes long. This is consistent with other FX comedies such as “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Dave,” and “The Bear” (although whether “The Bear” truly fits the category of a “comedy” is up for debate).

Despite my initial thoughts, I couldn’t help but think that this show needed a bit more. With its sharp wardrobe, clever viewpoint, and witty humor from the start, it seems destined for longevity – perhaps even reaching a full 22-episode season in the future, and maybe even lasting for many years. To be clear, this is an excellent dilemma for a new series to face. If its short length suggests that English Teacher has more potential than it can currently realize, it also leaves plenty of space for growth throughout future seasons.

In theory, an “English Teacher” might appear as the more cynical, sarcastic older sibling to Quinta Brunson’s hit show “Abbott Elementary” on FX’s sister network ABC, gaining praise and viewers. However, in reality, this isn’t too far from the truth. The series, created by Brian Jordan Alvarez (known for “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo”), follows Evan, a teacher at a suburban high school in Austin. Despite his abundant good intentions and strong convictions, life has a knack for bringing him back down to reality.

In the opening scene, for example, Evan feels a sense of relief when he learns that the complaint against him by a parent who disapproved of homosexuality has been withdrawn – until he discovers it was only due to Markie (Sean Patton), a school gym teacher, threatening to expose her son, who had already graduated. Evan is naturally outraged, but Markie justifies his actions pragmatically: “Nobody cares about your lofty principles, buddy,” he snaps. From Markie’s perspective, he was merely using the means available to help a friend. In the end, even Evan can’t deny that logic.

The underlying tension between Evan’s professed ethics and his more complex, absurd everyday life forms the core of the show “English Teacher“. This tension propels both its plot twists and its comedic elements. The series fearlessly tackles contentious issues that often grab political attention regarding American education, such as drag queens, firearm safety, and overbearing parents with deep pockets who are ready to intrude in the classroom at the slightest hint of a student receiving undeserved poor grades.

However, the series doesn’t necessarily follow the paths a cynic might predict. One could envision an interpretation of English Teacher where Evan uses profound monologues to transform the hearts and minds of others during critical moments. Instead, this show portrays a reality where when Evan delivers one of those heartfelt speeches, it’s met with a casual, “Wow, you really helped me. Thanks.”

Nor, conversely, does it traffic in cheap jabs about snowflake Millennials, snotty Gen Z-ers or the chasm between them. Evan and his colleagues, particularly his chipper best friend Gwen (Stephanie Koenig), are frequently baffled by the mores of the younger generation, who do not seem to be any less easily offended for being “less woke.” Its tone is rather one of affectionate curiosity, toward faculty and student body alike. Even something as obviously absurd as the junior class’ brief obsession with “asymptomatic Tourette’s” (which one girl haughtily explains is actually way harder to deal with because “people have no idea the battle” its self-diagnosed victims are fighting) turns out to be, itself, a symptom of surprisingly relatable motives. And when Evan himself gets caught up in an overwrought protest against Markie’s gun club, it’s more curious about what his reaction says about him as a person than it is in confining him to some tidy, ideologically consistent box.

Rather than focusing on, the English Teacher introduces characters who appear well-rounded from the outset. In the initial scenes of the debut episode, Evan, running late for work, carelessly places a non-spill mug into his car’s cup holder, causing coffee to spill everywhere; this minor incident subtly hints at his propensity to have good intentions, strive hard, and yet still end up creating chaos. Similarly, the other characters are drawn with remarkable detail. For instance, guidance counselor Rick (played by Carmen Christopher) appears almost ready to lose his shirt due to financial advice from a TED Talk that turns out to be a TEDx talk. Markie boasts about watching Zero Dark Thirty multiple times while using night vision goggles. (“You watched Zero Dark Thirty more than once?” Gwen questions.)

Among all, Principal Moretti, portrayed by Enrico Colantoni, seems weary to the core, as if he’s long since given up on the enthusiasm that once defined him. It appears he might have harbored ideals, aspirations, or a fighting spirit in his past. Now, in what could be a glimpse into Evan’s future, his days seem to revolve solely around maintaining peace and holding onto his job.

As a gamer diving into this show, I’ve got to admit that some jokes and storylines could use a bit more finesse. For instance, the argument between Evan and Gwen might have packed more punch if we’d seen their relationship develop gradually throughout the series. And the funny romantic subplot with Harry, Evan’s physics substitute, just didn’t quite reach its potential because he was noticeably absent for extended periods in an already brief season.

However, once more I find myself lamenting the briefness of this series. I can only wait impatiently, crossing my fingers that it returns for another installment in the upcoming academic year.

2024-09-02 16:55

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