Quinta Brunson on ‘Abbott Elementary’ Return, Season 4’s ‘It’s Always Sunny’ Crossover and “Confusing” Emmys Comedy Category

by

As a fellow Philly-born comedy writer, I can truly appreciate the chemistry between Quinta Brunson and Rob McElhenney in bringing “Abbott Elementary” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” together. Their shared love for comedy, Philadelphia roots, and being under the Disney umbrella have made this collaboration not only possible but also incredibly enjoyable. It’s like we’re all on a big joke-telling, script-writing, city-representing adventure!

[This article contains spoilers about season four of Abbott Elementary.]

The return of Abbott Elementary on Oct. 9 for a complete 22-episode season four is delightful news for enthusiasts of the popular ABC comedy series as well as its creator-star, Quinta Brunson, marking an expansion from the truncated season three.

According to Brunson, having a 22-episode order allows us to return to the original foundation upon which Abbott was initially created. He’s thrilled to be in this position because it just feels so right.

In the opening episode, the teachers at Abbott Elementary will encounter their symbolic adversary for this season – gentrification. After tackling the terrifying specter of the District in season three, they now must navigate the alterations that arise with the development of a high-end golf course nearby. This leads to practical issues such as unexpected interruptions of water and gas during school hours and increased travel time due to construction. Additionally, Abbott Elementary will welcome its first white student, whom Ava (played by Janelle James) comically mistakes for a ghost upon seeing him in the school lobby. The plotline is drawn from real-life experiences, as revealed by Brunson.

Brunson explains that the storyline is inspired by real-life events in Philadelphia, where a large PGA golf course is currently under construction within the city. Since any development, be it positive or negative, impacts local communities – especially smaller ones – the narrative will delve into both the advantages and disadvantages of such a golf course being introduced to the urban landscape. He describes this situation as an intriguing moral conflict for the season, serving as an interesting antagonist or adversary.

In the game of life, it’s not just about winning battles for my characters. For instance, in the first episode, Janine and Gregory took a significant step off the battlefield – they made their relationship official, not only between them but also with HR. This wasn’t just a personal move; they sought approval from HR employee Warren who came all the way from the District at Ava’s request.

In the interview with THR, Brunson discusses delving into a romantic connection between Janine and Gregory in the current season, the process of creating the crossover episode with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and the ongoing debate about the Emmy comedy category after Abbott Elementary did not win any awards at this year’s ceremonies.

***

How does it feel to be coming into season four of Abbott Elementary?

Over the moon, I’m thrilled to be here! As you all know, having a fourth season of this game is just fantastic. The anticipation leading up to it was palpable, and I must say, the joy I felt stepping into this new chapter was immense. Last season, we were dealing with the industry-wide work stoppage in Hollywood, which meant a shorter season for us. It felt a bit hectic getting back into the swing of things. But this year, it’s like we’ve found our groove and settled into a comfortable zone that I’m really enjoying from a creative, scripting, and acting perspective.

The first episode commences by depicting the start of a fresh academic year. In this context, how could we integrate gentrification as a theme within the episode? Furthermore, will the golf course and the evolving demographic changes in West Philadelphia persist as challenges for Abbott throughout the upcoming season?

I appreciate it because it allows us to discuss the topic subtly without directly addressing gentrification. Essentially, we’re considering a multifaceted entity – a business, a sport, and even a community center. This new golf course is a significant development for the city, but our main focus is understanding its impact on the neighborhood and our school throughout the season.

I felt like shouting at the screen when Janine made her first confession this season, acting as if she and Gregory had parted ways.

(Laughs out loud) This one always cracks everyone up! I find it absolutely hilarious. During editing, I just couldn’t help but chuckle, and I knew it! I was like, “Oh dear.

How did you decide season four was the right time for this pair to be in a relationship?

It seemed like the perfect moment to make this move. I didn’t want to delay it any further. Originally, I had planned for it to happen in season four, but when our third season was shortened, I considered changing the timeline. However, I find myself excited to be here with these characters. Watching them together brings me so much joy. It’s adorable and entertaining to see this young, Black couple, who are a bit goofy, in action. There’s no more tension or struggle; it’s all about getting to know each other now that they’re together. This new phase of their relationship is an exciting exploration, and we get to witness it unfold throughout the season. We see their first disagreements, arguments, and discoveries as they give themselves space to grow together.

In more conversational language, the question could be rephrased as follows: “Given that viewers have been rooting for these two characters from the beginning, and you mentioned in a THR interview that you aim to make the show enjoyable rather than work for fans, how closely do you monitor audience feedback at this point?

It’s crucial for me to observe from a distance what appeals to audiences generally, as I find great value in hearing people’s opinions about various shows. Conversing with friends about our collective TV experiences is something I truly cherish. As a viewer myself, I don’t get overly invested or critical. I simply enjoy watching different content without feeling compelled to label it as “terrible” or “excellent.” However, if something truly stands out, it might spark my enthusiasm and transform me into a devoted fan. I believe understanding audience preferences can be beneficial, but I wouldn’t want to rely on them entirely when creating Abbott. It’s an intricate bond between the creator and their audience, one that differs from person to person. Some creators aim to cater exclusively to their audience’s desires, while others strive to challenge their audience’s perspectives with the unexpected. I personally lean towards trusting my vision and hoping for the best when producing Abbott. I believe this approach is the most effective way to create a compelling piece of work.

Last season, showrunners Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacher mentioned to THR that they might reduce the number of guest stars this season because managing all those appearances is logistically challenging. Has that actually happened?

To date, our assessment aligns with Justin and Pat’s perspective – last season presented challenges. The truncated season prompted us to make the most of what we had, which resulted in a more impactful show. We were fortunate to have talented individuals join us, contributing to its success. However, this year, the need for such an approach has lessened. Instead, our stories have been unfolding organically without requiring that focus. This approach gives a relaxed feel, allowing us to delve deeper into the characters. As of now, we’re in the process of writing episode 13, and so far, there haven’t been many guest stars involved.

In the second episode of this season, there’s a subtle nod to Will Smith. Could this be hinting at something to come? Have you discussed with him the possibility of him appearing as a guest star?

Of course not (), absolutely not! Not negatively, but no. He’s simply an integral part of Philadelphia’s culture. And no, the school isn’t named after him entirely; it’s called Willard, in honor of his first name. So yeah, no (). I found it amusing how, similar to the character Tariq [Zack Fox] mentioned, many Philadelphia events conclude with a line dance, so it was quite a long backwards walk just to reach that line dance.

Hey there! As a gaming enthusiast (or in this case, a TV show fanatic), I’m super excited about the upcoming crossover episode with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I was wondering if you could shed some light on how this collaboration came to be?

Rob McElhenney stumbled upon an idea online that someone had shared with him, which he found amusing as a potential episode for “It’s Always Sunny.” He then expressed his thoughts by tweeting, “I think it would be a great ‘Abbott’ episode.” This remark initiated a conversation between us. The episode is unrelated to the idea initially sent to him, but it ignited our discussion. Honestly, I appreciate Rob. I believe we connect well due to shared interests: we are both writers, creators of shows, comedy enthusiasts, and hail from Philadelphia. We immediately clicked, and as we continued talking, we discovered that we could collaborate effectively. Since we are both under the Disney umbrella, we realized we could make this collaboration happen.

Our characters originate from distinct areas of West Philly and South Philly respectively, but their proximity made their interactions feel natural and immediate. When we realized how effortless this could be, we were excited and decided to pursue it. Thus, we began planning for this season of Abbott since they had just started writing for Sunny. Charlie [Day] and Rob joined our brainstorming sessions one day, proving to be fantastic collaborators. I can’t say enough good things about them. The experience on set has been enjoyable, and they are a pleasure to work with. They bring fresh perspectives that enrich our world while ours adds depth to theirs. It has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with them. What stands out the most is that Rob and Charlie, like us, share a love for comedy, a desire to create it, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of what comedy can achieve. Working together with people who share these values creates a unique magic.

Sunny’s show has amassed quite a dedicated fanbase due to its long-running dark comedy style. Were you, by any chance, an avid fan of it?

Indeed, the unique atmospheres of our productions are one of my favorite aspects. I appreciate their audacity in attempting to merge these diverse moods, a risk that even ‘Abbott’ had to undertake. Some members from our own team were skeptical, saying “it can’t be done,” but it certainly can! It does, without a doubt. In truth, it’s quite straightforward. You simply need to have faith that it can be accomplished.

The 2021 Emmy Awards raised the question about categorization once more, as fans felt let down when Abbott, a conventional comedy series, didn’t win as many awards as anticipated in its genre. In your opinion, is it something that the Television Academy ought to consider changing?

It seems like there’s room for reconsideration here, as people appear to be perplexed. Perhaps it would be beneficial to take a moment and ponder the situation more deeply, to avoid further confusion.

How do you envision managing the logistics of collaborating on the upcoming comedy “Par for the Course” alongside Abbott, considering your plans for that project?

Currently, we’re working on a comedy project in partnership with Point Grey and Universal. It’s a fun, larger-than-life production that I can’t wait to see hit the screens. While there’s always speculation about the success of movies, especially comedies, at the box office, my goal is to contribute to the resurgence of successful female-led comedies. I’m not solely focused on its commercial success; rather, I’m eager to share this creation with audiences worldwide. I believe it will be a significant piece in the comeback of comedies and hopefully inspire a new wave of success for women in comedy.

***

Every Wednesday night at 9:30 PM Eastern Time and 8:30 PM Central Time, you can catch fresh episodes of season four for “Abbott Elementary” on ABC television. The show will also be available for streaming on Hulu the following day.

Read More

2024-10-10 05:25