When it comes to viewers comparing your show The Office, Abbott Elementary SchoolQuinta Brunson doesn’t buy them too much. He thinks they are clearly different programs, aside from the fact that they are both workplace comedies. However, the comparisons have been strong, so much so that his co-star, Tyler James Williams, can no longer watch the NBC sitcom. But one thing both sitcoms share is their distinctive style: the mockumentary. Now, amid constant comparisons, Brunson has explained why the mockumentary format fits in well with his show.
The Abbott Elementary School the creator originally conceived the sitcom as an animated series before collaborating Office executive producer Randall Einhorn. But even before he was on board, the show’s mockumentary style was still in the creative mind. Brunson opened a Termduring which he explained that it made sense for school life to be filmed as a documentary:
The mockumentary was always part of the show. I knew a mockumentary would lend itself to this story, because I don’t think mockumentaries should be used without reason. I think there must be a reason. And I felt what better way to cover this school than through a documentary. I think documentaries are fascinating. What do different people give to the camera, who tries to be on the camera and what really happens? And I thought it was a great vehicle for those characters.
Examining the workplace through the mockumentary format is interesting and provides unique laughs that only a show made in this format can provide. Characters like Ava Coleman, Jacob Hill, and Melissa Schemmenti were created for the format, given the chaotic nature of alchemy between peers. Probably the format and those unique personalities are what won Abbott Elementary School good grades in his first season. Still, it’s hard to deny that the ABC sitcom has hints Office as much as Parks and Entertainment, 30 rockYes reindeer 911 in your DNA
As some may know, the comedy series was a form of tribute to Brunson’s sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Abbott. Another influence was her upbringing as a teacher’s daughter. There have been several occasions when the actress has observed very surreal moments between her mother and her companions. One parent-teacher conference in particular was apparently a major factor in spurring him to create the teacher-centric mockumentary:
It was also the moment I saw my mom, the moment I really got the inspiration for this idea. I was watching my mother sitting at her desk and giving a parent-teacher lecture. And that was the year before she was about to retire. And I felt it. I felt like, Wow, I feel like a mockumentary style camera right now because I’m in this room, but I’m not part of what’s going on, I’m just looking at it. But I’m physically in this room and I wanted the audience to hear it too. And I think it has a lot to do with how we feel about Abbott’s humor. It is one thing to make fun of the teachers and quite another to laugh with them. And I feel this style of mockumentary gives our audience the opportunity to laugh with them, they are part of the school.
Basically, the comedian created a show she wanted to watch, and the experiences she details on the show are very true to life. I mean, anyone who has been to a parent-teacher conference surely knows the heartfelt or funny moments that can happen in the classroom, especially when children are involved. I still wonder what exactly happened in that meeting that made the aspiring producer believe that a show like this could work.
Obviously, using these timely observations for a performance worked for the actress and writer, like Abbott Elementary School earned multiple 2022 Emmy Award nominations after its first season. With this, the ABC sitcom has the edge Office, as this show received lackluster responses during its first season. Currently, Quinta Brunson and co. are working on season 2, which will be even bigger than the first thanks to its 22 episode mid-season order. Hopefully, as the show continues, it will continue to chart its own course and move away from any confrontation with NBC’s landmark show.
Abbott Elementary School Season 2 premieres on September 21 at the coveted 9pm ET. If you want to catch up before Season 2 starts, sign up for Hulu to watch the full Season 1.
Source: Cinemablend

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