“Abbott Elementary” continues its success streak with another huge milestone! On July 12, the critically acclaimed ABC and Warner Bros. Television series scored seven total Emmy nominations, including one for outstanding comedy series. Creator Quinta Brunson made history herself with three nominations – making her the first Black woman to earn that number in the comedy categories in the same year, Variety reported. She’s also the youngest Black woman to ever be nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.
“I want to thank teachers. Thanks for being our inspiration.”
“What an honour to be nominated by the Television Academy,” Brunson tells POPSUGAR. “Creating this show has been the greatest gift, and to have it recognized in this way is the dream. It’s a joy we get to share with the amazing people who watched our first season. None of this would be possible without my incredible, supportive EPs Justin Halpern, Randall Einhorn, and Patrick Schumacker, our incredible writers’ room, our insanely talented cast, and the hard-working teams at ABC and WBTV for helping to bring ‘Abbott Elementary’ to life. Lastly, and most importantly, I want to thank teachers. Thanks for being our inspiration.”
In its first season alone, “Abbott Elementary” became a major success story for sitcom television. Following its December 2021 release, the mockumentary series’s debut became the first ABC comedy premiere to quadruple ratings from its original air date, Deadline reported in January. The show’s second offering became the network’s most-watched episode of comedy among 18- to 49-year-olds since the “Modern Family” series finale in 2020.
“Abbott Elementary” has become ratings gold for its network home, but the real reward for Brunson is how the show is bringing families across America together. “That always sticks out to me because that is 100 per cent what I wanted: for people to have a show they felt they could watch with family, enjoy, and that everyone in the family could find something funny in,” she previously told POPSUGAR. “I’m not sure it feels like there are many shows you can do that with anymore.”
As the latest sitcom craze to hit television, “Abbott Elementary” already has fans counting down the days till season two – set to premiere on Sept. 21. Brunson teased that the show will return with some “progressions” for Gregory and Janine’s budding romance, as well as some “curveballs” thrown at Melissa and Barbara. And, of course, at the demand of the people, “more Ava.”
In the meantime, viewers hope to see the sitcom sweep up all its Emmys to top off its first year on the air.
The 74th annual primetime Emmy Awards will air on NBC on Sept. 12. Read ahead to see how the rest of the “Abbott Elementary” cast reacted to their Emmy nominations.
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