WhileAbbott Elementarydoesn’t need gimmicks to succeed, Melissa’s actor is right about the hit sitcom indulging in one legendary TV staple. One of the most surprising things aboutAbbott Elementaryis how technically conventional the sitcom seems on paper. Creator Quinta Brunson’s workplace comedy deservedly earned widespread acclaim thanks to its razor-sharp satirical edge and its clever character comedy, butAbbott Elementary’s format is surprisingly devoid of meta innovations or self-referential humor. Rather than following in the footsteps of30 RockorCommunity,Abbott Elementary’s cast of characterscall to mindThe OfficeandParks and Recreation.
Every Abbott Elementary Couple, Ranked Worst To Best
From Janine and Gregory to Jacob and Zach to Melissa and Gary, Abbott Elementary has plenty of couples for viewers to root for (or maybe against).
Despite this, the series has managed to quietly subvert sitcom norms since its pilot.Abbott Elementaryseason 4is one of 2024’s most anticipated returns, since the show’s recognizable mockumentary format does not stop the series from innovating and surprising viewers on a weekly basis.Abbott Elementarydoesn’t need a self-aware deconstruction of TV conventions to work, but the show could still benefit from revisiting one sitcom staple and offering its own spin on this TV mainstay. In a pre-Emmys conversation hosted byPeopleMagazine, series star Lisa Ann Walter suggested thatAbbott Elementaryshould stage a musical episode.
Abbott Elementary’s Lisa Ann Walter Suggested A Musical Episode
Melissa’s Actor Noted That The TV Institution Suits Abbott Elementary
Walter noted that most ofAbbott Elementary’s cast are accomplished singers, a lesser-known fact about the stars. Mr. Johnson’s actor fronted a band while Barbara Howard’s actor Sheryl Lee Ralph starred inDreamgirlson Broadway. Although Walter might have meant the comments as a joke,a musical episode ofAbbott Elementaryis a genuinely great idea for the show. It is a time-honored format that every sitcom fromCommunitytoThe OfficetoScrubshas attempted. Meanwhile,Abbott Elementary’s eponymous setting makes the sitcom particularly well suited to the TV staple, as it could focus on a school musical.
Abbott Elementary could pull off an entirely diegetic musical where the songs take place within the show’s reality.
WhileAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s storyis more likely to focus on Janine and Gregory than the school’s attempts to produce a stage show, a musical episode would fit the show’s tone well. Abbott has been home to numerous recitals in the past and the school’s enthusiastic faculty would undoubtedly get in on the action if their students were performing in a musical. In a fun subversion of expectations,Abbott Elementarycould pull off an entirely diegetic musical where the songs take place within the show’s reality during the rehearsals of the show, and this would be an intriguing experiment.
Abbott Elementary’s Cast Are All Musically Talented
Sheryl Lee Ralph Is A Broadway Icon
As noted above, Mr. Johnson’s actor, William Stanford Davis, was the frontman of the R&B band The Fabulous Paramount Revue before his screen career began. Outside of her breakout role inDreamgirls, Ralph also starred as Madame Morrible inWickedand even enjoyed chart success with her contributions to theDreamgirlssoundtrack. Meanwhile, Gregory’s actor Tyler James Williams impressed in 2012’sLet it Shine, a Disney Channel original movie where he played a meek rapper. Lisa Ann Walter also has an impressive vocal range, meaningAbbott Elementary’s main cast is well suited to a musical episode’s challenges.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
Admittedly,it would be tough for Abbott Elementaryto justify a musical episode, since the show’s tone veers closer to grounded realism than the likes ofCommunityorScrubs. However,The Officeseason 7, episode 3, “Andy’s Play,” proves this need not be a deterrent. IfAbbott Elementary’s determined heroine Janinedecided that the school should put on a show, there is no doubt the series could accommodate the slightly unlikely sight of the teachers belting out a few tunes. Already, season 3, episode 5, “Breakup,” gave Ralph a thinly veiled opportunity to impress viewers with her stunning voice.
Abbott Elementary’s Musical Episode Plays With Its Format
The Workplace Mockumentary Is Less Meta Than Many Modern Sitcoms
While “Andy’s Play” proves that the series would not necessarily need to leave its comfort zone to pull off this experiment,it might not be a bad thing forAbbott Elementaryto expand into stranger territory. The show’s comedy has been more deadpan than any throughout its first few seasons, but a musical episode is a great opportunity for a series to stretch its creative muscles and try something risky. The most iconic musical episode ever,Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 6, episode 7, “Once More, with Feeling,” was widely acclaimed, and that show’s premise seemed to be uniquely ill-suited to musical interludes.
Abbott Elementary’s realism is refreshing after many sitcoms that pushed the boundaries of the genre and played with meta elements. However, other shows have already begun to borrow from the show’s successful formula.FX’sEnglish Teacherisn’t theAbbott Elementaryclonethat some reviewers called it, but the spikier, edgier single-camera comedy is still another workplace sitcom about a teacher in a mismanaged school. ForAbbott Elementaryto remain feeling fresh, the show could get away with occasionally indulging in more experimental ideas like a musical episode, albeit one that is justified by the school putting on an in-universe show.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Doesn’t Need A Musical Episode
The Sitcom Should Hold Off For A Few Years
That said,there is no rush forAbbott Elementaryto produce a musical episode. After three seasons, the show is in its infancy when compared to the series that have successfully pulled off such an experiment.Community’s musical episode arrived in season 3, but there wasn’t a single episode of that series that wasn’t a busy, convoluted deconstruction of sitcom trends.Scrubswaited until season 6 to produce its musical outing and that single-camera comedy was much more surreal and strange thanAbbott Elementary. The show’s closest comparison,The Office, had another four seasons under its belt before attempting a musical.
Abbott Elementaryseason 4 premieres on Wednesday, July 18, 2025, on ABC.
As such,Abbott Elementarycan continue to focus on its characters and their stories for the time being. Already,Abbott Elementaryseason 4’s crossover episodesounds bizarre and ambitious, judging by Brunson’s cryptic comments. As such, there is no guarantee that the series won’t be undertaking a wild experiment this year even without a musical. However, if the series ever settles into a comfortable groove and its main characters ever find themselves feeling a little too stable and content, the cast’s musical talents could come in handy.Abbott Elementaryalways has the option of a musical episode, even if it is unlikely.
