Abbott Elementaryseason 3, episode 6, “Willard R. Abbott”, finds Janine (Quinta Brunson) and the rest of the teachers at Abbott Elementary learning the unpleasant history of their school’s namesake.Abbott Elementaryseason 3 premiered in February 2024 and followed the critically acclaimed first and second seasons, which combined, have earned seven Golden Globe nominations, winning three times; and 11 Emmys with three wins. Season 3 is excellent right out of the gate and keeps up the high standards set bythe ABC mockumentary sitcom.
The previous episode, “Breakup”, sees the cast mostly separated and dealing with individual problems, with some outside the scope of the school.Abbott Elementaryseason 3, episode 6,“Willard R. Abbott”, brings the gang back together to deal with what at first seems like a cause célèbre only for it to turn out to be an embarrassing indignity.Abbott Elementaryoften deals with real issues affecting schoolsand season 3, episode 6, “Willard R. Abbott” considers the tricky legacy that some schools have to contend with regarding the circumstances around their foundings.
Bradley Cooper Shows Up For The Cold Open
A Student Finds The Celebrity Next Door
Abbott Elementaryseason 3, episode 6, “Willard R. Abbott” has a cold opening featuring a Philly staple: Bradley Cooper.Abbott Elementaryis filled with cameos and guest stars, but this might be the best yet. Cooper plays himself, and he was buying a sandwich across the street when a student dragged him in for show-and-tell, apparently forgetting he had something due that day. While the teachers couldn’t be happier about Cooper, the students could not care less. It isn’t until he breaks out his Rocket Raccoon voice that they show any vague interest.
The City Announces Abbott Elementary Will Become A Historical Landmark
William R. Abbott Was An Influential City Planner
As happy as everyone is about meeting Bradley Cooper, they are even more excited to learn that Abbott Elementary will be designated a historical landmark, because its namesake, Willard R. Abbott, used the building as a bomb shelter. The only problem with the announcement is that it’s delivered by the strange and overly excitable district’s chief education officer, Elizabeth Washington (Diane Raphael), who appeared in season 2 to give Gregory (Tyler James Williams) an Educator of the Year Award, and whom he here describes as his “sleep-paralysis demon.”
10 Most Heartwarming Moments In Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary’s most heartwarming moments prove that the workplace sitcom is good for more than just laughs thanks to its sweet characters.
Elizabeth is joined by the equally awkward Joan (Jennifer Elise Cox), who lands herself in hot water with Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) after saying Rocky Balboa is a fictional character. To say everyone is excited is an overstatement, with only Janine caring. That is until Ava Coleman (Janelle James) announces the designation also comes with some money for renovations. The kids remain uninterested as well until Ava promises a pizza party before the ceremony.
While Melissa and Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) consider the designation meaningless, Janine is beaming with pride, and Jacob (Chris Perfetti) is excited too, sporting a shirt that reads, “I <3 Willard R. Abbott”. Things start looking murky, however, when the teachers learn Willard was an influential white man in the 20th century in Philadelphia. Not the most saint-like moment for that specific demographic. Their worries are confirmed when several audience members arrive and reveal they are part of a social justice group: B.L.A.C.K.S. (Building Love and Creating Kids Safety).
The B.L.A.C.K.S revealWillard was more than a city planner, he enforced geographical segregation in Philadelphia with his redlining practices. Joan and Elizabeth make it clear they don’t particularly care either way, so they leave everything up to the staff, which means leaving it up to Janine.
The Teachers Search For A New Willard R. Abbott
Willy Abbott Is A Descendent Living In Philadelphia
Refusing to give up the plaque, but also not wanting it to be for something racist, Janine resolves to find another famous Willard R. Abbott and claim the school was named after him. Ava, hoping to still get some money for the school, dives right in to help, as do Jacob and Gregory. Janine and Gregory have a moment alone. Though it only slowly pushes theJanine-Gregory will-they-won’t-they romance along, it’s still a cute scene of Gregory getting inspired by Janine’s sheer force of will and positivity.
Jacob comes back to interrupt their moment with great news, he’s found a “Willy Abbott” who just so happens to be a direct descendent of Willard R. Abbott. Willy appears to have a completely clean legacy and is an environmentalist who fights misinformation to boot. So Abbott Elementary invites him to the ceremony. After a blitz of questions by the teachers with questions asking where he was on January 6, they decide young Willy is not racist and can comfortably be on stage and get the school its historical designation.
They should have asked a few more questions because when Willy gets on stage, he begins talking about the misinformation he fights, which according to him is a false narrative that the world is round.
They should have asked a few more questions because when Willy gets on stage, he begins talking about the misinformation he fights, which according to him is a false narrative that the world is round. Flat-Earther Willy decries the racism of his ancestor, then goes on to celebrate the flat Earth everyone lives on together. Before Willy can explain more of his theories, like the Earth is also a spaceship,Gregory and Jacob remove him from the stage, and Janine drops her head in defeat.
Janine Finds A Way To Celebrate Abbot Elementary
Barbara Reminds Janine She Doesn’t Need A Plaque To Know Abbott Elementary Is Special
Though all hope seems lost,Barbara reminds the frustrated Janine that a historical plaque could never actually represent what Abbott Elementary meansto the students and staff who work there. Barbara’s encouragement reminds Janine of something she found while searching for a new Willard R. Abbott, a historical photograph of Black teachers at Abbott Elementary. When she does some more digging, Janine finds out that Abbott Elementary hired a cohort of Black teachers right after John Quincy Allen became Philadelphia’s first Black public school teacher.
Janine hangs up the photo of the teachers on the wall as a reminder to the students about the adversity and determination that went into making Abbott Elementary the school it is today. It may not be a historical plaque, butAbbott Elementaryseason 3, episode 6, “Willard R. Abbott” shows that not every point of pride needs to be codified and ceremonialized.
Abbott Elementary
Cast
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary comedy series centered around a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show highlights their efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges and underfunding, while showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives.
