AlthoughAbbott Elementaryhas some sweet moments of character development, the sitcom’s hilarious comedy is where the show shines brightest.Abbott Elementary’s entire cast of charactersare funny, and the workplace mockumentary has offered some of the biggest laughs on network TV in recent years. Like earlier mockumentary sitcoms such asThe OfficeandParks and Recreation,Abbott Elementaryrelies on the chemistry between its cast and their workplace struggles to provide many of its best gags.Abbott Elementaryseason 4will return to screens soon, but the first three seasons already provided viewers with some classic outings.
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).
Abbott Elementaryseason 1 mostly focused on Janine’s difficult relationship with Principal Ava and Gregory’s struggles as a substitute, while season 2 saw the show’s supporting stars spend more time in the spotlight. Jacob, Barbara, and Melissa got a chance to shine in these outings while Mr. Johnson quickly became everyone’s favorite character thanks to his frequent interjections of comedic relief. WhileAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s Gregory and Janine relationshipmay increase the show’s drama quotient, its best scenes prove that viewers come to the series for comedy, whether it is the witty one-liners or physical gags.
10Jacob Masters (And Ruins) “Desking”
Season 1, Episode 11, “Desking“
In season 1, episode 11, “Desking,“ Abbott Elementary finds itself in the grip of a potentially dangerous new craze. The students have taken up the viral fad of “Desking,” a game played in empty classrooms during recess where students film each other jumping from one desk to another. For an underfunded public school like Abbott, this trend is a brutal injury waiting to happen. However, the teachers are powerless to stop the students from indulging in viral stunts for online views. Even when they lock all the desks in the gym at recess, they realize they have inadvertently created a desker’s paradise.
Fortunately, Jacob comes to the rescue.The sight of the hilariously nerdy Jacob leaping from desk to desk immediately kills the trend, as none of the students want to be caught dead doing something that Mr. Hill thinks is cool. From the bruising physical comedy of the teachers trying and failing to “Desk” to the revelation of the student body’s reaction to Jacob’s stunt, the climax of “Desking” is a masterclass in comedy. Chris Perfetti’s Jacob gets a brilliant showcase in this episode, and the students suddenly abandoning the fad just as he has mastered it will never not be funny.
9Tariq Performs For The Students
Season 1, Episode 8, “Work Family”
ThroughoutAbbott Elementaryseason 1, viewers get occasional glimpses of Janine’s boyfriend, Tariq, and his struggle bars. However, it is not until season 1, episode 8, “Work Family,” that viewers get to see Tariq in action when he performs an anti-drug rap for the school. WhileanAbbott Elementarymusical episodecould work in a future season, the show would need to find room for Zack Fox’s supporting character to make an appearance.Tariq’s anti-drug PSA is one of the funniest comedy raps in the genre’s long history, and his uber-confident delivery makes the moment even better.
8Jacob Gets Roasted By His Students
Season 1, Episode 5, “Student Transfer”
In season 1, episode 5, “Student Transfer,” Jacob confides in his new friend Gregory about a problem he has. His students have taken to mocking him with light-hearted roasts and, since Jacob is terrified of potentially offending them, he has not been able to work out a way to respond proportionally. This sets up a sequence of Jacob’s students delivering a string of critical hits like “Arthur from PBS looking-boy” and “This man look like he dream in podcasts.” Jacob’s attempts at reprisal are funny, butit is pitch-perfect insults like “Mr. Vampire Weekend” that make this scene unforgettable.
7Barbara Misidentifies White Celebrities
Season 2, Episode 2, “Wrong Delivery”
WhereAbbott Elementary’s replacement showEnglish Teacherhas a darker, more cyclical sense of humor than the earlier hit school sitcom, some ofAbbott Elementary’s funniest gags couldn’t be more family-friendly. In one hysterical sequence from season 2, episode 2, “Wrong Delivery,” the teachers explain to the camera crew that Barbara consistently mistakes white celebrities for Black celebrities. From mistaking Millie Bobby Brown for Bobby Brown to thinking Tommy Lee Jones is James Earl Jones,Barbara’s mistakes and the staff’s sweet soft spot for them are hilarious. Bonus points for her understandable confusion between both stars named Michelle Williams.
6The Teachers Discuss Science
Season 2, Episode 8, “Egg Drop”
Some of the strongest scenes inAbbott Elementary’s history, like the revelation of Barbara’s struggle with celebrity names, come from sequences where the staff simply hang out and shoot the breeze. These are never funnier than when some subject divides them and a conversation between co-workers inevitably gets heated, as seen when the teachers admit their vices of choice in season 3, episode 4, “Smoking.” That scene almost earned a place on this list solely for the shocking revelation that Janine is a daily marijuana user, but the best scene from season 2, episode 8, “Egg Drop,” beat it.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
As the teachers and Mr. Johnson hang around in the lounge, they begin to admit their pet theories about the world of science. Melissa stating that she doesn’t believe the moon landing really happened is one thing, butMr. Johnson confidently stating that he doesn’t believe the moon exists is a classic insight into the character’s unique mindset. The most hilariously unpredictable character in the series, the school’s custodian can always be relied on to come out with an absurd one-liner. In this busy, hilarious scene, he gets the biggest laugh in a crowded field full of them.
5Barbara Knows How To Bring Back The Old Ava
Season 3, Episode 1, “Career Day Part 1”
WhileJanine’sAbbott Elementarycharacter evolutionhas been a consistent storyline throughout the show’s first three seasons, Ava’s sudden professionalism in season 3’s premiere was a lot less believable and more suspicious. Ava returned from her principal training over the summer as a new woman, officious, stern, and completely averse to horseplay and silliness. The staff were horrified, but fortunately, Barbara knew Ava well enough to know how to snap her out of this. One needledrop of Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” and Ava was instantly returned to her old self, much to the relief of her colleagues.
4Barbara And Ava Bond Over Janine’s Limited Love Life
In season 1, episode 8, “Work Family,” the same episode that features Tariq’s memorable anti-drug rap, Janine revealed to her co-workers that she had only ever dated Tariq.Ava asked if Janine was Mormon before telling her she ought to be since “You need more-man!”,a gag that even the sedate Barbara couldn’t help but applaud. The joke itself was ingenious, but it is Barbara’s level-headed response to Janine that makes this scene shine. Barbara applauding Ava’s cleverness while scolding her for mocking Janine is the perfect encapsulation of her character’s unique appeal.
2Mr. Johnson, Principal Ava, And Courtney Host Shark Tank
In season 2, episode 2, “Wrong Delivery,” the eponymous school finally comes into some money and there is inevitably a battle over how this should be spent.Mr. Johnson, Ava, and, for some inexplicable reason, the rebellious student Courtney set up a mockShark Tankset to hear how the funding should be spent, resulting in a hilarious parody of the reality show. There are many great moments here, like Mr. Johnson pitching to a panel that he is part of, but it is the eventual revelation that the money was spent on a mouse infestation that makes the subplot truly hilarious.
1Principal Ava Really Does Know Questlove
Season 3, Episode 10, “2 Ava 2 Fest”
Ava constantly boasts and, reasonably enough, her co-workers are slow to believe her dubious claims. While it is no surprise when the ever-popular Mr. Johnson turns out to be friends with global superstar Kevin Hart,no one believes Ava when she claims she can convince Questlove to play 2 Ava 2 Fest. The previous year’s debacle with Jazmine Sullivan is still fresh in their minds, and Ava’s claims grow gradually more ludicrous as the episode progresses. First, she knew Questlove, then she was somehow around for the formation of The Roots, even though the timeline of these events seemingly doesn’t add up.
Abbott Elementaryseason 4 premieres on Wednesday, June 14, 2025, on ABC.
Soon, Ava is insisting that she is responsible for Questlove’s signature afro fork and the teachers are full-on panicking about how to appease the parents expecting Questlove. As such,Abbott Elemantary’s funniest moment comes when Ava casually defies the odds and proves she really does know Questlove. Not only that, but all of her stories prove true, including the absurd claim that Questlove nicknamed her “Honest Ava” since she never lies. This ridiculous subversion of expectations is one ofAbbott Elementary’s silliest scenes but, in an otherwise emotionally charged episode, it is a perfectly judged gag.
