Abbott Elementary: The Television We Miss

There’s something new series haven’t been able to recreate. People of all ages binge-watch shows from years ago, searching for something that no longer exists—or is on the brink of extinction.

Because they were originally made for television networks rather than streaming platforms, series used to run about 22 episodes per season and last as many seasons as their success allowed. Those 22 episodes were spread throughout the year and included holiday specials (Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc.).

Today, the format has changed completely, and that brings several consequences. For example, stories have become more compact. With fewer episodes, writers have fewer opportunities to develop secondary characters or explore subplots. This can create the feeling that some aspects of the narrative or certain characters aren’t fully fleshed out. The downside of this shift is that so-called “filler episodes” in longer seasons might not have advanced the main plot, but they did help us get to know the characters better. Without them, many classic characters from successful shows wouldn’t feel as familiar to us.

Another consequence is the loss of the weekly ritual of watching a new episode. The move toward shorter seasons can feel like the disappearance of that routine. That’s one reason why shows from companies like HBO remain so popular: as viewers, we enjoy knowing that everyone is watching the same episode at the same time.

Amid these major industry changes, the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary seems to be one of the few that still maintains the 22-episode season format, holding on to some of television’s oldest traditions.

The term “sitcom” comes from “situation comedy.” These are comedic stories that usually revolve around a small group of characters in a limited number of settings, often based on their work and/or domestic lives. We typically see characters at home, in shared social spaces, and at work.

In Abbott Elementary, we follow a group of educators working at a public elementary school in Philadelphia. The series aims to show the day-to-day reality of a public school system in a country not exactly known for investing heavily in public education—and this is evident in every episode.

The show is filmed in a mockumentary style, similar to The Office or Parks and Recreation. We’re told we’re watching footage from a documentary about underfunded public schools. Through this lens, we see a group of teachers who do their best in a crumbling building, run by administrators who show little interest in improving conditions. Most of the students are Latino and Black children, and the series frequently references the economic and personal challenges many of their families face.

One of the teachers sums it up clearly: teachers at a school like Abbott have to be able to do everything. They’re administrators, social workers, psychologists, second parents—and sometimes the only parents. Why do they do it? Not for the money, but out of vocation.

The show tackles genuinely interesting themes through kind-hearted, gentle humor. The number of episodes per season allows us to truly get to know the characters and grow attached to them, while the format makes it easy to highlight social issues and make us laugh at the same time.

If you haven’t watched this series yet, do yourself a favor and binge the first few seasons. It’s like going to see an endangered species—we don’t know how much longer we’ll keep getting shows like this.