The Season 4 finale of “Abbott Elementary” aired recently on ABC and Hulu, and it was full of surprises and laughter. The episode titled “Please Touch Museum” took the teachers and students of Abbott on a field trip to a hands-on museum in Philadelphia. The eighth graders, initially unimpressed with the museum, decide to write a play about their experience at Abbott, roasting their teachers in the process. To make things even funnier, they cast their teachers to play each other.
One of the standout moments of the episode was when Janine and Gregory, played by Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams respectively, had to impersonate each other. Williams admitted that it was challenging to portray Janine because she is always happy and there isn’t much to pull from. However, the actors had a great time playing around with each other during the scene.
The idea for the episode came from a brainstorming session in the writer’s room, where they were trying to figure out how to make the eighth graders have fun. The result was a hilarious and heartwarming sequence that surprised even the cast members themselves.
Looking back on the season, the actors shared their thoughts on some of the major themes explored in the show. Sheryl Lee Ralph, who plays Melissa, expressed her gratification at being part of the labor dispute storyline, as she has experience serving on the SAG-AFTRA negotiation committee. The show’s pro-union stance resonated with her, especially in a union town like Philadelphia.
Janelle James, who plays Ava, went through a rollercoaster of emotions in Season 4, from getting fired as principal to developing feelings for IT tech O’Shon. Her character’s growth continues in the finale, showing a softer side while still staying true to her core personality.
As the show gears up for its fifth season, the cast is eager to see where the story takes them. Chris Perfetti, who plays Jacob, hopes to push the limits of his physical comedy contributions to the show in the upcoming episodes. With Quinta Brunson and the talented writers behind the scenes, the cast has full faith in the direction the show will take.
The Season 4 finale of “Abbott Elementary” was a delightful mix of humor and heart, setting the stage for more exciting adventures in the upcoming season. Fans can’t wait to see what the teachers of Abbott Elementary will get up to next.
