Abbott Elementary Star Shades Friends Big Time, Gets a Round of Applause For It

With Abbott Elementary becoming so popular, it was only a matter of time before people started comparing it to other shows.

While some would say that being compared to such iconic shows as Friends in a positive way is a sign of recognition, Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary's creator, has her own take on it.

During a visit to NBC's Saturday Night Live on April 2, 2023, Brunson gave an amazing speech full of appreciation for teachers everywhere.

However, as the monologue was filled with jokes, there was a moment of the spotlight for Friends in there, but for all the wrong reasons.

"I have a show called Abbott Elementary, like, say Friends. Except, instead of being about a group of friends, it is about a group of teachers. And instead of New York, it's in Philadelphia. And instead of not having black people, it does!" she says, only for the audience to burst into laughter and loud ovation afterward.

Although Friends is a beloved show for many, a nostalgic, fun sitcom to come back to from time to time, viewers admit to agreeing with such criticism.

Some may argue that trying to view the '90s show from the prism of modern ethics is unnecessary, but most people agree that there was no shortage of people of color in New York in the '90s, so it would be up to the casting team to make them seen.

They made their choices then, so now a discussion of the issue is not only allowed, but necessary, lest we end up with more all-white shows.

"It doesn't hit as hard knowing Friends was a Great Value version of Living Single," user hon_eyc0mb said, bringing up another show in conversation. It's not a surprising comparison, considering the fact fans speculated Friends being a whitewashed rip-off of it for many years.

If you're interested in checking out Abbott Elementary, tune in to ABC on Wednesdays, or catch up on it online on HBO Max, fuboTV, and Hulu Plus.