“Abbott Elementary” is having a major breakout moment, and its success continues with each and every episode that premieres. The workplace sitcom – which stars Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, and William Stanford Davis – set a new record last month when Deadline reported that the show’s debut topped ABC’s numbers as the first comedy premiere to quadruple ratings from its original air date. On Feb. 23, the critically-acclaimed series outdid itself again by achieving ABC’s strongest comedy telecast for its second episode.
According to Deadline, episode two of the sitcom – which premiered on Jan. 4 – accrued “9 million total viewers and a 2.93 rating in adults 18-49 after 35 days of viewing across linear and digital platforms.” This marks the first time ABC has seen numbers this high since “Modern Family”‘s series finale in 2020.
“While shooting it, we looked at each other at one point and we both had that moment when we realised that this is something really special.”
The success of “Abbott Elementary” is all thanks to its ever-growing fanbase who makes the show trend week to week on social media. But Williams previously told POPSUGAR that he and Lee Ralph already knew the show would be a hit when the cast filmed the pilot episode. “While shooting it, we looked at each other at one point and we both had that moment when we realised that this is something really special . . . After that first night, it was like, ‘Yeah, I think we better strap in. We may have a ride ahead of us.'”
Show creator Brunson also told us that seeing so many different audiences interact with “Abbott Elementary” is one of the most rewarding parts of the series’s instant success. Brunson created her show to fill a void in TV’s workplace comedy space for Black leads, but the series is accomplishing so much more. Though the show will be on hiatus for the next three weeks, there’s no doubt that its existing buzz will keep it a trending topic in the meantime.
