With one of ABC’s most popular and esteemed comedies, Blackish, coming to an end in early 2022, it’s only fair that they start incorporating new comedies into their lineup. One of those new shows happens to be Abbott Elementary. The series also marks ABC’s first “mockumentary.”
Abbott Elementary follows a group of passionate teachers who work at an underfunded Philadelphia public elementary school. As if that’s not tough enough, the teachers also must deal with their tone-deaf principal. While there are only two episodes of Abbott Elementary out now, fans can fill the void between episodes by binging any of these comedy shows.
A.P. Bio (2018-2021)
Available On Hulu
A.P. Bio spent its first two seasons on NBC before moving to Peacock for its final two seasons. The comedy series, which is created and produced by SNL alumn, centered on disgraced Harvard professor Jack Griffin who must take a job teaching at a public high school to make ends meet.
While Jack isn’t as passionate as the teachers of Abbott Elementary, the shows still share a lot in common. Namely, they both expose the highs and lows that come with teaching, especially teaching younger children.
Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
Available On Disney+
Boy Meets World is arguably one of the most iconic sitcoms of the ’90s. The family sitcom centered on Cory Matthews and his family and friends as they navigated the growing pains of being a teenager.
While Boy Meets World was a family sitcom, most of the series did take place within the walls of school ranging from middle school to college. Not to mention, the heart of the series typically stemmed from Mr. Feeny, the strict but fatherly teacher who always knew what to say to inspire his students.
Community (2009-2015)
Available On Netflix
Running for a total of six seasons, Community has become a bit of a cult classic among TV fans. Though the comedy series kicked off when lawyer Jeff Winger finds out his degree has been revoked, the series truly is an iconic ensemble piece. Much of the show revolved around a ragtag group of community college students in various stages of their life.
While Community doesn’t center on teachers as Abbott Elementary does, both shows do still center on the education system as a whole. And they both do a great job showing all the hijinks that can ensue in the said setting.
Head Of The Class (2021)
Available On HBO Max
In the age of reboots, HBO Max decided to reboot the popular 1986 sitcom Head of the Class. This time around, the series centered on Alicia Gomez, a young teacher who gets brought in to teach an honors debate class. Still figuring out her own life, Alicia sets out to help these high-achieving kids have some fun while they still can.
Head of the Class and Abbott Elementary’s biggest similarity is that they both focus on what it’s like to be a new teacher. Though Alicia and Janine might have different ways of teaching, they both realize all that truly matters is making their students happy.
Home Economics (2021-)
Available On Hulu
Home Economics is another one of ABC’s newest comedies having premiered in April 2021. Now in its second season, the family comedy has really grown into its own. The series centers on three siblings who come from different economic backgrounds who are trying to raise their own families in San Francisco.
While one of the main characters does work in a school, Home Economics really hit its similar stride by pointing out the imbalance of the sibling’s financial situations. Much like Abbott Elementary isn’t afraid to call out anyone mismanaging funds, the siblings on Home Economics do the same.
Parks And Recreation (2009-2015)
Available On Peacock
Parks and Recreation is arguably one of Greg Daniels and Michael Schur’s best original series. The mockumentary centers on the Pawnee Parks and Recreation department and follows optimistic deputy director Leslie as she tries to make the town a better place.
Much like Janine in Abbott Elementary, Leslie sees her town and the people around her with rose-colored glasses. Her blind optimism is what makes her an endearing character because she truly believes she can be the change the town needs.
Saved By The Bell (2020-)
Available On Peacock
Another beloved ’80s and ’90s sitcom, Saved By The Bell, got a revival order in 2020. Since then, the series has been a hit for Peacock. Once again set at Bayside High, the series follows the clash between teachers and faculty as the school is forced into accepting lower-income students to their high-performing school.
Like Abbott Elementary, the Saved By The Bell revival makes it a point to showcase inequalities in the public school system. And while most of the drama in Saved By The Bell is based on the teenage students, the teachers do get their own characters arc too.
Schooled (2019-2020)
Available On Tubi
A spin-off of ABC’s hit family sitcom The Goldbergs, Schooled took place in the 1990s and centered on a group of William Penn Academy teachers including new teacher and William Penn alumni Lainey Lewis. Unfortunately, the series never found its footing and was canceled after two seasons.
Despite its short lifespan, Schooled is arguably the most similar show to watch for fans of Abbott Elementary. While there are some differences, like the fact that William Penn is a private, and therefore wealthy, school, the teachers on both do deal with the same kind of issues in their work and personal lives.
Superstore (2015-2021)
Available On Hulu
Superstore has become one of the best workplace sitcoms of the 2010s. The series, which aired on NBC for six seasons, followed a ragtag group of employees who work at the fictional big-box store, Cloud 9.
While there are no teachers and no school set in Superstore, the series does have a lot in common with Abbott Elementary. Both shows focus on how hard it can be working a thankless job that doesn’t even pay enough. Plus both shows are endlessly hilarious thanks to their eccentric cast of characters.
Trial & Error (2017-2018)
Available To Rent On Apple TV
Trial & Error only ran for two seasons, but it is still highly regarded amongst fans of the series. A legal mockumentary, the series centers on New York lawyer Josh Segal who gets assigned to defend a poetry professor in an odd small town in South Carolina.
The biggest similarity between this show and Abbott Elementary is the tone of the humor which borders on absurdity. Both shows also feature a cast of characters with hilarious idiosyncrasies.
