Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 3, episode 12.

Kevin Hart is one of Abbott Elementary season 3’s biggest cameos, and the star’s appearance in the sitcom came about via a truly bizarre plot. Abbott Elementary might be a grounded mockumentary centered on the faculty of an underfunded public school, but that has not stopped season 3 from adding some A-list names to the show’s cast list. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters have still gotten plenty of screen time, but the show’s third outing included cameos from Bradley Cooper and Questlove. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before star Lana Condor also appeared, playing Gregory’s short-lived love interest.

It will be tough for Abbott Elementary season 4 to outdo this impressive lineup, but season 3, episode 12, “Mother’s Day,” just made that achievement even harder. Comedian and actor Kevin Hart appeared in “Mother’s Day” after Janine spent the entire episode discussing the Ride Along star. The episode opened with Janine admitting that she never knew her father, prompting a sardonic comment from Principal Ava. Janine proceeded to take this throwaway joke from Abbott Elementary’s most underrated character far too seriously, resulting in some social media stalking, a paternity test, and a hilariously unexpected last-minute cameo.

Abbott Elementary’s Janine Hoped Kevin Hart Was Her Father

The Teacher Never Met Her Dad And Her Mom Knew Hart

After Janine said that she didn’t know who her father was, Ava claimed that Kevin Hart could be Janine’s father since she was so short. This seemed to be a typical joke at Janine’s expense from her frenemy Ava, but Janine latched onto the idea when she remembered that her mother had known Hart during high school. Janine’s distant and unreliable mother, played by Taraji P. Henson, had an audio-only cameo where she confirmed that she slept with Hart. This only fueled Janine’s wild speculation, resulting in Melissa getting her hairdresser friend to steal a hair from Hart for a DNA test.

As wild as this plot sounds, it was a nice break from Gregory and Janine’s Abbott Elementary romance. After the preceding episode revealed that Gregory still has feelings for Janine and intends to pursue them, “Mother’s Day” was a welcome return to the show’s more outlandish side. Janine became convinced that Hart was her father, awaiting the DNA test results during a drag brunch with Jacob. However, the results came back negative and, to make matters worse, Kevin Hart called Janine in the episode’s closing scene to berate her for repeatedly messaging him. He also debunked her theory.

Kevin Hart’s Abbott Elementary Cameo Debunked Janine’s Theory

The Jumanji Star Also Knew Mr. Johnson

Hart FaceTimed Janine at the end of the episode, but this was only so he could confront her about messaging him across social media platforms. Hart quickly confirmed that he wasn’t her father, although he had slept with her mother, and he then gave his old friend Mr. Johnson a shout out as the school’s maintenance man walked past. While Abbott Elementary’s last guest star was wasted in a role that didn’t do her justice, Hart’s part was perfect. The brief cameo saw the typically high-energy comedian play the straight man to a repentant Janine, making for a fun Abbott Elementary outing.