NAACP Image Awards: 'Abbott Elementary' Is Still Top of the Class: 5 Funniest Moments That Prove It Deserved Another NAACP Image Award Nom
When "Abbott Elementary" premiered in 2021, it didn’t just introduce a new workplace comedy, but it revived the network sitcom in a way that felt smart, heartfelt, and culturally precise.
Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the mockumentary-style series centers on a group of underfunded but wildly passionate teachers at a Philadelphia public school doing their best with what little they’re given. What makes Abbott special isn’t just the punchlines, but it’s the intention behind them. The humor lands because it’s rooted in truth: underpaid educators, broken copy machines, district red tape, and the everyday brilliance of Black teachers who show up anyway.
Now nominated once again for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, "Abbott Elementary" isn’t new to this, but it’s true to this.
The series has already won the award three times, solidifying its place as a consistent favorite within the culture and a benchmark for what sharp, community-centered comedy looks like. That three-peat status speaks volumes. It’s not just about critical acclaim, but it’s about resonance.
The show reflects Black educators, Black classrooms, and Black joy in ways that feel authentic rather than performative.
The ensemble from Janine’s relentless optimism to Barbara Howard’s dignified poise — operates like a perfectly timed comedy relay team. The writing is clever without being flashy, heartfelt without being preachy. And at its core, the show balances satire and sincerity in a way that makes the laughs feel earned.
Beyond trophies and ratings, "Abbott Elementary" has carved out space for nuanced depictions of public school teachers who are funny, flawed, ambitious, and deeply committed.
In a television landscape often chasing spectacle, the series quietly proves that character-driven storytelling and a well-timed side-eye to camera will always pass the test.
Here are five of the funniest moments that prove "Abbott Elementary" deserves top marks.
Ava Coleman’s Unhinged Energy
Principal Ava’s over-the-top antics from TikTok-ready proclamations to competing priorities that make no sense are a consistent laugh generator.
The compilation of Ava’s most chaotic moments shows just how far she’ll go to avoid work while still craving attention.
Her self-centered confidence paired with zero accountability makes her unpredictable in the best way.
Bradley Cooper Pulling Up to Abbott Like It’s a Casual Errand
A celebrity cameo is easy but this series making it feel organic is the flex.
Bradley Cooper shows up, and instead of everyone acting normal (impossible), the staff spirals into starstruck confusion and hilarious assumptions. The moment works because it’s not “look who we got,” it’s “look how Abbott people would actually act.” And yes, the disbelief is the joke.
The Teachers Debating Their “Vices”… Then Getting Immediately Busted
Nothing bonds coworkers like oversharing in the workplace until the workplace reminds you it has ears.
The staff starts comparing vices like it’s a casual lunch convo, and then a student pops up at exactly the wrong time (aka the perfect time for comedy).
The panic shifts, the backtracking, and the adult embarrassment. It’s sitcom timing at its finest.
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Barbara’s Celebrity Mix-Ups Are a Running Gag That Never Misses
Barbara referencing a celebrity and being hilariously wrong is basically an Abbott love language at this point.
The joke lands because Barbara says the names with full authority, as if the universe is obligated to agree with her.
Watching everyone decode what she meant while she stands ten toes down in her mistake? Delicious.
Margaret Calling Barbara “100 Years Old” With Her Whole Chest
This one is pure Abbott, which is sweet, innocent, and absolutely disrespectful.
During a school celebration where students dress like senior citizens, Margaret proudly reveals she dressed as Barbara… because Barbara is “100 years old.”
Barbara’s face journey is the punchline, and Margaret’s sincerity makes it even funnier.
It’s the kind of moment you replay immediately.
Watch the NAACP Image Awards on BET and CBS on Feb. 28, 2026.
