This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson. How do you make

the struggles of an underfunded school into a laugh out loud sitcom? ABC's New Comedy

Abbott Elementary manages to ace that test. That's thanks to its creator and star, Quinter

Brunson.

Having a good experience informed what kind of show I would create. A lot of people

I think have created school shows with the idea that no one wants to be there, the students,

the teachers, not me. People were doing this job, or they care that much. They're being

paid pennies. This is just what they do. So I was able to show that.

Our conversation with comedian Quinter Brunson coming up on a word with me, Jason Johnson.

Stay with us.

Welcome to a word, a podcast about race, impolitics, and everything else. I'm your host, Jason

Johnson. Of all the things we hear about attending or working in our broken down urban

schools, I don't think any of us usually associate that with things being funny, but

Abbott Elementary, a new comedy from ABC is going to change all that.

There have been three presidents since this one, okay? It's an old book. So here's where

I taped in the others.

I'd say the main problem in the school district is, yeah, no money. The city says there isn't

any, but they're doing a multi-million dollar renovation to the Eagle Stadium down the

street from here, but we just make do.

Quinter Brunson is the star and creator of Abbott Elementary. She built the foundation of

her comedy career online with her own Instagram series and later working for Buzzfeed, eventually

landing a role on HBO's A Black Lady sketch show. Quinter Brunson joins us now. Welcome to

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