Work Family (Abbott Elementary)

"Work Family"^[1] is the eighth episode of the American sitcom television series Abbott Elementary. It was written by Justin Tan, and was directed by Jay Karas. It premiered on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on February 15, 2022.^[2][3][4]

"Work Family"
Abbott Elementary episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 8
Directed by	Jay Karas
Written by	Justin Tan
Production code	T12.17158
Original air date	February 15, 2022 (2022-02-15)
Guest appearances
William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson Zach Fox as Tariq Temple Orlando Jones as Martin Eddie
Episode chronology
List of episodes

Tyler James Williams submitted this episode for his consideration due to his nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Plot

Upset that Jacob (Chris Perfetti) thinks of her as just a "work friend", Janine (Quinta Brunson) tries to build better relationships with her co-workers, specifically with Jacob. Janine learns that he has a boyfriend named Zack, that she has never met. Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) help Gregory (Tyler James Williams) with his teaching methods after his class is found to be underperforming, and they loosen him up and help him appeal to the kids more effectively. Janine enlists Tariq to perform at an anti-drug program at the school. While Gregory receives a phone call from his dad, Martin, who advises Gregory that he should move on from his substitute teaching at Abbott. However, Gregory stays insistent on staying at Abbott.^[5]

Reception

Upon its initial broadcast on ABC, "Work Family" was viewed by 2.31 million viewers, slightly less than the previous episode. This rating earned the episode a 0.6 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale.^[6]

The episode airs following its midseason entry in the 2021–22 television season. Filming for the eighth episode took place between August 16, and November 5, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.^[7][8] Like other episodes, interior scenes are filmed at Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank in Burbank, California, with exterior shots of the series being filmed in front of Vermont Elementary School in Los Angeles.^[9]

For the episode, guest star Orlando Jones won the Outstanding Guest Actor, Comedy Series award at the Black Reel Awards of 2022.^[10]

References

1. "'Abbott Elementary' – "Gifted Program"". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
2. Mazzeo, Esme (March 1, 2022). "Quinta Brunson: 'Abbott Elementary' Isn't 'the Office' for Teachers". Insider. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
3. "Abbott Elementary – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
4. "EIDR Record: Abbott Elementary: Season 1". Entertainment Identifier Registry. August 7, 2022. doi:10.5240/F640-D6FC-3C6E-B655-97A9-R. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
5. Halla Warner (February 16, 2022). "Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 8 Recap "Work Family"". Celebrity Myxer. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
6. Metcalf, Mitch (February 16, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY'S Tuesday 2.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
7. "issue one thousand two hundred sixty-one" (PDF). Production Weekly. August 26, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
8. "Film and TV Projects Going Into Production – Abbott Elementary". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
9. Stephanie Harper (April 19, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Is Supposed to Take Place in Philadelphia — Where Is It Filmed?". Distractify. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
10. Complex, Valerie (June 16, 2022). "6th Annual Black Reel Television Awards Nominations Announced". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.