TMC
11-03-2022, 09:23 PM
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/quinta-brunson-the-hollywood-reporters-comedy-star-of-the-year-abbott-elementary-1235253164/
Hailed as the savior of the traditional sitcom for creating 'Abbott Elementary,' Brunson has much of Hollywood blowing up her phone — but the young comic and recent Emmy winner’s personal mandate is clear: "I really just want to make a good TV show."
BY MIKEY O'CONNELL
NOVEMBER 3, 2022 6:00AM
Quinta Brunson appears remarkably unfazed. Whether the creator and star of Abbott Elementary is plugging her project on a talk show or accepting the Emmy for best comedy writing over Jimmy Kimmel’s limp body, the 32-year-old projects an air that never leans too far toward humility or confidence. She’s simply making the TV show that she wants.
What’s earned Brunson so much attention, however, is the fact that what she’s doing is anything but simple. Before ABC launched Abbott in January, the suggestion that a broadcast comedy could overwhelmingly win over critics and pull in 7 million weekly viewers across platforms in 2022 would have gotten more laughs than plenty of half-hours. But, with her mockumentary spin on an underserved Philadelphia grammar school, Brunson has many in Hollywood reassessing what’s possible in this crowded market. That has led to a flurry of pitches for the sitcom savant to take on extra work, something she’s quick to dismiss. “I’ve narrowed it down,” says Brunson. “If it doesn’t serve Abbott right now, then I feel like I don’t have to do it.”
During a rare hiatus — ABC upped Abbott‘s order to a robust 22 episodes for its sophomore season — Brunson, THR‘s comedy star of the year, spoke over the phone about boundaries, the genre’s shifting landscape and her recent boozy run-in with Paul Rudd.
Hailed as the savior of the traditional sitcom for creating 'Abbott Elementary,' Brunson has much of Hollywood blowing up her phone — but the young comic and recent Emmy winner’s personal mandate is clear: "I really just want to make a good TV show."
BY MIKEY O'CONNELL
NOVEMBER 3, 2022 6:00AM
Quinta Brunson appears remarkably unfazed. Whether the creator and star of Abbott Elementary is plugging her project on a talk show or accepting the Emmy for best comedy writing over Jimmy Kimmel’s limp body, the 32-year-old projects an air that never leans too far toward humility or confidence. She’s simply making the TV show that she wants.
What’s earned Brunson so much attention, however, is the fact that what she’s doing is anything but simple. Before ABC launched Abbott in January, the suggestion that a broadcast comedy could overwhelmingly win over critics and pull in 7 million weekly viewers across platforms in 2022 would have gotten more laughs than plenty of half-hours. But, with her mockumentary spin on an underserved Philadelphia grammar school, Brunson has many in Hollywood reassessing what’s possible in this crowded market. That has led to a flurry of pitches for the sitcom savant to take on extra work, something she’s quick to dismiss. “I’ve narrowed it down,” says Brunson. “If it doesn’t serve Abbott right now, then I feel like I don’t have to do it.”
During a rare hiatus — ABC upped Abbott‘s order to a robust 22 episodes for its sophomore season — Brunson, THR‘s comedy star of the year, spoke over the phone about boundaries, the genre’s shifting landscape and her recent boozy run-in with Paul Rudd.