SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not seen “Step Class,” Episode 9 of “Abbott Elementary.” Janelle James punctuates everything she says with a long, loud laugh. She knows she…
She knows she’s funny. Her career trajectory proves it: Her standup career has earned her spots in Netflix specials including “The Comedy Lineup” and “The Standups,” and she’s written on the acclaimed TV series “Central Park” and “Black Monday,” also playing small acting roles in each. In 2020, she made, saying, “I’m a woman, when else do I get a room full of people to listen to me? I get to do that all the time and charge people money for it.
Education isn’t necessarily a passion for Ava, but as we learn in “Step Class,” she does have a heart. So why do you think she’s in this line of work? Does she care about the kids? This episode reveals that Ava is so flaky and distracted partially because she’s struggling to take care of her grandmother. Did you know about that backstory before you signed on? Did you think she’d stay a villain?
It’s weird, because I don’t have any goals for her, because I think she’s perfect. I love that she’s hilarious and inappropriate. And I hope she stays principal for a long time. It’s not good for the kids, but it’s good for the show. My character brings what she brings, and I think it’s needed you know. So maybe another little cutie substitute. I don’t have a goal like, ‘Oh, I hope she becomes a great principal.’ That’s not her character. I hope she keeps doing what she’s doing.