Trevor Noah interviews Quinta Brunson, creator of Abbott Elementary. They discuss her Philly comedy roots, inspiration from Spike Lee and Apple's Photo Booth, and the impact of everyday concerns on politics.
Abbott Elementary highlights the importance of representing diverse experiences and showcasing black joy in its depiction of everyday struggles and triumphs of teachers' lives.
Quinter Brunson's passion project, Abbott Elementary, is a spiritual endeavor that stays true to her artistic vision and personal experiences, avoiding the pressure to address every issue or conform to societal expectations.
Quinter Brunson aims to break away from traditional wish-fulfillment narratives and provide authentic representation and storytelling that resonates with a diverse audience, while also embracing the power of lighthearted, nonsensical humor in her 'stupid comedy' projects.
Deep dives
The Power of Small Stories
Abbott Elementary succeeds by focusing on the everyday struggles and triumphs of its characters, showing that even in a small environment like a school, there are complex and relatable experiences. The show aims to depict the reality of teachers' lives, acknowledging that they are not infallible heroes, but ordinary human beings who face challenges in and outside the classroom. By centering on the personal stories of the characters, Abbott Elementary highlights the importance of representing diverse experiences and showcasing black joy, challenging the expectation that minority creators must solely tackle political or heavy subject matter in their work.
The Spiritual Connection of Creation
Abbott Elementary originated from Quinter Brunson's personal experiences and her deep connection to the world of education. It is a passion project that feels spiritual to her, and she approaches storytelling with intention and a focus on her own artistic vision. By staying committed to her vision and not succumbing to external pressures to address every issue or create content solely based on societal expectations, she aims to protect and preserve the authenticity of the stories she wants to tell.
Creating Representation in Young Adult Stories
Quinter Brunson expresses her desire to create a young adult story that reflects the experiences of young black girls, exploring relatable themes of religion and the challenges of growing up. She aims to break away from traditional wish-fulfillment narratives often seen in young adult content and instead provide authentic representation and storytelling that resonates with a diverse audience.
Embracing Stupid Comedy
In addition to more serious and socially significant projects, Quinter Brunson aspires to create a 'stupid comedy' that delivers pure entertainment and laughter. Drawing inspiration from classic comedies like 'Anchorman' and 'Dodgeball,' she believes in the power of lighthearted, nonsensical humor. By incorporating diversity into this genre, she challenges the notion that certain comedic styles are limited to specific racial or cultural groups.
The Agency of Making Decisions
Quinter Brunson finds inspiration in making decisions based on her artistic instincts and personal drive, rather than succumbing to external pressures or expectations. She draws parallels between storytelling and various art forms, emphasizing the importance of creators preserving their artistic agency and staying true to their vision even when faced with societal demands or narratives imposed on marginalized groups.
Trevor is joined by Emmy-winner Quinta Brunson, the star and creator of the hit series Abbott Elementary. Quinta describes her hometown Philly's influence on her comedy, why stand-up just wasn’t for her, and the visit to her mom’s school that was the creative catalyst for Abbott Elementary. She and Trevor discuss how Spike Lee’s Crooklyn’s and Apple’s Photo Booth helped foster her belief in the spiritual power of a stupid comedy.