Chalk up another win for network TV’s most reliable purveyor of warm fuzzies and workplace shenanigans, because Abbott Elementary is gifting viewers not one, but two new episodes this Wednesday. The first, “Winter Show,” finds Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) attempting to wrangle a gaggle of grade-schoolers into some semblance of a presentable holiday program—a task roughly equivalent to herding rabid squirrels. Meanwhile, Jacob (Chris Perfetti) contends with his overachieving brother’s unexpectedly early arrival for the holidays, guaranteeing some awkward sibling rivalry.
The second installment, “Winter Break,” shifts the focus to holiday traditions outside the hallowed, if slightly dilapidated, halls of Abbott Elementary. Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) pulls out all the stops for the annual Schemmenti Christmas Eve dinner, because if there’s one thing Melissa understands, it’s the sacred importance of a well-fed family (and possibly the strategic deployment of guilt). But while Melissa reigns supreme in her culinary kingdom, Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) find their romantic holiday plans complicated by an unexpected guest, reminding us that even the most meticulously planned festivities can be derailed by a well-timed doorbell ring.
This double-helping of holiday hijinks highlights the show’s knack for balancing the relatable chaos of work and family life with its core of genuine warmth. Expect some heartwarming moments amid the comedic mishaps, clever writing amid the goofy physical comedy, and maybe even a few surprisingly insightful observations about the true meaning of the holiday season.
Abbott Elementary airs Wednesday, December 4 at 8:00 PM and 8:31 PM on ABC.
