Abbott Elementary Fans Can't Stop Talking About Season 2 Episode 2's Cold Open
"Abbott Elementary" is causing quite the stir on social media thanks to its latest cold open, and how could it not? The series has just entered its second season and has already been heralded as one of the best shows currently on air, thanks to its sweet blend of feel-good humor and social commentary on the American education system. The show's freshman outing nabbed three Emmy wins in 2022, including the statue for Best Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Sheryl Lee Ralph also brought home a Best Supporting Actress trophy for her role as Barbara Howard, a veteran kindergarten teacher with a kind soul.
Viewership for Season 2 has been steady, on par with Season 1(via Variety), proving that "Abbott Elementary" wasn't just lightning in a bottle. Critics are in love with Quinta Brunson's comedy as well, giving the first batch of Season 2 episodes a solid 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Praise for "Abbott Elementary" is so strong that even First Lady Jill Biden has shouted out the series. The love for "Abbott Elementary" and its teachers is at an all-time high, and somehow, the series has managed to top itself thanks to a cold open that has absolutely dominated social media.
Fans can't get over Barbara's actor mix-ups
The sophomore Season 2 episode of "Abbott Elementary" is already one for the history books thanks to its hilarious cold open. The episode kicks off with Abbott's favorite teachers in the break room, discussing who should replace Tom Holland as Spider-Man. Principal Ava (Janelle James) says the next web head should be Black. Ms. Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) agrees with Ava, recommending Brian Austin Green as a viable Black Spider-Man. Green, of course, is not Black, as explained by Janine (Quinta Brunson), who reveals that Barbara has a penchant for confusing Black actors with white ones. In the case of "Beverly Hills, 90210" actor Brian Austin Green, Barbara means Brian Tyree Henry, who recently appeared in Marvel Studios' "Eternals."
The "Abbott Elementary" cold open continues by highlighting various instances of Barbara's confusion, including her hilarious mix-up of "Manchester by the Sea" actress Michelle Williams with "Destiny's Child" alum Michelle Williams. As expected, the cold open had social media in stitches. "#AbbottElementary's cold open this week HAD ME DYING, Barbara icon. Give Sheryl Lee Ralph another Emmy honestly," wrote Twitter user @abnormallyadam. Many users, including @ungodlywests, suggested that the scene already solidified Ralph's second Emmy win. The fanfare continued on the "Abbott Elementary" subreddit, with user u/foxfire calling the entire gag cute, saying her confusion is "such a Barbara thing too." When asked by the official "Abbott Elementary" Twitter account what their favorite mix-up was, fans like @justwrite115 couldn't get over how Barbara confused "Black Panther" standout Michael B. Jordan with "Back to the Future" star Michael J. Fox.