Episode |
"Ava vs. Superintendent" is the twelfth episode of the first season of ABC's hit mockumentary-sitcom Abbott Elementary. It was directed by Matthew A. Cherry and written by Brittani Nichols. The episode first aired on ABC on April 5, 2022, with 2.58 million viewers and received positive reviews from critics.
Description[]
With the school board threatening to pull their funds, Janine and Gregory decide to help Ava with her presentation; their plan is derailed when a curveball is thrown; Barbara offends Melissa when she doesn't agree with her blackmail idea.
Plot[]
Janine picks up her students from Miss Davis' music class since they were running late. She finds out that they were having too much fun and did not want to return to her class yet. She shares this with the other teachers in the teachers' lounge. Barbara advises them to enjoy their free periods while they can since music class might be gone soon. Melissa elaborates that music class is paid out of discretionary funds and since Ava lost her dirt on the superintendent, there was no way that he was going to release any discretionary funds like he has been doing for the last three years. Gregory explains that principals have to present their cases for funding to the school board by the end of the week. He tells the camera that he is not confident that Ava can learn everything that she needs to know by Friday so she can make her presentation.
Melissa and Barbara are not convinced that Ava can pull it off. Barbara, however, is still hopeful that the school board will award her with an Advancement Grant which she has been applying to for 10 years. Hearing this, Melissa thinks that they have to take matters into their own hands with "a little gentle arm-twisting," to which Barbara agrees.
Janine visits Ava in her office and reminds her of her presentation for the school board. Ava tells Janine that she's taking it seriously since her job is on the line. Janine then asks to see Ava’s presentation, and Ava agrees to show her the following day after signing a nondisclosure agreement (NDA).
The next day, Melissa goes to Barbara and tells her that she found a connection within the school board who they can shake down. This connection is a member of Barbara’s church, Delisha Sloss, who is on the finance committee and has been skimming cash from church funds for years. Barbara hesitates and tells Melissa that she isn't used to playing "in the mud" and that those things should be left to people like Melissa. Melissa walks away speechless and offended by what Barbara said.
In the principal's office, Janine hands in the NDA to Ava and Ava excitedly starts her presentation. The whole thing is over-the-top with no substance. Janine stops the presentation and decides to help Ava prepare something that will show the board what they need to see. She enlists Gregory's help by convincing him that it will be for the good of all the students and the school. The three discuss the presentation during lunch and none of Gregory or Janine's suggestions appeal to Ava. Gregory tells the camera that it might be best for the school in the long run that Ava fails, and they get a new principal, who is not necessarily him, but is like him.
In the teachers' lounge, Jacob notices that Melissa and Barbara are sitting apart and asks them if everything is okay. Melissa tells him that Barbara refuses to help with extorting Sloss even when it will help them get their funding. She says that they should be using people doing bad stuff to do good stuff for their students.
Meanwhile, Ava is surprised to find Gregory and Janine in her office. The two tell her that they aren't giving up in helping her with the presentation. Janine tells her that she and Gregory will act as her assistants during the presentation, and they will handle the data and graphs and she can handle the showmanship. Ava happily accepts their offer to help.
Barbara and Jacob are in their school garden, with Barbara furiously gardening. Jacob notices and asks her once again if she's okay. Barbara opens up about her dilemma about extorting Sloss. She says that she knows they need the money, but she does not what to compromise her morals to get it. Jacob offers his two cents and tells her that she has already done something she wouldn't normally do, like starting the garden with him and it didn’t turn out so bad.
On Friday, Janine and Gregory arrive at the Philadelphia School Board Council. Janine leaves to check how Ava is doing. Superintendent Collins runs into Gregory while he was waiting in the lobby. The superintendent apologizes for not hiring Gregory as principal. However, he tells Gregory that if he’s still interested, he should send an email as there may be an opening to the position in Abbott soon.
Sometime later, Melissa and Barbara arrive. Melissa spots Delisha Sloss and informs Barbara. Barbara excuses herself to use the restroom, which is also where Sloss is going. Barbara goes up to Sloss and introduces herself and strikes up a conversation.
Janine and Gregory go over the presentation with Ava. Collins goes to greet Ava. She tells him that she has enlisted Janine and Gregory to assist her during her presentation. The superintendent doesn't allow her to do so and tells her that she will be giving her presentation alone. Ava starts to give her presentation and it is not doing well. The teachers are outside waiting anxiously and trying to listen in on the presentation. Gregory leaves and is about to send an email but Janine goes up to him and thanks him for helping with the presentation even though he should have gotten the job as principal in the first place.
Meanwhile Ava has gotten to her last slide. The superintendent asks her what the metrics her funding targets are keyed to. She has no idea what to answer so the superintendent stops her presentation, stating that they have already seen all they needed to see. Ava gives a passionate plea to the board about how they should give them the money because everybody at Abbott deserves it. Afterwards, Ava tells everybody that she managed to do a good job with her presentation. Collins agrees but he tells them that as long as he is the superintendent, he refuses to give them the funds they need as it is hard to get over being blackmailed.
Sloss catches up to Barbara and informs her that her office is awarding Abbott with the Advancement Grant. The teachers are excited about the grant. Melissa makes up with Barbara and thanks her for shaking down Sloss to get the grant.
The following day, Gregory is in Ava’s office. Ava tells him that she received his email and reminds him of the responsibilities of his new position. Ava then welcomes Gregory as their new full-time teacher at Abbott.
Starring[]
- Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues
- Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie
- Janelle James as Ava Coleman
- Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti
- Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill
- Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
- Gloria Gifford as Ms. Davis
- Shirley Jordan as Delisha Sloss
Reception[]
Ratings[]
"Ava vs. Superintendent" was watched by 2.576 million viewers, earning a 0.49 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale.[1]
Accolades[]
Matthew A. Cherry won Outstanding Directing, Comedy Series for "Ava vs. Superintendent" in the 2022 Black Reel Television Awards.[2]
Media[]
Episode stills[]
References[]
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (April 6, 2022). SHOWBUZZDAILY'S Tuesday 4.5.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED. ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved on December 12, 2022.
- ↑ Tinoco, Armando (August 14, 2022). Black Reel TV Awards: Quinta Brunson & ‘Abbott Elementary’ Lead Winners List. Deadline. Retrieved on February 28, 2023.
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