Get ready, Abbott Elementary fans, it’s almost that time: loudspeakers, clap backs, sassy insults and straight-up comedy.
That’s right, the funniest person on TV and by far the best TV principal, Ava Coleman (played by Janelle James), will be gracing our televisions soon with her jokes. And while her shade is enough to make a sunny day dark, it’s hard not to love Ava’s character. She has so many iconic moments, in fact, too many to name. If we listed them all, it would feel longer than her morning announcements.
So for now, we’ll just give a refresher as to why Ava is owning the title of funniest person on TV.
Alright, the criminals can stay for now, and I’ll treat them like everyone else… with the utmost disrespect.
With four complete seasons, Ava’s jokes are just as sharp as they were in the first season. Her character’s personality has yet to change. It seems that her sharp wit and quick thinking are here to stay. In season 4, episode 9 titled “Volunteers,” Abbott Elementary received a few volunteers to help around the school.
After careful observation, the Abbott staff noticed that the volunteers are individuals who have been charged with misdemeanors and are required to complete 100 hours of community service. Side note: The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia played the criminals. Ava ruled for them to stay, and of course, cracked a joke in the midst of the seriousness. “Alright, the criminals can stay for now, and I’ll treat them like everyone else… with the utmost disrespect,” said Ava. While this comes as no surprise, especially because Ava is always extra, the one-liner is funny because she’s so serious, and viewers are led to believe she will do the opposite. Everyone thinks Ava will be nice to the volunteers, and she fools everyone with her typical behavior.
“Clean? Girl, I knew you in college.”
Who would Ava be without her pettiness that we all can somehow relate to? Episode 13 of season 3 is one of the moments where Ava’s shade is in full effect.
In this episode of Abbott Elementary, the staff and students took a field trip to Smith Memorial Playground. However, Abbott isn’t the only school at the playground. They are there with Liberty, and tension arose as they must share the playground. There was a debate about who would be able to use the big slide. In the last four minutes of the episode, principals from each school, Ava and Crystal, are challenged to a race to settle which school can use the slide.
Crystal suggests making it a “clean race.” Ava replied, “Clean? Girl, I knew you in college.” The ultimate shade combo that we all know Ava is capable of. The timing of the joke and the situation made viewers like me hysterically laugh.
“Let me back my tasty a*s up"
Most people may panic or cause a scene upon witnessing someone pass out, but Ava, on the other hand, makes jokes. In season 2, episode 2, Janine is overworked, tired and hungry. She’s been trying to make ends meet at Abbott. She finds herself passed out in the middle of the hallway. Ava joked that Janine looks like a zombie. “Let me back my tasty a*s up,” Ava said.
What viewers expected to be a sympathetic moment turned into stand-up comedy. This joke hit different because zombies do eat any and everything. The joke is very Ava-coded, making any situation about her, and also cracking a joke.
“Wait, does that mean you’re secretly Mormon?... Oh, well you should be because you need more men.”
Ava never missed the opportunity to make everyone at home giggle. In the staff meetings, it’s no different. Well, maybe just a little different, Ava blended throwing subliminals with being the star of the room. Setting the tone for the rest of the season, Ava continued to do just that.
In season 1, episode 8, Ava had her ear tuned in, eavesdropping on the staff as they had a conversation. Janine spoke about relationships and her dating life. Somehow that conversation turned into chatter about religion. Ava butted in and asked, “Wait, does that mean you’re secretly Mormon?” Janine replied no, and Ava then said, “Oh, you should be because you need more men.” Once again, Ava, with the jokes in a serious moment, makes her comedic timing one of the best parts of the entire show. We can’t get enough of Ava.
When it comes to shade, jokes, and personality, Ava’s got it all. She’s basically a principal turned comedian on the show, making her the funniest person on TV.
Tune in to watch season 5 of Abbott Elementary on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 8:30/7:30c