While Principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James) is undeniably hilarious, the true comedic gem of Abbott Elementary is the eccentric school janitor, Mr. Johnson, played by William Stanford Davis. He doesn’t just clean the halls, but mops the floor with catchy one-liners that leave everyone speechless. The character is notorious for injecting completely unrelated stories into nearly every conversation — a trait that elevates every scene from mildly amusing to hilarious. In a nutshell, he is the one character viewers always look forward to seeing.
The show itself is shot in mockumentary style and gives viewers insight into the ins and outs of the black public school system. The “crew” captures the struggles of teachers working in an underfunded and mismanaged school system, with a little spin of humor. Mr. Johnson is one of the characters who keeps adding humor to the mix. It’s true that Ava provides the sitcom’s main comic relief, however, Mr. Johnson’s subtle but absurdly funny presence makes him the true underdog of Abbott Elementary comedy. He may not have as much screentime as most characters, in fact, we can say he has limited screen time. However, he’s always lurking in the background, waiting to drop the perfect joke at the right moment.
Ava is Funny, but Mr Johnson’s Deadpan Wit Makes Him Shine Through
Yes, the flashy and high-energy Principal of the titular Abbott Elementary, Ava Coleman, is always ready to deliver over-the-top antics and self-absorbed schemes. While she thrives on chaos, Mr. Johnson stands in the corner, dishing out subtle but hilarious statements. Mr. Johnson’s jokes usually stand out because he says the most unexpected things with a straight face, and it’s impossible to tell if he’s joking or serious. What makes him even more interesting is how mysterious he is, it leaves tons of room for the imagination to run wild. From sharing conspiracy theories like the existence of lizard people to the moon being fake, Mr Johnson keeps the light mood going on the show despite rarely being the focus, but that’s what he thrives on. The janitor started out as a recurring character, but between dropping good lines here and there, he got the attention of the showrunners and became a regular. That aforementioned air of mystery combined with his wit and humor makes him one to look out for. While he’s generally known as the school janitor, he’s dropped breadcrumbs here and there hinting that he used to be everything from a nude model to a CIA agent. With this, it’s quite impossible to track his backstory and how he ended up mopping floors at an underfunded public school. Despite the show shining a light on serious issues like education, equality, and systemic failure as a whole, Mr. Johnson’s oblivious confidence helps keep things light.
Unlike Ava’s loud and dramatic punchlines, Mr. Johnson’s dry jokes are often bizarrely profound. He says unexpected things with a straight face, making it impossible to tell if he’s joking or dropping some wisdom. His absurd statements and pop quizzes are sometimes confusing but impactful. Despite all this, it’s safe to say that Davis’s character on the show gets little exploration. But, delving into his arc may just be what the show needs to spruce things on and keep the heartwarming stories running fresh.
‘Abbott Elementary’ Nails the Laughs While Taking on Life in an Underfunded School
Set in a predominantly Black elementary school in Philadelphia, Abbott Elementary follows a group of passionate teachers and their offbeat principal as they do their best to support their students and keep the school running, despite limited resources. The mockumentary format adds a sense of realism to the show, making the humour come across as organic while the social issues stay impactful. Led by the optimistic Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson), the teachers portray the resilience and passion of educators who would go to any length for their students despite limited resources. That same heart drives the show’s success, as Abbott Elementary thrives on commentary about education and systemic neglect, strong character development, and witty writing.
While advocating for better educational funding, the show’s use of satire captures the dedication and creativity of teachers. This goes a long way to provide much-needed laughter by highlighting the issue of underfunding in public education. With its growing popularity and critical acclaim, the show has gradually become a powerful tool for social commentary.
School is in session! Abbott Elementary is available to stream on Hulu.
