“Abbott Elementary” concluded its third season with a moment that fans of the show have been waiting for: After much will-they-or-won’t-they, Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) are finally together .
“I think it’s remarkable that so many people are so invested in these two stupid teachers in Philadelphia,” Brunson says Variety‘s Awards Circuit podcast. “I find it very, very endearing that even colleagues of mine in the industry have seriously asked me, ‘What’s going on with Gregory and Janine next season?’ I just think it’s great that they’re very invested. And that’s something that Randall has played a big role in.”
That’s Randall Einhorn, the show’s executive production director, who was Emmy nominated this year for that episode — the season finale “Party.” Einhorn joined Brunson on the podcast to talk about some of the choices he made for the episode, including adding a sunshade to the scene (which the couple clumsily draws to keep the show’s mockumentary camera crew out to steer).
“I also really like that last moment, you see both of you, even though you’re in your own private moment, looking straight into the camera while [the window shade is closed],” he says. “That’s a very sweet moment. And any time you can make the viewer crane their neck to see something they wouldn’t normally see, it’s always a great moment.”
Brunson, Emmy nominated for outstanding comedy actress and comedy writer, and Einhorn, primed for comedy directing, joined the podcast to talk about season 3 of “Abbott Elementary” (also up for outstanding comedy). They discussed how the Hollywood strikes led to a shortened season, and how that changed plans for that year. They also discussed how the show found its tone and the secret of how Einhorn records the characters’ confessionals. Listen below!
“Because Randall was involved with this project from the beginning, I felt like this was the key to everything,” says Brunson. “That’s why I’m personally so happy that Randall has been nominated this year. I don’t know if people can ever understand how much Randall, by being on this show, has contributed to the success that it is.
Einhorn had worked in documentary films and reality TV before turning to scripted series like ‘The Office’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’ – and is now known as the foremost expert when it comes to directing a mockumentary series.
“Randall offered things to think about that I’m not sure anyone would have thought of,” Brunson says. “From the pilot on, Randall helped coach us as actors on how our characters would interact with the camera.”
For example, Janine wanted to talk about the interview off camera, while Gregory and Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) would be more reserved. And then Ava (Janelle James) would be a showman in her own right. One of the secrets of the shoot is that when the characters talk to the camera, Einhorn (or whatever director is shooting that episode) actually asks them questions as if it were a real interview.
“We wrote a script that is exactly what the words are going to be, but when Randall asks me a question, it changes the way I respond as an actor,” Brunson says. “and “I find that fascinating and something that I really appreciate. And our other directors do it too.”
Einhorn says he learned his interview technique by talking to former senator and presidential candidate George McGovern for a documentary. “I asked him a question, and I just sat there nodding. George McGovern crashed his B-24 and people died. I just sat there nodding, and then George McGovern got teary, and the real reactions came. It’s a documentary technique we use all the time: when people get nervous or anxious, reliving the moment in a very real way, it really changes their reaction.”
As for season 3, Brunson noted that the decision was made to move Janine to the school district headquarters to expand the show’s universe and meet new characters. “I feel like that’s the fun challenge of ‘Abbott’: How do we expand it without abandoning it?” she says. “How do we expand it and still make sure it’s a school? With season 3 being shortened, that was actually difficult to do.
Also on this episode of the Awards Circuit Podcast, Emmy-nominated “The Gilded Age” star Christine Baranski.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and also producing Michael Schneider, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode features “Awards Circuit” interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates on awards races and industry news, and more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts.