Final round voting for the Emmys began on Friday and will run until August 22. Quinta Brunson and Abbott Elementary got a big boost this weekend, winning four awards at the Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards including Best Comedy. These awards are too new to be considered a good predictor of the Emmys but the headlines about Abbott Elementary coming out with so many wins doesn’t hurt its Emmy chances as voters consider their choices.
And it speaks to just how successful the show has been in its first year – one of the biggest critical and commercial debuts, and on network television no less. So Quinta and Abbott deserve these Emmy nominations and they are campaigning to win. I would love to see them win. Because I love this show, so much. If you haven’t watched it, make it your end of summer binge. It’s hilarious and sweet but not too sweet. Abbott is a love letter to teachers, it has something to say about the American education system, and why it deserves better – but it doesn’t feel like a lecture either because it’s so much fun. The cast is wonderful, the writing is fresh, and of course all of this is possible because of the talent of Quinta Brunson…
Who now has a new deal with Warner Bros TV - a multiyear partnership that ensures that her television projects remain with WB. The timing of the announcement is key too, just as Emmy voting begins, making sure that Television Academy membership understands that we are watching the rise of another superstar showrunner and they have the opportunity to crown her in a matter of weeks. Excellent campaign strategy.
