Abbott Elementary Makes History at the 2022 Emmy Awards

The broadcast sitcom is back, baby. 

Abbott Elementary might not have taken home the trophy for Outstanding Comedy Series (that honor went to Ted Lasso), but it made history tonight when creator/writer/star Quinta Brunson won the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Brunson is second Black woman and third Black person to win the comedy writing Emmy after Lena Waithe (Master of None) and Larry Wilmore (The Bernie Mac Show). 

Set in a Philadelphia elementary school, mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary stars Brunson alongside Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, and Chris Perfetti. The comedy nabbed two awards this evening (and three total, following last week's Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series victory), after Sheryl Lee Ralph became the second Black woman ever to take home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. (She also gave an acceptance speech that deserved its own award). 

Nominated for seven awards, the ABC series' first season made headlines earlier this year when it nabbed the network's highest comedy ratings since Modern Family's finale. 

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Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.