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April 17 - 23, 2023 Page 3 By Dana Simpson School lovers and school haters alike are talking about "Abbott Elementary." Created by Philadelphia-born comedi- an Quinta Brunson ("A Black Lady Sketch Show"), the half- hour sitcom has been celebrat- ing educators and cleaning up at awards shows since its December 2021 premiere. Wednesday, April 19, marks the show's second-season fi - nale on ABC, and judging by the series' immense popularity, the event is not one to miss. Shot in the mockumentary style, "Abbott Elementary" is a workplace comedy worthy of the greats — "The Office," "Parks and Recreation" and "Superstore," to name a few from recent years. Set in a predominantly Black public school in Philadelphia, each episode (a total of 36 by the end of this season) follows the teachers of Willard R. Abbott Elementary, one of the country's many underfunded and overlooked educational institutions. While the teach - ers all differ hugely from one another in terms of culture, upbringing and sense of hu- mor, they are brought togeth- er by one common bond: the well-being of their students. Brunson herself stars as second-grade teacher Janine Teagues, a woman who, de- spite her own personal prob- lems, strives to set her class up for success by promoting happiness and self-assurance. Joining Ms. Teagues on the faculty are Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams, "Ev- erybody Hates Chris"), a substitute-turned-full-time teacher with a crush on Ja- nine; Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter, "The Parent Trap," 1998), a second-grade teacher with potentially dodgy acquaintances; Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti, "The Night Of "), a caring and supportive work ally; Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph, "Moesha"), a no-nonsense, old school teaching legend who is all too familiar with the way the education system (and its funding) works in Philly; and Ava Coleman (Janelle James, "Central Park"), the school's often incompetent principal who makes Ms. Teagues' work life far more difficult than it needs to be. William Stanford Davis ("Ray Donovan") also joined the cast this season as Abbott Elementary's quirky, overqual- ified custodian, Mr. Johnson. Based on Brunson's own mother's four decades of expe- rience as a Philadelphia educa- tor, it's no surprise that many of the themes in "Abbott Ele- mentary" ring true for many teachers, parents and probably a fair share of students as well. From seemingly arbitrary funding choices to children with behavioral challenges and larger-than-life parents, "Abbott Elementary" proudly exposes at least one kernel of truth in every scene. ACROSS 1. "Quantum leap" actor (2) 9. Actress Dennings 10. Actress Heche 11. Brian of "Chicago Med" 13. Take __; disassem- ble 15. Bishop's accessory 17. "__ __ is Right" 18. Amanda peet's age 20. "life of __"; 2012 Suraj Sharma film 21. Role on "Abbott Ele- mentary" 23. "Murder, __ Wrote" 24. Waterston of "law & Order" 25. Actor Allen 26. "life Goes __" (1989-93) 29. "__ Brea" 30. Beverly, Adam, Barry or Erica 34. Old Guy Williams western series 36. "CSi: __" (2002-12) 38. Sense of wonder 39. Actress Anderson 42. Beast of burden 43. Role on "The Rookie" (2) DOWN 1. Jay-Z's music 2. Rat-__-__-tat 3. Spouse 4. Word in the title of Melissa Gilbert's series 5. Nolte's initials 6. __ Moore 7. Ending for paul or Ann 8. Special-order shoe 9. "Home Economics" actress (2) 12. Role on "NCiS: Ha- wai'i" (2) 14. letter from Greece 16. __-T; "law & Or- der: SVU" actor 19. __ Ortiz; "FBi: Most Wanted" role 20. "Dr. __" 22. "i __ Number Four"; Alex pettyfer film 23. Actress Jill __. John 27. "Grounded __ life" 28. Night we watch "Blue Bloods": abbr. 30. Meredith __; pompeo's role 31. Actress Glaudini 32. Kuwaiti leader's title 33. Singer Marvin 35. "On Our __" (1994- 95) 37. last month: abbr. 40. Actress Sandra 41. Ming-__ Wen CoverStory The identity of the featured celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. in order to take the TV Challenge, unscramble the letters noted with asterisks within the puzzle. InFocus 'Abbott Elementary' wraps second season on ABC "A Tourist's Guide to Love" (Netflix — movie premiere, April 27) After a surprise break-up, a travel executive (Rachael leigh Cook, "She's All That") takes an undercover assign- ment to check out the tour- ism industry in Vietnam and winds up falling for her expat tour guide (Scott ly, "Animal Kingdom") in this original romantic comedy from director Steven K. Tsuchida ("Resort to love," "Younger"). Ben Feldman and Missi pyle also star. Solution is on page 2. I FOUND IT! Whether you are looking for the latest garage sale bargain, a reliable car, a home or a new job. You are sure to find what you want in the classified section of … Nobody Covers Your Hometown Better!

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