Quinta Brunson on Jimmy Kimmel Crashing Her Emmys Speech

Class is almost back in session at Abbott Elementary. The hit comedy will make its Season 2 debut on ABC Sept. 21. Ahead of the premiere, the cast, including creator and star Quinta Brunson, participated in a Television Critics Association virtual panel. In addition to previewing the challenges for the new season, the group also addressed Jimmy Kimmel's antics during Brunson's Emmy speech on Monday. Heading into this week's 74th Emmy Awards, Brunson had already made history, becoming the first Black woman nominated for comedy series, acting and writing categories in the same year. The Abbott Elementary showrunner would ultimately win the award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. Unfortunately, Kimmel, who was presenting the award, committed to a comedy bit and pretended to be passed out on stage while Brunson gave her acceptance speech. The antics brought backlash online, with viewers complaining that Kimmel was ruining Brunson's moment. Abbott Elementary Wins 4 TCA Awards, Including Program of the Year Brunson, who will be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, said she anticipated having a "good old-fashioned time" with the late-night host. "I have talked with Jimmy since," Brunson said, adding, "No matter what it's important to just showcase that Abbott Elementary is premiering next week, so that [is what] I will be doing. I think it's going to be a good time, and you'll probably just have to tune in and watch." However, Brunson's co-star and fellow Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph had other thoughts on the subject. "I was absolutely confused," Ralph said. "I didn't know what was going on. But I was like, 'I wish that man would just get up off of the ground.' And then I realized it was Jimmy Kimmel. And I was like, 'Ooh, the disrespect, Jimmy.'" "But that's just me," Ralph added. "Sorry. I'm so sorry. Oh, it was lovely that he was lying on the floor during her wonderful acceptance speech." The actor, who also stole the night by singing during her acceptance speech for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, added that she told Kimmel her thoughts "to his face." Why Abbott Elementary Creator Quinta Brunson Is in a Class of Her Own Lesson plan for Season 2 Of course, if Season 2 of the critically acclaimed series is anything like Season 1, Brunson will have more opportunities at an Emmys speech in the future. The show won three statues overall. The series creator also spoke about the challenges for the upcoming season, with Brunson saying Season 1 was easier since most of it was written, filmed and edited prior to the show's debut. Season 2 will be different since the show will require writing and filming while the series airs. "What we learned from last season was to trust what we did. I think we did a very good job. We really got to be in this bubble and create this wonderful first season of television," Brunson said. "And I think the lesson we learned was to do the exact same thing again." The new season is also vastly increasing the number of episodes from Season 1. Instead of 13, Season 2 will have 22. Brunson said increasing the episode number is "exciting," but it presents new obstacles. "With 13, I knew I could put something in there that would make people show up in this ever-changing but binge-worthy climate. This is not something people will be able to binge immediately, so I just want to make sure that they'll be back with us every week that we're on the air," Brunson said.

Programming & Performance

Quinta Brunson Talks Abbott Elementary Season 2 and Jimmy Kimmel Crashing Her Emmys Speech

The show creator discusses what's coming up, and that viral moment

Bill Bradley

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Bill Bradley