How Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 14 Cleverly Avoiedded A Major Issue With Newer Sitcoms

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 14, “District Budget Meeting.”

Although newer ensemble sitcoms tend to leave supporting stars aside for entire episodes at a time, Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 14 managed to sidestep this fate with a clever twist. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters are all lovable, but the sitcom can’t focus on everyone at the same time. As Janine and Gregory’s tumultuous “Will they, won’t they” story from seasons 1-3 finally solidified into a stable romance early in season 4, the show shifted its focus to characters like Melissa and Principal Ava.

Storylines about Abbott Elementary season 4’s new character Frank, Ava’s estranged father, or the shady developers building a golf course near Abbott couldn’t have worked in earlier seasons since Gregory and Janine stole the show’s spotlight. Any good ensemble cast sitcom has to prioritize different characters in different episodes, although this can be taken too far. One part of what makes Abbott Elementary’s writing genius is the show’s refusal to ignore minor characters in favor of more dramatic plots.

Mr. Johnson’s Absurd Season 4, Episode 14 Cameo Avoided His Absence

Abbott Elementary Sometimes Drops Supporting Stars From Some Episodes

It would have made perfect sense for Mr. Johnson not to appear in season 4, episode 14, “District Budget Meeting.” Not only does this episode take place in a new setting, but it also focuses on the titular dull administrative meeting. It is easy to wonder why the school custodian would bother to attend the school board meeting, but “District Budget Meeting” luckily sidestepped this with what Barbara dubbed some of Mr. Johnson’s trademark “Mr. Nonsense.”

Abbott Elementary’s cameo proved just how pivotal Mr. Johnson was on the series when his appearance provided a necessary vibe shift.

Abbott Elementary found an excuse for Mr. Johnson to appear in the school board episode, as he made a case for the budget including $50 and a sandwich for him. Abbott Elementary season 4's biggest story, the aforementioned golf course plot, reared its head in the preceding scene when Ava was warned that the district would watch her and Abbott like hawks in the future. As such, Abbott Elementary’s cameo proved just how pivotal Mr. Johnson was on the series when his appearance provided a necessary vibe shift after this ominous ending for Ava and Jacob.

Why Newer Ensemble Sitcoms Tend To Always Have A Character Or Two Missing

Shows Like The Conners and Ghosts Have Massive Casts To Corral

Although “District Budget Meeting” made room for Mr. Johnson via his absurd mid-credits proposal, most other ensemble shows aren’t as lucky. Hit sitcoms like The Conners and Ghosts often go entire episodes at a time without even mentioning some of their main characters. This is because their large casts all need storylines that prioritize them individually, meaning every episode must sideline a character or two to focus on someone else. Often, major characters can be absent for three or four episodes at a time before getting an episode that centers them.

Luckily, althoughAbbott Elementary’s Janine remains the show’s ostensible protagonist, the series largely avoids this pitfall. Abbott Elementary splits its episodes into three subplots instead of only two, providing more room for the show to give everyone a chance to shine. A perfect example of this clever storyline style comes in “District Budget Meeting,” where Mr. Johnson’s wacky personality means he can appear even in an Abbott Elementary episode that technically doesn’t justify his presence.

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.

SIGN UP NOW!