At the 2025 Disney Upfronts, Lisa Ann Walter chats with THR and shares how they keep raising the comedy bar every season on 'Abbott Elementary.' Plus, she talks about who else she'd like to cast as Melissa's family members on the show.
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00:00Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you.
00:02Yes, nice to meet you.
00:03We are in season five now of Abbott Elementary that we're going into.
00:08This show and these characters get funnier and funnier every season.
00:12How do you keep the comedy bar at an all-time high every season?
00:16Well, I mean, the writers certainly help.
00:18They come up with really crazy scenarios.
00:21I mean, some episodes are more grounded.
00:22Other ones are wackadoodle.
00:24I like both.
00:25I like the ones that are outrageous, like desking.
00:28And then I like the ones that are a little more grounded.
00:33I mean, I love the Christmas episode that we did with all the relatives.
00:36I think that one of the things that people are into is that it's surprising.
00:40The stories keep, it's not such formulaic stuff.
00:44They always are coming up with some little twists.
00:47And the actors are, I mean, take myself out of it,
00:52but I think we're a really good cast and everybody is phenomenally talented.
00:56Well, we saw Melissa's family last season.
01:00Are we going to see a little bit more of that coming up?
01:02I hope so.
01:03I think Quinta was talking about that.
01:04I hope we do at least another episode with all of them because it's great chaotic fun.
01:10And I'd like to add a few.
01:11I have a wish list of people I want to add.
01:14Maybe another run-in with your sister?
01:17Oh, definitely the sister.
01:18I'd like to add a couple of warring ants, maybe played by Bette Midler and Patti LuPone.
01:23I'd like to add some crazy.
01:26Well, now five seasons in, what have some of those memorable fan reactions
01:31and just how love the show has been meant to you?
01:35Well, it means everything.
01:36I mean, when you do this for a living, I love the work.
01:39I love doing the actual work on set.
01:41But hearing people when they come up to me and say, I don't want to bother you,
01:45but I just love you and love your show so much, I'm like, I'm not bothered.
01:48That makes me feel wonderful.
01:50We live in a time where things are rough for a lot of people.
01:57So to be part of what makes people smile, makes them laugh,
02:00makes them feel comforted and happy is nothing better for a performer.
02:04And I know you had a crossover episode with It's Always Sunny.
02:09If there was a show that's in this room today that you guys could do another crossover with,
02:14which one would it be?
02:16Oh, golly.
02:18I don't know if we could cross over with it, though.
02:23Could we cross over with Agatha all along?
02:27Oh, I think that would be incredible.
02:32What would that look like?
02:33Well, at least one of the teachers has to be a witch.
02:36I'm not saying which one, but.
02:37I was going to, oh, listen, I think we found our gal.
02:41I'm just saying.
02:42Abbott Elementary enters the multiverse.
02:44Yeah, 100%.
02:45There we go.
02:46I've been, I started the red carpet by saying that, so, yeah.
02:49No way.
02:50Amazing.
02:50There we go.
02:51Now it has to happen.
02:52Okay.
02:53Thank you so much for stopping by.
02:55And saw Jeremy.
02:56And now I'm thinking, well, maybe the bear.
02:58That wouldn't make sense.
02:59Yeah, I cook.
03:00Either or.
03:00Yeah.
03:03I'm thinking, well, maybe the bear.
03:07I got rid of you.
03:08Yeah.
03:10I got rid of you.
03:11Now let's go.
03:13Now let's go.