‘Abbott Elementary’ Bosses on Ava’s Career-Changing Consequences & What It Means for the Future
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 18, “Audit.”]
Consequences came knocking for Abbott Elementary‘s principal, Ava (Janelle James), in the latest episode, “Audit,” as she was unceremoniously fired from her position after it was discovered she accepted bribes from the local golf course.
Sparked by suspicions from her frenemy Crystal (Tatyana Ali), an audit from the district put Ava and the faculty in its crosshairs when they arrived ahead of schedule for an inspection. Initially believing they had a day to prepare, Janine (Quinta Brunson), Gregory (Tyler James Williams), and the rest of the Abbott crew offered to pitch in hiding the new computers and other supplies they received from the golf course.
Still, they nearly pulled off a last-minute attempt to hide the goods until golf course lawyer Miles Nathaniel came strutting into the school announcing he had new supplies for the Abbott team, using the word “bribe” along with it. Realizing they’d been caught, Ava decides to take the fall, claiming responsibility after she’s led to believe that she won’t be fired for her actions, but the comment made by the district only applied to teachers, leaving her in the lurch.
Disney / Gilles Mingasson
After playing with metaphorical fire for so long, Ava is finally facing the consequences of her actions in a shocking moment for the show. But did she see it coming? “I don’t think so because… she was thinking going into this, that she was Teflon,” executive producer Patrick Schumacker says. As for her fired fate, he adds, “We didn’t start the season by saying Ava was going to have to pay the piper and take the heat for everybody from the get-go. We knew that we had written our characters into a corner with the payola from the golf course, and we knew that at some point there [would] be consequences of some nature.”
When the district pushed for answers around the bribe, it was hinted that the teacher guilty of taking them from the golf course would be suspended, but through research, the show’s creatives learned that the rules are different for principals in a world that’s already short-staffed on educators, as was highlighted in Barbara’s (Sheryl Lee Ralph) taking on of the music program in this episode. “We had talked a couple of years ago to a teacher who [revealed that] the teacher’s union does a really good job of protecting the teachers, but I guess the principal’s union isn’t as robust,” executive producer Justin Halpern tells TV Insider.
But fret not as Ava’s firing doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of her. “The nice thing about our show is that we have this documentary crew, it feels natural, even if a character does peel away from the show for a bit, [to follow them],” Schumacker says. But that doesn’t mean Ava’s former principal position will remain vacant either.
Disney / Gilles Mingasson
“That position will need to be filled, and that is all I’ll say for right now,” Halpern teases. In the midst of Ava’s impending absence, Halpern adds that the characters will “reflect on what they loved about Ava and what is missing with Ava [gone]. And then what happens at a school when there is someone who needs to be replaced, and how does the school district react to that, and how does the community react to that?”
Despite her initial flaws in the job, Ava showed steady improvement over the seasons regarding her care for the faculty and students, and she built a very specific social structure that is now being disrupted. “Ava is a principal unlike any other. She had a sort of ecosystem that she controlled single-handedly,” Schumacker points out. “And what would the fallout be there when this sort of delicate ecosystem she lords over is completely disrupted?”
The heartbreaking aspect of Ava’s firing was that it came from district worker Manny (Josh Segarra), who had to clarify what his friend was in store for when she initially asked for her suspension details. “We specifically wanted it to be him and not some faceless person who just comes from the district because we wanted to show how unemotional bureaucracy is,” Halpern says, adding that it serves to highlight “that you can form these emotional bonds with people who work in these bureaucratic institutions, but the bureaucracy that they are all steeped in supersedes anything because that’s what these bureaucracies breed.”
“The machine is unforgiving and Manny is just a cog,” Schumacker chimes in.
As for whether or not Crystal should watch her back moving forward, Schumacker teases, “That story is not over.” But don’t expect Ava to play a victim either as Halpern adds, “I would say Ava is someone who understands the game in which she plays and when she has been bested or struck down, she has an understanding of it and is not as wounded as someone who doesn’t normally play the game.”
What did you think of Ava getting fired from Abbott? Let us know in the comments section, below, and stay tuned to see what’s next following this major event as Season 4 continues on ABC.
Abbott Elementary, Wednesdays, 8:30/7:30c, ABC
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
I am so sad. I love Ava’s character. Please don’t write her character off from Abbott Elementary.
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P
Get a life
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O
I'm shocked! I really hope this isn't the end of the road. I also hope this doesn't hurt the ratings as she was hilarious!😂🤣
38 1
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O
Four more episodes left in Season 4. Plenty of time left. Important rule for writing episodic TV. Do what you will with principle characters. Just put them back where you found them when you finish your story.
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R
It's horrible. Without Ava Abbott won't be the same. She's the whole show for me. I adore her character. I hope she's not written off for good
32 1
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C
I’m so sad- please bring her back. Let Mr. Johnson find a crime committed by district administrator n blackmail him! She gets job back!
32 1
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O
I love all the characters but I won’t watch if Ava is no longer on the show.
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O
She made the show ,I hope they bring her back as a teacher that would be hilarious
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P
It shows how wack the school system's rules, & policies can be.It would rather leave a school without necessary supplies than accept them from a private donor. Not once did they discuss why with Ava. No place for her unconventional ways? Does this reflects real life school situations? Bring Ava back as a District Supervisor & put Greg as Principal. I like Ava !!
24 1
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G
I was devastated. Loved Ava. Hopefully there will be a miracle and she returns
22 1
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R
I don’t like it…. I don’t think it was a good move it wasn’t even all on her and the other teachers should have said they did it too… Ava should still be principal she adds fun to the show!
12 1
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O
It was a big blow. I don’t know how I can continue to watch the show. The show has a real, but fantasy element, I enjoyed. Getting rid of a pivotal character just to emphasize the how harsh life can be, is not good.
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O
I would not have watched had I known this was how the season was going to end. Sooooooo disappointed.
7 1
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P
Did not like it! Watch Abbot because it makes me laugh, this wasn’t funny.
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B
Reinstate her asap… she is pivotal to the personality and dynamic of the series.
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G
Damnnnn!!! She had become my favorite on the show. Bring her back! Bring her back! Bring her back!
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B
That is a blow to the show. Bring Ava back!
5 1
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O
Ava is the best part of the show if she leaves the show we will not watch Abbott any more sorry 😔
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B
One of my favorite shows and they are great together and I think you leave it like it is. Don’t mess with what’s not broken.
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O
I really couldn’t believe Ava’s firing was real. Shocking to me she would leave the show. That’s why I googled what really happened to Ava?
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G
I hated this!! Not having Ava will change the whole dynamic of the school. While it happens exactly like this in real life I am totally upset about it happening in my favorite show. Shame on you for ruining something so loved!!
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P
I seriously cannot imagine tuning into Abbott Elementary with Ava gone!!! She is the reason I watch the show. I do like the others but without Ava; I am gone!!!!
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B
This is heartbreaking Ava needs to come back. She needs to find a way to get the Distruct to recant her firing Teachers students protest to keep her. Something. I saw it coming when crystal showed up. I can’t stand crystal a true soror would not do that to another
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C
She was so funny and I loved her character on the show. If she is not the principal anymore,I don't think I can watch the show ! 😥
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C
Until she comes back, I’m not watching
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C
she's literally going to be in the remaining episodes its just play write for the script keep watching its about to get good
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O
I think they should have Ava get a job at the district now where she is higher up than the people who let her go. Because that does happen in the real world.
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B
Interesting and surprising turn of events for the Abbott crew. I don't think we've seen the last of Ava, she's not one to go down without a fight. And she's not above an unfair fight - the folks at the district office better have clean records of their own ,🧐
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O
We love ava don't write her out of the show it will not be the same with out her
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C
Reinstate Ava!!!
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O
I don't agree with this move, Ava is the show. I won't be viewing anymore.
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G
I wouldn't watch AE w/o Ava!
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B
Bring Ava back, now!
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G
Hell no, you can’t fire Ava!! Do I sound like the janitor, lol.
Wow, seriously, I cheated and read this before hand😂. I don’t know whose writing the scripts, but what I can say as a past educator, you’re right on target as to what can happen to a principal, but please, I know this is a show, bring Ava back because in real life, so called, “bad principals” inreal life, don’t get rehired.
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O
I didn't see that coming,Ava is one of my favorite characters.I have faith in the writers,showrunners that this is temporary.I am looking forward to see this unfold.
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G
Eva needs to stay on the show!!!
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G
This was so realistic! Unfortunately, school districts have ridiculous rules with regard to donations. Ava has become a real leader and I cannot imagine the show without her!
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P
And in PA teachers have unions but administrators do not. We only have agreements, and are considered at-will employees.
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O
Unless her leaving is a career choice, you guys would be. Crazy to write her off.
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C
Very realistic. I'm a retired teacher and I'm glued to my seat. Ava may come back as a sub for a while..lol. They will find a way to get their stuff back as, "donations ". Need parents to rally on the schools behalf.
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B
Bring Ava back please!!!
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O
I will no longer watch without Ava. She was soooooo hilarious!
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R
We love Ava. She really is the whole reason we watch the show!!! All of them are excellent actors and actresses but honestly Ava as the principle just sets the tone for the show. We don’t think we continue watching without the her. That character cannot simply be replaced.
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O
Ava went from my least favorite to my favorite character. I was gutted when she was fired. #justiceforava
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P
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! If it ain't broke DONT fix it! I LOVE AVA.
She adds such a good dynamic to the show. I don't know if I'll continue watching, cause I'm just going to be comparing everyone to her. This was my ONE FEEL GOOD SHOW! DAMN
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R
That was an inside setup. Dia. I want Ava and the crew to come back on top somehow
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R
I was shocked that Ava was fired, but hopeful that her story will continue somehow on the show. She's hilarious! Maybe she will go to the charter school.
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G
If Ava is really gone im not watching 🤷🏾♂️
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B
I want Ava to get job back. She completes the show!’
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O
Ava should be able to come back. Her as principal is important for the show and the students. She is a favorite. Please bring her back.
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P
She has no value to the show
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R
In shock! We love the show. With all the characters together. She should not be fired for all the necessary donations the school and students need. Hoping Ava returns.
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O
I hate that Ava got fired! Boo hiss!
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K
I will not be watching if Ava is axed. She brings the spice to the show, and I think the writers got it wrong when she was abruptly fired. Sounds like DEI is a reality even with writers. Disappointed. And isnt Quinta Brunson one of the writers?Why abruptly fire Ava. Just cant have a strong Black woman in control and I am not surprised that the male writer thought it would be fun to fire her, and then stereotypically end the show with Barbara teaching music.SMDH
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G
I would think that since the Superintendent's favorite word is "free" that he would be okay with Abbott's methods for procuring supplies and saving the district money.
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S
In the meantime I think Sheryl Lee Ralph's character would be an excellent interim principal however she was made after school music teacher. That is crazy because anyone could have done it at that level.
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S
I watched this episode and was thoroughly confused about why the school can't accept donations. What was the bribe about? What did the school have on the golf course? Please explain.
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