Quinta Brunson Weighs the End of ‘Abbott Elementary,' Says Actors ‘Would Love to Pursue Other Projects'
With the series set to enter its fifth season, the show's creator/writer/star spoke to Bustle about the amount of time it takes to film 'Abbott' — and how that may prevent the cast from pursuing other roles.
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'I have cast members who would love to pursue other projects, and our show is very time-consuming,' Brunson said. 'We shoot about seven months out of the year. That can stop people from being able to do a lot of other things.'
Since the show started in late 2021, 'Abbott Elementary' has seen consistent acclaim and become an instantly beloved network comedy. The series has earned a number of Emmys over the years, consistently earning nods in categories like Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
The hit comedy is credited for launching and revitalizing the careers of a number of performers, with actors Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph each winning Emmys for their performances in the past. With this kind of buzz around the cast, it's natural for some stars to want to explore other opportunities.
Brunson, serves as 'Abbott's' creator, co-showrunner and star, said that she is exploring new projects herself.
'Right now, I'm receiving scripts, and waiting for that moment that feels like, 'Oh man, this is exactly what I've been looking for,'' Brunson told Bustle. ''Abbott' has been so successful, and I want to use that success to get other people's projects off the ground.'
In the modern television landscape, five successful seasons is nothing to sneeze at. If enough cast members want to pursue other work, Brunson and company could have the chance to end their acclaimed series on a high note.
All cast members are currently slated to return for Season 5 later this fall.
The post Quinta Brunson Weighs the End of 'Abbott Elementary,' Says Actors 'Would Love to Pursue Other Projects' appeared first on TheWrap.
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San Francisco Chronicle
35 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Movie Review: In 'The Old Guard 2,' Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman get half a movie
About 80 minutes into 'The Old Guard 2,' I found myself wondering how the filmmakers were going to wrap things up. There were a lot of threads dangling with Charlize Theron'sgang of immortal warriors, split up and facing extinction, and she still had yet to face off with the new villain, Discord (apparently the first immortal), played by Uma Thurman. The promise of a showdown between The Bride and Furiosa may not justify the existence of this sequel, now streaming on Netflix, but it was something to look forward to nonetheless. And while they do fight, for a little, something even crazier happens not too long after: The movie ends or, rather, stops mid-climax. An ending was never part of the plan. This might be an attempt at a cheeky nod to the life of an immortal — what is an ending after all, I guess? But unlike the first film, which merely left the door open for the possibility of a sequel, 'The Old Guard 2' cuts off mid-movie. Not only is there no option to 'continue watching,' there's no promise we'll even get an 'Old Guard 3.' Moviegoers endure a lot of partial stories in these days of franchise filmmaking, ever desperate for a built-in audience. With some, you know a resolution is coming at a later date, as with 'Mission: Impossible' or 'Wicked.' With others, like 'Dune,' a part two or three might have been a question mark, but the intention was unambiguously there. There's nothing fun or enjoyable about being surprised that you've been watching a 'part one' the whole time, especially on a service that has helped train us to click next episode. Perhaps that also has to do with the quality of 'The Old Guard 2,' which feels like a step down from the first movie, which provided much-needed escapism in the summer of 2020 as we met Theron's Andromache the Scythian (Andy, for short) and welcomed KiKi Layne's new immortal Nile. It ended with Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) being exiled for a betrayal and the tease that Andy's old companion Quynh (Vân Veronica Ngô), was still alive. Quynh is, understandably, not thrilled that she was left at the bottom of the ocean for centuries. She wants to punish Andy the most — the movie heavily implies that they were more than sisters in arms, but never quite goes so far as to confirm that their love was romantic, which is especially strange given that it doesn't shy away from letting Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and Joe (Marwan Kenzari) be an out gay couple. One of the most significant behind-the-scenes changes is that Gina Prince-Bythewood ( 'The Woman King,' 'Love & Basketball') ceded directing duties to Victoria Mahoney, who has directed episodes of 'Queen Sugar' and 'You' and served as second unit director on 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.' Working off Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker's screenplay, the movies opens with a lively action sequence in which the immortals attempt to nab an arms dealer. Nicky and Joe are the distractors, getting their own James Bond-esque car chase, while Nile, Andy and Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) get more hand-to-hand combat on the property. It sets a fun tone and allows for some (mostly) welcome exposition — 'remember, you're not immortal anymore' — for those who might not have the best memory of something they watched at the height of the pandemic. But the film never recaptures that energy again and devolves into an increasingly tedious meditation on time, death and the science of why Andy lost her immortality power (which is approaching 'Face/Off' levels of insanity). Thurman has a mighty good scowl as the 'bad immortal' who long ago decided she didn't have any desire to help the humans who persecuted her kind, but the movie seems to be saving her big moment for later. Overall 'The Old Guard 2' is fine, a bit of a background movie that's probably easy enough to tune in and out of (though Schoenaerts, a standout, gives it some real pathos). Its greatest sin is the non-ending, which might have moviegoers engaging in their own rants about wasted time. Cliffhangers are a gamble — when the movie is satisfying on its own, it can leave them wanting more. In this case, it might just leave them angry. Audiences in 2025 deserve better. 'The Old Guard 2,' a Netflix release now streaming, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for 'sequences of graphic violence and some language.' Running time: 105 minutes. Two stars out of four.


Black America Web
an hour ago
- Black America Web
‘The Bear' ‘Worm' Episode Exposes Microaggressions Black Women Face In The Workplace
Source: Photo: Courtesy of FX / Photo: Courtesy of FX Sydney Adamu was minding her business, unraveling her box braids on Season 4, Episode 4 of The Bear, when a voice on the other end of the line interrupted her much-deserved moment of peace. The call, which was presented as an opportunity, was more of a disguised demand and blatant disregard of Sydney's boundaries. Shapiro, Sydney's employee Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto's rival, had been interested in hiring her since season two. Sydney's Black girl magic and talent are the secret sauce at 'The Bear' and Shapiro knows it; he was counting on her NOT to know it. Industries benefit from Black women feeling like they can not say no. Shaprio was so invested in his dreams, he couldn't sense Sydney's hesitation. This is a familiar experience for many Black women, including myself. We are expected to leap at any opportunity because there are so few out there for us. The sous chef, played masterfully by Golden Globe-winner Ayo Edebiri, had ONE day off to get her extra small knotless braids done. She deserved that after a week of dealing with pasta timings and scallop placements. But that was stolen from her by entitlement. According to the American Psychological Association , microaggressions are 'brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults to the target person or group.' Written by Edebiri and Lionel Boyce, the episode is titled 'Worms.' It reflects the realities of what it is like to be a Black woman in the workplace. It shows the tough choices black women have to make at work and the ways they are punished for prioritizing themselves. Microaggressions can come in the form of unreasonable expectations. Despite Sydney having an important hair appointment, Shapiro wouldn't taken no for an answer. He crossed the line instead by asking how much time the hair appointment would be. He felt entitled to her time. He incorrectly assumed it would be two hours. She corrected him, and he was in shock about the length of time exceeding his expectations. Her appointment was in her cousin's living room, but it was still an appointment. He shared that shock, putting her in an awkward position. He refused to let it go. It was unfathomable to him that he might have to ask to see her in advance. Eager to end the conversation, Sydney moved her appointment. She accommodated him because he pressed her. He felt comfortable pressing her. That is a problem. Chefs have insane schedules, and it's understandable that they might call at the last minute, but it is not understandable that they wouldn't accept a refusal from someone who isn't even not working for them yet. That's cringey and a red flag. You shouldn't have to provide context about your edges, kinks, and coils for someone to accept your word. Related: Quinta Brunson, Niecy Nash And Ayo Edebiri Win Big At The Emmys Sydney arrived at Shapiro's soon-to-be restaurant, on her day off with her hair tucked underneath a knitted cap to M.O.P.'s iconic 'Ante Up' blasting as she walked in. He then asked her if she heard of M.O.P. and offered some token facts about the group. There's a fine line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. There's nothing wrong with a white person acknowledging Black culture, but there is something wrong with them assuming someone's musical preferences because of the color of their skin. Mansplaining hip-hop history to earn brownie points is also not it. This is one of many microagressions in this episode. His pointed comment about a desire to infuse Afro-Caribbean influences into the restaurant's menu was a desperate attempt to entice the well-rounded chef by appealing to her Blackness, and placing her in a culinary box. He makes assumptions instead of collaborating. It's uncomfortable. Sydney called Shapiro after her appointment, and he asks if she has seen Good Hair . See where this is going? This happens across industries industry. Shapiro promised Sydney autonomy, but his actions prove he isn't capable of seeing her as his professional equal. His performative allyship shadows his every good intention. Janicza Bravo directed the story with care, zooming in on the little moments that cause friction in the professional lives of Black women. The Italian family running The Bear may not be experts on intersectionality, but they are consistent. They expose everyone to the same 'energetically musty' environment. Shapiro pretended to value Sydney more than he did. Sometimes, a well-meaning white person can be more dangerous than an outwardly hateful one. That said, the Berzattos are broke, and it is truly awful that Sydney has to choose between sustainable income and emotional security. We should be able to come to work, enjoy our day off, and get paid enough to live off without being asked invasive questions about our beauty procedures. Shapiro insulted Sydney the second that she said no to him. He started attacking her skills and acting like she was missing out on a great opportunity to learn from him. The talent he praised her for and was chasing after suddenly wasn't good enough because it wouldn't bend to his will. He didn't feel disappointed that she wasn't joining him. He felt disrespected. This was a person who saw Sydney as a woke accessory. No amount of anti-racist reading lists was going to fix his core issue. He expected her to be grateful for the chance to assist him. Did he call her a slur? No. But he was the disrespectful one. Sydney went with the devil she knew. Shapiro accused her of staying on a sinking ship, but that was her decision to make, and she had the right to make it. Season 4 of The Bear is now streaming on Hulu. SEE ALSO 'The Bear' 'Worm' Episode Exposes Microaggressions Black Women Face In The Workplace was originally published on
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted on most serious charges in split verdict
Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of two of the five charges he faced in his racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking trial. On count one of the five-count indictment – racketeering conspiracy – the jury found Combs not guilty. On count two – sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, pertaining to Cassie Ventura – the jury found Combs not guilty. On count three – transportation to engage in prostitution, also pertaining to Ventura – the jury found Combs guilty. On count four – sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, pertaining to the woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane" – the jury found Combs not guilty. On count five of the indictment – transportation to engage in prostitution, also pertaining to "Jane" – the jury found Combs guilty. Combs faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years for each count of transportation to engage in prostitution. Following six weeks of testimony presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian that saw the prosecution present 34 witnesses and the defense present none, the jury of eight men and four women deliberated just over two days days before reaching their verdicts. Tune into ABC at 10/9c Wednesday for an ABC News special, 'Verdict: The Diddy Trial,' on the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial, and streaming next day on Hulu and Disney+. Subramanian said he will decide whether Combs get released today. He said that the decision might take some time – including giving the lawyers time to write letters arguing for and against release – but that it will happen sometime today. Prosecutors asked for a 'few hours.' Comey said the government plans to pursue 'significant incarceration' for Combs. Court is adjourned for now. Combs got down from his chair and knelt on the floor after the verdicts were read, appearing to pray while some of his attorneys embraced. Marshalls then escorted Combs out of the courtroom while some spectators in the gallery cheered and applauded. MORE: Everyone who testified for the prosecution in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial Combs was initially indicted in September 2024 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation to engage in prostitution. A superseding indictment in March 2025 included additional allegations of forced labor under the racketeering conspiracy count, while another superseding indictment the following month added an additional charge of sex trafficking and one of transportation to engage in prostitution Federal prosecutors accused Combs of using his many businesses, and the people he employed to run them, to conduct a criminal enterprise to illegally coerce women into sex and conceal his alleged illicit conduct to protect his reputation. The alleged activities included "sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice," according to the indictment. In addition to the racketeering charge, the indictment also included two separate counts each of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution, both involving two alleged victims. Combs' attorneys countered that Combs may well be a violent man – one who indulges in unconventional sexual conduct, abused illegal drugs and committed domestic violence – but he wasn't part of a broader criminal organization. 'This case is about those real-life relationships, and the government is trying to turn those relationships into a racketeering case,' Combs' attorney, Teny Geragos, told jurors in her opening statement. 'The evidence is going to show you a very flawed individual, but it will not show you a racketeer, a sex trafficker, or somebody transporting for prostitution.' MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs rejects plea deal ahead of sex trafficking trial The prosecution called 34 witnesses over six weeks of testimony, beginning with Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whom Combs was seen physically assaulting in a widely circulated hotel surveillance video from 2016. Other witnesses included two alleged Combs victims who testified under the pseudonyms "Mia" and "Jane," as well as two male escorts to testified that they were paid to participate in so-called "freak-off" sexual encounters with Combs, Ventura and other alleged victims. The jury also heard from witnesses to alleged abuse and sexual acts, and a forensic psychologist who testified regarding why people often remain in abusive relationships. One of the most high-profile prosecution witnesses was Scott Mescudi, aka rapper Kid Cudi, who testified that he was told Combs allegedly broke into his home and had someone set his car on fire after learning that he was dating Cassie Ventura. Combs previously denied any involvement in the car fire. The defense, which twice during testimony unsuccessfully asked the judge to declare a mistrial, called no witnesses before resting their case on June 24, just two hours after the prosecution rested theirs, electing only to read additional evidence into the court record. Combs told the court at that time that he did not wish to take the stand in his own defense. Federal prosecutors the following day told Judge Arun Subramanian that they were no longer including attempted kidnapping and attempted arson as underlying crimes in the alleged racketeering conspiracy charge against Combs. Instead, prosecutors signaled that they would push sex trafficking and forced labor as primary predicate acts that the jury could find to convict Combs of racketeering conspiracy. Defense attorneys had argued that no evidence was presented directly tying Combs to the arson that damaged rapper Kid Cudi's vehicle. Defense attorneys also argued that the alleged kidnapping of Combs' former employee, Capricorn Clark, by Combs to confront Kid Cudi was far removed from the heart of the case. Federal prosecutors did not elaborate on their decision in their letter to the judge. The prosecution delivered a nearly five-hour-long closing argument on Thursday, June 26, summarizing 28 days of testimony and evidence. The defense spent four hours the next day presenting their summation, followed by the prosecution rebuttal. Deliberations began on Monday, June 30 after Judge Arun Subramanian gave the jury their instructions. On Tuesday, the jury told the court that they'd reached a verdict on four of the five five counts with which Combs was charged, they were unable to reach a verdict on the first count -- racketeering conspiracy -- prompting the judge to instruct them to continue deliberations. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.