now a look at how popular
culture is drawing greater
awareness to the challenges
facing public education.
I recently spoke to one of the
stars of a TV show schooling
people on daily realities inside
the classroom.
It's part of our arts and
culture series.
Habit elementary is a hit new
series on ABC tackling the
issues of public education and
equity using humor.
It is a workplace comedy focused
on a group of dedicated teachers
at an underfunded elementary
school in Philadelphia.
The approach provided new ways
of looking at tough issues and
refocusing the audience
attention on enduring problems.
I'm joined by the veteran
actress who plays in elementary
school teacher who has seen it
all on the show.
She later became a cultural
fixture thanks to roles in TV
shows and films such as "Sister
act II."
Welcome, Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The show is ABC's first comedy
to quadruple its ratings since
its premier.
Why do you think it is
resonating?
Sheryl: There is something about
this show, with the use of
entertainment, comedy, is
talking about something that is
on everybody's minds, and that
is teachers and the education,
or lack thereof, of America's
children.
>> Sometimes spelled bul, which
is interesting.
I am teaching the kids some
psych words.
>> You are abandoning the
phonics principal these children
need.
This is a classroom, not a
hoagie stand.
>> Hoagie!
Sheryl: Abbott elementary is all
about paying attention to the
needs of the most underrated,
underappreciated people in
America.
America's teachers.
>> So disrespectful.
Sheryl: They deserve more.
They deserve more respect.
They deserve more support.
They deserve to be paid more.
More should be given to those
who mold the hearts and the
minds of America's children.
Do not take what it is they
bring to this country to their
communities, to our cities, do
not enter estimate that -- do
not underestimate that, because
you underestimate the
possibility of America's
children.
Jeff: It strikes me that comedy
is an interesting way to look at
these issues and elevate them,
and people don't even know they
are learning something that they
are watching the show.
Sheryl: Absolutely.
That is the magic of our young
creator.
Her mother was a teacher, so she
went to school with her mother
for years.
She saw the inward workings of
schools like Philadelphia, like
where she is from, and she has
taken her gift of writing, her
gift of comedy, or intelligence
to write these stories in a way,
just bring it home for people.
>> I was in a gifted program
too.
>> What were you gifted at?
Being annoying?
Sheryl: People laugh, they enjoy
it, then they have conversations
that last for hours once the
show is over.
I mean, comedy is an amazing
thing.
It deserves more respect.
Jeff: How did you meet quinta
Brunson?
I understand you wanted to play
the role of the principal, but
she had other ideas.
Sheryl: She had very different
ideas.
In fact, she was steadfast.
She said absolutely not, we need
a queen for Mrs. Howard and you
are that queen.
>> How is it going with the new
program?
>> Is a little hard to
understand, but I'm getting back
to it.
Someone lost my crypto wallet.
>> You come from a different
generation so we understand if
you are having trouble with it.
>> Are you kidding me?
I love tech.
I shop at the app store, have
hotmail, I once even rode in a
Tesla.
Sheryl: I was like, I love this
girl.
She and I had actually met on
this set of another show called
a black lady's sketch show and
she spent a great time just
observing me.
It was wonderful, some 18 months
later, to get this call of an
offer for this show that she
had.
Would you please just meet all
the people?
Jeff: What do you think, given
your vantage point in your
career, you have opened so many
doors for young actresses and
producers, and you have folks
like quinta Brunson who are not
only stars of their own
projects, but creators and
producers of them.
Sheryl: It has been a long and
rocky road to get to this place,
in an industry that when I was
younger than they are now it was
very quick to tell me there was
no place in it for me, that it
could only be a side hobby,
because there was so little that
would be made available to me,
how would I possibly make a
living out of it?
I had such incredible mentors
that came before me.
>> They just don't make men like
Sidney anymore.
>> They most certainly do not.
[Laughter]
Sheryl: Sidney, who we recently
lost, cast me in my first film,
taught me what it was like to be
in an industry that was going to
make it difficult for you.
Lessons right down to you better
learn how to do your own hair
and makeup because there will
not be anybody there to do that
for you.
We understood how difficult it
would be for me.
And to not let the industry stop
me, because I love what I do so
much.
I know the heavy lifting that
went on to get us to this
beautiful time.
Jeff: Wow.
This past December marks 40
years since the legendary
Broadway production of dream
girls for which you are
nominated for a Tony, as we
mentioned.
When you reflect back, how do
you characterize the impact of
that role on your career and the
culture generally?
Sheryl: There is something about
the lyrics in the song.
>> ♪♪ All you've got to do is
dream, baby ♪♪
Sheryl: Every girl has her own
special dream, and those dreams
are about to come true if you
just open your eyes to what is
in front of you.
From then until now, I say to
all those little girls, look in
the mirror, open your eyes and
love what you see because you
are your dream come true.
If I can make it, you can make
it.
Trust me, all things are
possible.
Dream girls has had a major
impact and I'm happy to see that
impact continue 40 years later.
Jeff: Sheryl Lee Ralph, thanks
so much for your time and
congratulations on the success
of Abbott elementary.
Sheryl: Thank you.
I am Barbara Howard.
Jeff: Abbott elementary is
available to stream on hulu and
ABC.