The Janelle James; Abbott Elementary’s ‘Ava’ makes History with New Mockumentary

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Prevailing Hit TV series influenced within the genre of mockumentaries like The Office (U.S. and British version) and Parks and Rec in splitting humor with sentimentality and the emphasis on fourth wall confession cam segments of publicly funded elementary school day to days and it’s teachers; Abbott Elementary, and it’s irresponsibly endearing principal ‘Ava’, makes it impossible to separate its high ratings from her presence on the Emmy Winner for outstanding writing and casting in a comedy series. Quick on a clap back and filled to the rim with wit; “Farting is the only way to survive an uber ride” said The Janelle James on a stand up tour. The open mic Illinois comedy queen kills the stand up scene starting right in her thirties eight years before her 2017 debut comedy album ‘Black and Mild’. She appeared on tours with big heads such as Chris Rock, where she opened for his Total Blackout Tour, and Amy Schumer, David Cross, plus. 

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 With heritage stemming from the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean comedian’s style of sharp awareness, , has made her way to commercial success.The mother of two now has a thirty minute special appearing in Netflix’s The Stand Ups. A writer now with acting growing in her profile, in acts like Showtime’s Black Monday, and Apple’s Central Park. Now The Janelle James Comedy Festival in Brooklyn, which replaced the previous Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. Becoming a new presence at the Just For Laughs Festival Montreal, and listed at The 50 Most Funny People in Brooklyn, she made Variety's Top Ten Comedians to Watch and her 2020 podcast You In Danger Gurl reached Spotify's top comedy podcasts. Also as a lead in the show Strong Black Laughs, interviewing great black comedians like Comic View’s key acts; Luenell and Bruce Bruce, she unintentionally shines as a reputable comedian.

“It’s the dumbest thing. It’s a needle-in-a-haystack-ass career. And I’m a woman. And I’m black. What? But I like it so much.” James commented. She got real in her thoughts of her blooming fame, “comedy is just a fantasy career” and “it was a ridiculous thing to pursue”. Often reflecting on her years invested in comedy, she commented on the boost of notoriety, which should be well earned.

 “It’s all been cool and exciting. Even though I am super grateful, I feel like another thing in standup is that this is what’s supposed to happen when you’re working really hard, building a fanbase, etc. These things are supposed to happen. I’m not like, “Wow! This is happening to me!” This is what’s supposed to be happening if I’m putting in the work. If these things aren’t happening, then I’m either doing everything wrong or not making any progress.” 

Janelle continues to flood her fanbase through her comedy and from the uphill success of the elementary school parody, while diluting the sea of males in comedy standup. She is hailed; the one to watch or the one beat.

Published on Comedyslaps.com.