And so I think that alone was enough for us to jump in and do it.
Why did it seem impossible to people?QB:The tones are so totally different.
It felt like science.
Brunson and McElhenneyGilles Mingasson/Disney,2
The authenticity still remains between both shows.
OK, butAbbottis a family-friendly show.Sunnydecidedly is not.
Our biggest concern is that people will watchAbbottand think, Oh, we like these characters.
We like this episode.
Lets go check out the other show with the whole family.
And were going to caution people against that.
But this is the first time Im gonna be like, Actually, dont go watch their show!
We could possibly put out that list, although still it would be age-gated.
I think you have to go at least 16 or over, but probably 18.
And the person keeps posting, being like, Guys, its rough.
Its funny, but its a little rough.
So, get through it!
Theyre having a mental breakdown, but its fine.
They come fully locked and loaded with characteristics you know, fears, loves, wants, whatever.
But I thought the key was to treat it like a typicalAbbottstory.
RM:It was like we were modulating the specificity depending on which episode we were watching.
So forSunny, we just know that the audience comes in with a set of understandings.
Did that happen here?QB:Rob and Charlie came to theAbbottroom, which was so helpful.
You guys didnt write the script, but I would argue that the breaking part was the most vital.
So nothing felt too far for me.
But I think overall, we played in the tone that was delivered to us.
That was the most fun.
So everyone is being themselves, but theyre also putting their best foot forward, right?
Theyre not necessarily being who they would always be when the cameras are off.
Its honestly a dream come true.
Its rare you get to play with your characters in that way.
So that is what allowed us to play in that tone.
No offense to Quinta at all, but Sheryl Lee [Ralph] is just an American treasure.
She so believes in the world ofAbbott.
And its so fantastic to watch because shes so funny.
But shes not necessarily trying to be funny, based on what I can see.
Yeah, shes really playing the truth of the moment.
And that kind of thing really plays well onSunny.
People think that what plays well onSunnyis, like, loud, obnoxious comedy.
It really doesnt work.
What plays really well is when people believe that what theyre trying to do will achieve their goal.
RM:And Janelle [James], the principal, is just so comical.
QB:And she just fits in that world.
Quinta, same question for you.
you’ve got the option to steal oneSunnycharacter and make them anAbbottregular.
Who?QB:I think Sweet Dee.
I dont know, something about her dynamic in that school blows me away.
We didnt have time.
And our show is based a lot in reactions to cameras.
Although we realized in our world, we had to keep him away from the children.
But hes a riot.
Really, the whole thing was inspirational for us to be around.
Theyve been on the air for so long and are just a well-oiled machine.
And its really nice to see people not phone it in.
They come, they work, they do their jobs, they do it well.
Thats what we aspire to be.
Quinta, did your bosses have any concern about things you could and couldnt do on theSunnyepisode?
Just in terms of maintaining the brand ofAbbott?QB:No.
But then waited for us to turn in the draft, and went, It works.
So, I have a good system of trust there that I really appreciate as a creative.
Our show often pushes boundaries somewhat for the data pipe, so thats not abnormal for them.
So we have that relationship.
And then I also told our biggest boss, Bob Iger, and he was very into it.
