Quinta Brunson Makes Hilarious Jab At “Friends” In “SNL” Monologue

Quinta Brunson continuously makes us all laugh. And that was no different last night when she took the Saturday Night Live stage as a first-time host. 

The Abbott Elementary creator and star joked about wanting to be a cast member on the historic sketch comedy show when she was younger, but instead took a different route. 

“I wanted to be on SNL back in the day but the audition process seemed long,” Quinta said. “So instead, I just created my own TV show, made sure it became really popular, won a bunch of Emmys, and then got asked to host. So much easier, so much easier.”

Quinta then explained the premise of her hit show — while taking a much-deserved and hilarious jab at the show Friends. 

“I have a show called Abbott Elementary… It’s a network sitcom like, say, Friends,” she said. “Except, instead of being about a group of friends, it’s about a group of teachers. Instead of New York, it’s in Philadelphia and instead of not having Black people, it does.”

The audience erupted in applause and laughter after her quip about the 90s-2000s show — which famously had no BIPOC characters. 

Abbott Elementary has attracted a cult following in just the two seasons it has been on the air. The show has been nominated for seven Emmys and has won three. Quinta won a Golden Globe for best television actress in a musical or comedy series this year. 

Aside from delivering incredible one-liners, Quinta also took the time to talk about the struggle public schools and teachers face. She said her show was inspired by her mom, who worked as a teacher in the Philadelphia school system. 

The actor and writer also showed a video she took with former President Barack Obama that was meant to be sent to her mom. 

“I’m with your daughter here,” Obama said in the video. “We’re so proud of her but really proud of you. Not only because you were obviously a great mom, but because you are a teacher. Most important job there is.”

Quinta also described teachers as dishwashers — trust me, it’s funny — and asked everyone to “remember how important” they are. The teachers. Well, and dishwashers. 

“Acknowledge the work [teachers] do every day. And for the love of God, pay them the money they deserve,” she concluded. 

Watch the full hilarious monologue here: