“Abbott Elementary” star Sheryl Lee Ralph said the ABC hit the “only real comedy” nominated at the 2026 Emmys.
The actress, 69, was interviewed on the red carpet Monday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles when she made a shady comment about the ensemble series’ nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
“Abbott Elementary, top of the conversation — nominated for best cast,” Ralph said in her interview with E! News.
She pointedly added, “I’m looking forward to a win since we’re the only real comedy in the category.”
When reporter Justin Sylvester responded, “Well, you heard it here first,” Ralph doubled down, replying, “Yeah you did!”
“Abbott Elementary” is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series against “The Bear,” “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” “Hacks,” “Widow’s Bay,” “Nobody Wants This,” “Only Murders in the Building” and “Shrinking.”
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The series has been nominated in the category every year since it debuted in 2021, but has never won.
Ralph, for her part, was not nominated this year for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, but she did win the category in 2022 for her performance as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard.
“Abbott Elementary” is up for seven awards at this year’s ceremony, including two nods for creator and showrunner Quinta Brunson for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
Meanwhile, actress Jannelle James is also up for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, and actor Tyler James Williams is up for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.
Earlier this month, Brunson talked about how the comedy series is unique in the current landscape of television ahead of its sixth season.
“It’s existing in a space that a lot of network shows haven’t been able to for a while,” Brunson told Entertainment Weekly. “‘Abbott’ gets to exist in this fan-cam space on TikTok and Instagram, being talked about on the night that it airs, and mentioned with contemporaries that are on streaming.”
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