Smile Politely

Janelle James is in the new series Abbott Elementary

Comedian Janelle James got her start in comedy attending open mics while living in Champaign. A few years ago she performed for a PYGMALION audience at The Iron Post as her star was quickly rising, and now she’s in a network television show that is getting quite a bit of postive buzz.

James appears alongside fellow comedian Quinta Brunson in Abbott Elementary, portraying principal Ava Coleman. She was recently interviewed in Entertainment Weekly. 

Abbott Elementary airs at 8 p.m. Central, Tuesdays on ABC. 

Top photo by Sam Logan.

Staff writer

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