A full school year figures into the second season of “English Teacher” but there aren’t as many hot-button issues as there were last year.
For those who avoided the FX comedy (and, come on, raise your hands), you’ll find it more accessible. Now, instead of discussing those issues that could get a teacher fired, it leans into family, retirement and college applications.
Sure, Evan Marquez (series creator Brian Jordan Alvarez) wonders if he was a diversity hire when he joined Morrison-Hensley High School. But the subject isn’t attacked like it might have been a year ago. This looks at the college admissions process like a scene out of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” then tosses in doubts when students are told to downplay anything that might trigger thoughts of affirmative action.
The approach is slyly comforting and introduces another issue – what do students want to do with the rest of their lives?
While those students aren’t as memorable (or as quirky) as they were the first year, they do show up all season and become a nice little button for the “graduation” episode. In an accreditation show, you’ll also see a favorite guest star from the initial run (spoiler: she’s one of my favorites) and more proof she should be added to the cast.
This season, Evan is very confident in the classroom and a good resource for his friends – Gwen (Stephanie Koenig), Rick (Carmen Christopher) and Markie (Sean Patton). Even Principal Moretti (Enrico Colantoni) feels comfortable enough to invite the gang over for a dinner, that tweaks Evan’s gaydar.
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While Evan’s mom stops in for an episode, she’s not the woman you thought she’d be. An Army recruiter, however, is so spot on he should be headquartered at a mall.
Throughout the season, Alvarez and team toy with pickleball, “Riverdale,” VR experiences, the Last Supper and Stanley Tucci. Somehow, they all seem to fit.
Alvarez gladly lets others get the laughs. Only when he squares off with a seemingly gay party guest does he hold his own. Their “80/20” discussion could become a talker as the season heats up.
Koenig, Christopher and Patton are so comfortable in their roles you want them to teach summer school just so we get more opportunities for them to complain about the school system and the smarter-than-they-look students who have more interest in texting than the rules of grammar.
If there’s a downside to “English Teacher,” it’s that it got no love at last year’s Emmys. It deserves the attention and a place in a category where it clearly fits the requirements.
This shouldn’t be up against “The Bear.” That’s in a class by itself.
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