1
00:00:01,237 --> 00:00:02,581
Ooh! Sorry. Excuse me.

2
00:00:02,605 --> 00:00:03,883
Yeah.

3
00:00:03,907 --> 00:00:08,437
So, Gregory Eddie, Mr. Eddie,
I see you're back from break.

4
00:00:08,461 --> 00:00:09,055
Yes, indeed.

5
00:00:09,079 --> 00:00:12,641
And I see you, Ms. Teagues,
are also back from break.

6
00:00:12,665 --> 00:00:14,593
Yep. I need to just...

7
00:00:14,617 --> 00:00:15,761
Ooh! Oh, no, I was, um...

8
00:00:15,785 --> 00:00:16,762
But we can... Yeah.

9
00:00:16,786 --> 00:00:17,747
No? Mnh-mnh.

10
00:00:17,771 --> 00:00:18,964
No. We don't have to.

11
00:00:18,988 --> 00:00:23,052
Funny how social skills just
atrophy when you never use them.

12
00:00:23,076 --> 00:00:24,653
They're just being weird
'cause they danced

13
00:00:24,677 --> 00:00:25,705
at a club during break.

14
00:00:25,729 --> 00:00:27,823
Only club I go to is Bible Club.

15
00:00:27,847 --> 00:00:28,908
Do they play good music there?

16
00:00:28,932 --> 00:00:29,992
My favorite club
just got shut down

17
00:00:30,016 --> 00:00:31,668
'cause they let a horse in.

18
00:00:33,586 --> 00:00:36,549
[ Maker's "Hold'em" playing ]

19
00:00:36,573 --> 00:00:45,741
♪♪

20
00:00:45,765 --> 00:00:47,676
It was a Disney Channel
grind at best.

21
00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:48,778
Grow up.

22
00:00:48,802 --> 00:00:49,845
Take these score sheets.

23
00:00:49,869 --> 00:00:51,797
Uh, score sheets for what?
[ Gasps ] Oh!

24
00:00:51,821 --> 00:00:53,716
This week is the Read-A-Thon!

25
00:00:53,740 --> 00:00:54,884
Sponsored by Dough Nuts Pizza.

26
00:00:54,908 --> 00:00:56,786
"Dough Nuts for Reading."

27
00:00:56,810 --> 00:00:58,587
Shut up, Janine.

28
00:00:58,611 --> 00:00:59,822
So, how does this work?

29
00:00:59,846 --> 00:01:01,874
The class that reads the most
gets a pizza party?

30
00:01:01,898 --> 00:01:04,076
And that's what the kids want?

31
00:01:04,100 --> 00:01:06,045
Kind of. Every kid gets pizza,

32
00:01:06,069 --> 00:01:07,847
but we track the class
in each grade

33
00:01:07,871 --> 00:01:08,964
that reads the most.

34
00:01:08,988 --> 00:01:10,149
It's mostly ceremonial,

35
00:01:10,173 --> 00:01:12,885
but some of us take it
more seriously than others.

36
00:01:12,909 --> 00:01:15,905
Clear the way!
Two-time second-grade.

37
00:01:15,929 --> 00:01:18,073
Read-A-Thon champion
coming through!

38
00:01:18,097 --> 00:01:20,493
And this belt's staying
with the champ.

39
00:01:20,517 --> 00:01:21,093
[ Scoffs ]

40
00:01:21,117 --> 00:01:24,604
Yeah, well, who wants to wear
a big belt anyway?

41
00:01:28,091 --> 00:01:30,136
Either way, I'll be the one
wearing that,

42
00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:34,106
because my kids are gonna win
because <i>they</i> want to, not me.

43
00:01:34,130 --> 00:01:37,026
I believe in losing.
It builds character.

44
00:01:37,050 --> 00:01:39,862
I would never bet against
Melissa in a read-off.

45
00:01:39,886 --> 00:01:42,882
I have seen her inspire even
the most reluctant readers

46
00:01:42,906 --> 00:01:46,001
to devour a complete
"Boxcar Children."

47
00:01:46,025 --> 00:01:49,538
Mm-hmm. I'm gonna mop the floor
with you, Teagues.

48
00:01:49,562 --> 00:01:50,689
You don't want to do that.

49
00:01:50,713 --> 00:01:52,625
It'll just spread
the spill around.

50
00:01:52,649 --> 00:01:53,626
[ Chuckles ]

51
00:01:53,650 --> 00:01:54,810
[ Bottle spraying ]

52
00:01:54,834 --> 00:01:56,595
[ Quietly ] Yes, yes, yes!

53
00:01:56,619 --> 00:01:57,580
[ Normal voice ] Janine!

54
00:01:57,604 --> 00:01:58,264
Did you see the big news?

55
00:01:58,288 --> 00:02:01,033
Oh, my God. Did the multi-color
pushpins come in?

56
00:02:01,057 --> 00:02:03,853
No. Well, I mean,
yes, that is huge.

57
00:02:03,877 --> 00:02:06,722
But, uh, I got two sign-ups
for after-school podcast club.

58
00:02:06,746 --> 00:02:08,190
Oh! Two.

59
00:02:08,214 --> 00:02:10,776
Two? Wow!
That... That's enough to tango.

60
00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:12,044
I cannot wait to get started.

61
00:02:12,068 --> 00:02:13,913
I'm picturing
"This American Life"

62
00:02:13,937 --> 00:02:15,064
meets "Pod Save America"

63
00:02:15,088 --> 00:02:16,665
with the research
of "The Daily,"

64
00:02:16,689 --> 00:02:17,883
the storytelling of "The Moth,"

65
00:02:17,907 --> 00:02:20,970
all while, like, redefining
the form, à la "Radiolab."

66
00:02:20,994 --> 00:02:23,439
How many white podcasts
do you listen to?

67
00:02:23,463 --> 00:02:24,006
Hundreds.

68
00:02:24,030 --> 00:02:25,674
I listen at triple speed,
though, you know,

69
00:02:25,698 --> 00:02:26,759
to fit them all in.

70
00:02:26,783 --> 00:02:28,494
Actually, this conversation
kind of feels like

71
00:02:28,518 --> 00:02:29,044
it's in slow motion.

72
00:02:29,068 --> 00:02:32,748
But I am <i>so</i> informed. Ah.

73
00:02:32,772 --> 00:02:34,483
Gregory! Mm?

74
00:02:34,507 --> 00:02:35,167
We got two sign-ups.

75
00:02:35,191 --> 00:02:38,754
You ready to, uh, redefine
journalistic storytelling?

76
00:02:38,778 --> 00:02:40,990
Wait. You're doing
the podcast club?

77
00:02:41,014 --> 00:02:42,942
You get paid a little more
when you do an extracurricular,

78
00:02:42,966 --> 00:02:45,961
and my financial status
continues to be

79
00:02:45,985 --> 00:02:49,205
a source of tension
in my romantic life.

80
00:02:50,723 --> 00:02:51,750
Yeah, you're gonna need
a lot more

81
00:02:51,774 --> 00:02:53,853
than one cart of books
to beat my kids.

82
00:02:53,877 --> 00:02:55,321
Yes, I'm well aware of that.

83
00:02:55,345 --> 00:02:58,757
This is my third trip back
from the library this morning.

84
00:02:58,781 --> 00:02:59,892
How are you doing that?

85
00:02:59,916 --> 00:03:03,662
Well, I didn't want to reveal
my secret earlier,

86
00:03:03,686 --> 00:03:05,030
but I figured out
how to fit two weeks

87
00:03:05,054 --> 00:03:09,051
of math lessons into next week,
which means this week,

88
00:03:09,075 --> 00:03:14,573
my kids can devote their time to
reading and beating your class.

89
00:03:14,597 --> 00:03:16,742
Behold.

90
00:03:16,766 --> 00:03:18,861
Our reading wonderland.

91
00:03:18,885 --> 00:03:20,062
[ <i>Classical music playing</i> ]

92
00:03:20,086 --> 00:03:25,935
Figured if I come for the queen,
then I best not miss.

93
00:03:25,959 --> 00:03:27,786
Right, kids? Right?

94
00:03:27,810 --> 00:03:29,605
And, so, if you think...

95
00:03:29,629 --> 00:03:30,689
♪♪

96
00:03:30,713 --> 00:03:32,057
[ Door opens ]

97
00:03:32,081 --> 00:03:36,679
Alright, listen up,
my little eagles...

98
00:03:36,703 --> 00:03:37,780
it's game time.

99
00:03:37,804 --> 00:03:39,882
I'm gonna need youse
reading nonstop, okay?

100
00:03:39,906 --> 00:03:42,484
That means if you're at recess,
you're reading.

101
00:03:42,508 --> 00:03:43,586
On the bus, reading.

102
00:03:43,610 --> 00:03:44,737
If you are at gym class,

103
00:03:44,761 --> 00:03:46,739
the sit-and-reach is now
the sit-and-read.

104
00:03:46,763 --> 00:03:47,907
Yes, Felicity?

105
00:03:47,931 --> 00:03:49,858
What about when I take a shower?

106
00:03:49,882 --> 00:03:51,210
Slide Babar into a Ziploc bag.

107
00:03:51,234 --> 00:03:55,564
Now, listen, Ms. Teagues thinks
that her class can outread you,

108
00:03:55,588 --> 00:03:56,832
but that ain't gonna happen.

109
00:03:56,856 --> 00:03:58,801
So what time is it?

110
00:03:58,825 --> 00:04:00,085
Children: Game time!

111
00:04:00,109 --> 00:04:02,688
That's right.
Deja, Levi, Bryana,

112
00:04:02,712 --> 00:04:04,890
come on up here for a second.

113
00:04:04,914 --> 00:04:06,675
Alright, listen up.

114
00:04:06,699 --> 00:04:07,993
You three are very
strong readers,

115
00:04:08,017 --> 00:04:09,795
so I'm gonna need
a lot of pages from you.

116
00:04:09,819 --> 00:04:10,796
Can you handle it?

117
00:04:10,820 --> 00:04:11,964
We got this, Ms. Schemmenti.

118
00:04:11,988 --> 00:04:13,666
Alright! That's my girl.

119
00:04:13,690 --> 00:04:14,984
Go get 'em, kids.

120
00:04:15,008 --> 00:04:17,620
I'm gonna read more books
than anyone.

121
00:04:17,644 --> 00:04:20,039
Yeah, right.

122
00:04:20,063 --> 00:04:22,758
Levi, Mya's gonna
do her best, alright?

123
00:04:22,782 --> 00:04:24,593
Just like everybody else.

124
00:04:24,617 --> 00:04:25,878
Mya's a great student.

125
00:04:25,902 --> 00:04:28,964
Just when it comes to reading...

126
00:04:28,988 --> 00:04:33,902
Hey, kids, like adults, all have
their strengths and weaknesses.

127
00:04:33,926 --> 00:04:36,772
As in, you know,
Janine's got lots of weaknesses,

128
00:04:36,796 --> 00:04:39,074
and my strength
is exploiting them.

129
00:04:39,098 --> 00:04:43,195
Clarence, Raheem, it is an honor
to embark with you

130
00:04:43,219 --> 00:04:46,115
on the inaugural voyage
of "This Abbott Life."

131
00:04:46,139 --> 00:04:48,200
Producer Gregory and I...
Mr. Eddie.

132
00:04:48,224 --> 00:04:51,954
We understand that the world
needs your stories,

133
00:04:51,978 --> 00:04:55,574
and this podcast is going
to be a window

134
00:04:55,598 --> 00:04:57,042
into the very soul of Abbott.

135
00:04:57,066 --> 00:05:00,846
Soft, inviting intros,
rhetorical questions

136
00:05:00,870 --> 00:05:04,616
dripping with pregnant pauses,
the Ira Glass model.

137
00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:06,669
What type of pauses?

138
00:05:06,693 --> 00:05:07,836
What's an Ira Glass?

139
00:05:07,860 --> 00:05:10,572
Ira Glass?
The godfather of podcasting,

140
00:05:10,596 --> 00:05:11,707
the podfather?

141
00:05:11,731 --> 00:05:12,958
Oh, you mean Joe Budden.

142
00:05:12,982 --> 00:05:14,943
Well, I-I think
he pronounces it Biden,

143
00:05:14,967 --> 00:05:17,796
but we will work on diction
when the mics are hot.

144
00:05:17,820 --> 00:05:21,340
You've never heard
of Joe Budden? Here.

145
00:05:24,127 --> 00:05:26,939
[ <i>Indistinct chatter</i>
<i>through earbuds</i> ]

146
00:05:26,963 --> 00:05:28,774
[ <i>Bleeping</i> ] Whoa! Okay.

147
00:05:28,798 --> 00:05:29,925
[ Both laugh ]

148
00:05:29,949 --> 00:05:31,894
I'm not sure how
Mr. Budden's mother

149
00:05:31,918 --> 00:05:34,013
would feel about that podcast.

150
00:05:34,037 --> 00:05:37,766
Anyways, here is something
to go off of for Episode 1.

151
00:05:37,790 --> 00:05:39,685
But, you know, make it your own.

152
00:05:39,709 --> 00:05:42,771
Wherever the story takes you,
go there.

153
00:05:42,795 --> 00:05:44,990
Y'all be careful.
That equipment ain't cheap.

154
00:05:45,014 --> 00:05:47,843
You think just anybody
can start a podcast? Please!

155
00:05:47,867 --> 00:05:49,895
Oh, you haven't heard
of the Coleman Podcast Network?

156
00:05:49,919 --> 00:05:52,247
It's a couple of "Housewife"
recaps, "Banana Mouth,"

157
00:05:52,271 --> 00:05:55,901
my screenwriting-advice podcast,
"Catch These Fade Ins,"

158
00:05:55,925 --> 00:05:58,854
not to mention
my ASMR endeavors.

159
00:05:58,878 --> 00:06:01,557
[ Whispering ] But Spotify
made me take those down.

160
00:06:01,581 --> 00:06:04,093
[ ASMR eating noises ]

161
00:06:04,117 --> 00:06:06,178
I'm telling you, Barb,
I've never had a class

162
00:06:06,202 --> 00:06:08,881
make this much
reading progress this fast.

163
00:06:08,905 --> 00:06:11,750
We're riding that Magic
School Bus straight to victory.

164
00:06:11,774 --> 00:06:13,786
I never cared for that
Ms. Frizzle.

165
00:06:13,810 --> 00:06:15,054
Always wearing
those kooky outfits,

166
00:06:15,078 --> 00:06:18,006
and that overzealous,
can-do attitude.

167
00:06:18,030 --> 00:06:20,459
You guys talking about
the Read-A-Thon?

168
00:06:20,483 --> 00:06:21,160
I am killing it.

169
00:06:21,184 --> 00:06:24,046
Yeah, my kids are behind
a few pages, but not for long.

170
00:06:24,070 --> 00:06:25,864
We are winning it to be in it.

171
00:06:25,888 --> 00:06:27,750
No, that's not it. Mm.

172
00:06:27,774 --> 00:06:30,803
I just think it's cute
how you're still trying, Janine.

173
00:06:30,827 --> 00:06:31,970
You're not gonna catch us.

174
00:06:31,994 --> 00:06:35,390
That Wimpy Kid can't
crank out diaries fast enough.

175
00:06:35,414 --> 00:06:36,842
[ Chuckles ]

176
00:06:36,866 --> 00:06:37,943
Whoa. Wait.

177
00:06:37,967 --> 00:06:39,244
Nurse Makiah, where are
you going with these three?

178
00:06:39,268 --> 00:06:41,997
They wouldn't stop rubbing
their eyes on the playground.

179
00:06:42,021 --> 00:06:44,016
One of them said they've been
reading this in the bathroom,

180
00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:45,901
then gave the book
to the other two.

181
00:06:45,925 --> 00:06:48,670
It's pink eye.
It's always pink eye.

182
00:06:48,694 --> 00:06:51,340
Oh, my three strongest readers!

183
00:06:51,364 --> 00:06:51,940
Why?!

184
00:06:51,964 --> 00:06:54,543
You told us to read
at all times.

185
00:06:54,567 --> 00:06:55,060
I did. Aw.

186
00:06:55,084 --> 00:06:56,979
Come on.
Come on, kids. Let's go.

187
00:06:57,003 --> 00:06:59,631
Hope you feel better, kids.

188
00:06:59,655 --> 00:07:00,632
Ugh!

189
00:07:00,656 --> 00:07:02,000
Your pizza's cooked, Schemmenti.

190
00:07:02,024 --> 00:07:05,571
I genuinely do hope your kids
feel better, but you're done.

191
00:07:05,595 --> 00:07:06,722
You know what, Janine?

192
00:07:06,746 --> 00:07:07,923
[ As Melissa ] Oh, oh, oh, oh,

193
00:07:07,947 --> 00:07:09,958
you want to talk
about pink eyes, Janine?

194
00:07:09,982 --> 00:07:12,327
I'm gonna give you a black eye,
ya gabortz.

195
00:07:12,351 --> 00:07:15,330
[ Normal voice ] Yeah. It was
gonna be something like that.

196
00:07:15,354 --> 00:07:16,489
Hmm?

197
00:07:16,906 --> 00:07:19,325
Melissa: Mm.

198
00:07:20,526 --> 00:07:22,562
[ School bell rings ]

199
00:07:26,782 --> 00:07:28,744
Oh, hello.

200
00:07:28,768 --> 00:07:30,028
How long you been sitting there?

201
00:07:30,052 --> 00:07:31,997
I'm standing, and a long time.

202
00:07:32,021 --> 00:07:34,883
Okay, well, you can just wipe
that smirk off your face.

203
00:07:34,907 --> 00:07:37,085
I know plenty of people who
have counted me out before.

204
00:07:37,109 --> 00:07:38,937
Mm-hmm.
And while I have absolutely

205
00:07:38,961 --> 00:07:42,891
no way of confirming this,
I'm positive they're all dead.

206
00:07:42,915 --> 00:07:44,793
I hope not.

207
00:07:44,817 --> 00:07:48,931
But, uh, since you're so sure,
how about we raise...

208
00:07:48,955 --> 00:07:51,667
This is in the way.

209
00:07:51,691 --> 00:07:52,951
How about we raise the stakes?

210
00:07:52,975 --> 00:07:54,786
Oh, okay, a side bet. Mm-hmm.

211
00:07:54,810 --> 00:07:56,555
Alright, what are you thinking?

212
00:07:56,579 --> 00:07:58,740
Hmm.

213
00:07:58,764 --> 00:08:00,058
I don't know.
I'm confident I'm winning,

214
00:08:00,082 --> 00:08:02,127
but I don't have anything
of value or any money.

215
00:08:02,151 --> 00:08:04,930
Okay, how about we wager
something you can't possibly

216
00:08:04,954 --> 00:08:07,482
put a price on... dignity?

217
00:08:07,506 --> 00:08:08,050
Oh.

218
00:08:08,074 --> 00:08:11,570
Loser has to streak
at the Sixers game.

219
00:08:11,594 --> 00:08:12,704
Yeah. Yep.

220
00:08:12,728 --> 00:08:13,956
Mm-hmm.

221
00:08:13,980 --> 00:08:16,158
Definitely, I would do that,
but, also, um,

222
00:08:16,182 --> 00:08:21,013
something else
that could be just as bad is,

223
00:08:21,037 --> 00:08:24,616
loser has to be a guest
on Jacob's podcast.

224
00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:25,801
Equally as humiliating.

225
00:08:25,825 --> 00:08:28,294
Alright. Okay.

226
00:08:29,512 --> 00:08:30,606
Okay, listen up.

227
00:08:30,630 --> 00:08:31,957
Y'all already heard the news.

228
00:08:31,981 --> 00:08:34,092
Levi, Deja, and Bryana
have pink eye.

229
00:08:34,116 --> 00:08:36,628
Now, I know they were
leading the charge,

230
00:08:36,652 --> 00:08:39,698
but we are still in this. Right?

231
00:08:39,722 --> 00:08:41,066
We can come back
from this setback,

232
00:08:41,090 --> 00:08:44,136
and when we do, it will make
the victory all the sweeter,

233
00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:47,706
because, my little eagles,
these are the moments

234
00:08:47,730 --> 00:08:50,175
that will define
the rest of your lives.

235
00:08:50,199 --> 00:08:52,561
You don't want to look back
on this week

236
00:08:52,585 --> 00:08:53,228
when you're 35 and think,

237
00:08:53,252 --> 00:08:56,815
"Man, if I had only won
that reading thing."

238
00:08:56,839 --> 00:09:00,686
So, who is gonna step up
and lead this class

239
00:09:00,710 --> 00:09:02,721
to eternal glory?

240
00:09:02,745 --> 00:09:04,673
I'll read the class
to eternal glory.

241
00:09:04,697 --> 00:09:06,058
That's right, Mya. Who else?

242
00:09:06,082 --> 00:09:08,660
I guess I can read
while I watch TV.

243
00:09:08,684 --> 00:09:10,128
Yeah. If I listen
to an audiobook

244
00:09:10,152 --> 00:09:12,197
while I fall asleep,
that counts, right?

245
00:09:12,221 --> 00:09:15,050
I don't need to know how you do
it, just get those books read.

246
00:09:15,074 --> 00:09:18,987
Alright, let's go!
Crack those books!

247
00:09:19,011 --> 00:09:22,541
A skunk sat on a stump
and thunk the stump stunk.

248
00:09:22,565 --> 00:09:23,141
Stump. Thunk.

249
00:09:23,165 --> 00:09:24,776
What are you doing?
I'm checking levels.

250
00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:25,911
Can you hear me?

251
00:09:25,935 --> 00:09:28,046
I really wish I couldn't.
[ Door opens ]

252
00:09:28,070 --> 00:09:30,916
Don't mind me. I'm just here
to make fun of you.

253
00:09:30,940 --> 00:09:32,067
Thank you for the honesty.

254
00:09:32,091 --> 00:09:34,586
Okay. Is everybody good
on the theme?

255
00:09:34,610 --> 00:09:36,488
Yep. "Cafeteria Blues."

256
00:09:36,512 --> 00:09:37,572
We got plenty on that.

257
00:09:37,596 --> 00:09:38,323
Well, I knew you would.

258
00:09:38,347 --> 00:09:41,660
Okay, Producer Mr. Eddie,
roll that royalty-free music,

259
00:09:41,684 --> 00:09:43,962
and I will jump into my intro.

260
00:09:43,986 --> 00:09:46,965
[ <i>Mellow electronic music</i>
<i>plays</i> ]

261
00:09:46,989 --> 00:09:48,867
Lunchtime can be so polarizing.

262
00:09:48,891 --> 00:09:50,869
For some, it's a well-earned
mid-day break.

263
00:09:50,893 --> 00:09:53,071
For others,
a bit more complicated.

264
00:09:53,095 --> 00:09:55,107
In West Philadelphia,
I'm Jacob Hill.

265
00:09:55,131 --> 00:09:58,026
Today on "This Abbott Life,"
two of our producers tell us

266
00:09:58,050 --> 00:10:01,063
about those cafeteria
complications firsthand.

267
00:10:01,087 --> 00:10:04,599
Gentlemen? What's up, Mr. C?

268
00:10:04,623 --> 00:10:05,684
Man!

269
00:10:05,708 --> 00:10:07,786
The Abbott cafeteria
is a whole movie.

270
00:10:07,810 --> 00:10:08,820
Right.

271
00:10:08,844 --> 00:10:10,789
All the school baddies
in one place.

272
00:10:10,813 --> 00:10:12,607
We're talking about
the cafeteria,

273
00:10:12,631 --> 00:10:14,009
and you're talking about girls?

274
00:10:14,033 --> 00:10:15,894
Lunchtime's
about starting rumors.

275
00:10:15,918 --> 00:10:19,915
Otherwise, the bus ride home
is going to be boring!

276
00:10:19,939 --> 00:10:22,801
Like the rumor that
you pee in pools? [ Laughs ]

277
00:10:22,825 --> 00:10:24,703
Yo, that's a whole lie.

278
00:10:24,727 --> 00:10:25,754
Show some respect.

279
00:10:25,778 --> 00:10:26,855
I'm trying to respect
these jawns,

280
00:10:26,879 --> 00:10:27,923
but you're over there
blocking me.

281
00:10:27,947 --> 00:10:30,993
Okay, alright.
Um, yeah, good, uh, energy,

282
00:10:31,017 --> 00:10:33,061
but maybe rein it in a tad.

283
00:10:33,085 --> 00:10:36,615
Remember, this is about
journalistic storytelling, okay?

284
00:10:36,639 --> 00:10:37,733
There's no need to argue.

285
00:10:37,757 --> 00:10:39,785
This is what podcasts are about.

286
00:10:39,809 --> 00:10:41,053
We're just being ourselves.

287
00:10:41,077 --> 00:10:43,739
Yeah, I checked out
some of those podcasts

288
00:10:43,763 --> 00:10:45,023
you were telling us about.

289
00:10:45,047 --> 00:10:46,792
It's like listening to school.

290
00:10:46,816 --> 00:10:47,909
Don't waste your time.

291
00:10:47,933 --> 00:10:50,012
Those nerds speak like
a bow tie came to life.

292
00:10:50,036 --> 00:10:52,831
Well, we all know that
Michael Barbaro milks it a bit.

293
00:10:52,855 --> 00:10:54,916
But you have to master
the fundamentals of podcasting

294
00:10:54,940 --> 00:10:58,570
before you can break them,
right, Producer Mr. Eddie?

295
00:10:58,594 --> 00:10:59,321
Oh, I wasn't listening.

296
00:10:59,345 --> 00:11:01,006
Oh... But please don't feel
the need to repeat yourself.

297
00:11:01,030 --> 00:11:02,991
Can I at least tell the story
about that one time

298
00:11:03,015 --> 00:11:04,059
when I was spitting game
to Emily?

299
00:11:04,083 --> 00:11:05,861
No, no. Sorry. That would be...

300
00:11:05,885 --> 00:11:07,095
Jacob, let that boy speak.

301
00:11:07,119 --> 00:11:10,499
Emily is top-10 popular,
and I need that tea.

302
00:11:10,523 --> 00:11:12,241
Come on, let's get it.

303
00:11:14,994 --> 00:11:16,905
[ Gasps ] Ooh, look,
look, look, look! Hello.

304
00:11:16,929 --> 00:11:19,124
Okay. According to this chart,
Janine,

305
00:11:19,148 --> 00:11:21,727
my class is way ahead of yours.

306
00:11:21,751 --> 00:11:22,928
Let me get this straight.

307
00:11:22,952 --> 00:11:25,130
Three of your best readers go
down with pink eye. Mm-hmm.

308
00:11:25,154 --> 00:11:27,799
And, yet, somehow,
your class starts

309
00:11:27,823 --> 00:11:29,935
reading <i>more</i> books
than everyone?

310
00:11:29,959 --> 00:11:32,671
Yeah, 'cause I give one hell
of an inspiring speech.

311
00:11:32,695 --> 00:11:34,005
You know, we Schemmentis
pride ourselves

312
00:11:34,029 --> 00:11:36,675
on our art of coercion.

313
00:11:36,699 --> 00:11:37,843
Motivation.

314
00:11:37,867 --> 00:11:39,127
You know, if it wasn't for
one of Melissa's speeches,

315
00:11:39,151 --> 00:11:41,029
I never would have watched
"The King's Speech."

316
00:11:41,053 --> 00:11:42,714
Mm-hmm. But I tell you what.

317
00:11:42,738 --> 00:11:46,134
That Colin Powell
sure can act. Mm!

318
00:11:46,158 --> 00:11:49,137
Yeah, well, speech or no speech,
something is off.

319
00:11:49,161 --> 00:11:51,723
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa.

320
00:11:51,747 --> 00:11:54,493
Are you accusing me
of cheating, Teagues?

321
00:11:54,517 --> 00:11:55,143
Uh, yeah.

322
00:11:55,167 --> 00:11:57,729
Only because you brag
about cheating all the time.

323
00:11:57,753 --> 00:11:58,647
[ Scoffs ]

324
00:11:58,671 --> 00:11:59,781
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

325
00:11:59,805 --> 00:12:03,935
Now, now, Melissa does cheat
from time to time.

326
00:12:03,959 --> 00:12:05,754
Yeah, my first boyfriend.

327
00:12:05,778 --> 00:12:07,005
My... My second boyfriend.

328
00:12:07,029 --> 00:12:08,974
Keto diet 'cause
I ain't giving up carbs.

329
00:12:08,998 --> 00:12:11,860
My... But she would never
cheat on an actual competition.

330
00:12:11,884 --> 00:12:14,713
Yeah. What am I,
the USC athletic director?

331
00:12:14,737 --> 00:12:15,897
Okay, fine. You know what?

332
00:12:15,921 --> 00:12:17,983
I'm gonna go right now and check
my readers' reports

333
00:12:18,007 --> 00:12:19,868
just to make sure
we're on the level, alright?

334
00:12:19,892 --> 00:12:22,170
Look, listen, all I'm saying is,
I just want things to be fair.

335
00:12:22,194 --> 00:12:26,432
And I bet when you watch sports,
you root for the refs.

336
00:12:27,516 --> 00:12:28,777
I do. You do?

337
00:12:28,801 --> 00:12:30,686
Yeah. Mm-hmm.

338
00:12:35,157 --> 00:12:39,604
Mya, could you bring that book
up to my desk, please?

339
00:12:39,628 --> 00:12:42,657
Great. What you reading, hon?

340
00:12:42,681 --> 00:12:46,761
"Rip Van Wi... ."

341
00:12:46,785 --> 00:12:47,913
That's okay. That's a hard one.

342
00:12:47,937 --> 00:12:50,949
"Rip Van Winkle." How is it?

343
00:12:50,973 --> 00:12:53,018
It's good? Yeah?

344
00:12:53,042 --> 00:12:54,970
So, on this form
your parents signed,

345
00:12:54,994 --> 00:12:58,039
it says that you read
like 25 books last night.

346
00:12:58,063 --> 00:13:00,275
I'm just checking... Is that the
number you meant to put down?

347
00:13:00,299 --> 00:13:03,778
Yes. I want to help the class
kick Ms. Teagues' butt.

348
00:13:03,802 --> 00:13:05,847
[ Laughs ] Yeah, you are.

349
00:13:05,871 --> 00:13:07,048
You sure are.

350
00:13:07,072 --> 00:13:10,752
Um, so, you said you, um,
read like 10 of those.

351
00:13:10,776 --> 00:13:11,970
"Berenstain Bears" books.

352
00:13:11,994 --> 00:13:14,689
Just remind me, what's the name
of the sister bear again?

353
00:13:14,713 --> 00:13:17,466
Mm, Beyoncé?

354
00:13:19,685 --> 00:13:21,997
[ Laughs ] Hey! Here they are.

355
00:13:22,021 --> 00:13:25,967
The hosts of Abbott Elementary's
number-one podcast.

356
00:13:25,991 --> 00:13:28,420
What'd you think of
that first ep I dropped?

357
00:13:28,444 --> 00:13:29,471
Droll, right?

358
00:13:29,495 --> 00:13:30,689
This episode blows.

359
00:13:30,713 --> 00:13:33,625
[ <i>Aa-ooga sound effect</i> ]

360
00:13:33,649 --> 00:13:34,626
Sorry.

361
00:13:34,650 --> 00:13:35,844
Whoa, what do you mean?

362
00:13:35,868 --> 00:13:37,295
You ruined our episode.

363
00:13:37,319 --> 00:13:40,732
Jacob: <i>The cafeteria staff say
negotiations with the district</i>

364
00:13:40,756 --> 00:13:41,850
<i>come down to one thing.</i>

365
00:13:41,874 --> 00:13:43,952
Clarence: <i>Respect.</i>
Raheem: <i>Respect.</i>

366
00:13:43,976 --> 00:13:46,104
<i>Respect. Chapter 3.</i>

367
00:13:46,128 --> 00:13:48,757
<i>The popular-kids' table
can be a daunting...</i>

368
00:13:48,781 --> 00:13:49,858
[ Beep, recording stops ]

369
00:13:49,882 --> 00:13:51,877
This isn't what we recorded.

370
00:13:51,901 --> 00:13:52,878
This is your script.

371
00:13:52,902 --> 00:13:54,095
Producer Gregory
and I thought...

372
00:13:54,119 --> 00:13:55,931
Uh, Mr. Eddie had nothing
to do with this.

373
00:13:55,955 --> 00:14:00,018
Okay, I thought that a more
school-appropriate version

374
00:14:00,042 --> 00:14:03,255
would be more appropriate
for school.

375
00:14:03,279 --> 00:14:05,674
And, look, there's a learning
curve here, you know?

376
00:14:05,698 --> 00:14:07,876
We are all... You censored us.

377
00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:10,011
Okay, do not say that.

378
00:14:10,035 --> 00:14:12,414
This isn't what
we signed up for.

379
00:14:12,438 --> 00:14:13,448
Yeah, man.

380
00:14:13,472 --> 00:14:15,050
We quit.

381
00:14:15,074 --> 00:14:17,352
I was really excited for this,
too.

382
00:14:17,376 --> 00:14:19,704
Um...

383
00:14:19,728 --> 00:14:20,989
Do we still get paid
for the club

384
00:14:21,013 --> 00:14:24,509
if there are no students
in the club?

385
00:14:24,533 --> 00:14:25,810
No.

386
00:14:25,834 --> 00:14:29,321
[ <i>Wah-wah-wah-wah sound effect</i> ]

387
00:14:32,841 --> 00:14:34,903
Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Okafor.

388
00:14:34,927 --> 00:14:36,288
Hey. Come... Come sit down.

389
00:14:36,312 --> 00:14:39,074
Hey, Mya, why don't you go read
one of those books I put out.

390
00:14:39,098 --> 00:14:41,576
How about I read <i>all</i> the books?

391
00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:42,327
Okay.

392
00:14:42,351 --> 00:14:45,830
Listen, I just wanted to check
in with you guys about Mya.

393
00:14:45,854 --> 00:14:47,782
Is something wrong? Is she okay?

394
00:14:47,806 --> 00:14:48,783
Oh, no, no.

395
00:14:48,807 --> 00:14:50,752
She's fantastic.
Are you kidding?

396
00:14:50,776 --> 00:14:52,103
She's got her math down
to a science

397
00:14:52,127 --> 00:14:53,788
and her science down to an art.

398
00:14:53,812 --> 00:14:56,091
[ Chuckles ] Hey!

399
00:14:56,115 --> 00:14:59,244
Um, yeah, okay, so, the thing is
that she brought in her.

400
00:14:59,268 --> 00:15:02,981
Read-A-Thon list this morning
that you guys signed off on.

401
00:15:03,005 --> 00:15:04,916
And I just don't see
how it's possible

402
00:15:04,940 --> 00:15:07,636
she read all these books
just last night.

403
00:15:07,660 --> 00:15:09,588
Of course she did.

404
00:15:09,612 --> 00:15:11,723
Listen, she's fantastic,

405
00:15:11,747 --> 00:15:13,642
but none of the kids
in the class

406
00:15:13,666 --> 00:15:15,710
can read 25 books in one night.

407
00:15:15,734 --> 00:15:18,063
She's still a fine reader. Okay.

408
00:15:18,087 --> 00:15:22,801
Mya, who is your favorite
character in "Curious George"?

409
00:15:22,825 --> 00:15:26,638
Um, George?

410
00:15:26,662 --> 00:15:27,922
See? Here's the thing.

411
00:15:27,946 --> 00:15:31,743
Mya is just starting to show
some initial signs

412
00:15:31,767 --> 00:15:33,094
of struggling with reading.

413
00:15:33,118 --> 00:15:37,048
And the last thing that I want
is for her to get frustrated

414
00:15:37,072 --> 00:15:38,767
and then, you know, get annoyed

415
00:15:38,791 --> 00:15:40,852
and give up
on reading altogether.

416
00:15:40,876 --> 00:15:43,355
So I just thought,
if we get her tested,

417
00:15:43,379 --> 00:15:45,857
we can eliminate any issues
she might have with reading...

418
00:15:45,881 --> 00:15:47,976
Mnh-mnh-mnh.
Mya doesn't need some tests.

419
00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,629
I know that the idea
of testing your child

420
00:15:50,653 --> 00:15:51,780
can be a little scary,

421
00:15:51,804 --> 00:15:54,015
but, listen, we just don't
want her to fall behind.

422
00:15:54,039 --> 00:15:55,684
There is nothing wrong with her.

423
00:15:55,708 --> 00:15:56,885
Oh, no, no, no.

424
00:15:56,909 --> 00:15:58,970
Mr. and Mrs. Okafor, I never
said she was falling behind.

425
00:15:58,994 --> 00:16:00,121
There's nothing wrong with her.

426
00:16:00,145 --> 00:16:01,856
She's a fantastic student.
Mya, let's go.

427
00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:04,676
She just needs a little extra
help just in the reading.

428
00:16:04,700 --> 00:16:05,977
Mr. and Mrs. Okafor.

429
00:16:06,001 --> 00:16:10,382
I just finished four more books,
Ms. Schemmenti.

430
00:16:10,406 --> 00:16:12,224
Four.

431
00:16:19,248 --> 00:16:20,909
Okay, guys, after re-running
the numbers,

432
00:16:20,933 --> 00:16:23,278
it appears that Ms. Teagues'
class read more books than us.

433
00:16:23,302 --> 00:16:26,781
[ Kids groan ] Yeah, no,
no. Don't get it twisted.

434
00:16:26,805 --> 00:16:27,916
Let's think about it.

435
00:16:27,940 --> 00:16:30,018
If you're in Ms. Teagues' class,
are you really a winner?

436
00:16:30,042 --> 00:16:31,820
[ Laughter ]
Alright, don't repeat that.

437
00:16:31,844 --> 00:16:33,104
I just wanted to let
you chipmunks know

438
00:16:33,128 --> 00:16:35,790
how proud I am of you,
all the books you read.

439
00:16:35,814 --> 00:16:37,909
And when you walk out
of this classroom,

440
00:16:37,933 --> 00:16:40,929
you keep your heads held high,
'cause, at the end of the day,

441
00:16:40,953 --> 00:16:44,699
all that really matters is,
everyone's eating pizza.

442
00:16:44,723 --> 00:16:45,917
Ms. Schemmenti? Yes?

443
00:16:45,941 --> 00:16:48,970
I really tried to help our class
read the most books,

444
00:16:48,994 --> 00:16:51,072
but can I be done
with books now?

445
00:16:51,096 --> 00:16:53,549
I mean, the contest is over,
right?

446
00:16:55,951 --> 00:16:58,063
Yeah, actually, Mya,
can I get your help

447
00:16:58,087 --> 00:17:00,048
with something
in the hall real quick?

448
00:17:00,072 --> 00:17:02,734
Great.
You guys keep eating your pizza.

449
00:17:02,758 --> 00:17:03,802
Okay.

450
00:17:03,826 --> 00:17:06,788
So, Mya, I-I want
to ask you something,

451
00:17:06,812 --> 00:17:09,708
and I want you to be honest
with me, okay?

452
00:17:09,732 --> 00:17:11,793
'Cause, remember, it's me,
Ms. Schemmenti.

453
00:17:11,817 --> 00:17:14,829
Remember when we trekked
through that snowstorm together?

454
00:17:14,853 --> 00:17:16,564
Stomp, stomp, stomp!

455
00:17:16,588 --> 00:17:18,733
Abominable! Abominable!

456
00:17:18,757 --> 00:17:19,884
Yeah.

457
00:17:19,908 --> 00:17:24,973
Um, can reading feel just, like,
a little tough sometimes?

458
00:17:24,997 --> 00:17:27,025
A lot of tough. Oh, yeah.

459
00:17:27,049 --> 00:17:29,694
You know what? For me, too.

460
00:17:29,718 --> 00:17:31,663
Really? Yeah, yeah.

461
00:17:31,687 --> 00:17:34,632
But I found some tricks
over the years

462
00:17:34,656 --> 00:17:35,750
to help make it easier.

463
00:17:35,774 --> 00:17:37,786
Like, look.

464
00:17:37,810 --> 00:17:40,205
You see the beginning of each
of the words is highlighted?

465
00:17:40,229 --> 00:17:43,675
That helps make sense out of
the whole word "minestrone."

466
00:17:43,699 --> 00:17:46,961
See, the story's about
a little girl who, um,

467
00:17:46,985 --> 00:17:50,799
had to read things a few times
till they made sense.

468
00:17:50,823 --> 00:17:52,584
And, sometimes,
some of the other kids

469
00:17:52,608 --> 00:17:54,018
would make fun of her.

470
00:17:54,042 --> 00:17:56,104
But at the end, she figures out

471
00:17:56,128 --> 00:17:59,557
that it doesn't matter
how fast or slow you read.

472
00:17:59,581 --> 00:18:01,226
Reading's about having fun.

473
00:18:01,250 --> 00:18:06,448
See, my teacher gave this to me
when I was a little girl,

474
00:18:06,472 --> 00:18:07,866
just about your age,

475
00:18:07,890 --> 00:18:12,411
and I promise you,
I grew up to love reading.

476
00:18:14,863 --> 00:18:16,658
Ms. Schemmenti? Yeah, hon?

477
00:18:16,682 --> 00:18:18,793
I still wish we would have won.

478
00:18:18,817 --> 00:18:21,696
Yeah, me, too, kiddo, but,
you know, what are you gonna do?

479
00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:22,714
The rules are the rules.

480
00:18:22,738 --> 00:18:23,848
Rules stink.

481
00:18:23,872 --> 00:18:25,550
Yeah, they do.

482
00:18:25,574 --> 00:18:27,392
Go have some pizza.

483
00:18:29,611 --> 00:18:31,623
[ Door opens ]

484
00:18:31,647 --> 00:18:32,664
[ Door closes ]

485
00:18:33,982 --> 00:18:35,727
What happened to
your little podcast club?

486
00:18:35,751 --> 00:18:37,061
Oh. [ Sighs ]

487
00:18:37,085 --> 00:18:38,963
Kids decided they didn't want
to do it anymore.

488
00:18:38,987 --> 00:18:40,131
Yeah, I don't blame them.

489
00:18:40,155 --> 00:18:42,550
I almost fell asleep listening
to the first episode.

490
00:18:42,574 --> 00:18:43,051
And I was driving.

491
00:18:43,075 --> 00:18:45,787
Your podcast
could have killed me.

492
00:18:45,811 --> 00:18:48,840
I just wanted to give the kids
something new

493
00:18:48,864 --> 00:18:50,041
and exciting to do, you know?

494
00:18:50,065 --> 00:18:51,993
New and exciting for them
or for <i>you?</i>

495
00:18:52,017 --> 00:18:53,094
'Cause it sounds like you
were trying to force them

496
00:18:53,118 --> 00:18:55,997
to do something
that you want to do.

497
00:18:56,021 --> 00:18:58,600
[ Mockingly ]
You're a bad teacher.

498
00:18:58,624 --> 00:18:59,984
Oh, my God.

499
00:19:00,008 --> 00:19:02,053
I've had this exact
nightmare before.

500
00:19:02,077 --> 00:19:03,822
Yeah, people tell me that a lot.

501
00:19:03,846 --> 00:19:05,673
I call it "Ava vu." [déjà vu]

502
00:19:05,697 --> 00:19:06,724
Now get out of here.

503
00:19:06,748 --> 00:19:07,759
There's a new episode
of "Below Deck"

504
00:19:07,783 --> 00:19:09,661
that I got to review
for my podcast,

505
00:19:09,685 --> 00:19:12,714
"Small Deck Energy."

506
00:19:12,738 --> 00:19:14,065
I wanted to be like
Sarah Koenig,

507
00:19:14,089 --> 00:19:18,136
you know, a graceful hand to
hold through gripping stories.

508
00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,738
And, instead, I tried to force
my agenda

509
00:19:20,762 --> 00:19:23,265
onto impressionable listeners.

510
00:19:24,867 --> 00:19:26,535
I Rogan'd.

511
00:19:27,719 --> 00:19:30,064
Melissa, I'm sorry you lost.

512
00:19:30,088 --> 00:19:32,884
What do you think Jacob's gonna
ask you on that podcast?

513
00:19:32,908 --> 00:19:35,377
Oh, I'm not doing that crap.

514
00:19:38,647 --> 00:19:39,858
[ Laughs ] See that?

515
00:19:39,882 --> 00:19:42,176
I'm like a tall Simone Biles.
[ Exhales deeply ]

516
00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:45,830
Times like these, I'm reminded
of Sir LeVar Burton,

517
00:19:45,854 --> 00:19:49,000
who taught us that reading
is like a rainbow,

518
00:19:49,024 --> 00:19:51,970
and the pot of gold
is that I won.

519
00:19:51,994 --> 00:19:54,005
You know, Janine,
I re-read the rules

520
00:19:54,029 --> 00:19:56,591
that Dough Nuts prints out
on their form.

521
00:19:56,615 --> 00:19:57,141
Um, you know, sometimes,

522
00:19:57,165 --> 00:19:58,860
it takes me reading
through things

523
00:19:58,884 --> 00:20:01,629
a couple of times
before I get everything.

524
00:20:01,653 --> 00:20:03,147
"The winning teacher
is determined

525
00:20:03,171 --> 00:20:06,784
by whichever classroom
reads the most books."

526
00:20:06,808 --> 00:20:08,820
And since my
second-and-third-grade class

527
00:20:08,844 --> 00:20:11,789
are in one room, the classroom,

528
00:20:11,813 --> 00:20:13,107
I get to add
their totals together,

529
00:20:13,131 --> 00:20:17,662
which, unfortunately for you,
means I won.

530
00:20:17,686 --> 00:20:19,288
Dough Nuts said whats?

531
00:20:27,262 --> 00:20:28,156
I'm glad to be back, Mr. C.
Yeah.

532
00:20:28,180 --> 00:20:29,991
Thanks for letting us
make it our own.

533
00:20:30,015 --> 00:20:34,178
For "This Abbott Life,"
here's Clarence and Raheem.

534
00:20:34,202 --> 00:20:37,932
So, what questions do you little
reporters have for me today?

535
00:20:37,956 --> 00:20:40,718
My mama said she saw you
at the club grindin'

536
00:20:40,742 --> 00:20:44,622
all up on Producer Mr. Eddie.

537
00:20:44,646 --> 00:20:45,857
Oh, uh... Uh...

538
00:20:45,881 --> 00:20:46,891
What kind of podcast is this?

539
00:20:46,915 --> 00:20:48,893
Okay, so you <i>were</i> grinding.

540
00:20:48,917 --> 00:20:50,278
No. No, no, no, no, no.
I was not...

541
00:20:50,302 --> 00:20:53,865
We were dancing, you know, just
how normal people dance, right?

542
00:20:53,889 --> 00:20:55,149
Like normal people. Yeah.

543
00:20:55,173 --> 00:20:57,819
Clarence's mom said
she saw you leave <i>together.</i>

544
00:20:57,843 --> 00:20:58,803
What?! That is not true.

545
00:20:58,827 --> 00:20:59,904
Hmm. Then what happened?

546
00:20:59,928 --> 00:21:02,473
I was outside talking
to his friend Maurice.

547
00:21:02,497 --> 00:21:03,191
What?

548
00:21:03,215 --> 00:21:06,044
Uh, Jacob, isn't this exactly
the kind of podcast

549
00:21:06,068 --> 00:21:08,780
you wanted to steer away from?

550
00:21:08,804 --> 00:21:09,864
Actually, I would love to hear,

551
00:21:09,888 --> 00:21:10,932
if you have anything
you'd like to add.

552
00:21:10,956 --> 00:21:13,659
You know,
for journalistic purposes.

553
00:21:15,927 --> 00:21:18,189
This episode was brought to you
by the Coleman Podcast Network.

554
00:21:18,213 --> 00:21:20,582
Yeah, we're still waiting
for that answer.

555
00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,423
- - Captions by VITAC...

