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A.P. Bio
This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but any TV series clever/brave enough to conceive a Congo-themed Sadie Hawkins dance is a show I’m going to watch. That unique plot was just one of the many bits I enjoyed during the first season of Mike O’Brien’s wonderfully deranged NBC sitcom A.P. Bio.
Returning tonight for Season 2, the series revolves around Jack Griffin (Glenn Howerton), a disgraced Harvard philosophy scholar forced to return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio to teach AP Biology. Having zero interest in doing anything that even remotely resembles educating the youth of America, Jack attempts to use his honor students to gain vengeance on his nemesis and return to his life of scholarly luxury. If his students keep quiet, they receive an A. If they squeal, they fail. Simple, delirious mayhem ensues.
Season 1 of A.P. Bio was one of the most enjoyable surprises of 2018. Also starring Patton Oswalt, Lyric Lewis, Jean Villepique, Mary Sohn, Paula Pell, and an incredibly gifted ensemble of actors who portray Jack’s students, the network sitcom flew under the radar last season. Despite being one of the best written shows of the year, the series is still immensely underrated.
If you have yet to experience the offbeat charm of A.P. Bio, here are three reasons you need to tune-in for Season 2.
Allisyn Ashley Arm Is TV’s Greatest Scene Stealer
Allisyn Ashley Arm’s “words said to laughs earned” ratio is absurd. A.P. Bio has the best young cast on TV, but no character on this or any other series produces more humor with fewer lines than Jack’s devious, peculiar protégé Heather. Just as Jack’s simple “no” from Season 1 made me legit laugh out loud, Arm delivers a one-word line read in the second episode of Season 2 (at about the 15:30 mark) that is, to me, one of the funniest TV moments of 2019.
Honestly, this section could be dedicated to any of the show’s younger cast. Jacob Houston’s Victor and Eddie Leavy’s Anthony have a slew of hysterical moments in the first three episodes, and the show introduces a new student, Miguel Chavez’s Eduardo, who’s a perfect fit.
There’s More Paula Pell!
I already mentioned my favorite A.P. Bio moment from Season 1, but coming in hot with the silver medal is a brief exchange between Jack and Helen, who’s portrayed by long-time SNL writer Paula Pell. Comedy’s all about contrast and Helen’s joyful demeanor is diametrically opposed to Jack’s surly disposition. Last season, Jack lobbed this vicious insult towards Helen: “You know, I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you might be the worst person I’ve ever met.” Helen just laughed and responded, “I’m gonna squeeze the candy out of ya!”
From Jack’s students to the trio of hilarious teachers, A.P. Bio has a true embarrassment of riches in the talent department. In Season 1, Helen was often an ancillary character, but in Season 2, the series makes a concerted effort to insert Pell’s enchanting brand of comedy into the mix.
More Paula Pell is never a bad thing.
A.P. Bio Knows How To Balance The Sweet And Sour
Last season’s finale ended Jack’s vendetta against his arch-nemesis Miles, so while the revenge-fueled fury is slightly subdued in Season 2 it’s not exactly extinguished. Vengeance still drives much of the action, but now the target of Jack’s wrath is spread around the greater Toledo area.
The reluctant teacher still wants to leave Toledo, but he finds himself ever so slowly becoming part of the community. No actor portrays curmudgeonly annoyance with more aplomb than Glenn Howerton, but Jack’s edges are slightly dulled as his relationships with Principal Durbin, his co-workers, and his students evolve. It’s the same acerbic tone you loved in Season 1 but with a new layer of emotional depth.
A.P. Bio remains one of the flat-out funniest shows on television. If you loved the first round, you’ll enjoy Season 2.
A.P. Bio returns for Season 2 tonight (March 7) at 8:30 p.m. ET. New episodes will be added to Hulu the morning after they air on NBC.
