Abbott Elementary Fans Agree, This Is the Most Disturbing Character on the Show
He seems so shallow and unreal that it creeps people out.
Summary
- Most of Abbott's characters are extremely likable, but this one is universally hated.
- His constant smile and unnaturally calm demeanor give him a serial killer vibe.
- People don't like the character because he seems so phony.
Since its release in 2021, Abbott Elementary has been the source of joy for millions of viewers around the world. The ABC mockumentary, which follows the professional and everyday lives of the staff at the titular school, immediately caught on with audiences and has become one of the most popular sitcoms on television today. As a result, AE has spanned three seasons, with the third currently airing, and has won three Emmys out of fifteen nominations.
Of course, there are many reasons for the show's popularity. But first and foremost, Abbott Elementary is beloved by viewers for its charismatic characters and hilarious comedy based on real life. Remarkably, even the shady characters like Principal Ava are genuinely likable. But Season 3 has brought forth a man that the audience simply cannot digest.
Creepily Chipper
Season 3 began with a sudden change – the show's central character, Ms. Janine Teagues, left Abbott, albeit temporarily, to take an internship with the school district after a group of their representatives visited the title school and noticed her enthusiasm. The leader of the group, Manny, portrayed by Josh Segarra, had an overwhelming effect on the audience, as his exuberance and constant smile gave viewers the creeps.
Although he seems well-meaning and deeply interested in his work, there's something about Manny that makes people uneasy and makes him seem somewhat dangerous. Perhaps it's his cheerful demeanor, which comes across as fake, that makes Abbott's fans recoil. Or maybe it's his blind, fanatical zeal for positive change that unsettles audiences.
The Manny Effect
Most importantly, Manny reminds viewers of someone they know in real life, someone so annoyingly positive, delusional, and possibly fake that they have a visceral reaction to him.
'He looks like every young positive building admin that sweeps in and promises the awesomest new technology, only to find out that there's only one charger or they didn't install the software that comes with the Smartboard. And that guy, as good as his intentions are, his primary intention is to move up,' one Redditor observed.
But it's probably his blind enthusiasm that disturbs people the most, as they realize, like Abbott's teachers, that most of his words are just sweet talk with no consequences or real impact.
'He is shady for a reason because the people actually doing the work know the amount of change he wants to make isn't feasible without changes by the people above him and a lot of time and he isn't exactly trying to convince the higher ups,' another Reddit user chimed in.
Perhaps, we'll learn more about Manny when Episode 9 premieres on April 10.
Source: Reddit.