Quinta Brunson Tells Oprah Why She’s Glad “Abbott Elementary” Lost an Emmy

By all accounts, Quinta Brunson was a winner at this year's Emmy Awards. She was nominated for three awards for her work on Abbot Elementary, and while Brunson took home the win for Best Comedy Writing, there was one prize she was happy to lose that evening. At least, that’s what she told Oprah in our exclusive sneak peek from their upcoming OWN interview, which airs on Saturday, November 26.

The two sat down together to discuss Brunson’s runaway success with Abbott Elementary, the sitcom that has stolen the hearts of millions of viewers since its first season aired in late 2021. Now well into its second season, Abbott Elementary has become a mainstay in ABC’s lineup—especially after the series was nominated for several Emmy Awards. Even with Brunson's Emmy win and her costar Sheryl Lee Ralph’s award for Best Supporting Actress—complete with a stunning musical speech—the show didn’t win best comedy series. Turns out, though, Brunson isn’t letting that loss get to her.

“I don’t like a lot of expectations,” she tells Oprah in their upcoming interview. “For the second season, I didn’t want people to come into Abbott, like, expecting prestige.” Brunson likened the series to a toddler who’s still learning the ropes. “We’re trying things; we’re figuring out our voice.”

For Brunson, losing the Emmy means she can keep working on improving the show. “I want to have room to grow, and I feel like winning would’ve snatched a little bit of [that],” she tells Oprah in the interview.

As no stranger to award ceremonies herself, Oprah connected with what Brunson said. The two couldn’t help agreeing that a win for Abbott Elementary would’ve been fun—but they both know that there’s even more value in climbing the ladder. “I love to be the underdog,” Brunson says in the conversation, to which Oprah replies: “I love being underestimated.”

Oprah finishes by telling Brunson: “Now you have people rooting.”

To watch the rest of Brunson’s conversation with Oprah, tune into OWN on Saturday, November 26, at 9 p.m. ET. The interview will also be available on HBO Max and Discovery+ the following day.

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