Janelle James Recognizes Ava’s “Hustle” On ‘Abbott Elementary’ [Interview]

How different was it coming back for season two, knowing the show was such a success? Did you feel more confident?

I know me myself, I definitely felt more confident. Not only because of the accolades and the reception. Just me, myself as an actress and comfortable just being on set with these people. And also, we were a mid-season pickup, so our second season, it’s almost like we didn’t take a break. We were right back on set for it like a month later it felt like. So yeah, it didn’t even truly feel like a break. But I know for season two, me, myself, I was more comfortable acting, in my choices, in my movement and just knowing what I’m doing. I don’t know if you’ve ever read this, but I mean, I think it took about six weeks before I knew what my mark was. I had no idea. I was just standing where I thought I should, you know what I mean? And it was working out. And then one day I saw everybody go into their colors and I was like, oh, is this supposed to be for us? Nobody told me, they assumed that I knew. So yeah, in second season I knew my mark.

But hey, you were an Emmy nominee before you knew your mark.

Hey. Exactly. So, sometimes free styling is the way.

I know you hosted the WGA Awards and I only saw video clips from people I know were there, they said you totally killed it.

Oh, the whole set is on YouTube if you’d like to see, but, yes.

Did you get to talk to Mike White as you hoped?

I did.

Would you host something else? If the Independent Spirit Awards called, would you consider? Did you enjoy that enough to do it again?

Yeah. That was cool. I mean, the reason I say yes to things like that is to see if I enjoy it, basically. And I did, it was fun. I loved speaking from my own voice. I wrote most of what I said myself, so I just felt like I was representing myself, I love that. And yeah, I’d love to host the Golden Globes. That seems fun, everyone’s drunk and seems like my scene. I’d host the Emmys. Yeah, all that. Yeah, sure. What that money do, Gregory? I don’t know.

Well, I mean, he Globes pay well, clearly based on what [Jerrod Carmichael] said…

Yeah. So yeah, sure. Yeah, definitely. And I was going to say also, easily forgotten, but I hosted a game show over the summer.

Oh. Right. Duh.

And again, something I said yes to because I had never done it before, loved that and that led to me hosting the WGA Awards. Everything I do leads to something, releases a new skill and leads to something else that I do and sets me up for success for the next thing that I do. So yeah, I would love to.

You had a long career as a standup before you got “Abbott” and before you were actually getting writing gigs.

Yeah, yeah.

I always hear comedians who are actors talk about how much they miss stand-up. Is it one of those things whereif you are spending a couple months working on “Abbott,” you miss going out on stage?

Yeah, stand-ups are nuts. [Laughs.] There’s many multimillionaire, zillionaire comedians who do not have to be at the Chuckle Hut and still show up. So it’s a sickness. And so, yeah, that is definitely a thing. And I didn’t even pull my mark up fully before I was back on the road, so yeah, definitely. And I think that’s also one of those things where whatever you’re doing, you miss the other thing. We’re childish like that.

Now that you’ve been on “Abbott” has the audience changed that are coming to your shows?

Oh, definitely. Sure. I always say people who would’ve never come across me as a standup are now in the audience. And that’s great. Any opportunity to grow my standup crowd and to allow people to also be fans of Janelle James is cool. And yeah, it allows me some separation from the character as well. So that’s something that a lot of actors don’t have, and I feel lucky to be able to do that and show that I’m funny in all kind of ways.

Do you have a goal for what you want to do next? A movie? A dramatic series?

I don’t. I would love to host a big thing that that’s something that is a new goal because I did the WGA thing. But I don’t have like, “Hey, this is where I want to go next.” And I’ve always been like the opportunity comes and then if it feels good, then I’ll take it. But I’m not hustle culture. I’m not, “When’s my next job?” I’m trying to enjoy what I’m in right now, which is two great things. I get to tour, I get to sell out whole weekends, which is something I never got to do as a standup before this show. And then I get to be on a hit sitcom. What more do I…? You know what I mean? I’m not already thinking to what’s next. I’m trying to enjoy what I’m doing right now.

You’ve done so much stand-up, but do you even get nervous going on stage?

All the time. Yeah, definitely. Probably every time a little bit. Different levels of it, different levels of nervousness, depending on what it is. I never want to disappoint people. I’m an adult, I have an adult audience. I know that means babysitters and getting dressed and leaving your house. People have whole theater movie rooms in their house now. It’s hard to get people to get dressed and leave their house. So if you’re going to do that for me and spend money to see me, yeah, I’m definitely not nervous in my performance, but I always want to give a good show. I really do.

Yeah. And I’m guessing, and I hope it doesn’t happen, but if SAG strikes, but I guess you’re going to go more on the road this summer? People should expect to see you out there?

Yeah. I mean, I’m also a member of the WGA as well, so, yeah. Probably.

Well, I hope it ends sooner rather than later.

I think we all do.

Also, a lot of people don’t know this, but you were one of the writers on the Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz and, of course, Mel Brooks produced “History of the World, Part II.” What do you remember most about that project?

I remember most about that room is Mel Brooks popping up on the screen one day. And I was just like, “Holy shit.” That’s what I took away from that experience most is that I got to talk to Mel Brooks, that he actually read my sketches and was giving notes and very sharp and still funny. And it made me so happy to see him.

People aren’t that aware of it, but “History” was actually a nice little hit for Hulu. Was there one sketch in particular or one segment that you contributed to that you’re like, “That’s me right there?”

You know what, I didn’t watch it yet.

O.K. [Laughs.]

So I don’t really know what they kept. Let me think. God, that seems like so long ago…

It was. You all wrote it during the pandemic.

Cause you’re saying Zoom rooms, that mean we weren’t even allowed to be together at that point. And my brain from that whole period is wow. Gosh, what’s a sketch? That I don’t remember. Because I also remember I was supposed to be in it, and I couldn’t because I was shooting the first season of “Abbott.” So, I couldn’t get the schedule around to even be a part of it.

Well, if you do watch it, I hope you do find the time…

Don’t tell Nick! Don’t tell Nick!

Because if you get an Emmy nomination for it, you might need to…

Oh that’d be amazing. That would be amazing.

“Abbott Elementary” season two is available on Hulu.