Abbott Elementary S01e03 Bd9 Jun 2026

She marches to Principal Ava Coleman’s (Janelle James) office, determined. Inside, Ava is reclining in her chair, eating takis out of a dog bowl while watching herself on a ring camera she installed in the teachers’ lounge.

“That’s a bribe. That’s unethical.” abbott elementary s01e03 bd9

Cut to: Janine filming a shaky vertical video on her phone. Behind her, Ava has staged a fake “leaky ceiling” with a garden hose and a mop bucket. Jacob (Chris Perfetti) stands in the background, holding a cue card that reads: “CRY ON CUE.” She marches to Principal Ava Coleman’s (Janelle James)

Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) initially refuses to participate, preferring to rely on her own resources rather than "begging" online. However, Janine, noticing Barbara is down to her last tissue, asks Ava to secretly make a video for Barbara. That’s unethical

Ava’s video for Barbara is described by Janine as "grossly manipulative and exploitative". It uses exaggerated emotional tactics—often referred to as "tragedy porn"—to solicit donations, leading to a surplus of packages that leave Barbara feeling insulted rather than supported.

Janine refuses to fake cry. So Ava pivots.