Gilles Mingasson/ABC
Abbott Elementary fans are always quick to notice a small detail. The show is great at throwing in Easter eggs: For example, the framed photo of Ava (Janelle James) and Gritty with Janine photoshopped out that harkened back to the season premiere. But Wednesday’s episode threw us in the time machine for one big, glorious callback.
Before she entered the Abbott Elementary hall of fame, Lisa Ann Walter (who plays wise-cracking, tough teacher Melissa Schemmenti in the series) was beloved for her role as Chessy in Nancy Meyers’ adaptation of The Parent Trap. Not only did we get to see Walter back in her Chessy gear in this week’s episode, “The Principal’s Office,” but we got a whole Parent Trap-themed half hour.
We got to peek behind the curtain at Melissa’s house, with furniture wrapped in plastic covering and brimming with family photos—exactly what you’d expect from the no-nonsense Philly native. In a risky move, she invites Janine and Jacob (Chris Perfetti) over to cook, teaching them the Schemmenti family classics: gnocchi, spaghetti with tomato sauce, all the good Italian staples