Leave it to Abbott Elementary to make us a casting offer we couldn’t refuse. The Philadelphia-set comedy from Quinta Brunson has become a beloved ABC sitcom, so it’s no surprise that the series is continuing to bust out the most impressive guest star names for its current season. Like Godfather patriarch Vito Corleone’s youngest daughter Connie, and Adrian from Rocky herself, Talia Shire.

The Academy Award-winning actress beat out the desperate pleas of Bette Midler to play the matriarchal role of Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter)’s mother during an upcoming episode of the Emmy Award-winning series.

Airing on December 4, the seventh episode of the season — titled “Winter Break” — will focus on Walter’s character, Melissa, as she, the logline reads:

“hosts the Schemmenti family Christmas Eve dinner and goes to great lengths to make sure everything is perfect. Meanwhile, Janine and Gregory get an unexpected guest.”

‘Abbott Elementary’ Already Has An Impressive Guest Star Track Record
Given how gruff, no-nonsense, and extremely Italian Melissa Schemmenti is, it feels safe to assume that her mother will be an even more out-sized version of a no-nonsense Italian mother from Philadelphia. The network even published a photo of the two to the ABC press site (as seen above).

The series has an already-impressive history of attracting some of the biggest names to play in its metaphorical sandbox. Famous actors like Bradley Cooper, Taraji P. Henson, Ayo Edebiri, Mike O’Malley, Tatiana Ali, Questlove, Lana Condor, Kevin Hart, Leslie Odom Jr., Orlando Jones, and Keegan-Michael Key have all hopped into several episodes. Even local sports superstars have joined the fray as well, like Travis Kelce, Jalen Hurts, Brandon Graham, and the people’s hero, Gritty. There’s even a rumor of an epic crossover event with the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Related Abbott Elementary Announces ‘Television Changing’ Season 4 Crossover With Another Show Abbott Elementary Season 4 is teasing a big crossover episode, one that will reportedly change television.

Of course, we can’t help but be a little bit surprised that Brunson and Co. didn’t jump at the chance to cast self-professed super-fan Bette Midler in the role. The Hocus Pocus multi-hyphenate star of stage and screen posted on X (the website formally and forever known as Twitter in our hearts and minds) earlier this year saying that she’d like to join the cast as Melissa’ mother.

“Since I’m now using this website to pitch myself on TV shows,” she wrote in a now-deleted tweet (because Midler deleted her account on the social networking site). “I would also like to play Melissa Schemmenti’s mother on Abbott Elementary. If you see Quinta Brunson, please tell her.”

Several weeks later, Brunson herself responded to the request in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, saying that she was “so honored that [Midler] wants to be on my show. It’s one of those surreal, pinch yourself moments that thee Bette Midler wants to be on the show. I’m just beyond honored.”

“She was an icon — is an icon still,” Walter added. “She’s a really good actress. She’s not just like a balls out, you know, broad — which, she’s that too, which I think so is Melissa. She’s also, she’s a really talented, nuanced actress.”

No doubt Shire will do a fantastic job in the role, but we’re hopeful that Midler will one day also join the fold — perhaps as a fun aunt to Melissa/sister to her mother? We all know the Schemmenti’s are a family people, after all.

Release Date December 21, 2021 Studio Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions, Non Sequitur Productions, 20th Television