After watching the very first episode of ABC's comedy, "Abbott Elementary," I knew immediately this show would be an enormous hit.

"Abbott Elementary" is one of the funniest sitcoms around. It cleaned up with multiple Emmy Awards, Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes.

Quinta Brunson created the show and stars in it alongside an incredibly talented cast that includes Tyler James Williams (Gregory Eddie), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard), Janelle James (Ava Coleman), William Stanford Davis (Mr. Johnson), Lisa Ann Walter (Melissa Schemmenti), and Lisa Ann Walter (Melissa Schemmenti) and Chris Perfetti (Jacob Hill).

"Abbott Elementary" fans can rejoice now because school is finally back in session. The third season of the workplace comedy, premieres Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on ABC.

The show centers around an eclectic group of teachers at the fictional, predominantly Black Philadelphia public school (Willard R. Abbott Elementary) and their nutty principal (Coleman). Despite challenges, they all work diligently to bring out the best in the students.

Last season left several unanswered questions. This one-hour premiere should set the stage of what may play out between Janine and Gregory. Will they finally hook up? Inquiring minds also want to know just what other things Mr. Johnson the custodian has been keeping under wraps.

I can't wait to see what Brunson and company have up their sleeves this season. She's been on a whirlwind promotional tour for the show. During one of her interviews, Brunson stated that audiences will be in for some big surprises and to "expect the unexpected."

Well, I'm all in and definitely won't be late for class.

Be sure to catch the hour-long premiere of "Abbott Elementary" Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on ABC and on Hulu+ Live TV, or you can stream episodes on Hulu the following day.

OTHER TV NEWS:

"SHIFTING GEARS," A NEW, ORIGINAL MOVIE DEBUTS MARCH 23, ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Romance revs up when former flames face-off in an auto restoration competition when Tyler Hynes ("Never Been Chris'd," "Three Wise Men and a Baby") and Katherine Barrell ("Everything Christmas," "Good Witch") star in "Shifting Gears," a new, original movie premiering March 23 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on the Hallmark Channel as part of the network's annual Spring into Love programming event.

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe ("Signed, Sealed, Delivered") makes her directorial debut as the first participant in Hallmark's Make Her Mark Women's Directing Program. The announcement was recently made during Hallmark Media's session at the Winter 2024 Television Critics Association press tour.

"Shifting Gears marks a milestone in our storytelling evolution. This fresh, captivating film reflects the energy and excitement of its director, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, and I am proud that this story is the first lifecycle of our Make Her Mark program," said Lisa Hamilton Daly, executive vice president, programming, at Hallmark Media.

"Yan-Kay Crystal's drive, intelligence, and willingness to always learn more made her the perfect fit to launch Make Her Mark. The beauty of this program is that we have created a training ground for women to learn and then showcase their skills. They really earn their seat in the director's chair," said Ashley Williams, founder of Hallmark's Make Her Mark Women's Directing Program. Continued Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, "I'm so grateful that Hallmark granted me the opportunity to bring my creative vision to the screen and make my directorial debut with Shifting Gears."

MORE ON "SHIFTING GEARS"

Motor City mechanic Jess Barro (Barrell) and her father Ray (James Burke, "Plan B") run their family-owned automotive garage but money's getting tight thanks to competition from a big auto repair shop chain in town. Her passion is auto restoration and when Jess gets the chance to compete on an auto restoration show, she reluctantly agrees as the prize money would go a long way toward keeping their shop afloat.

She's shocked to discover one of the competitors is Luke (Hynes), her ex-boyfriend and the son of her dad's former business partner who cut him out, leading Jess to break things off with Luke. The show's participants face off in a series of increasingly difficult challenges to showcase their personal style leading to the final round of repainting a classic car.

As the competition revs up, Jess and Luke's personal rivalry becomes a big hit with the audience and producers alike. After a few misfires, they work through their former relationship and start to bond again over their shared love of classic cars. As they speed toward the finish line, Luke has a disastrous painting mishap that threatens to ruin Jess' chances of winning. And when she learns his dad plans to buy her family's garage, she suspects the painting disaster was sabotage rather than an accident. Will their relationship break down again and be beyond repair, or will they be able to restore it and jump start their romance once again?

ABOUT MAKE HER MARK WOMEN'S DIRECTING PROGRAM:

Make Her Mark Women's Directing Program is an on-the-job mentorship initiative designed to advance Hallmark's commitment to inclusive storytelling by supporting and increasing representation of women behind the camera.

The program was conceived and founded by long-time Hallmark Media on- and off-air talent and creative partner, Ashley Williams ("Notes of Autumn", "Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday"), in collaboration with Hallmark Media executives.

"Shifting Gears" is from Muse Entertainment. Joel S. Rice, Aren Prupas, Jonas Prupas, Jessica Harmon and Linda-Lisa Hayter are executive producers. Michael Barbuto is supervising producer.

Jeff Aghassi is consulting producer. The movie is produced by Shane Boucher and Caitlin Delaney. Lowe directed from a script by Matt Marx.

Editor's Note: Information used in this report obtained from ABC TV and the Hallmark Channel.