Podcast Summary – All Of It (WNYC)

Episode: A New Comedy Pokes Fun at English Teachers

Air Date: August 29, 2024
Host: Kusha Navadar (filling in for Alison Stewart)
Guests: Brian Jordan Alvarez (creator/star, "English Teacher"), Stephanie Koenig (actor/writer/story editor)

Overview

This episode centers on the new FX sitcom English Teacher, a sharp, witty look at the realities of being a modern high school teacher. The series is lauded for its outrageous humor and for taking on social and cultural topics such as identity, community, and the contemporary high school experience. Host Kusha Navadar explores with creators Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig how the show came to be, the creative process behind it, and how it connects with real-life teaching and digital culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Making and Tone of "English Teacher"

• Sitcom as Graduation (03:32)

  • Discussion about the surreal feeling of the show moving from idea to reality.
  • Brian likens press and the show’s launch to "graduating to the next level" in his career.
  • “We are graduating in a way to the next level of, you know, amazing things to come.” — Brian (03:55)

• Collaboration with Paul Sims (06:12)

  • Brian credits Paul Sims (producer of "Newsradio," "Atlanta," "What We Do in the Shadows") with helping him break into TV creation.
  • School setting chosen for its mix of personalities and inherent clashes of perspectives.
  • Brian draws from his upbringing in Tennessee and time in Austin for show inspiration.
  • “A school is a good environment where people from every part of life are forced to interact.” — Brian (06:49)

• Long Road to Success (09:06)

  • Stephanie and Brian reflect on development obstacles, including failed pilots and years of persistence.
  • “Naomi Watts calls herself a 20 years in the business overnight success, you know.” — Brian (09:40)

Tackling Complex Topics with Humor

• Handling Sensitive Social Issues (10:51)

  • Stephanie discusses writing an episode about gender roles and safety for female students, inspired by real conversations from the writers' room and viral TikTok self-defense videos.
  • The writers deliberately sought to upend expectations and surprise viewers.
  • “It continually takes these left turns…you think somebody’s gonna be against something and it’s somebody else.” — Stephanie (11:01)
  • Stephanie’s own experience with "powderpuff" football in high school influenced her episode.

• Capturing the High School Vibe (13:04)

  • Brian cites his “terminally online” sensibility and use of TikTok stars to keep the show current.
  • Writers kept the dialogue fresh with help from younger cast members and online references.
  • Fun example: a line about a student dying for three minutes and going to hell, improvised by writer Jake Bender.
  • “They’re teaching us little things about how to talk... we’re learning as we go.” — Brian (15:03)

The Student Perspective

• Student-Centric Writing (16:20)
  • A clip from the show illustrates students’ irreverent, layered, and at times clueless approach to identity and politics (“That’s not Hispanic. Hispanic means Mexican.”).
  • Stephanie based many student quirks on anecdotes from friends currently teaching high school.
  • “They have these Chromebooks that they kind of treat like garbage…” — Stephanie (17:19)

From Digital Comedy to Television

• Characters Across Platforms (18:51)

  • Brian describes the continuity in his approach to character, whether for social media or television.
  • The process relies on observation, both online and in-person, and a knack for channeling multiple voices.
  • “It’s kind of the same thing...I’ve always been keenly observing people and parroting their energy back.” — Brian (19:19)

• “At Eye Level” Intimacy (21:03)

  • Stephanie and Brian credit their digital presence for fostering a sense of intimacy and personal connection that translates into the show.
  • “It feels very personal…not up on some…[pedestal], at eye level.” — Stephanie (21:05)

Building Community, On and Off Screen

• Community as Success (21:34)

  • Brian reflects on building a following “brick by brick,” valuing the sense of togetherness both in audience and on set.
  • “You’re building the house brick by brick…community is everything because that’s what brought the show together.” — Brian (21:55)
  • Stephanie describes heartfelt encounters with fans and how their unique style attracts a specific, engaged audience.

• Art Imitating Life: Creative Partnerships (23:58)

  • The offscreen friendship and writing partnership between Brian and Stephanie directly informs the genuine supportiveness seen on screen between their characters, Evan and Gwen.
  • “He’s my favorite person. I love making him laugh on, off, off camera. So…couldn’t have been [better].” — Stephanie (24:25)
  • “Getting to spend time with her in any way is one of the great privileges of my lifetime.” — Brian (25:06)

Literary Easter Eggs & Tone

• Book Choices as Character Texture (25:19)
  • Discussions about the selection of books featured in the show—such as Song of Achilles and The Outsiders—as subtle nods to the characters (and the creators’ own favorites).
  • Personal anecdotes shared about being emotionally destroyed by Song of Achilles and trading book recommendations.
  • “Song of Achilles is amazing…weeping in the streets for weeks after.” — Brian (25:49)

Navigating Tough, Topical Humor

• Balancing Sensitivity and Comedy (26:43)
  • Stephanie and Brian stress their care in tackling every episode’s subject matter, aiming for empathy and inclusiveness.
  • “Every topic was treated with care.” — Stephanie (27:18)
  • “We hope to have…empathy, and we hope it’s a welcoming show…the show’s not mad at you.” — Brian (27:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Breaking In:
  “You want for Yoda to come down from the sky and say ‘I will hide’... this guy spoke to me in a way that was real.” — Brian Jordan Alvarez, on mentorship (08:08)
• On “The Vibe” of High School:
  “I think for me, at least personally, it’s more about how I’m terminally online…what people are fighting about, you know, what people are agreeing on.” — Brian (13:04)
• On Writing Partnership:
  “Writing together, working together, it feels the same as hanging out.” — Stephanie (24:25)
• On Community:
  “Community is everything because that’s what brought the show together.” — Brian (21:55)
• On Show’s Message:
  “We hope that the show has empathy... it’s a show for everyone. The show’s not mad at you.” — Brian (27:24)

Timed Highlights

• 00:49 — Introduction to the show and overview of the FX sitcom "English Teacher"
• 02:43 — Brian and Stephanie join, sharing excitement about launching the show
• 03:32 — Discussion of the show as a "graduation" and next career chapter
• 06:12 — Why high school is the perfect sitcom setting; influences from real life
• 09:06 — The patience and persistence behind bringing the show to TV
• 10:51 — Stephanie on writing the “powderpuff” episode and approach to sensitive topics
• 13:04 — Strategies for nailing the high school vibe; influence of “internet culture”
• 16:20 — Excerpt from the pilot illustrating student dynamics and humor
• 17:10 — Stephanie on using stories from real teachers for authenticity
• 18:51 — Transition from digital character work to sitcom acting
• 21:03 — Discussion on the “at eye level” tone and building community
• 23:58 — How writing together feeds on-screen chemistry
• 25:19 — Picking the right books for characters; literature as Easter eggs
• 26:43 — On treating thorny topics with “care and empathy”

Final Thoughts

This discussion offers a rare, entertaining deep dive behind-the-scenes of "English Teacher": its creative genesis, comedic tone, and cultural relevance. Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig reveal how years of digital collaboration, lived experience, and a deep commitment to sincerity and humor enabled them to create a sitcom that is both topical and laugh-out-loud funny. Their warmth and authenticity shine through—mirroring the very spirit of their show.

English Teacher premieres September 2, 10pm on FX, also streaming on Hulu.