Podcast Summary

Podcast: Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
Episode: EMMY NOMINEE: Sheryl Lee Ralph on the Rise of “Abbott Elementary” and Her Career Renaissance
Air Date: February 2024
Host: Willie Geist
Guest: Sheryl Lee Ralph

Episode Overview

This episode features the Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, celebrated for her role as Barbara Howard on the acclaimed series “Abbott Elementary.” Willie Geist and Ralph journey through her extraordinary 40-year career, from groundbreaking Broadway moments to her current status as a cultural icon and advocate. The conversation centers around the transformative impact of “Abbott Elementary,” the deep gratitude Ralph holds for her late-blooming success, the teachers and experiences that molded her, and her hard-fought path through adversity and renewal in Hollywood. The discussion is candid, heartfelt, and often inspirational, spotlighting both cultural and personal themes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Memories of Broadway and Early Career (03:02–05:05)

• The 1980s New York Theatre Scene: Ralph reminisces about tough times on 42nd Street (“What a hellhole 42nd street used to be”—03:27), the struggles even as a star to get home (“Even the star of Dreamgirls… couldn’t get a cab”—04:33), and her gratitude for small kindnesses.
• Rising From Broadway: Originating Dina Jones in “Dreamgirls” and the demanding schedule (“You would get out about quarter to 11, which was very late”—03:04).

2. The Phenomenon of "Abbott Elementary" (05:05–11:21)

• Cultural Resonance: Ralph recognizes Abbott’s positive impact and ability to spotlight the challenges and nobility of educators.
  • “To be a part of a show that can actually shine a much needed light on education in America… I think to myself, does it get much better than this?” (05:05)
• Late-Career Triumph: She discusses the irony of being seen as an “overnight” sensation after decades of work.
  • “It took me 40 years to become an overnight sensation. It's crazy, but I love it.” (06:44)
• Role Selection: Quinta Brunson’s vision for her as Barbara Howard and not the principal role.
  • “Deal breaker. Absolutely not—Barbara Howard or nothing.” (07:56)
• Influences: Embodies traits from the many teachers in her life; shares stories of Ms. Iris Whitaker (Jamaica), Louise Bennett (Jamaica), her Auntie Carolyn, her father (music teacher and professor), and others (09:44–11:18).
  • “You only have a few seconds in the world, and the world is going to decide who you are. Make sure you know who you are first.” (Ms. Whittaker, 09:49)

3. The State of Education in America (11:52–16:09)

• Advocacy for Teachers: Passionately addresses the undervaluing of teachers—poor compensation, lack of parental involvement, and broader systemic challenges.
  • “To be a teacher is to have a passion for learning… Why we don't give those people the tools that they really deserve… I don't understand.” (11:52)
• Call to Action: Urges for more respect, funding, and parent engagement in education.
• Personal Connection: Asserts she’ll never run for office, supporting her politician husband’s public service instead (15:11).

4. Authenticity and Writers' Room at Abbott (17:17–19:18)

• Teachers’ Reactions: Teachers express gratitude and amazement at the show’s authenticity.
  • “How do you know that this is really what's going on? It's like, you all are so right on. It's like you're listening to us in our classrooms.” (17:31)
• Writing Excellence: Praises Quinta Brunson’s vision and the writers’ room’s diversity and pulse on real classroom experiences.
  • “She’s conducting. This whole show is like a symphony. The Quinta Symphony.” (18:49)
• Saving TV: Ralph credits the show with revitalizing the network comedy format.
  • “Abbott Elementary is literally saving the American comedy on tv. In fact, I’m going to say this—Abbott Elementary is saving tv.” (19:24)

5. Emmy Night: A Historic, Emotional Victory (20:46–25:44)

• Unscripted Triumph: Shock and emotional overwhelm at her Emmy win.
  • “I couldn’t get my brain to tell my legs to move… Quinta’s voice said, ‘Get up. It’s you.’” (21:11)
• Song Choice: Spontaneously sang “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves, an anthem of self-affirmation.
  • “I am an endangered species. I’m a woman, I’m an artist, and I know where my voice belongs.” (21:40)
• Overnight Sensation: Candid about not expecting the win after decades of work—never having even been invited to the Emmys before.
  • “The first time I’m invited, I win… this is show biz at its best.” (22:44)
• Extending the Moment: On holding the Emmy reign through the strike (“16 months. Enjoy every one of them.” 24:18).

6. Early Lessons, Gratitude, and Perspective (25:44–34:10)

• Work Ethic and Earning Success: Growing up as a “Girl Scout” and earning her accolades the hard way.
  • “And when I held that [Emmy] trophy up, it's heavy. And I was like, I earned this. Yeah, I did this. Yes, I did.” (25:44)
• First Stage Experiences: Sings “O Holy Night” during a school concert; remembers the allure of applause and the formative effect of encouraging teachers (26:41).
• Educational Detours: Family encouragement to pursue law or medicine; her comical distaste for dissection and nearly taking Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s class at Rutgers.
  • “Can you believe it? I think I walked out on the future Supreme Court Justice.” (29:32)
• Acceleration: Graduated college at 19, leveraging early acting opportunities and a commercial that funded her start.
• Gratitude Rituals: Keeps Skippy Peanut Butter to remember her breakthrough commercial (32:47).
• Appreciation for Life: Touching story of a friend’s illness as a backdrop to an ethic of daily gratitude (33:01).

7. Career Milestones, Dreamgirls, and Hard Realities (35:25–40:43)

• From Under-Fives to Broadway: The grind from minor TV roles to “Dreamgirls” leading lady.
  • “My line on The Jeffersons was, ‘Mr. Jefferson, don’t forget your wife’s birthday.’” (35:46)
• The Toll and Rewards of Stage Work: Over 1,200 performances, burnout, and transitioning back to TV (“V” series).
• Human Toll of the AIDS Crisis: The devastation of losing friends and witnessing cruelty during the early 1980s AIDS epidemic.
  • “You would sing and dance with somebody, then they’d be fighting for their life the next day… That, for me, was devastating to see how people could treat other people.” (39:26)

8. Persistent Advocacy and Social Insights (41:01–43:55)

• Lifelong Advocacy: Importance of love, empathy, and learning over hate.
  • “Only somebody who carries around some kind of hate for themselves can hate on other people.” (41:01)
• The Twin of Love and Hate: Insightful thoughts on self-acceptance, the roots of bias, and the healing power of education.
  • “Education is an amazing thing. It can heal so many wounds. Ignorance will make you do some crazy things.” (42:17)

9. Perseverance and Reflection: The Climb (44:00–47:53)

• Climbing the Mountain: Acknowledges a rocky road, resilience in the face of rejection, and the “ladders being pulled up.”
  • “When you hear them say, I came up the rough side of the mountain—it was not a crystal stair, baby.” (45:08)
  • “I have to thank them for pulling up the ladder. If they did not pull up the ladder, I would not continue to climb.” (45:31)
• Legacy: Now intent on producing, writing, and raising standards for future generations.
  • “You put the best people together to do the job… I want to tell the untold stories. There’s still so many of them out there.” (46:51)
  • Wants her children to “continue the legacy” and be proud to invoke her name.

10. Looking Forward, Mortality, and End-of-Life Wisdom (47:53–50:12)

• Walk of Fame Legacy: Playfully suggests her family should “put a little hole” in her star when she passes.
• End-of-Life Planning: Advocates for practical wisdom, “plan for a great end” (48:18), “get a will, get a trust”—echoing her commitment to transparency and responsibility in all of life’s chapters.
• Openness with Family: Encourages honest conversations about difficult topics (sex, life planning) with children rather than leaving them to the internet.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It took me 40 years to become an overnight sensation. It's crazy, but I love it.” — Sheryl Lee Ralph (06:44)
• “Abbott Elementary is literally saving the American comedy on tv.” — Sheryl Lee Ralph (19:24)
• “I am an endangered species. I’m a woman, I’m an artist, and I know where my voice belongs.” — Sheryl Lee Ralph (21:40, quoting her Emmy song)
• “When you hear them say I came up the rough side of the mountain—it was not a crystal stair, baby.” — Sheryl Lee Ralph (45:08)
• “Gratitude is important. What is it? Gratitude is a must.” — Sheryl Lee Ralph (33:43)
• “Only somebody who carries around some kind of hate for themselves can hate on other people.” — Sheryl Lee Ralph (41:01)

Key Timestamps

• 03:02 – Memories of Broadway, New York in the ’80s
• 05:05 – Being cast in “Abbott Elementary,” show’s impact
• 06:44 – 40-year “overnight” success
• 11:52 – Advocacy for teachers, state of education
• 17:31 – Teachers’ reactions to Abbott’s authenticity
• 19:24 – The show’s role in “saving TV”
• 21:11 – Emmy Night; emotional speech and spontaneous singing
• 25:44 – Girl Scout roots and “earning” her success
• 26:41 – First experiences with applause; realizing a love for performing
• 29:32 – (Nearly) walking out on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s class
• 35:46 – Starting with under-five roles on TV
• 39:26 – The human toll of the AIDS crisis and social justice
• 41:01 – The connection between hate and self-love
• 45:08 – The “rough side” of her career mountain
• 46:51 – Future goals: producing, storytelling, legacy
• 48:18 – End-of-life and legacy planning wisdom
• 50:12 – Affirmation of gratitude, closing thoughts

Tone and Takeaways

Sheryl Lee Ralph’s journey is one of perseverance, gratitude, and advocacy—each topic approached with warmth, humor, candor, and intellect. The tone is reflective and uplifting, filled with anecdotes that mix show business glitz with authentic, hard-won wisdom. Willie Geist gently guides Ralph through stories both joyful and difficult, resulting in a conversation rich in personal history, socio-cultural insight, and inspiration for anyone striving toward their dreams.