English Teacher "Pilot"/"Powderpuff" Series Premiere

The latest FX series might remind you of familiar teacher—and school-related sitcoms, but this one has a fresh twist! Here's my review.

FX's English Teacher has a unique perspective, focusing on a single high school teacher as he navigates learning and teaching about today's world. The series features Brian Jordan Alvarez, who also created it, as Even Marquez, an English teacher who faces an investigation in the pilot episode after a parent raises concerns about him kissing his colleague and boyfriend at school in front of students. While composing an apology, Marquez struggles to find the right words, only to discover that the investigation has been dropped after gym teacher Markie Hillridge, played by Sean Patton, spoke with the parent. 

In the second episode of Powderpuff, Marquez deals with the school's refusal to allow the football team to dress up like cheerleaders and perform during girls' flag football. After talking to his book club students about the issue, Marquez brings in a friend and teaches the football players how to represent drag. 

After enjoying the first two episodes, I think Patton's character is truly one of the standout supporting characters in the series. He expresses his views with such refreshing honesty! In the second episode, he even steps in to help teacher Gwen Sanders (played by Stephanie Koenig) show the girls how to play football, taking it from a basic game to an exciting flag football extreme survival challenge.

While we've seen some great teacher/school-related sitcoms in the past, like AP Bio, The Steve Harvey Show, and Abbott Elementary, FX's English Teacher really stands out. It feels filled with heart and those natural uplifting moments that Marquez and the team create, especially in the second episode when they're participating with the football team during their drag performances.

The series features relatable and likable characters. I absolutely love the delightful dynamics between Alvarez, Koeng, and Patton as they share the screen. It also warms my heart to see a teacher having honest conversations with students about the topics of the episodes, reminding me of my own experiences in school. 

Overall, I give the series premiere an 8/10.

Have you seen English Teacher? What did you think of the premiere? Leave a comment below.

New episodes of FX's English Teacher air on Mondays at 10/9c on FX and stream the next day on Hulu.