Abby (TV series): Difference between revisions

| caption = Title card

| alt = An image with the word "Abby" against a dark backdrop with lights.

| creator = {{plain listplainlist|

| starring = {{plain listplainlist|

* [[Tangie Ambrose]]

| company = {{plain listplainlist|

| first_aired = {{dtsStart date|2003|1|6}}

'''''Abby''''' is an American [[sitcom]] created by Nat Bernstein and MichaelMitchel Katlin that aired for one season on [[UPN]] from January 6, 2003, to March 4, 2003. The show revolves around television producer Abigail "Abby" Walker ([[Sydney Tamiia Poitier]]) and her relationship with her ex-boyfriend Will Jeffries ([[Kadeem Hardison]]). After they break up in the [[Pilot Episode|pilot episode]], they agree to live together as friends in their [[Rent control in the United States|rent-controlled]] [[San Francisco]] apartment.

Bernstein and Katlin had intended to feature Abby and Will as an interracial couple and had cast [[Sean O'Bryan]], a white actor, as Will. After a negative response from [[test audience]]s, they gave the role to Hardison and recast O'Bryan as a [[supporting character]], along with [[Randy J. Goodwin]] and [[Tangie Ambrose]].

Critics classified ''Abby'' as a [[sex comedy]] and [[romantic comedy]]. Despite UPN's heavy promotion, it attracted a weekly average of just 1.7 million viewers, making it the lowest-performing show tracked by [[Nielsen Holdings]]. Critical responses were primarily negative; commentators praised Poitier's acting but criticized the show's reliance on sexual humor.

Set in [[San Francisco]], the series follows its titular character Abigail "Abby" Walker ([[Sydney Tamiia Poitier]]), one of the few women working for the fictional television sports program ''West Coast Sports Report''.<ref name="Journal1">{{cite journal|date=January 27, 2003|title=Sydney Tamiia Poitier Tackles Racy Sports World and Rocky Love Life as Star of New TV Show 'Abby'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fr4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58|volume=103|issue=5|pages=58–60, 62|journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|url-status=live|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709023225/https://books.google.com/books?id=Fr4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58|archivedatearchive-date=July 9, 2018}}</ref> Although Abby becomes the producer of ''West Coast Sports Report'',<ref name="Book2">[[Abby (TV series)#Terrace2008|Terrace (2008)]]: p. 4</ref><ref name="Source5">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/advice-upn-rid-abby-article-1.667600|title=Advice for UPN: Get Rid of 'Abby'|last=Bianculli|first=David|date=January 6, 2003|work=[[New York Daily News]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/advice-upn-rid-abby-article-1.667600|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Source8">{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/TV/20030106owen0106fnp5.asp|title=TV Reviews: 'Abby' a trite sexcom; Travel show examines jet crashes|last=Owen|first=Rob|date=January 6, 2003|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|accessdateaccess-date=May 28, 2018|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213071716/http://old.post-gazette.com/TV/20030106owen0106fnp5.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> according to Bernadette Adams Davis of ''[[PopMatters]]'', the character does not display a particular interest in any sport.<ref name="Source11">{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/abby-030116-2496237226.html|title=Abby|last=Davis|first=Bernadette Adams|date=January 15, 2003|work=[[PopMatters]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/https://www.popmatters.com/abby-030116-2496237226.html|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Poitier characterized Abby as a woman who "doesn't design herself to fit other people's perceptions and wants".<ref name="Journal1" /> Episodes include storylines where Abby imagines being someone else, and overshares details about her love life with her best friend, Max Ellis ([[Randy J. Goodwin]]),<ref name="Book2" /> who is also the program's anchorman.<ref name="Journal1" />

In the pilot, Abby breaks up with her boyfriend, Will Jeffries ([[Kadeem Hardison]]), but they argue over their [[Rent control in the United States|rent-controlled]] apartment and decide to share it as [[Platonic love|platonic]] roommates. A writer for [[Jet (magazine)|''Jet'']] called their relationship "antagonistic and supportive".<ref name="Journal1" /> Will, a professional photographer, still harbors feelings for Abby and attempts to rekindle their romance.<ref name="Books1">[[Abby (TV series)#brooksmarsh2009|Brooks & Marsh (2009)]]: pp. 8–9</ref> He is portrayed as selfish with no interest in her professional life. Incidents showing his negative behavior include his purchase of an expensive watch for himself for their second anniversary, and his marriage proposal to Abby saying "there is no more perfect gift" than himself.<ref name="Source7">{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-06/lifestyle/0301030761_1_abby-walker-sydney-tamiia-poitier-upn|title=Tv Advice: Check Out New Upn Show Abby|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=January 6, 2003|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-06/lifestyle/0301030761_1_abby-walker-sydney-tamiia-poitier-upn|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Abby''<nowiki/>'s concept and tone received comparisons to the [[sitcom]]s ''[[Three's Company]]'' and ''[[Will & Grace]]''.<ref name="Source5" /><ref name="Source23">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/abby-tv-series-v280397|title=Abby|last=Erickson|first=Hal|publisher=[[AllMovie]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413191514/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/abby-tv-series-v280397|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rob Owen (journalist)|Rob Owen]] referred to the series as a [[sex comedy]],<ref name="Source8" /> though other critics felt it was a [[romantic comedy]].<ref name="Source12">{{cite web|url=httphttps://articleswww.chicagotribune.com/2003-/01-/06/features/0301060114_1_sydneyupns-tamiiaabby-poitierwont-johnhave-travoltathe-girlfriendlast-laugh/|title=UPN's 'Abby' won't have the last laugh|last=Johnson|first=Allan|date=January 6, 2003|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528192118/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-01-06/features/0301060114_1_sydney-tamiia-poitier-john-travolta-girlfriend|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Source17">{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/43304/upn-tweaks-lineup-boots-hughley|title=UPN Tweaks Lineup, Boots Hughley|last=Armstrong|first=Mark|date=May 16, 2002|work=[[E! News]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528192117/https://www.eonline.com/news/43304/upn-tweaks-lineup-boots-hughley|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Source18">{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Review-Abby-can-t-get-mouth-out-of-gutter-2132268.php|title=Sex and the sitcom: Romantic comedy 'Abby' can't get its mouth out of the gutter|last=Hodges|first=Ann|date=January 6, 2003|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|accessdateaccess-date=May 28, 2018|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030110094022/http://www.chron.com:80/cs/CDA/story.hts/ae/tv/1725278|archivedatearchive-date=January 10, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Abby's sister, Joanne "Jo" Walker ([[Tangie Ambrose]]), and Max each support Abby.<ref name="Journal1" /> Jo encourages her to move on from her relationship with Will, while Max harbors an [[Unrequited love|unrequited crush]] on Abby over the course of the series.<ref name="Books1" /> Abby frequently clashes with her chauvinistic boss, Roger Tomkins ([[Sean O'Bryan]]),<ref name="Journal1" /> who is also close friends with Will.<ref name="Source11" /> Roger frequently attends the [[Strip club|gentlemen's club]] "The Booty Barn" with Will,<ref name="Source11" /> and advises him to reconcile with Abby.<ref name="Books1" /> The ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]''<nowiki/>'s Tom Jicha described Roger as the series' "[[Tokenism|token white]]" character.<ref name="Source7" /> Abby's mother and father, played by [[Michelle Phillips]] and [[Charlie Robinson (actor)|Charlie Robinson]], appear as [[recurring character]]s.<ref name="PostStar1">{{cite web|url=https://poststar.com/lifestyles/making-her-own-name/article_def6bd0b-7709-524a-acd4-df7c47fe2f95.html|title=Making her own name|last=Byrne|first=Bridget|date=January 2, 2003|work=[[The Post-Star]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/http://poststar.com/lifestyles/making-her-own-name/article_def6bd0b-7709-524a-acd4-df7c47fe2f95.html|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Developed under the working title ''Abby Newton'', ''Abby'' was [[executive producer|executively produced]] by Nat Bernstein, MichaelMitchel Katlin, and Jacque Edmonds.<ref name="Source2">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/news/poitier-aboard-upn-pilot-1117866120/|title=Poitier aboard UPN pilot|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=April 28, 2002|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528083000/http://variety.com/2002/tv/news/poitier-aboard-upn-pilot-1117866120/|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Bernstein and Katlin further contributed to the series as display artists and writers.<ref name="Source13">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/tv/reviews/abby-1200544182/|title=Abby|last=Speier|first=Michael|date=January 5, 2003|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324101319/http://variety.com/2003/tv/reviews/abby-1200544182/|archivedatearchive-date=March 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The show was handled by [[CBS Productions]] and Katlin/Bernstein Productions.<ref name="Source13" /> [[Leonard R. Garner Jr.]] directed the pilot,<ref name="Source14">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/abby/|title=Abby|publisher=[[The Futon Critic]]|accessdateaccess-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> which was filmed in [[Los Angeles]] along with the rest of the series.<ref name="Source13" /> [[Rick Marotta]] composed the soundtrack.<ref name="Source13" />

In 2002, [[United Paramount Network]] (UPN) announced that Poitier and O'Bryan would play the lead characters.<ref name="Source2" /> ''Abby'' was Poitier's first starring role in a television series,<ref name="Source22">{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/info/sydney-tamiia-poitier-info.aspx|title=Sydney Tamiia Poitier|publisher=[[BuddyTV]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/http://www.buddytv.com/info/sydney-tamiia-poitier-info.aspx|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and her sitcom debut.<ref name="PostStar1" /> Describing the show's main concept as "fertile ground for a lot of humor", Poitier was also drawn to its multicultural casting.<ref name="Journal1" /> Producers initially imagined Will as a white character;<ref name="Journal1" /> Katlin said: "We had wanted to have an interracial relationship, but not make the show about an interracial relationship."<ref name="Source6">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/poitier-making-article-1.671714|title=Another Poitier's Making a Name for Herself|last=Petrozzello|first=Donna|date=January 3, 2003|work=[[New York Daily News]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/poitier-making-article-1.671714|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Producers gave the role to Hardison instead of O'Bryan due to a negative response from [[test audience]]s. Criticizing the pilot episode for not explicitly addressing Will and Abby's interracial relationship, the previewers frequently asked: "Why aren't you dealing with it?"<ref name="Source6" />

Addressing the change in casting, Poitier clarified that the series would preserve a "spirit of multiculturalism" through Will and Abby's dating life.<ref name="Journal1" /> She referred to ''Abby'' as one of the few television shows to represent interracial couples.<ref name="Source6" /> As part of a discussion on UPN's 2002–2003 television season, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]''<nowiki/>'s Greg Braxton cited ''Abby'' as an example of the network adding more white actors to its programming; Braxton pointed to the show's focus on a biracial woman and her dates with white men. [[CBS]] television executive [[Leslie Moonves]] explained that UPN wanted to attract a wider audience.<ref name="Baltimore1">{{cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-04-23/features/0304230351_1_platinum-audience-network|title=UPN adds white characters to casts of its black shows|last=Braxton|first=Greg|date=April 23, 2003|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614034745/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-04-23/features/0304230351_1_platinum-audience-network|archivedatearchive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|1|6}}<ref name="TVGuideAirDates">{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.tvtvguide.com/showstvshows/abby/episodes-season-1/1030241430/|title=EpisodeAbby GuideSeason 1 Episodes|work=[[TV Guide]]|url-status=live|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2016110918070120221029052803/httphttps://www.tvtvguide.com/showstvshows/abby/episodes-season-1/1030241430/|archivedatearchive-date=NovemberOctober 929, 20162022}}</ref>

|Viewers=24.610<ref name="NielsenRatings11.01">{{cite webnews|url=https://poststarwww.newspapers.com/lifestylesclip/on-top41430025/article_6c5559ff-bfda-57d5-b1e9-7bd88e966db5.html|title=OnNational Nielsen TopViewership|worknewspaper=[[TheLos Post-StarAngeles Times]]|date=January 1915, 2003|url-statuspage=liveE16|archiveurlvia=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614034033/https://poststar[[Newspapers.com/lifestyles/on-top/article_6c5559ff-bfda-57d5-b1e9-7bd88e966db5.html|archivedate=June 14, 2018]]}}</ref>

|Viewers=12.661<ref name="NielsenRatings11.01" />

|Viewers=1.02<ref name="NielsenRatings2">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/fox-enjoys-idol-worship-1117879588/|title=Fox enjoys 'Idol' worship|last=Kissell|first=Rick|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 28, 2003|url-status=live|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614035256/https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/fox-enjoys-idol-worship-1117879588/|archivedatearchive-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref>

|ShortSummary= Abby invites Will to her parentparents's 30th anniversary party, even though her mother had disliked him in the past.

InitiallyFollowing broadcast ona Monday nightsnight at 9:30{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Time Zone|EST]] in January 2003preview,<ref name="Books1" /> ''Abby'' was a [[mid-season replacement]] after the [[Paranormal television|paranormal drama]] [[Haunted (2002 TV series)|''Haunted'']] was canceled.<ref name="Source23" /> Between January and March, UPN movedaired the series to Tuesday nights at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}EST,<ref name="Books1" /> along withafter the [[Supernatural fiction|supernatural drama]] ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and the sitcom [[Girlfriends (2000 TV series)|''Girlfriends'']].<ref name="Journal1" /><ref name="Source5" /> The first non-[[Genre fiction|genre show]] placed in the time slot in two years,<ref name="Source9">{{cite web|url=https://www.trektoday.com/news/070103_01.shtml|title='Abby' To Debut On UPN Tonight|last=Antony|date=January 6, 2003|work=[[TrekNation|TrekToday]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708202817/http://www.trektoday.com/news/070103_01.shtml|archivedatearchive-date=July 8, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Abby'' aired against established programs ''[[Frasier]]'', [[24 (TV series)|''24'']], [[The Guardian (TV series)|''The Guardian'']], and ''[[Smallville]]'' during a "competitive" time.<ref name="Source1">{{cite web|url=httphttps://articleswww.chicagotribune.com/2003-/02-/27/features/0302270110_1_sydneypoitiers-tamiiadaughter-poitierconfronts-upnharsh-sidneyreality-poitierof-tv/|title=Poitier's daughter confronts harsh reality of TV|last=Duffy|first=Mike|date=February 27, 2003|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413045804/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-02-27/features/0302270110_1_sydney-tamiia-poitier-upn-sidney-poitier|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

UPN promoted the series as part of "an aggressive rollout strategy",<ref name="Source7" /> targeting a primarily African-American audience.<ref name="Source16">{{cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/upn-introduces-three-new-shows|title=UPN introduces three new shows|last=Wilkerson|first=David B.|date=May 16, 2002|publisher=[[MarketWatch]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528192119/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/upn-introduces-three-new-shows|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LATimes1">{{cite web|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2003archives/la-xpm-2003-jan/-13/business/-fi-upn13-story.html|title=UPN's Loss Trimmed by Half, Exec Says|date=January 13, 2003|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url-status=live|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614033040/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/13/business/fi-upn13|archivedatearchive-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref> The ''[[Deseret News]]''<nowiki/>' Scott D. Pierce wrote that the network was "pinning its hopes on the new sitcom" along with the [[Television drama|drama]] [[Platinum (TV series)|''Platinum'']].<ref name="Source192">{{cite web|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/961240/UPN-is-still-losing-lots-of-money.html|title=UPN is still losing lots of money|last=Pierce|first=Scott D.|date=January 26, 2003|work=[[Deseret News]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528192118/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/961240/UPN-is-still-losing-lots-of-money.html|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> UPN branded its Tuesday programming as a "comedy night" and "Girls Night",<ref name="Journal1" /><ref name="Source5" /> though Poitier was uncertain of the audience's possible response to the mixture of sitcoms and dramas.<ref name="Journal1" /> She explained that the network wanted ''Abby'' to attract the same audience as its Monday comedies.<ref name="Source1" />

Commercially unsuccessful, ''Abby'' ranked last on the list of 146 shows tracked by the [[Nielsen Holdings]]; it attracted an average of 1.7 million viewers per week.<ref name="Source1" /> Canceled after a nine-episode season,<ref name="Source14" /> the series had its final episode air on March 4, 2003.<ref name="BookFinalEpisode">[[Abby (TV series)#Smith2010|Smith (2010)]]: p. 1603</ref> From July 2003 to August 2003, [[rerun]]s aired on Tuesday nights at 8:30{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}EST.<ref name="Books1" /> Overall, ''Abby'' was broadcast for a total of 270 minutes.<ref name="Source52">{{cite webnews|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/23/the-1657-tv-shows-that-spent-less-time-on-the-air-than-the-hillary-clinton-benghazi-hearing/|title=The 1,657 TV shows that spent less time on the air than the Hillary Clinton Benghazi hearing|last=Bump|first=Philip|date=October 23, 2015|worknewspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=WP Company LLC|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927175220/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/23/the-1657-tv-shows-that-spent-less-time-on-the-air-than-the-hillary-clinton-benghazi-hearing/?utm_term=.b6382828ec79|archivedatearchive-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Abby'' received negative critical feedback,<ref name="Source9" /> primarily for its sexual humor.<ref name="Source18" /><ref name="Source13" /><ref name="Source9" /> Calling the series "pleasant but not funny", ''[[USA Today]]''<nowiki/>'s Robert Bianco criticized its humor as an example of UPN's reliance on sexual comedy.<ref name="Source9" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/50a52533-9e5a-48e4-a8b1-aadedd11a4a4/?context=1516831|title='Abby': Pleasant but not funny|last=Bianco|first=Robert|work=USA Today|date=January 6, 2003|accessdateaccess-date=February 10, 2020|via=Nexis Uni|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Michael Speier of [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] panned the show for its "booty humor" and frequent scenes "about hot sex, about messy sex and about dirty sex".<ref name="Source13" /> Deriding the premise for its "strained humor", Bernadette Adams Davis questioned the effectiveness of the focus on Abby's on-again, off-again relationship with Will.<ref name="Source11" /> A contributor for [[People (magazine)|''People'']] summed up ''Abby'' as "plain dumb".<ref name="JournalPeople">{{cite journal|date=2003|title=Abby|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-abby-vol-59-no-1/|volume=59|pages=32|journal=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url-status=live|archivedate=February 10, 2020}}</ref>

While the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''<nowiki/>'s Allan Johnson criticized Poitier's performance, writing that she was "not appealing enough to lift what becomes a very uncomfortable premise",<ref name="Source12" /> some commentators praised her acting.<ref name="Source5" /><ref name="Source13" /><ref name="Source15">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-abby-vol-59-no-1/|title=Picks and Pans Review:{{nbsp}}Abby|last=Kelleher|first=Jerry|date=January 13, 2003|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528192119/https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-abby-vol-59-no-1/|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Highlighting Poitier's use of [[physical comedy]], Speier wrote that Poitier responded to the male characters with "proper nuance and appropriate tones".<ref name="Source13" /> Davis praised the use of Abby's professional life for episodes, writing that ensemble shows (''Girlfriends'', ''[[The Parkers]]'', and ''[[Living Single]]'') frequently relegate a woman's career to the background. Davis hoped that the sitcom would focus more on Abby, particularly a "single, career-minded" version of the character.<ref name="Source11" /> Despite being critical of the series' premise, Diane Werts of ''[[Newsday]]'' felt "the execution makes it fly".<ref name="Source20">{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/abby-plays-it-smart-not-silly-1.461514|title=Abby' Plays It Smart, Not Silly|last=Werts|first=Diane|date=January 5, 2003|work=[[Newsday]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413191514/https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/abby-plays-it-smart-not-silly-1.461514|archivedatearchive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

* {{cite book |last1 = Brooks |first1 = Tim |last2 = Marsh |first2 = Earle F. |title =The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8KztFy6QYwC&dq=%22Abby+Situation+Comedy%22&pg=PA8|year = 2009 |publisher =[[Random House Publishing Group]] |location = New York|isbn = 978-0-345-49773-4 |ref =brooksmarsh2009 }}

* {{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture [4 volumes]|editor-last1 = Smith |editor-first1 = Jessie Carney|year = 2010 |publisher =[[ABC-CLIO]]|location =Santa Barbara |page= |isbn = 978-0-313-35796-1 |ref = Smith2010}}

[[Category:2000s American multi-camera sitcoms]]

[[Category:American English-language television programsshows]]

[[Category:Television series by CBS Television Studios]]

[[Category:UPN original programmingsitcoms]]