Preview: Abbott Elementary season 4 is not new tonight, but we have images of new episodes when the comedy returns!

Last week, there was no new episode of Abbott Elementary season 4. Whenever one of our favorite shows isn't on, we're always eager for it to return as soon as possible. Unfortunately if you're a fan of broadcast television, you just need to get used to this because there's many times we a week, two, or even more will be skipped. So what about tonight?

Unfortunately, Abbott Elementary season 4 is not new tonight, Nov. 27, 2024. The last time we had a new episode was on Nov. 13, "The Deli." So this does mean this is the second week the ABC schedule skips the hit sitcom. So why is that the case? It looks like there's two reasons.

The first is the fact that the CMA Awards were broadcast last week during the show's time slot. And you know those awards shows are a few hours long! Tonight instead of Abbott, the network is airing The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20. The two-hour program starting at 9 p.m. ET celebrates the 60th anniversary of the beloved movie with rarely seen footage, interviews with the stars, and more.

So I guess there needed to be some space made for these two events in the schedule. The second reason could be that the next new episode of our favorite comedy is holiday themed, so it would make sense for it to air in December as close to Christmas as possible. When is that going to happen?

When does Abbott Elementary season 4 return?

Abbott Elementary season 4 returns next Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. And, hey. Our patience will be rewarded because we're getting not just one episode, but two! Starting at 8 p.m. ET, season 4 episode 7, "Winter Show," is up first with Barbara in charge of the school's first holiday show and doing all she can to make it a success, per the synopsis. Then for the first time, viewers will meet a family member of Jacob's - his brother who arrives earlier than expected.

Then be sure not to flip the channel because there's another new episode on that evening! At 8:30 p.m. ET, season 4 episode 8, "Winter Break," will see Melissa wanting the Schemmenti family Christmas Eve dinner to go off without a hitch as host. And sounds like Janine and Gregory are spending the holidays together (yay!) as an "unexpected guest" arrives, per the synopsis.

ABC has released some of the first-look promotional photos for both episodes, giving us a peek at who and what's to come. First up is Barbara's holiday show (which you can see above), and Jacob's brother who is played by actor Tyler Perez. Based on the images, looks like his brother is sticking around for both episodes.

Then we have some snaps of the following episode, which is centered around Melissa's family dinner. We can see Barbara, her husband, and Jacob are also invited. A familiar face is Melissa's sister Kristin Marie who is a teacher at a rival school if you remember. We're also meeting her mom, played by actress Talia Shire. The Schemmentis are a tough and hilarious bunch. I can't wait to see this family gathered together!

Finally, there some good and bad news. Let's start with the downside. After these two back-to-back episodes, the hit sitcom will take another break. And that's the winter break that broadcast schedules take. If you're familiar with it, in December shows go off the air for the holidays and then return for the midseason schedule in January. And that's what's going to happen here.

Abbott Elementary season 4 will return in the new year with a very highly-anticipated and exciting episode that I'm certainly so eager to see! And that's going to be the Abbott Elementary / It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover episode! It airs Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. It's going to be glorious!

Abbott Elementary season 4 returns with two back-to-back episodes Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Stream episodes on Hulu the next day.