It could Abbott Elementary fans will soon see Bette Middler on your screens? Only time will tell, say the show’s cast members.
A few weeks after the Hocus Pocus The 78-year-old actress first expressed her interest in making a guest appearance on the beloved ABC series, Quinta Brunson, Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti responded to Middler’s public request.
“As I am now using this site to perform in TV shows, I would also like to play Melissa Schemmenti’s mother in Abbott Elementary,” Middler wrote on X in late April, referencing his previous tweets about joining the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Middler added: “If you see Quinta Brunson, please tell her.”
On Tuesday at the Disney and ABC kickoff event in New York, ET did just that by asking Brunson, Walter and Perfetti whether or not that could happen and what it would mean to get the Beaches actress on the program.
“I’m so honored that she wants to be on my show. It’s one of those surreal, pinch-me moments that you, Bette Midler, want to be on the show,” Brunson — who serves as star, creator and executive producer — said. “I’m very honored.”
“It would be a dream come true — (unfortunately) I’m not in charge of that department,” shared Walter, 60, adding that he considers Middler an icon among the likes of Whoopie Goldberg, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin.
“She was an icon – still is an icon,” Walter – who plays Melissa Schemmenti, the character who would be related to Middler’s proposed role. “She’s a really good actress. She’s not just a, you know, broad girl — which, she is that too, which I think Melissa is too. She’s also a very talented, nuanced actress.”
Perfetti – who plays the lovable and awkward eighth-grade history teacher Jacob Hill – had arguably the most hilarious response to Middler’s request, telling him that after numerous Emmy winsone renewal at the beginning of season 4 and a third season full of guest starsshe should get a number.
“Everyone wants to be on our show now and so I tell Bette, you know, ‘You’re welcome and get in line,’” joked Perfetti, 35.
He added: “It’s a supreme compliment to have people you admire say they like your work and your show – you know it’s great, it’s really good.”
So… could this happen? Brunson – who performed on stage at the Disney/ABC Upfronts alongside Philadelphia Eagles players Jason Kelce and Jalen Hurts – says never say never.
“Hey, we’ll see,” she said. “Never know.”
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