“A.P. Bio” Deserves a Spot on Your Watchlist

In a television landscape crowded with predictable comedies and formulaic plots, A.P. Bio stands out as a refreshingly original sitcom that blends dark humor with genuine heart. Created by Mike O’Brien and produced by Saturday Night Live‘s Lorne Michaels, the show first aired on NBC in 2018 before moving to Peacock, where it continued to attract a cult following.

The series centers on Jack Griffin (played by Glenn Howerton of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), a disgraced Harvard philosophy professor who’s forced to return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, to teach high school biology—a subject he has zero interest in. Rather than educating his students, Jack uses class time to hatch petty revenge plots and advance his own selfish goals. But what begins as a one-note premise quickly evolves into a layered comedy with unexpected warmth.

One of the show’s greatest strengths is its ensemble cast. The students, initially written as pawns in Jack’s schemes, gradually emerge as complex and hilarious characters in their own right. Meanwhile, the staff at Whitlock High, including Principal Durbin (played with endearing awkwardness by Patton Oswalt), add richness and absurdity to every subplot.

A.P. Bio balances sharp wit with heartwarming moments, exploring themes like failure, identity, and the messy process of redemption. Its writing is fast-paced and clever, offering the kind of irreverent humor that fans of Community or Arrested Development will appreciate.

Though it concluded in 2021 after four seasons, A.P. Bio remains a hidden gem in the streaming world. Whether you’re a fan of dark comedies, offbeat characters, or just looking for a sitcom that doesn’t follow the rules, A.P. Bio is well worth the binge. Just don’t expect to learn any actual biology.