Abby's

Did You Know?

• The series is set in San Diego and takes place at the home of Abby, a bisexual Latina ex-Marine sergeant who turned her backyard into an unlicensed bar.
• The bar has its own set of rules that the regulars must follow.

Production

The idea for the show came from Josh Malmuth, who grew up in San Diego and was inspired by Bacchanal, a New Orleans wine bar featuring an outdoor patio, string lights, a music stage, and two levels of indoor and outdoor seating. The series takes place in San Diego but was filmed at Universal City Studios. In September 2017, NBC gave a put pilot commitment to the then-untitled project, with Malmuth writing the pilot and executive producing alongside Mike Schur and David Miner. Universal Television, Fremulon, and 3 Arts Entertainment were attached as production companies. NBC ordered the pilot in January 2018, and Pamela Fryman was announced as director a week later. The series received a full order that May, slated as a mid-season replacement for spring 2019. Its premiere was set for March 28, 2019. The show was notable for its largely outdoor set. NBC canceled it after one season on May 30, 2019. Casting began in February 2018 with Natalie Morales as the title character Abby. The following month, Nelson Franklin, Jessica Chaffin, Leonard Ouzts, Neil Flynn, and Kimia Behpoornia were announced as series regulars.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 73% based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 6.01/10. The critical consensus reads: 'Despite some watered down, outdated humor, Abby's brims with potential thanks to its easy going, goofy sensibility and a perfectly cast Natalie Morales.' On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the show has 'a likable cast led by Natalie Morales, but very few early laughs' and noted that the three episodes sent to critics are nonsequential and do not build much in terms of the bar's legality or developing character relationships.