School is now in session, and “Abbott Elementary” star Lisa Ann Walter is our instructor.
While making an appearance on talk show “Sherri,” Walter opened up about her friendship with “Abbott” co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph.
“We trade off who comes in being ‘on it,’” Walter told host Sherri Shepherd. “Very often it’s Sheryl being on one.”
The conversation was sparked by a video Walter shared on Instagram earlier this month, while Los Angeles was battling major fires. In the video, the two shared a moment of levity about how the fierce winds driving the flames had left Ralph’s wig “askew.”
“How Miss Sheryl deals with hurricane force winds at 5 a.m.,” Walter captioned her post. “We are so grateful for all the first responders and so deeply sorry for all the loss our neighbors are going through. We are currently between 3 major fires but are safe for now and doing what we do — make things a bit better with laughter.”
Walter explained to Shepherd that the “Sister Act 2” actor often walks into work with a “monologue or sermon,” adding that Ralph has a strong sense of self and is a “loving” person. Filming the ABC sitcom doesn’t feel like a job, Walter said, but rather something fun the cast enjoys doing.
The two share a strong bond on set, but Walter revealed that until recently, Ralph had never seen Walter in her comedic element. The “Parent Trap” actor confessed that her standup isn’t necessarily family friendly and said that she was “nervous” to have her co-star see her perform.
“My standup is a little raw,” she confessed. “I wouldn’t necessarily invite a Sheryl Lee Ralph.”
When Ralph got wind that Walter was performing in Philadelphia, she jumped at the chance to support her friend, Walter recounted. Walter worried that Ralph’s appearance would be more like having a “parent” or “judge-y aunt” showing up at your gig, but her comedy set went over very well.
A couple of weeks later, Ralph suggested that she record the performance as a special. Before then, Walter had never recorded her performance, for “whatever reason,” but Ralph doubled down on her original suggestion.
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This moment was the spark that led them to create a new production company together, dubbed “Work Wives Productions,” Walter said.
“When you put women together, it’s nothing we can’t do,” Shepherd said.