Bradley Cooper Cameos in ‘Abbott Elementary’ to Poke Fun at His Own Oscars Campaign

variety.com:

Selome Hailu Bradley Cooper may not have won an Oscar, but he did win a role on “Abbott Elementary.” The “Maestro” actor stopped by to play himself in the cold open of the “Abbott” episode that aired directly after ABC’s telecast of the 96th Academy Awards.

In the scene, a student in Melissa’s (Lisa Ann Walter) class brings Cooper to campus for show and tell. “Whenever I’m in Philly, you know the deli across the street?

That’s my first stop,” the Pennsylvania native says. “My dad used to always take me there. They have the best hoagies in the city.” His second grade friend retorts, “Everybody wanted to take a picture with him, so I figured he was famous.” Though the scene was obviously taped well before the Oscars, it doesn’t seem the “Abbott Elementary” writers were predicting a win for Cooper.

Instead, the scene allowed him a humorously self-deprecrating moment on the heels of his much-talked about awards season campaign. “Oh, I just loved you in ‘The Holdovers.’ It was just so heartwarming,” says Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph). “It’s ‘The Hangover,’ and no it’s not,” Gregory (Tyler James Williams) corrects. “Guys, he’s literally in a critically acclaimed film right now,” Janine (Quinta Brunson) says, before Melissa adds, “Mhm, ‘Oppenheimer.'” “Is that the one about Napoleon?” asks Mr.