A.P. Bio

After losing the Harvard position he expected, disgraced philosophy scholar Jack Griffin returns to Toledo to teach Advanced Placement biology, a job he never wanted. Rather than cover the curriculum, Jack treats his classroom like a lab for personal schemes, recruiting students into plots that feed his ego and settle grudges. He rubs administrators and coworkers the wrong way, insults parents, and forms odd, sometimes sincere bonds with a handful of pupils who react to his brutal honesty. Scenes jump between classroom hijinks and his messy personal life, mixing sharp sarcasm with quieter moments that show why people stick with him, and that grows over multiple seasons, too.

Created by Michael Patrick O'Brien, A.P. Bio premiered in 2018, starring Glenn Howerton as Jack Griffin with Patton Oswalt, Paula Pell, Lyric Lewis and Mary Sohn supporting the rest of the cast.

It wasn't a major awards magnet, though reviewers frequently praised Howerton's timing and the supporting ensemble's work. The series earned steady attention from critics and viewers, especially when fans voiced support after network changes, but it did not rack up prominent industry trophies. Fans praised performances more than awards overall.

While not mainstream water-cooler fodder, the show carved out a niche audience that appreciated its caustic sense of humor and antihero lead. Lines and moments from Jack's classroom became shareable clips online, and the show often gets mentioned when people talk about comedies with morally messy protagonists, especially online platforms.

Critical response was mixed-to-positive, reflected in a 6.9/10 user vote average, with praise for its sharp insult comedy and criticism for uneven plotting. Recurring themes include ambition, moral compromise, unconventional mentorship and the difference between intellect and practical success, delivered through workplace sitcom setups and absurd student schemes, and rewatchability.