Warning: The following article includes spoilers from Wednesday’s one-hour “Abbott Elementary” (available to stream on Hulu).

It’s time for the struffoli and cucidati!

In the festive two-part episode of Quinta Brunson’s acclaimed ABC series “Abbott Elementary,” teacher Melissa Schemmenti (played by Lisa Ann Walter) organized a Christmas dinner for her loud Italian family. However, things took a hilarious twist when she thought her racist uncle had passed away in an upstairs bedroom. This led her to a challenging choice: should she break the news to her family or hold off until after the elaborate dinner she had been preparing for weeks?

This episode provided a deeper emotional view into Melissa’s character, a witty Philadelphia native striving to satisfy her critical Italian mother (Talia Shire, known for “The Godfather” and “Rocky”). As she anticipates her own holiday festivities, which traditionally include watching “A Christmas Story” and playing Cards Against Humanity with her four children, Walter, 61, discusses her experiences with “Abbott” and more:

Question: How does the Christmas celebration in your household compare with that of the Schemmenti family?

Lisa Ann Walter: The chaos level is very similar. It mostly depends on who’s present and how much joking we’re doing, but we’re all quite amusing people, so there’s usually lots of banter. Expect some gossip and a feast as well! Honestly, I felt right at home on that set. I saw lots of photos of my real family, and I even told Talia Shire, “Look, these are my roots from the original Sicilians in Brooklyn.” It was fantastic comparing our family histories.

Were there any aspects of an Italian family Christmas that resonated with you? Did you provide any input to the writers?

I’m their go-to for slang, so I shared a little glossary for the episode. One term that stood out was “bachagaloop” (meaning: fool). They even engaged a Sicilian food stylist for this episode and were great about asking me what I would personally cook. There were some things present that I wouldn’t use, such as whole tomatoes—I prefer canned Cento tomatoes! Also, just some parsley and garlic for chopping would work better. When you’re focused on the jokes or emotional impact of the scenes, cooking has to be second nature.

Given that Talia Shire occupies a pivotal role in both Sicilian and Philadelphia pop culture, did your family or friends react like fanatics when they learned you’d be working with her?

Absolutely! Everyone was thrilled. I truly wish my mother were here to witness it; she would’ve said something like, “Oh, they found someone thin to portray her mother.” When Quinta informed me, I was so overwhelmed that I cried. To me, she is royalty. We watched her on Thanksgiving countless times as kids; my family would endlessly play “The Godfather” since it perfectly mimics an Italian family holiday filled with shouting and drama! I felt grateful to work alongside her—she is so warm and kind, and we connected right away.

While this episode is filled with humor, it also touches on the relatable theme of Melissa feeling inadequate and the need to prove her worth. What did you find most impactful about this storyline?

There’s usually someone in every family who feels underappreciated. Melissa carries the weight of expectation: she was meant to be married and have kids, which amplifies the pressure of pulling off a beautiful dinner for everyone. I started organizing family dinners at the age of 13 due to my mother working and my parents being divorced, which made me take on that responsibility. During the holidays, it’s common to feel overlooked or unvalued. But that’s just family dynamics sometimes; a simple compliment from Melissa’s mother is enough to make her feel victorious that Christmas. I deeply resonate with that; it feels incredibly real.

Recently, We’ve witnessed a more delicate and open aspect of Melissa. How do you think she has evolved since Season 1?

From the early episodes, like the “Art Teacher” to this season’s “Class Pet” and the recent Christmas episode, there have been subtle hints of her growth. We’re beginning to uncover her true identity. While she is still capable of fierce reactions if anyone threatens the school, her students, or Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), she showcases a softer side as well. Whether it’s at sporting events or any other scenarios, Melissa can be fierce, but beneath that tough exterior, she’s genuinely tender, which is a defining trait of many strong characters.