Season 1 of A.P. Bio , which debuted in 2018, subverts the typical "inspirational teacher" trope. The story follows Jack Griffin (played by Glenn Howerton), a disgraced Harvard philosophy scholar who loses his dream job to a rival and is forced to move back to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio. He takes a job teaching Advanced Placement Biology at Whitlock High School, but with a twist: he has absolutely no intention of teaching biology.

The school's administration, led by the well-meaning but pushover Principal Durbin (Patton Oswalt), provides a hilarious foil to Jack’s chaotic energy.

Critics generally found the first season to be a "mixed but leaning toward positive" experience. It was praised for its sharp, dark humor and strong performances, particularly Howerton's transition from his It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia persona into a slightly more grounded (but still toxic) character. Some early reviews noted uneven pacing as the show found its footing, but it ultimately built a dedicated cult following that saved it from initial cancellation.

The show finds humor in the mundanity of Midwestern life, contrasted against Jack's elitist attitude.

Season 1 of A.P. Bio is less about the science of life and more about the "philosophy of revenge". It stands out as a cynical but clever sitcom that successfully avoided the sentimental traps of the school-based comedy genre.

The show thrives on Jack’s refusal to conform to high school norms. While he claims to hate the students, a subtle, begrudging mentorship begins to form as the season progresses.