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The show Abbott Elementary has consistently captured audiences with its heartfelt humour and social commentary, but its recent crossover with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia added an unexpected layer of chaotic energy.
The Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover episode, Volunteers, aired on January 8, 2025, bringing together two vastly different shows. Despite its chaotic humor and unique premise, the episode faced challenges, including legal approvals between networks (ABC and FX) and scheduling conflicts with the Sunny cast.
Additionally, the writers of Abbott Elementary worked closely with Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day to craft a story that balanced the charm of Abbott with the humour of Sunny.
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Despite these obstacles, the result was a well-received episode that seamlessly merged the two universes. Fans can look forward to the second part of the crossover, set to air later in 2025 as part of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s 17th season. This follow-up will further explore the crossover's impact, showcasing a different perspective on the events at Abbott Elementary.
Quinta Brunson proposed a crossover between Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but doubts lingered in the writer's room
When Quinta Brunson pitched the idea of an Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover in June 2024, scepticism ran high in the writers' room. Despite both shows being set in Philadelphia, their vastly different tones, one an earnest workplace comedy, the other a chaotic, irreverent satire, made the collaboration a challenge.
Additionally, Abbott Elementary airs on ABC, while It’s Always Sunny belongs to FX, a network with fewer content restrictions. Navigating these differences while ensuring both fan bases remained engaged required careful planning.
Legal approvals added another layer of complexity. Because Abbott is co-produced by Warner Bros. Television while It’s Always Sunny is a Disney-owned FX series, both studios had to sign off on the project.
“Most of us assumed lawyers would stop it,” Abbott Elementary writer Garrett Werner told Vulture January 9, 2025.
However, Brunson’s persistence, including a direct conversation with Disney CEO Bob Iger, pushed the idea forward. Scheduling conflicts also delayed the project. Glenn Howerton (Dennis) and Kaitlin Olson (Dee) were committed to other series, and Danny DeVito’s (Frank) involvement remained uncertain until the last moment.
“We have not spoken to him. We can’t get a hold of him, and his reps are telling us he can’t do this,” Abbott executive producer Justin Halpern on casting team's resposnse of Danny Devito's availability recalled in an interview Vulture, January 9, 2025.
Despite these challenges, the first episode of the crossover, Volunteers, aired on January 8, 2025, on ABC. It introduced Sunny’s gang as court-ordered volunteers at Elementary school. The second part, airing later in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s 17th season on FX, will show events from the Sunny perspective.
What to expect from the second episode of the crossover
The second part of the crossover will push the boundaries further, embracing Sunny’s unfiltered humour while incorporating Abbott Elementary’s characters into its universe.
One major storyline revolves around Glenn Howerton’s Dennis, who was notably absent in Volunteers. His role in the crossover will be revealed in Sunny’s upcoming episode. “Dennis is the key,” Quinta Brunson teased in an interview (Los Angeles Times, January 3, 2025).
The upcoming episode will also explore how Abbott’s teachers navigate Paddy’s Pub, introducing unexpected interactions and conflicts. With FX’s looser content restrictions, the humor is expected to be bolder and more explicit than what was seen in Volunteers.
Fans of both shows can anticipate a fresh perspective that blends Abbott Elementary’s documentary-style storytelling with Sunny’s chaotic, self-destructive energy.
Stay tuned for more updates.
