‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (left) and ‘Abbott Elementary’
FXX; GILLES MINGASSON/DISNEY
“The Gang” is all here — and bringing absolute chaos to Abbott Elementary.
The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia made its way to the ABC show, which is set in Philly, for the crossover episode of comedy writers’ dreams.
The brief promo for the Jan. 8 crossover sees Charlie Day’s Charlie, Rob McElhenney’s Mac, Danny DeVito’s Frank, Kaitlin Olson’s Dee and Glenn Howerton’s Dennis visiting Willard R. Abbott Elementary — and at odds with Quinta Brunson’s Janine, Tyler James Williams’ Gregory, Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Barbara, Chris Perfetti’s Jacob and Lisa Ann Walter’s Melissa.
The 30-second look at the episode, set to Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two,” features little in-jokes from the two shows, including Mac seemingly flirting with Janelle James’ Ava and Frank talking about trash.
The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Abbott Elementary crossover episode was confirmed by McElhenney in October when he shared a photo with Brunson and Day after months of speculation that something was in the works.
Brunson previously told The Hollywood Reporter that her talks with McElhenney began when he saw something online that someone said would be a good Sunny episode, and he retweeted, noting it would be a great Abbott episode.
“It got us chatting and, honestly, I really like Rob,” she said. “I think we get along because, like me, he’s a writer, creator of a show, loves comedy, he’s from Philly. We just clicked right away, and we started really talking about it and realizing we can really do this.”
She continued, “They represent a part of South Philly, and we represent a part of West Philly that is very real, and it wasn’t a long walk for these characters to interact. It just made sense immediately. And when it came to us that easy, we were like, ‘Yeah, we have to do this.’”
Brunson explained they began putting things in motion at the beginning of this season of Abbott because Sunny had just started writing its upcoming season. She also sang Day and McElhenney’s praises, calling them “excellent collaborators.”
“It’s been an absolute joy to work with them,” Brunson said. “Above all else, Rob and Charlie and them, they’re like me. We like comedy, and we want to make comedy, and we want to do exciting things with comedy. And when you’re working with people like that, who are all on the same page, it’s just magical.”
