New Teaser for ‘Abbott Elementary’s’ Crossover With ‘It’s Always Sunny’ Shows Why the Gang Are the Ones Visiting

I never would have imagined a world where It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was crossing over with a family-friendly comedy on ABC. The show debuted on FX, with more mature programming. Charlie says the n-word in the first episode! The comedy is smarter than many other “shock comedies” of the time, but that’s what it was. The show intentionally pushed boundaries. The difference is that where many shows lean into what they do as they age, It’s Always Sunny has spent nearly twenty years growing and changing. Few things speak to that as clearly as its upcoming crossover.

The gang from Paddy’s Pub will make their way to Abbott Elementary on January 8th. Both shows take place in Philadelphia, so fans have been clamoring for them to meet at some point, but that always seemed like an insane thought. Abbott Elementary is a four-quadrant comedy. It is better than most, but it is still made to appeal to everyone coast to coast. Even in its later years, It’s Always Sunny is not for everyone. Not everyone wants to tune in to a disfigured former priest making out with a dog he thought was a woman (because they’re COWARDS!).

When the Abbott/Sunny crossover was announced, it almost seemed too good to be true. The shows still feel like they are on completely different wavelengths. How could those styles possibly mesh? What is the way in? Speaking of Sunny’s growth over the years, the answer is simple. Being the “elder statesmen,” the cast of Sunny is letting Abbott Elementary take the lead. The Gang will be visiting Abbott, not the other way around, and as a new teaser shows, that’s the easiest way to make this work.

Seeing Charlie, Mac, Dennis, Sweet Dee, and Frank as a kind of invading force is fantastic. They are chaos agents, much like they are in their own show, but a little more toned down. There will still be hijinks, but they likely won’t result in an Army Vet performing in a Magic Mike-style strip show where he accidentally lapdances his daughter (and is joined by the aforementioned disfigured priest). The spirit of It’s Always Sunny will be on display, but filtered through the comedy of Abbott Elementary. Both shows will be stronger for it, and the reverse could have been detrimental.

The crew from Abbott Elementary would have to change themselves too much were they to venture to Paddy’s Pub. The Sunny Gang is always finding themselves in weird situations, so visiting an elementary school is not out of the ordinary (and not even that new). If the cast of Abbott Elementary were to venture to a dangerous dive bar it would be harder to sell without changing the tonal existence of the characters. They would have to give up too much to make the move.

I’m excited for this crossover. It speaks to Abbott’s quality and Sunny’s maturity. It’s also just f***ing insane to witness.