The creators of “Abbott Elementary” on ABC and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” on FXX announced at Vulture Fest on Saturday that their shows will cross over for a one-of-a-kind two-episode event that will go down in TV history.
The special collaboration will start with an episode of Abbott Elementary in January. Then, during the 17th season premiere of It’s Always Sunny in June, a companion episode will air. This is a new way to tell a story, as the same story will be told from two different points of view in both shows.
The crossover started with a joke on social media about how the two shows were alike. Fans of both shows pointed out the funny similarities between them, so Brunson talked about how she met Rob McElhenney, the author of “Always Sunny” on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“Someone said this seems like a Sunny episode, this seems like an Abbott episode,” he said. The two authors came up with ideas for the crossover they both liked.
Brunson got ideas from great TV crossovers. She remembered how excited she was when characters emerged from the blue during TV binges during the pandemic. “I was shocked at how shocked I was when Steve Urkel showed up on the Full House set,” Kimmel told her.
It’s a big deal for both shows that the crossing is happening now. In its fourth season, Abbott Elementary examines how Philadelphia is changing because of growth. In 2025, It’s Always Sunny will start its 17th season. Both shows have been praised for their unique ways of showing life in Philadelphia.
Fans are already very excited, thanks to behind-the-scenes pictures that Brunson and McElhenney shared of their combined casts. The crossover between the two popular comedy shows set in the City of Brotherly Love will be a memorable TV event.
