It’s Always Sunny In PhiladelphiaandAbbott Elementarystars and creators Rob McElhenney and Quinta Brunson each tease how their casts will alter their characters in their upcoming crossover episodes. McElhenney has portrayed the often conflicted bouncer of Paddy’s Pub in his, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton’s darkly comedic sitcom for seventeen seasons, with an eighteenth confirmed. Meanwhile,Brunson created and stars inAbbottElementaryas second-grade teacher Janine Teagues of the often struggling titular school, with the show currently airing season 4.
With their surprising first crossover set to air on January 8 withAbbottElementaryseason 4’s “Volunteers,” McElhenney teased to theLATimeshow the series' mockumentary format led toIt’s AlwaysSunnycast making surprising character changes. In theAbbottElementaryportion of the crossover event, McElhenney teased thatthe gang would be putting up their best behavior for the documentary, which allows them to remain authentic and in character. These allowed the series' cast to stay true to their core elements in the setting, even if certain traits are hidden away:
That’s what allowed for us to still be authentic and step into the world of “Abbott” because these characters are going into a school and they’re constantly monitored by cameras, so they would put on an act. If we’re not acting the way that our “Sunny” characters would, it’s because we know we’re being filmed and we’re putting it on the show. We might not use the same language. We might not make our intentions so obvious or known. We might not be wearing our id on our sleeves. Conversely, when they came over to us, we thought it would be fun to see what their characters would be like when the bell rings and the cameras are not on them.
Brunson further teased a similar scenario for the cast ofAbbottElementary, hinting thatthe school staff may let their hair down and show a less-often-seen sidewhen compared to their typical portrayal in theAlwaysSunnyseason 17 portion of the event, adding surprising new layers to their characters. Check out Brunson’s tease below:
Our documentary is being filmed because they’re seeking funds for their school. So you’re going to put, probably, a better version of yourself. Then there are some characters who fit the same in both worlds, like Melissa and Ava, because they’re never really putting on for the camera. I think they’ve done something so masterful, not giving anything away, just with Dee [Olson’s character]. To me, when I first read it, I was like, “This adds another layer to all of this, that if you are a fan of both shows, you are going to have the time of your life.”
What These Teases Reveal About The Always Sunny/Abbott Elementary Crossover
Paddy’s Pub Is Not A Safe Place For Young Audiences
For theAbbottElementaryepisode, a change in the tone oftheIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiacastis unsurprisingsince the long-running sitcom is rated TV-MA. This is in contrast withAbbottElementary, which has typically received a TV-PG rating save for certain episodes. Furthermore, when looking at the Gang’s list of deeds across the show’s seventeen seasons, it is hard to deny that the group poses a major safeguarding risk, making their appearance in a school all the more unlikely.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: 9 Worst Things Mac Has Done
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia has main characters who are truly awful people. Among them is Mac, who has committed some terrible acts.
As such, it is likely theAbbottElementaryside of the crossover will see the gang attempting to pull off another con, but audiences will see them throughthe lense of the strangers they typically meet in-universe, as opposed to knowing every insight of their days, for better and worse. For longtimeAlwaysSunnyviewers, however, much of the humor may likely be derived from where the cracks in their facade begin to form, showing their truly horrible selves.
Our Thoughts On Abbott Elementary’s It’s Always Sunny Character Changes
New Perspectives On The Cast Could Help The Crossover Stand Out
Part of what madeIt’s Always Sunny In PhiladelphiaandAbbottElementary’scrossover a surprise was the tonal chasm between each show. Despite the definite growth and development of its cast over the years, the Paddy’s Pub gang is beloved by audiences for how horrible they are, and theshow has always pushed against sitcom acceptability with its darker humor.
8 Things We Want To See In Abbott Elementary & It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Crossover
Now that we know Abbot Elementary and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia are doing a crossover episode, there’s a lot that viewers want to see.
However, McElhenney’s explanation shows that, despite having to fit within the limitationsAbbottElementaryoffers, the gang will remain faithful to who they are. Furthermore, with Brunson teasing another side to the Abbott staff in theirIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiaseason 17appearances, many may be eager to see what their favorite teachers are like outside of school hours or perhaps get a chance to react to the depravity Paddy’s Pub and its staff regularly offers and indulges in.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Cast
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a television series that premiered in 2005, chronicling the chaotic lives of four self-involved friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia. Their misguided decisions and skewed perspectives often result in amusing and uncomfortable situations, complicating their professional and personal relationships.
