Philly Crossover: 'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Meets 'Abbott Elementary' in Highly Anticipated Special

Preview

The crossover event between "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Abbott Elementary" is a two-part special that brings together the casts of the two shows, which are both set in Philadelphia. The first episode aired on January 8, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET on ABC, with the second part set to air when "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" returns for its 17th season later in the year.

In the crossover, the characters from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" visit the teachers and students of "Abbott Elementary" in a storyline that spans the full half-hour episode. This episode marks the first time the two shows have crossed paths, despite both being set in the same city and airing on Disney-owned networks. The collaboration was announced back in October 2024 and has been highly anticipated by fans of both series.

The crossover features the main cast of "It's Always Sunny," including Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito, who shot their scenes for the "Abbott Elementary" episode. The episode promises to be a mix of the shows' distinct comedic styles, with the "Abbott" characters interacting with the more chaotic and often darker humor of the "Sunny" cast.

Preview

Preview

Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of "Abbott Elementary," has expressed concerns about the tonal differences between the two shows, warning her fans who might be unfamiliar with "It's Always Sunny" about the potentially jarring shift in tone. Despite these concerns, the crossover has been praised for its clever writing and the seamless integration of the two casts.