The Abbott Elementary’s wholesome cast of characters crossing paths with the nefarious "Gang" from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, characters that are irredeemable and proud. While The Gang was certainly toned down for Abbott Elementary’s TV-PG audience, their criminal behavior was not overlooked entirely.
In fact, the It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Abbott Elementary crossover even separated The Gang into “heroes” and villains. While the family of Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), Deandra “Dee” Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito) all had some sort of antagonism during the episode, Ronald "Mac" McDonald (Rob McElhenney) and Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) ended up helping the Abbott crew solve their problem— through blackmail, of course. The Gang would never help someone above board. While the plot was entertaining, a few key references to It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia may have flown under the radar on a first watch.
6 Janine Compares Dee To A Bird
The Running Gag From It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Becomes Janine's Insult
Dee and Janine (Quinta Brunson) initially form a great bond, but nothing goes smoothly for long when Sweet Dee is involved. After striking an unlikely friendship, Dee sets her sights on Gregory (Tyler James Williams). Even after Janine politely informs Dee that she and Gregory are dating, Dee misconstrues the conversation as a challenge.
The conflict was already funny, but Janine’s first instinct being to compare her to a bird was the cherry on top.
The two get into an argument soon after, where Janine calls Dee a “bird-a— bird" as an insult. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia has likened Dee to a bird for years, with one flashback even replacing her with an ostrich. The conflict was already funny, but Janine’s first instinct being to compare her to a bird was the cherry on top.
5 Melissa And The Gang Root For The Eagles
The Gang's ion For The Team Was At The Center Of Multiple It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Episodes
Lisa Ann Walter’s Melissa has mob connections in Abbott Elementary, which made it impossible for her not to already know the Gang. Before ing Paddy’s Pub, Melissa placed them at “a fight at an Eagles game.” It made perfect sense for Melissa to share their overzealous sports fandom.
Abbott Elementary EP Explains Why Dennis Is Barely In Always Sunny Crossover Episode
Abbott Elementary executive producer Patrick Schumacker explains why Dennis is nearly absent from the It’s Always Sunny crossover episode.
The Eagles have been mentioned many times in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, with episode plots surrounding the team itself. From catching a game to trying to the team, the Gang has a history with The Eagles. Melissa bringing them up was a nice, subtle callback.
4 Charlie Tells Barbara His Interests, Including Milk Steak
It's An Iconic Callback To Charlie's Dating Profile
Charlie had a particularly exciting subplot in the Abbott Elementary crossover. Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Barbara takes it upon herself to help Charlie with his illiteracy. At the end of the episode, Charlie even has a “Moving Up” ceremony to celebrate his new Kindergarten-level reading skills.
Barbara asked about his interests, to which Charlie mentioned Milk Steak. One of Charlie’s most iconic scenes in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is his dating profile set-up. His answers were gibberish, from saying “magnets” are his hobby to insisting his favorite food is “milk steak.” The show elaborated on the dish later, with brave viewers recreating the milk-boiled meat and "raw" jelly bean garnish at home.
3 Dee Alludes To Her Ill-Fated Time At Penn
She Fails To Mention Her Arson
Janine and Dee get off to such a great start when Dee says they share an Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania. This touches on Abbott Elementary’s own running joke of Janine humblebragging about going to Penn. However, Dee’s experience there was chaotic and short-lived.
The episode “Volunteers” from Abbott Elementary has a rating of 8.8 on IMDB.
What Dee neglected to tell Janine is that she never finished college at Penn because Dee set her roommate on fire. In what was one of the worst things It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s Dee has ever done, she burned her roommate alive for “copying” her. Omitting this is what led Janine to look past her red flags at first.
2 Honorable Mention: Jacob Nearly Name-drops The Sitcom
The Screen Cuts To Black And Interrupts Him
The final scene before the It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia talking heads shows the Abbott Elementary cast walking out together. Jacob (Chris Perfetti) goes on an optimistic rant, with his last words being “It’s always sunny in—” before the screen cuts to black. If he weren’t interrupted, he obviously would have finished with “Philadelphia.”
Many TV shows break the fourth wall for a quick laugh, but Jacob’s deadpan delivery made the moment hilarious.
This may not be a true easter egg, but the tongue-in-cheek mention of the other show’s title was amazing. Many TV shows break the fourth wall for a quick laugh, but Jacob’s deadpan delivery made the moment hilarious. Abruptly cutting him off was infinitely better than allowing him to finish.
1 Charlie's Expertise In Bird Law Saves The Day
A Long-Time Joke Becomes A Winning Blackmail Strategy For Ava
Bird Law is a meme that perfectly sums up It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s Charlie. It starts off as another nonsensical fixation for the character, but it becomes unexpectedly helpful for Abbott Elementary. Principal Ava (Janelle James) even uses his reading on protected birds to get the school a new scoreboard.
Abbott Elementary’s It’s Always Sunny Crossover Puts A Pivotal Plot On Pause
While Abbott Elementary's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia crossover episode was hotly anticipated, this outing did delay the show's best new story.
What is written off so often as a quirky Charlieism turned into a solution to the episode’s overarching issue. Mac helping Ava blackmail the golf course was the perfect resolution, and Bird Law being how Abbott Elementary got the upper hand was incredible. Charlie is often seen as It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s dumbest member, but he truly saved the day in the crossover.
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Abbott Elementary
9/10- Release Date
- December 7, 2021
- Network
- ABC
- Showrunner
- Quinta Brunson
Cast
Quinta BrunsonJanine Teagues
Tyler James WilliamsGregory Eddie
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingBUYAbbott Elementary is a mockumentary comedy series centered around a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show highlights their efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges and underfunding, while showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives.
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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
10/10- Release Date
- August 4, 2005
- Network
- FX
- Showrunner
- Rob McElhenney
Cast
Charlie Day
Rob McElhenney
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingBUYIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a Sitcom and Black Comedy created by Rob McElhenney. It stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton, and Danny DeVito. The series follows a group of friends that own and frequent the Irish bar, Paddy's Pub, and get into all sorts of troubling adventures.
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