The “Sunny” crew land at “Abbott,” and it’s what you’d expect — but funnier

The gang from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn’t exactly known for their altruism. Their antics, equal parts hilarious and unhinged, make the idea of them stepping into a school building downright terrifying.

But for the most Philly moment on TV this season, they’ve been court-ordered to serve community service — and, where else, but a West Philly public school? Cue the crossover of the year: It’s Always Sunny meets Abbott Elementary.

Why the punishment? Let’s just say it involves 100 gallons of baby oil, 500 Paddy’s Pub T-shirts, and a Tesla cybertruck dumped into the Schuylkill River. Classic Sunny chaos. The result? A hilarious mashup of Philly’s most beloved comedies, airing their first crossover episode. With a second part planned for Sunny, it’s the ultimate tribute to the city’s attitude, quirks, and, of course, its signature phrase: “Go Birds.” (Spoilers ahead!)

Despite their stark differences in tone — Sunny thrives on crass absurdity, while Abbott charms with its heartfelt wit — the crossover works seamlessly. Credit goes to the shared Philly pride of Sunny creator Rob McElhenney and Abbott showrunner Quinta Brunson, who hatched the idea after meeting at the Emmys.

The episode begins with Principal Ava (Janelle James) welcoming Mac (McElhenney), Frank (Danny DeVito), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Charlie (Charlie Day) to Abbott. Ava, in her typical fashion, sees free labor and runs with it: “If Caucasian cultural exchange is over, let’s get to the free work.” But Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) isn’t so quick to trust them. “Wait, did you ever get into a fight at an Eagles game?” she asks. Of course they have. (So has she.)

Assignments are quickly handed out. Charlie pairs with Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti) to fix a duct system, Dee lands in fellow Penn grad’s Janine’s (Quinta Brunson) classroom, Mac somehow becomes vice principal, and Frank battles raccoons. Dennis? He’s awkwardly dodging the cameras, true to form, while hitting on school staffers behind the scenes.

Cue the absurdity: Charlie’s illiteracy — a running joke on Sunny — leads to a surprisingly sweet moment when Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) decides to teach him to read. Using a book about Pennsylvania birds, Barbara gives Charlie a heartfelt boost, even spotlighting the loggerhead shrike, a protected species. Meanwhile, Frank’s raccoon war with Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) devolves into a debate about alpha predator urine, naturally.

Elsewhere, Dee’s budding friendship with Janine hits a wall when Dee, dressed as Ben Franklin for a history lesson, tries to seduce Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams). And in Jacob’s classroom, Charlie becomes an unlikely inspiration, leading to a celebratory assembly for Abbott’s newest reader. The gang doesn’t leave unscathed, though: Frank ends up in a cage trap, using a dead raccoon as a pillow. Because, of course, he does.

The episode closes with confessional interviews. Mac brags, “When we got here, this place was falling apart. And now? They send children here.” Frank, always pragmatic, declares, “Community service is great. Crime is worth it, plain and simple.”

For Philadelphians, the crossover is a love letter to their city’s humor, resilience, and unfiltered charm. Next time, we’ll see the Abbott cast dive into Sunny’s world. With Melissa’s chaos already a perfect match, it’s only a matter of time before Janine, Gregory and the rest embrace Paddy’s Pub-level absurdity. Until then, we’ll be replaying this masterclass in Philly pride. Go Birds!

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