‘Abbott Elementary’ to Crash Paddy’s Pub in Second Crossover Episode on ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’

The most powerful sitcom crossover in the history of Pennsylvania is officially a double feature.

Back at the beginning of this month, Rob McElhenney sent the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fandom into a frenzy when he posted on-set photos from behind the scenes at an Abbott Elementary production, confirming that, eight months after the viral Glaswegian Willy Wonka nightmare got him and Quinta Brunson talking, a crossover between the two hometown sitcoms is finally in the works. Many of those same fans were dismayed to learn that the planned collaboration would happen on Abbott Elementary’s home court, where the show’s comparatively clean and upbeat tone (coupled with ABC’s censors) would limit the Always Sunny cast’s aptitude to be equal parts appalling and hilarious.

Then, on Friday, Variety blessed us with an exclusive scoop that opens the door for profane comedy played off of the already put-upon Willard R. Abbott Elementary school staff like it’s the gates of hell. After the Paddy’s Pub Gang made the trip to West Philly for their Abbott appearance, Brunson and her castmates will return the favor and guest star in an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17.

If an entire schoolful of Philadelphia’s most patient teachers can’t help Charlie Kelly learn basic literacy skills, nothing will.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Kaitlin Olson revealed the second part of the crossover while walking the red carpet at Variety’s Power of Women event this past Thursday evening. “It was very fun,” Olson said of her experience on the set of Abbott Elementary, adding of her cross-town collaborators, “They’ll be jumping into our world in a couple of weeks, which is very exciting. So it’s been really fun for both of our casts to be able to do, them a cable show and us a network show.”

The Abbott Elementary episode featuring the cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia doesn’t yet have an air date, but we do know that it will be the ninth episode of the ABC hit’s ongoing fourth season, which would place some time in early December. On the other hand, It's Always Sunny Season 17 isn’t slated to come out until early next year, so there will be a substantial break in between the two parts of the crossover, a point that could very well play a factor in the Sunny installment.

Is it possible that it will take Abbott Elementary multiple months to clean up the wreckage from hosting the Paddy’s Pub gang? What happens when they show up to Paddy’s Pub looking for payback? Will we ever see a third, far less sensical crossover with Bel Air? 

These are the questions we need Philadelphia to answer.