These Are the ‘Slightly Tamer’ ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Episodes Kaitlin Olson Recommends to ‘Abbott Elementary’ Fans
Kaitlin Olson would like to offer some personalized recommendations to any Abbott Elementary fans who, intrigued by last night’s episode, would like to explore the vast catalog of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. As for Mr. Eddie, Olson just wants to get personal.
In the first half of the crosstown crossover between Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Dee and Frank made their volunteer visit to ABC and Willard R. Abbott Elementary School in a very special Abbott episode that’s already drawn rave reviews from both West and South Philly. “Volunteers” was an instant hit with the Abbott crowd who were nervous about the unhinged, family unfriendly chaos that the Paddy’s Pub Gang brings to most settings, and Always Sunny fans were pleasantly surprised to find that broadcast TV didn’t dull The Gang’s edge.
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Thankfully, the tonal merger between Abbott and Always Sunny was a total success, and despite the warnings from Abbott star and creator Quinta Brunson, many fans of the feel-good, optimistic sitcom are curious about the comedy on the other side of the fence. Enter Olson (hint, hint, Gregory), who has a list of Always Sunny starter episodes that will help the average Abbott viewer “stop being a baby.”
Olson shared her Always Sunny introduction to Abbott Elementary fans with The A.V. Club yesterday afternoon ahead of the “Volunteers” premiere, and she made sure to pepper her treatise with the pep and cheer that ABC watchers have come to expect from their sitcom stars. “Hi! Are you a big Abbott Elementary fan excited for the crossover episode but have never seen Sunny and are excited to dive in?” Olson asked. “Great! Except… you might want to take some baby steps. It’s not on network television for a reason. (Or, instead of baby steps, maybe stop being a baby and enjoy the wilder ones? Your call!) But if you’d like to watch it with your (older) kids or your grandma, maybe check out these ones first. They’re just as hilarious but slightly tamer than others.”
Olson then added hilariously, “Please don’t watch “The Nightman Cometh” with your grandma.”
Interestingly, Olson’s first choice is one that takes place almost entirely outside The Gang’s usual haunt at Paddy’s Pub – Season Five’s “The Gang Hits the Road” is Olson’s ideal Always Sunny starting point, possibly because it's an effective way to establish empathy for Sweet Dee and her perennial troubles with her “friends” and her car. “The gang attempts to expand their horizons by taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon,” Olson writes. “You’ll get to see me throw a jar of pee on my husband, and the song ‘Runaway Train’ will forever hold a special place in your heart.”
Then, there’s a Season Six shocker that will throw the average Abbott fan into the deep end right after their gentle introduction: “The Gang Buys a Boat.” As she explains, “This one will teach you all about the implication. And you’ll get to see my sweet moves.”
Once the P. Diddy boat party is over, it’s time for justice and consequences. “Sweet Dee Gets Audited” from Season Seven is Olson’s next pick, as she writes, “Desperate times call for sad and horrific measures as Sweet Dee tries to get out of an IRS audit.”
You don’t get fake baby deaths and women crying blood on Abbott, that’s for sure.
For the penultimate introductory episode, Olson picks a masterpiece with “Charlie Work,” Season 10. Charlie Kelly’s immaculately executed scheme to juggle the health inspector and his bar mates’ newest scam is sure to blow the tits off of a broadcast comedy fan, as Olson explains, “This was shot like a play with one camera movement. You’ll be so impressed with us.”
Finally, Olson picks another Season 10 classic, “Family Fight,” because, despite what Dennis may maintain, The Gang’s gameshow adventure does represent them. “Great example of all of our characters’ personalities,” Olson writes. “And Keegan Michael Key hates our guts. (Not in real life. I don’t think.)”
While Olson’s list ends there, any Abbott fans who survived the full comedy corruption should probably check out “The Nightman Cometh” whether or not their grandparents are around. After all, Pop-Pop has seen and done far worse.
