The Abbott Elementary Writers Have More Crossover Ideas After It’s Always Sunny

By now you’ve probably heard about the much-anticipated Abbott Elementary crossover episode with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia that’s coming later in season four, but could the Abbott teachers find their way to other beloved TV series? At Vulture Festival, where Abbott won our first Roomy Award for writers’ rooms, the writers shared that they have plenty more crossover ideas for future seasons. Creator Quinta Brunson has her eyes on a game show — like one of her faves, America Says. “You know how it’s always teachers on there, right?” she said. “I really want our teachers to go on that show.” Brunson also suggested a Survivor crossover, after writer Kate Peterman hooked her on the reality series, while writer Joya McCrory suggested 911. “It feels like the way that they have The Bachelor and The Bachelorette go before us that they want Mr. Johnson to be on The Golden Bachelor,” said Jordan Temple, another writer. “I don’t know if his wife would like that though,” added writer Riley Dufurrena. But we would like to see it!

Brunson and the writers also gave more insight into how the It’s Always Sunny episode will work. “It’s not like they show up in our cold open and then they’re gone,” said executive producer Justin Halpern. “Our two episodes are of a piece.” Brunson continued, “[What] I think people don’t realize is our episode will air in January, so it’ll be an Abbott Elementary episode, but the first episode of Always Sunny will air — I don’t know when their episode’s going to air, but probably in June. Their episode will be their version of what happened in this storyline.” To make Abbott’s episode, It’s Always Sunny creator Rob McElhenny visited their writer’s room, and star Charlie Day even Zoomed in while sick. But the most crucial part? “I guess I have to say thank you to corporate synergy?” Brunson said. “That’s the only reason we get to do this, is because FX is also owned by Disney. If it weren’t for that, it wouldn’t happen.”