Abbott Elementary executive producer Patrick Schumaker reveals that one character almost had a shared backstory with an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia mainstay. The ABC sitcom focusing on the trials and tribulations of the teachers of a Philadelphia public school began airing its fourth season in October 2024 and returned from a brief hiatus with the first part of a crossover with It’s Always Sunny. In “Volunteers,” Abbott welcomes the main characters of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to the school as teaching aides to work off a community service charge.
Following the airing of “Volunteers,” Schumaker revealed to IndieWire that earlier ideas for the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover featured a shared history between two key characters. Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) and Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito) were originally envisioned to have a connection dating back to their school days, where the pair would have been rivals in earning the affection of Shadynasty. Shadynasty first appeared in It’s Always Sunny season 7 as a former flame of Frank’s in the 1960s’. Schumaker said:
We did at one point have a whole backstory between Frank and Mr. Johnson that they did know each other. It was that they went to high school together. They dated the same woman who was a canonical character in ‘Sunny,’ this character Shadynasty. That ended up falling away just as a function of, ‘Hey, we can’t tell that story. Maybe let’s save it for another time.’ 21 and a half minutes is not a lot of time to tell a story.
We were pretty judicious, but we still were able to put in some things that were maybe a little bit more out there for a typical ‘Abbott’ episode. Mr. Johnson, Gregory, and Frank’s story, for instance, is not something that you would see on a typical episode of ‘Abbott’ with Frank getting caught in the trap covered in piss-soaked pelts. We were able to do it lightly.
What Abbott Elementary And It’s Always Sunny’s Cut Backstory Could Have Meant For Both Series
Each Series Has Contradicting Timelines
While it could have provided plenty of humor, the two shows’ established continuity for Mr. Johnson and Frank likely wouldn’t have allowed this storyline to work. Abbott Elementary has provided several hilarious and wildly disconnected details about Mr. Johnson’s origins, and they indicate he isn’t quite the same age as Frank. This means that Mr. Johnson likely wouldn’t have been in school when Frank’s romance with Shadynasty began in the ’60s, before his descent into a life of shady dealings and criminal activity.
As such, the implementation of Mr. Johnson and Frank’s shared history with Shadynasty would have meant one character’s life would have received a major retcon. However, with the idea being an incredibly early concept, the details could’ve been refined to fit both characters’ pasts, be it a change in time or character. However, with Schumaker stating the idea had been left aside, the idea isn’t canon to either shows at this point of time. Nevertheless, it shows how deeply the writers of both Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny were committed to connecting their shows.
Our Take On Abbott Elementary And It’s Always Sunny’s Cut Backstory
Great Care Was Taken To Combine Both Shows
Though it would provide the Abbott Elementary episode with a fun connection to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s past, it is undeniable that the decision would have left fans of the latter scratching their heads. It’s a reference that would only appeal to those familiar with It’s Always Sunny. As such, it is better that the first crossover episode instead chose to focus on Mr. Johnson and Frank’s battle with the raccoons over a shared history.
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Furthermore, it is clear that the creatives of both series took their care to ensure that the crossover remained faithful to each character despite both shows’ drastically different tones. This included centering Charlie’s (Charlie Day) arc on his inability to read and Dennis (Glen Howerton) being reluctant to appear in the documentary format, thus making any contradictions unlikely to make it through the writing process. However, with Abbott Elementary‘s filming crew absent from the second crossover set to air in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 17, there may still be an opportunity to see the characters in a new light.
Source: IndieWire
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Abbott 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.
- Release Date
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December 7, 2021
- Cast
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Quinta Brunson
, Tyler James Williams
, Sheryl Lee Ralph
, Lisa Ann Walter
, Chris Perfetti
, Janelle James
, William Stanford Davis
, Zack Fox
, Courtney Taylor
, Nikea Gamby-Turner
, Josh Segarra
, Mason Renfro
, Jerry Minor
, Larry Owens
, Nate’ Jones
, Lela Hoffmeister
, Vince Staples
, Kimia Behpoornia
, Dillion Blake Allen
, Reggie Conquest
, Kate Peterman
, Keyla Monterroso Mejia
, Benjamin Norris
, Aayden William
, Ben Onyx Dowdy - Seasons
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4
- Story By
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Quinta Brunson
- Writers
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Quinta Brunson
- Showrunner
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Quinta Brunson
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It’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.
- Release Date
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August 4, 2005
- Seasons
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16
- Story By
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Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton
- Writers
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Rob McElhenney
, Glenn Howerton
, Charlie Day
, David Hornsby - Streaming Service(s)
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Hulu
- Showrunner
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Rob McElhenney
