This week’s episode of “Abbott Elementary” only tells part of the tale. The installment titled “Volunteers” brought about the much-anticipated crossover with the long-running FX show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as seen from the perspective of the popular ABC sitcom. However, you’ll need to watch the next season of “Sunny” to hear the Gang’s version of events.
Patrick Schumacker, an executive producer of ‘Abbott’, hints that events taking place off-screen in our show will be shown on-screen in theirs. It seems like if both episodes are edited together after they’re aired, it would make quite an intriguing piece. Some have likened this to the film ‘Rashomon’, although we’re not showing conflicting truths, rather, their episode occurs around the same time frame as ours,” he said.
Schumacker proposes that Hulu might find it beneficial to present consecutive episodes of “Sunny” for viewers once the “It’s Always Sunny” episode (already filmed) is aired this spring. For now, we have a clear understanding of what the initial scene will involve: The “It’s Always Sunny” group gets assigned community service at Abbott Elementary, and Melissa (played by Lisa Ann Walter), who has previously visited Paddy’s Pub, identifies them as the troublemakers.
Justin Halpern, an executive producer, remarked, “We found it hard to imagine anyone from our cast would visit Paddy’s.” He conceded, “Maybe Melissa might wander into such a place once. We can accept that possibility.” Garrett Werner, the episode’s writer, also commented, “Given that Melissa resides in South Philly, where Paddy’s is located, it was the most logical fit.
Quinta Brunson, the head of “Abbott,” along with her writing team, had an initial discussion with Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day from “Sunny” about potential main plot ideas. They eventually decided to incorporate the “Sunny” universe’s detail that Charlie Day’s character is illiterate.
When brainstorming potential storylines and character pairings that resonated with us, we always found ourselves circling back to the fact that Charlie is illiterate,” I mused. “Typically, a strong ‘Abbott’ episode involves an emotional core within the narrative and a character experiencing some profound, emotional climax. So, we thought, what if Barbara taught him to read? This could culminate in a genuine, moving moment that stays true to our vision.
Later, in a subplot development, it was noticed by the writers that characters Janine (Brunson) from “Abbott” and Dee (Kaitlin Olson) from “Sunny” had attended the University of Pennsylvania. This unexpected pair could potentially form a friendship based on their shared alma mater.
Janine, the teacher at Abbott, initially seems willing to give these students the benefit of the doubt, according to Schumacker. This is because the group is doing community service and must volunteer at Abbott to avoid jail time. However, once everyone realizes that these are criminals, they want them removed from the school. Yet, Janine has formed a bond with Dee due to their shared alma mater, Penn, which seems to have made her overlook this fact.
Initially, blending the styles of two distinct types of humor proved challenging, according to Werner. However, the mockumentary format of “Abbott” made it easier to strike a balance by accommodating both tones.
He notes that although the group exhibits antisocial behaviors typical of sociopaths, they are conscious of their image. The necessity of dealing with cameras and being recorded acts as a restraint for them, as there’s tangible proof of their actions. This evidence helps keep them in check. Furthermore, having four individuals displaying such behavior within the school setting provides a unique dynamic that influences the characters’ personalities, making their interactions seem more authentic.
It’s uncertain how many viewers of “Abbott” also watch “Sunny,” and vice versa. However, the producers mention that there aren’t many comedies on television, so it’s likely that fans of humor enjoy both shows. Regardless, they ensured that this episode is still understandable even for those unfamiliar with Charlie, Dee, Mac (played by David Hornsby), Frank (Danny DeVito), or Dennis (Glenn Howerton).
Schumacker explained they aimed to handle the guest stars similarly to how they would on a regular show. He believes they didn’t overdo the explanations, and there are only a few subtle inside jokes scattered throughout. The goal was to make it enjoyable for those who are just fans of ‘Abbott,’ even if they aren’t familiar with the guest stars. And he hopes that this approach works in both directions, and will be appreciated in the ‘Sunny’ episode as well.
Werner observed multiple well-known television crossover events to get ready for this one, and he concluded that he desired this one to have a bite, or in other words, a strong impact.
Growing up glued to the TV screen during the ’90s, the crossovers I encountered were often mere brief appearances by characters who didn’t significantly impact the story,” Halpern explains. “Instead of simply creating a surprise like, ‘Urkel appeared on Full House!’, we aimed for something more challenging and interconnected. Our goal was to craft an experience where if you watched both episodes consecutively, it would offer a viewing journey that might be unique compared to other crossovers.
Simultaneously, the writers for “Abbott” found themselves in a predicament as they weren’t certain which “Sunny” cast members, apart from McElhenney and Day, would be accessible for the episode. Olson was occupied with “High Potential,” while Howerton was engaged in filming “Sirens” on Netflix. Additionally, DeVito’s availability wasn’t immediately known at the start.
Halpern states, “Rob mentioned having Danny cast, but our team found it challenging because they couldn’t reach Danny, nor did they know his whereabouts, which was puzzling given that ‘Abbott’ and ‘Sunny’ shared the same casting crew.” (This version aims to clarify the initial statement while maintaining a natural flow of language.)
Werner mentions: “We discovered Dennis would be in the show only on the day I got my script. So, it was more like finding a way to justify his brief appearance. It was all about the joy and excitement from everyone involved that kept us going, no matter what logistical hurdles came up. Everyone’s attitude was always, ‘We’ll find a solution.’
Randall Einhorn, the executive producer/director of “Abbott”, served as a liaison between the two shows since he had previously directed on “Sunny”. Werner explains that Randall was like a bridge, fostering trust between the teams. He could vouch for both us and them, providing an instant sense of familiarity and comfort that we wouldn’t have experienced with any other director.
In each episode of “Sunny,” there’s a delightful Easter egg that I appreciate – the opening title card with the day and time. In the episode “Abbott,” we don’t get a title card, but instead, someone mentions the day and time after the cold open, subtly referencing “Sunny.” There are numerous other subtle references like this that make me love uncovering the intricate lore of “Sunny” and pondering about our own. Interestingly, both Janine and Dee have large feet, a quirky detail that appeals to both audiences.
Apart from his inability to read, Charlie’s passion for bird law, which was evident on “Sunny,” also surfaced in “Abbott.” This was largely because the creators of “Abbott” intended this episode to contribute significantly to the Season 4 narrative: The legal battle over a golf course being constructed in the neighborhood of “Abbott,” which forms a crucial part of the ongoing storyline.
Schumacker states that this particular episode holds just as much significance for the season’s overall storyline as any other. In Season 4, themes revolving around a golf course and neighborhood gentrification are central. Ava’s secret agreement with the lawyer from the golf course, who is providing Abbott with under-the-table payments, plays a crucial role here. This arrangement impacts the storyline and is further affected by the ‘Sunny’ Gang. It’s essential to note that this episode doesn’t stand alone; it connects directly with the ongoing ‘Abbott’ storyline, making it more rewarding for viewers who intend to watch the entire season.
In this particular episode, you’ll find an impressive visual effect that the showrunners claim is the most complex one ever produced by “Abbott Elementary”: A dramatic scene where the school’s scoreboard falls from the gym wall right at the start of the program.
Werner mentioned that the ‘Sunny’ people weren’t involved at all with this particular event; instead, it was a significant action taken for the episode. Previously, we had merely dropped the scoreboard, but it was done out of sight and only audible through sound effects. However, in this instance, we genuinely set up the falling of the scoreboard. We ran numerous tests to determine how it might fall from various angles. Randall and I pondered, ‘What’s the quickest, funniest way for it to collapse?’ And so, we executed it in a single take. It was truly impressive,” he said.
Quips Halpern: “We’re a regular ‘Avatar’ over here.”
Moving forward, it remains undetermined as to when the “Sunny” aspect of this collaboration will be broadcasted, and the creators have been reluctant to provide any clues about potential events in their retelling of the story.
As a passionate cinephile, I’d rather not give away any secrets from their masterpiece as it’s their tale to unfold. However, let me assure you, the audacity of their work is truly commendable! If ‘Abbott’ is your favorite series, trust me, you won’t want to miss their upcoming episode.
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2025-01-09 05:17