‘Abbott Elementary’ Meets ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’: Crossover Episode Announced

by · Forbes
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - PIn this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers and a ... [+] slightly tone-deaf principal are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do even if they dont love the school districts less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children. (Prashant Gupta/ABC via Getty Images)TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS, CHRIS PERFETTI, QUINTA BRUNSON, SHERYL LEE RALPH, LISA ANN WALTERABC via Getty Images

Historically, the art of the television crossover - when characters from one TV series show up on another TV series in an episode (or two) - unoffically began when Superman (George Reeves) from The Adventures of Superman was the guest of honor at Little Ricky’s (Keith Thibodeaux) birthday party on I Love Lucy in 1957.

American actor George Reeves (1914 -1959) (in Superman costume) flexes his bicep while actress and ... [+] comedian Lucille Ball (1911 - 1989) (as Lucy Ricardo) touches his muscle during the episode 'Lucy and Superman' of Ball's sitcom series 'I Love Lucy,' Hollywood, California, November 15, 1956. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)Getty Images

In The Lucy/Desi Comedy Hour, the continuation of I Love Lucy, the cast of The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room For Daddy) visited. That was in 1958.

One year later, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz popped up on The Danny Thomas Show. Then, in 1971, Lucy as Lucy Carter from Here’s Lucy appeared in an episode of Make Room For Granddaddy (the sequel to The Danny Thomas Show).

Unspecified - 1970: (L-R) Marjorie Lord, Danny Thomas, Lucille Ball appearing on the Disney General ... [+] Entertainment Content via Getty Images series 'Make Room for Granddaddy'. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Oh, and let’s not forget when Mike Connors from crime drama Mannix showed up on Here’s Lucy.

Of course, there is much more to the TV crossover than just Lucille Ball, George Reeves, Danny Thomas and Mike Connors. For example, Jay North as little Dennis Mitchell from sitcom Dennis the Menace appeared at the backdoor of the Stone residence in an episode of The Donna Reed Show. Rural comedies The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres all gathered together for a Thanksgiving-themed episode of The Beverly Hillibillies. Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) visited The Mary Tyler Moore Show spin-offs Rhoda and Phyllis. Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke) and Deputy Enos (Sonny Shroyer) showed up at Mel's Diner on sitcom Alice. And the CSI, NCIS and Law & Order franchises have featured frequent crossovers.

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The list is endless. And there is about to be a new addition: sitcoms Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny on Philadelphia.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: (L-R) Actors Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito ... [+] and Charlie Day act during a dance scene on the set of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" on May 23, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)Getty Images

In a recent Instagram post, creator and star of Abbott Elementary Quinta Brunson posed with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia stars Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day. The caption reads: "Season 4 of Abbott Elementary gets real Sunny."

Both comedies are based in Philadelphia, and rumors of this potential crossover have been circulating for months. But it is unclear how the two hit shows will merge.

Abbott Elementary returns for season four on October 9, while Season 17 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is in production.

Stay tuned...