Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 9, “Volunteers.”
Abbott Elementary enjoyed a successful first act in its crossover with It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, albeit with one notable absence that added a layer of wit to the episode. The show’s vibrant cast—including Mr. Johnson, Principal Ava, Melissa, Barbara, and Jacob—typically brings endless laughter. However, despite a slew of positive critiques, Abbott Elementary has faced declining ratings in season 4, making this crossover critical for its visibility amidst ABC’s crowded schedule for the 2024/2025 season.
This context elevates the significance of the crossover, which creator and star Quinta Brunson deemed “historic.” The storyline sees characters from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia engaged in court-ordered community service at Abbott Elementary. In the episode titled “Volunteers,” the faculty introduces Dee, Charlie, Mac, and Frank as the new volunteers, only to find their energy leads to chaos. Yet, a keen observation reveals that one regular character was conveniently absent.
Why Dennis Was Almost Nonexistent in Abbott Elementary’s It’s Always Sunny Crossover
The It’s Always Sunny Star Chose Not to Appear
Glenn Howerton’s character Dennis barely features in the Abbott Elementary episode, which is interesting considering his prominence in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Within the plot, Dennis’s absence is justified as he opts out of being filmed upon realizing the documentary crew’s presence. In reality, Howerton was occupied filming the Netflix show Sirens at the same time, as explained by Abbott Elementary’s executive producer Patrick Schumacker to Entertainment Weekly: “We had him for half a day, so we had to build that in.”
The mockumentary format of Abbott Elementary makes this twist feel organic. Dennis, typically the most villainous among the It’s Always Sunny ensemble, would naturally resist interacting with a documentary crew. This clever use of the mockumentary framework echoes a previous storyline from season 4, where a parent’s confrontation with Gregory arose from his direct addresses to the camera.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 17: A Closer Look at Dennis
The Crossover Continues in Season 17 of It’s Always Sunny
Interestingly, Dennis’s limited involvement in “Volunteers” teases a more substantial appearance in the forthcoming half of the crossover set for season 17 of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Rob McElhenney, one of the showrunners, noted in an interview with The Los Angeles Times that, “When you see the ‘Sunny’ episode, you’ll realize why we did that with Dennis.” This approach serves a dual purpose: it ensures that the It’s Always Sunny episode will not simply redo the story from “Volunteers” from another standpoint.
|
Abbott Elementary Actor |
Character Name |
|---|---|
|
Brunson Farm |
Janine Teagues |
|
Tyler James Williams |
Gregory Eddie |
|
Lisa Ann Walter |
Melissa Schemmenti |
|
Sheryl Lee Ralph |
Barbara Howard |
|
Janelle James |
Principal Ava |
|
William Stanford Davis |
Mr. Johnson |
|
Chris Perfect |
Jacob Hill |
While a recreation of the episode’s storyline with It’s Always Sunny‘s hallmark R-rated humor might be entertaining, it risks feeling redundant. Dennis’s forthcoming role promises to breathe fresh life into the crossover experience. Additionally, the “Volunteers” episode was rich in narrative threads, making it impractical to include Dennis without sacrificing vital characterization and plot development, like Dee’s intentions toward Gregory and the dynamics with Ava and Mac, or the educational journey of Melissa and Barbara as they help Charlie learn to read.
The Implications of Abbott Elementary’s Crossover for It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 17
Dennis’s Role Will Be Fundamental in Shaping the Crossover Narrative
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