Although we might solely be getting two episodes within the long-publicized “Abbott Elementary/”It’s All the time Sunny in Philadelphia” crossover, one in every of which aired Wednesday night time on ABC, there are a bounty of concepts that spring to thoughts when occupied with how the characters from every present may work together. The truth is, even a few of the tales the “Abbott” writers labored out needed to be minimize from Wednesday night time’s episode attributable to time constraints. Talking in a current interview with Leisure Weekly, “Abbott” producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumaker shared one of many highlights that sadly didn’t make it to folks’s screens at dwelling.
“We did at one level have an entire backstory between Frank and Mr. Johnson that they did know one another. It was that they went to highschool collectively,” mentioned Schumaker. “They dated the identical lady who was a canonical character in ‘Sunny,’ this character Shadynasty. That ended up falling away simply as a operate of, ‘Hey, we are able to’t inform that story. Possibly let’s reserve it for an additional time.’ 21 and a half minutes just isn’t a variety of time to inform a narrative.”
For these unfamiliar with the small print of “All the time Sunny,” in Season 7, Episode 5 of the collection, titled “Frank’s Brother,” DeVito’s character Frank displays on his youth within the Nineteen Sixties and the way he fell in love with a lady named Shadynasty at a jazz membership. After Frank and his brother open their very own joint, a collection of mishaps result in Shadynasty falling for each males at completely different factors, separating the 2 for years. Whereas it will’ve been humorous to see Mr. Johnson concerned, increasing the love triangle right into a love sq., Halpern and Schumaker have been simply pleased to get away with the plot line they ended up giving DeVito and Davis as a substitute.
“We have been fairly even handed, however we nonetheless have been capable of put in some issues that have been perhaps slightly bit extra on the market for a typical ‘Abbott’ episode,” Schumaker mentioned. “Mr. Johnson, Gregory, and Frank’s story, as an illustration, just isn’t one thing that you’d see on a typical episode of ‘Abbott’ with Frank getting caught within the entice lined in piss-soaked pelts. We have been capable of do it frivolously.”
In describing how “All the time Sunny” will choose up the baton for his or her crossover ep, Halpern went on to share the way it will fill within the gaps current within the “Abbott,” like what precisely was Dennis doing behind the digital camera the entire time?
“Their episode is what’s taking place in between our episode within the scenes that we’re not displaying,” mentioned Halpern. “You’re seeing what they’re doing. It’s actually intelligent the way in which that they piece collectively their episode. It’s actually formidable.”
Whereas no date has been set, “It’s All the time Sunny in Philadelphia” is predicted to return for Season 17 (!) in some unspecified time in the future within the first quarter of the 12 months and its a part of the “Abbott” crossover occasion will function the premiere episode. Although they’re pleased with how this expertise turned out, Halpern and Schumaker are content material with preserving to their very own present and don’t have any plans for any additional crossovers sooner or later. That being mentioned, they definitely may give you some extra concepts.
“Possibly Ava will go on location on the White Lotus,” mentioned Halpern, capping off the interview.
New episodes of “Abbott Elementary” air Wednesdays at 8:30pm ET on ABC.