With the highly anticipated crossover between sitcoms Abbott Elementary and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, showrunners Quinta Brunson (Abbott, Magical Girl Friendship Squad) and Rob McElhenney (The Tollbooth, Long Story Short), respectively, pull on the heartstrings of more Philly natives, according to Deadline, as they joined forces with the home football team, the Philadelphia Eagles for a Saturday Night Football promo.
Being an Eagles fan in Los Angeles, I mean, of course you feel like an outsider sometimes,” McElhenny, who hails from Philadelphia, said in the promo via Deadline.
Brunson, hailing from West Philadelphia and the child of a schoolteacher, remarked: “Growing up in Philly and now living in LA, you always remember where you come from.” The two-time Emmy-winning actress and writer was dressed in a tracksuit adorned with the Eagles’ iconic green.
McElhenney quipped, “Anyone else notice it’s always sunny here?”—a nod to his show’s title and California’s perpetual sunshine.
“As the holidays approach, it’s nice to have some family in town,” the Welcome to Wrexham executive producer remarked, with Brunson adding, “especially when your family is playing like this.” The two football enthusiasts highlighted quarterback Jalen Hurts, who made a cameo in a February 2024 episode of Abbott, and running back Saquon Barkley, known for his iconic “spin hurdle,” featured in the Madden NFL video game.
McElhenney added, “Next thing you know, they’re in the playoffs.” Last year, the Rams lost to the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round, with the latter team clinching its first playoff win in 32 years.
“I love the contrast though. And at the end of the day,” Brunson began, with McElhenney finishing her sentence: “There is still no place like home.”
The two NFL powerhouses will face off in week 12 of SNF at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., tonight. The game kicks off at 5:20 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock. Heading into the game, the Eagles are 8-2, with the Rams at 5-5.
All right, thanks guys, you can turn off the lights. I actually sleep here, so,” McElhenney said while closing the video. It was filmed on location at Paddy’s Pub and set to an instrumental of Saint Motel’s “My Type.
Last month, the casts of both Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia came together in a photo to tease the year’s most anticipated Disney crossover event. Plot details for the crossover are being kept under wraps, but it will be told in two parts, reflecting each show’s unique tone.
Abbott Elementary will return in midseason to complete season four starting on January 8. Meanwhile, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia will premiere its 17th season some time in 2025.