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Another San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone, and once again, fans were treated to exciting looks at upcoming movies and seasons of their favorite TV shows. During last year’s Abbott Elementary panel, Quinta Brunson revealed that viewers could expect an “interesting crossover.” That crossover ended up being a wildly fun one with the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia that aired back in January. A few weeks ago, it was the Abbott cast’s turn to appear on It’s Always Sunny.
At this year’s panel, the cast talked a little bit about filming those crossover episodes, which included a funny story from Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter about how “dirty” the ”Sunny” set was. We also got another fun teaser about this upcoming season (season five). According to Quinta, the cast is going to be filming an episode at a live event that will make Philly sports fans “very happy.”
Ain’t no sports fan like a Philly sports fan — and Abbott Elementary is looking to highlight that.
The Abbott Elementary cast took the stage at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday to reminisce about season 4 episode “Karaoke” and look ahead to season 5, coming to ABC in October. When asked about potential guest stars for the new season, creator and star Quinta Brunson didn’t name names — but she did hint at an exciting development celebrating Abbott’s hometown.
“You can expect us to be filming at a live event,” she teased. “You can do with that information what you will because I can’t give you more information.”
“But I do think that Philly sports fans will be very happy,” Brunson added, before amending, “Sports fans in general.”
Janelle James, who plays Principal Ava Coleman on the series, jokingly told the crowd that the scene would be at “Little League Soccer.”
Abbott Elementary is no stranger to Philadelphia sports tie-ins. Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty guest-starred in the season 2 premiere, while Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts, Jason Kelce, and Brandon Graham guest-starred on the season 3 premiere as part of Abbott’s career day.
Will the Eagles return to the show, or might it be time for the Phillies or the Sixers to get a moment in the spotlight on the series that has nothing but love for its hometown heroes?
So, thoughts on which (alleged) sporting event this scene will be filmed at? I bet it takes place at a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game. Walter’s Melissa Schemmenti is a big Phillies fan. There was also a joke about the Phillies losing to the NY Mets in the 2024 playoffs. Speaking of, I am currently in San Diego because I attended Comic-Con. My son and I met a woman dressed in Phillies gear at the Padres/Mets game on Monday night. She very enthusiastically told us that she was there for a work event but had to “represent against the rivals.” (The Phillies are currently in 2nd place behind the Mets in the NL East league.) Philadelphia fans are passionate and they show up, even when the team isn’t playing.
All of this goes to say that I truly love how much the Abbott team makes the show a love-letter to Philadelphia. When it comes to incorporating hometown favorites, they really understand the assignment. It would be easy to throw some famous football players into an ep, make up some storyline, and call it a day, but they really get it. I’m envious of the lucky fans who happen to be at whatever live event they end up filming at.
Photos credit: Dave Starbuck/Future Image/Cover Images, Getty, William Wade/INSTARimages, William T. Wade Jr/Avalon
Baseball has a lot of breaks so I’d think it would be the easiest sport to do a live event at. Even though they are short breaks.
I’m glad they haven’t canceled this one.
Philly is my hometown and I come from a long line of public school teachers. Abbott is such a great show and captures the weird and wonderful side of the city.
It really does.
Philly is also my hometown, and Abbott is so true to it.