“Abbott Elementary” is doing a major crossover episode in season 4, but what show could it possibly be with?
Quinta Brunson has promised that the episode will "change television as we know it"
When Abbott Elementary kicks off a new school year this fall, the show will also be preparing to participate in a treasured TV tradition: the crossover episode.
Creator/star Quinta Brunson teased the episode at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend, saying, "We will be doing an interesting crossover this season but I’m not gonna tell you with who or what or when, but it will be exciting, and I think it will change television as we know it."
Brunson wouldn't say more than that, even when we tried to ask her about it when she and the cast stopped by the Entertainment Weekly video studio.
Related: Abbott Elementary producers unpack that big Janine and Gregory moment in the season 3 finale
All the way back before season 2, we drank three rounds with the cast of Abbott and encouraged them to pitch potential crossover episodes. Their responses ranged from TV classics like Good Times and Roseanne to more recent shows like King of Queens, Parks and Recreation, What We Do in the Shadows, and P-Valley. Tyler James Williams proposed the most popular idea, suggesting, "It's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but before he leaves Philly."
Those are all good options, but realistically, what are some of the possibilities?
"Monday Night Football"
Abbott Elementary is linked tightly to the city of brotherly love, including their professional football team, the Philadelphia Eagles (there was even an Eagles drumline at the Abbott Ava Fest experience at Comic-Con). The season 3 premiere even included special cameos from some of the Eagles star players. Placing the characters from Abbott live in a game would be incredibly tricky, but ABC does own the MNF brand — and that would certainly have the capacity to "change television" as Brunson teased.
"The Bear"
Brunson has said she'd love to have Ayo Edebiri, who portrays Janine's sister, back on Abbott. But Edebiri's packed schedule makes it tough to find the time. What if they made it easier by taking Abbott to Ayo? Maybe Ayesha finds a new career path as a chef (and changes her name to Sydney).
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Related: Quinta Brunson wants Daniel Radcliffe to play Mr. Johnson's son on Abbott Elementary
"The Bachelor" franchise
This fall brings us the first ever Golden Bachelorette, and it could also bring us a landmark reality TV crossover moment. The Bachelor franchise already did a crossover with 9-1-1, but there's still a compelling argument to be made, not the least of which is the fact that not only do Abbott and Bachelor share a network (ABC), they also are both produced by Warner Bros. Television. Maybe the teachers deserve a trip to paradise? Can you imagine Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) and Ava (Janelle James) unleashed in the Bachelor Mansion? We'd accept that rose wholeheartedly.
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"
Not only does Abbott share a parent company with the FX sitcom, it also shares a city. Can you imagine the shenanigans the staff of Abbott would get up to with The Gang if they were to go out for a night of "professional development" at Paddy's Pub? We'd wager there would be at least one arrest (somehow involving Ava) and it would hopefully mean the return of Sea Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), a.k.a. our favorite Barbara.
Related: Abbott Elementary stars Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti on playing 'at the speed of fun'
"American Idol"
Once a Fox juggernaut, now yet another asset in ABC's chest, the reality show owes the world a vocal showdown between Ava and Barbara.
"Grey's Anatomy"
Nobody loves a crossover quite as much as Shondaland. And Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) lives in Boston now — that's not that far away from Philadelphia.
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