Like the perfect TV crossovers, “Volunteers” has a means of highlighting every program’s strengths whereas nonetheless sustaining the tone and formatting of the host present. In the case of this crossover, meaning the visiting characters from Paddy’s Pub on IASIP have their tough edges barely sanded down for a fruitful, but principally family-friendly journey to Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. The arrival of Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Charlie (Charlie Day), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito) additionally provides the characters of Abbott Elementary to broaden their comedic horizons a bit.
Mr. Johnson (William Stanford) matter-of-factly stating that his college is called after an previous racist isn’t uncommon for the tone of the present. What is, nonetheless, is the previous racist receiving the information responding with no hint of discomfort. Janine (Brunson) should stage her sport up immensely when Dee expresses a romantic curiosity in Gregory, utterly unconcerned by his relationship standing. Watching the diminutive Janine go toe-to-toe with the statuesque (or ostrich-esque) Dee is an actual delight. Similarly, Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) will get off an honest-to-goodness ass-eating joke. She goes on to make clear that she is a bear on this state of affairs and shall be consuming the remainder of Goldilocks too however what a second for ABC’s censors.
WHEN I TELL YOU IM FUCKIN SCRREEEEEAMING😭😂💀Melissa an eater🤭#AbbottElementary
pic.twitter.com/g0snK5lJ0P— Will👁️🅰️Ⓜ️ (@atb__william) January 9, 2025
Of course, this being an precise episode of Abbott Elementary, “Volunteers” is extra about incorporating the Sunny crowd into the varsity’s cheerful orbit. This is less complicated stated than achieved. Frank Reynolds, God bless him, eats grime, will get trapped in a raccoon cage, and sleeps beneath a piss-soaked blanket. The present additionally doesn’t even make an try and humanize Dennis, with the five-star man asserting that he is aware of “quite a bit about filming and consent” and ducking away from the cameras. While Dennis’ absence is basically as a consequence of Howerton’s limited availability as he’s filming the Netflix series Sirens, it’s additionally in all probability for the perfect. Of all of the Sunny characters’ neuroses, Dennis’ serial killer vibes can be the toughest to introduce into community tv.
Thankfully, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia contains a character who has really belonged on Abbott Elementary this complete time. Charlie Kelly’s clear illiteracy has lengthy been one among IASIP‘s funniest running jokes. While all of the show’s gamers are ignorant and undereducated to differing extents, poor Charlie by no means fairly obtained the hold of studying. He was at all times extra fascinated by subjects like milk steaks, hen legislation, and little inexperienced ghouls than books. His lack of ability to sound out phrases at all times livens up a scene. (Note that within the first clip of the next video Charlie is carrying the exact same jacket he ultimately wears on Abbott Elementary.)
Charlie’s illiteracy has grown each funnier and sadder because the present has gone alongside. While the characters had been all 20-somethings when It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia started, 4 of the 5 actors in the principle forged at the moment are pushing 50 years previous whereas the ageless and sprightly DeVito hit 80 final yr. A 47-year-old janitor who can’t learn affords up a a far completely different comedic dynamic than a 25-year-old janitor who can’t learn.
Like it usually is, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was by accident on the leading edge with this foolish joke about one among its characters. The United States is at the moment within the midst of an grownup literacy disaster. According to a National Center of Education Statistics study, one-in-five American adults had been discovered to be functionally illiterate whereas greater than half of American adults learn at under a sixth grade stage. Given the expertise and social consciousness of Abbott Elementary‘s writing staff, it was only a matter of time before the show opted to address the literacy crisis. How lucky were they then to suddenly gain access to one of television’s most beloved illiterate characters!
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