Fifteen years later, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has a replacement for a controversial, banned episode. Banning TV episodes is a controversial topic in and of itself, especially when it comes to the FX comedy, a series that’s known for pushing the boundaries of what’s allowed on television. Nevertheless, there are multiple banned It’s Always Sunny episodes.
It’s Always Sunny season 17 returned this week with a two-episode premiere, offering the second part of the Abbott Elementary crossover from January, as well as “Frank Is in a Coma.” In “The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary,” we see the R-rated, It’s Always Sunny-style version of the mash-up, and it delivers some fun gags.
Abbott Elementary is an Emmy-winning ABC mockumentary comedy series set in a Philadelphia public school, with the same city setting allowing the two shows to link together seamlessly. The It’s Always Sunny Gang arrives at the school to volunteer, and the expected antics ensue. The episodes utilize both shows’ styles of humor, allowing fans of both to enjoy them.
“The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary” Gives Sunny A Replacement For “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth”
The New Episode Sees The Gang Working At A School
Funnily enough, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia already had an episode where members of the Gang go to work at a local school. However, the episode has been banned and isn’t available to stream on Hulu. The season 6 episode, “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth,” was removed from streaming services due to Mac wearing blackface.
This episode was actually the latter half of a two-parter, making it all the more frustrating that it can’t be viewed. Its premise is established in “The Gang Gets a New Member,” which ends with Charlie becoming a local school janitor. Dee then takes it upon herself to become the substitute theater teacher in the next one.
Since the story of Dee & Charlie working at a school isn’t available to watch, “The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary” is a suitable replacement, providing similar ideas, including members of the Gang taking it upon themselves to educate youths, an inherently comedic premise that has been scarcely used.
If there’s anyone in the world who shouldn’t have any impact on the lives of impressionable children, it’s the It’s Always Sunny Gang. The adults and staff in Abbott Elementary engage in some interesting activities, but they’re nowhere near the immoral levels of Frank or Dennis. We’re talking about proper sociopaths and criminals who think they’re intelligent.
Why “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth” Was Banned
The Season 6 Episode Is One Of Five Banned Episodes
It’s actually the separate plotline, which sees Mac, Dennis, and Frank discussing their version of “Lethal Weapon 5,” that led to the episode being pulled from streaming services. The three take it into their own hands to produce the long-awaited action sequel movie, and Mac uses blackface to portray Danny Glover’s character.
Although the use of blackface is played for taboo laughs, the episode also involves a lengthy discussion about why it’s racist, and the It’s Always Sunny Gang are the butt of the joke, as usual. The other banned episodes were taken away from streaming and DVD releases for similar reasons, such as the use of brownface or yellowface.
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Other banned episodes include”America’s Next Top Paddy’s Billboard Model Contest,” “The Gang Recycles Their Trash,” and “The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 6,” the last of which follows up on the same joke. Season 14’s “Dee Day” is the most recent banned episode, released in 2019, riskily crossing the line again.
The TV series is evidently satirical in its portrayal of unimaginably awful human beings, and even their most daring jokes are made as a mockery of American culture.
It’s important to note that, in an era of film and television stars being subjected to online scrutiny, the It’s Always Sunny cast is still going strong. The TV series is evidently satirical in its portrayal of unimaginably awful human beings, and even their most daring jokes are made as a mockery of American culture.
The Gang’s Abbott Elementary Volunteering Ends Much Better Than Charlie & Dee’s Season 6 Story
The Crossover Episode Incorporates The Entire Gang
In “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth,” Charlie and Dee get fired almost immediately, limiting the potential for humor. In episodes like “The Gang Gets New Wheels,” we get to see the comedic possibilities of the Gang’s immaturity when they clash with children, and doing so in an elementary school is even more hilarious.
“The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary” actually brings the whole Gang into a school. Not to mention, they actually completed the week at Abbott without getting “fired” (even though they were volunteers), although they managed to upset or disgust a decent number of the teachers and staff.
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Rob McElhenney and Quinta Brunson explain why the casts of It’s Always Sunny and Abbott Elementary show a different side in their crossover.
Dee has her issues with Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson’s character, Janine. Charlie, Mac, and Frank attempt to build both a basketball team and a boy band. One of their plans actually worked for once, as they drew the staff away from the school so that Frank could steal the copper wiring in Abbott Elementary’s walls.
I’m certainly not alone in saying that the Abbott Elementary crossover was one of the tamer episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, not managing to be nearly as insulting as the banned episodes. However, it managed to capitalize on many of the elements that could have made “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth” a classic.