Why the crossover episode is a lost art
The Sunny gang instantly hijack the proceedings. Charlie's criminal illiteracy, Frank's ghoulish opportunism, Dee's delusions of grandeur… they're all too strange, too outrageous, too far out for the optimistic and well-meaning Abbott Elementary ensemble. Charlie shines brightest—as the dimmest—by struggling to read basic words on the board, and he gets a full literacy arc. Under Barbara's determined tutelage, armed only with a picture book about Pennsylvania bird species, he begins to read out loud. Meanwhile the rest of the gang is characteristically up to more nefarious schemes—from stealing boyfriends to stealing copper wire—though Dennis does exhibit significant coffee-making skill and attention to detail.
The Abbott Elementary character who really shines is the principal, Ava. Oblivious and self-serving enough to fit in alongside the Always Sunny gang, Ava really holds her own in these crossover episodes. The real wow moment comes when the Abbott ensemble is trying to be optimistic about the future of Philadelphia. This is where Jacob casually starts saying, about the city, 'It's always sunny.." before fading to black. Delightful.
There was a time when the television crossover was a regular thing. A night to be circled in red pen, when sitcom characters wandered into other sitcoms, and entire universes bent around the joy of colliding worlds. It was silly, it was contrived, and it was joyous. It began as a programming gimmick, evolved into network synergy, and eventually died out.
It apparently started with I Love Lucy's 1957 episode Lucy and Superman, where George Reeves appeared as Superman to crash Ricky's birthday party, arguably the first fictional crossover between two TV characters or shows. Crossovers started regularly in the 1960s, when networks realised that viewers loved seeing their favourite characters in different—but still favourite—surroundings. The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres and Petticoat Junction were rural comedies by creator Paul Henning that would trade guest appearances. This laid the groundwork for Norman Lear's 1970 shows where All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and Good Times together became a social-satire shared universe, so to speak.
Crossovers became events in the 1990s. The Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Nurses were all struck by the same storm across three consecutive shows. NBC scripted a blackout across the storylines of New York shows Friends, Mad About You and Madman. These became a bonus for primetime viewers watching the episodes back to back. Back in India, we had Shah Rukh Khan showing up on TV superhit Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin.
Then, audiences fractured. Appointment viewing gave way to binge-watching. Shared universes became the domain of corporate-owned superhero franchises, where crossovers felt less like surprise and more like brand obligations. With streaming services hoarding shows into silos, and creators guarding tonal consistency, the classic crossover became extinct. Today, most shows live on different platforms, with conflicting production teams, incompatible styles, and little incentive to play nice. It's hard to imagine Ted Lasso appearing in The Bear—though that might finally help the latter qualify as a comedy.
In the linear TV era, scheduling crossovers across shows that aired on the same night made sense. But streaming changes that, with audiences watching one show at a time—on their own time. Without simultaneous airtime, crossovers feel orphaned, confusing, or simply unnecessary. The network synergy has vanished, with broadcasting rights divvied up across platforms.
Therefore, the Abbott Elementary and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover makes no sense. Abbott is a workplace comedy with heart and hope. Sunny is a nihilistic satire featuring the most despicable people in Philadelphia. One is set in an underfunded school. The other in a perpetually empty Irish bar. Abbott Elementary is made mockumentary-style, with characters talking to an implausible documentary crew. The Always Sunny gang talks only to each other.
It shouldn't work. And yet it does.
The crossover revitalises both sitcoms. It makes characters we already know stand out even more when placed next to other characters we know. It is chaos and heart, irreverence and sincerity, two sitcoms running headlong into each other without smoothing the edges. In doing so, Abbott Elementary and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia bring the crossover back from the dead—not as nostalgia, but as reinvention. A TV tradition, long thought obsolete, made vivid once more by the very absurdity of its return.
There is one genuine gasp. The crossover features Abbott Elementary's wholesome heroine Janine saying something so foulmouthed it feels scandalous. This says a lot about how provocative the It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia gang remain, even in their 17th season. 'Crazy white people hit different," says Ava, justifiably freaked out. That's not a bad reminder. Some of us longtime viewers are so used to the outrageous Sunny shenanigans that it helps to see them through a fresh pair of eyes. Even fictional ones.
Raja Sen is a screenwriter and critic. He has co-written Chup, a film about killing critics, and is now creating an absurd comedy series. He posts @rajasen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Career breaks don't scare me; I've faith in myself: Sangeetha Sringeri
After a three-year hiatus, actress is back on set — this time for a bilingual horror-romance being shot simultaneously in Kannada and Tamil. The break, she says, was entirely by choice. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'It wasn't about waiting for the right script. It was about choosing stillness over momentum. I wanted to pause and be with my family,' she says. Post her stint in the Bigg Boss house, Sangeetha realised she had been in a constant cycle of 'working, working, and always working'. She decided to step back and spend a year with her parents and brother. 'I had time. I had money. Why not use it to truly live? Being with my family helped me understand the essence of bonding and love,' she adds. During this phase, Sangeetha says she turned down reality shows and film offers. She allowed herself to slow down, even gain weight, before gradually easing back into workouts to prepare for her next chapter. 'Two months ago, I knew it was time to return,' she says. 'MANY FEAR TAKING A BREAK. BUT I HAD FAITH IN MYSELF' Sangeetha acknowledges that stepping away — especially during a career high — was not easy. 'Many women are scared to pause. But I had faith in myself. I believed if I kept myself fit and sharp, I could come back anytime. In Kannada cinema especially, female-centric scripts are rare. Filmmakers often hesitate to make space for layered women characters. But I knew that when the right story came along, I'd feel it,' she says. 'THE NEW FILM CHALLENGES ME AS AN ACTOR' 'The story revolves around my character,' she says. 'There is also a love story—a genre I've never really explored. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So far I have only portrayed girl-next-door roles. But this film challenges me as an actor, and helps me explore character traits that aren't monotone.' This time, she's also exploring style and sensuality in a new way. 'I've never been dressed in modern outfits on screen. This film changes that— but tastefully. It's not glam for glam's sake. It's rooted in character.' As for horror? 'Oh, I love horror,' she grins. 'I even enjoy scaring people! But this isn't the kind of film with ugly faces and cheap jump scares. It has humour, emotion, and a clean storyline.' 'BILINGUAL SHOOTS ARE TOUGH, BUT I LOVE THE CHALLENGE' The film is being simultaneously made in Tamil, marking her debut in the language. 'Charlie had a dubbed Tamil version, but this is different. I'm shooting everything twice. I don't speak Tamil, so I have to memorise dialogues, feel them, and deliver them with the right emotion. It's like doing double the work—but I love the challenge.' She's also working with two different lead actors—one for each language. 'Both are opposites. One's an introvert, the other is very expressive. As an actor, I can't just repeat the same emotion in both versions. I have to react differently, adapt, and be spontaneous. Otherwise, I risk being called either too dramatic or too bland. That's the challenge I'm looking forward to.' Sangeetha also reflected on the larger space Kannada actors are now entering. 'If you see, artists from Karnataka always make it big outside. But back home, I feel Kannada heroines have to work twice as hard. In other industries, women are celebrated. Here, often only after you leave and make it big do people see your worth. That mindset needs to change.' 'SPIRITUALITY AND CINEMA AREN'T REALLY OPPOSITES—THEY COEXIST' One of the most striking shifts in Sangeetha's life is her spiritual journey. 'Earlier, I wasn't religious at all. In fact, I was an atheist! Even when I played Sati in a soap opera Mahadeva. But a Mahashivarathri changed it all. I felt my spirit lift—literally. That's when I understood the power of meditation.' She later found a guru and began practicing energy healing. Isn't acting, with all its roles and glamour, the opposite of spirituality? 'Not at all,' she says. 'Spirituality is not about rules or appearances. It's not about wearing white or chanting all day. It's about being fully you. If acting gives me joy, that is my path. Even if I play a villain, if it brings happiness to people, that is also seva.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 hours ago
- First Post
How Major Shaitan Singh Bhati valiantly led India's 120 soldiers against China in Battle of Rezang La
The teaser of Farhan Akhtar's new film, '120 Bahadur', has put the spotlight on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, when outnumbered and ill-equipped Indian troops fought the Chinese soldiers. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the commander of the Charlie company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, led 120 Indian soldiers against over 2,000 Chinese. What followed is a tale of extraordinary bravery and sacrifice read more Farhan Akhtar's new film, 120 Bahadur, has brought the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, one of the key fights during India's war with China, to the limelight. The teaser of the war drama was released on Tuesday (August 5), showcasing the valour of the 120 Indian soldiers who held off an assault by thousands of Chinese troops in sub-zero temperatures. Akhtar is essaying the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the commander of the Charlie company who led the Indian soldiers during the Battle of Rezang La. His courage and sacrifice, along with those of his men, helped stave off the Chinese occupation of Rezang La. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. Who was Major Shaitan Singh Bhati? Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was the commander of the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment at Rezang La near Pangong Lake. Born on December 1, 1924, in Banasar village of Rajasthan's Jodhpur, he came from a military family. Bhati, a Rajput, was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singh. The soldiers of the Charlie Company that Bhati led were all Ahirs who hailed from Gurgaon and the Mewat region of Haryana, belonging to communities of cattlemen and farmers. Bhati died at the age of 37, laying down his life to protect the country against the Chinese troops. His extraordinary valour was recognised and he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Wikimedia Commons The Battle of Rezang La The Battle of Rezang La was fought between Indian and Chinese troops on the snowy mountain tops of the Chushul Valley in Ladakh. Rezang La is a 16,000-foot-high mountain pass located near the strategic village of Chushul and the Spanggur Lake that passes through both Indian and Chinese territories. This pass is crucial for the defence of Chushul. The battle is remembered as a display of great strength of the Indian side in the face of many odds. Indian troops experienced several challenges – they were outnumbered by the Chinese, possessed inferior weaponry and were not acclimatised to winter conditions compared to the Chinese troops, as per ThePrint report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon displayed extraordinary courage as the Chinese attacked on the night of November 18, 1962. Major Shaitan Singh deployed his three platoons across a two-kilometre frontage to protect Rezang La from the Chinese attack. The soldiers were armed with antiquated .303 single shot bolt action rifles and had some automated digging tools and old 62 radio sets that did not work due to frozen batteries, according to Colonel NN Bhatia (retired). The Indian soldiers did not have mines to halt the advancing enemy. The overhead shelter for the command posts was not fit for sub-zero temperatures, as per the Indian Express report. As the Chinese troops advanced on November 18 to occupy Rezang La, two of Major Singh's platoons opened non-stop rifle, machine gun and mortar fire, repulsing the enemy. The Chinese side suffered heavy casualties. They responded by intense artillery firing at Indian posts. Later, the Chinese soldiers made another attempt to capture Rezang La. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 120 Indian soldiers were up against over 2,000 Chinese troops. The third platoon confronted the enemy with all its weaponry. Many Chinese soldiers died, while 20 of the survivors attacked the Indian platoon, leading to a hand-to-hand combat with a dozen soldiers of the Charlie Company. After failing in its previous attempts, the Chinese again attacked the Indian positions but from the rear this time. Despite the artillery and mortar barrage by the enemy, the Indian soldiers held on to Chushul. On November 21, the Chinese announced a unilateral ceasefire. Of the 120 men and officers of the Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon, 114 were martyred. However, they still caused 1,000 fatalities on the Chinese side. ALSO READ: The Battle of Rezang La: When our men fought the Chinese till the last bullet and the last man Major Shaitan Singh's role in Rezang La battle Major Shaitan Singh Bhati showed bravery at the cost of his life. When the Chinese soldiers attacked his platoons, he constantly moved from one post to another to maintain the morale of his troops. This brought him under the line of Chinese fire, as he was first hit on his arm, and later in the abdomen. Two of his comrades tried to carry him to safety, but he reportedly told them to put him behind a boulder and continue fighting the enemy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His body was found months later in the same spot, along with scores of bodies of his troops. In February 1963, an Indian search party found the corpses on the battlefield. All soldiers were frozen to death, with some still clinging to their guns. Five were taken prisoner by the Chinese. Each soldier had fired all the ammunition he had, with the C Company fighting till 'the last man, last round'. Brigadier (retd) RV Jatar, a survivor of the battle, recalled Major Bhati as a shy and introverted individual. 'On the field, however, he was an excellent and brave officer who held up the highest traditions of the Indian Army,' he was quoted as saying by Indian Express. The body of Major Shaitan Singh was flown to Jodhpur, with thousands gathered to pay their last respects to the hero of Chushul. He was cremated with full military honours. With inputs from agencies
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Who Are Ajeita And Vijeta? Dharmendra's Daughters From First Marriage
Dharmendra has four children, Sunny, Bobby, Ajeita and Vijeta, from his first marriage to Prakash Kaur. Dharmendra has been married twice and has six children. While many are aware of his four well-known kids, Sunny, Bobby, Esha and Ahana, few know about his two other daughters who prefer to stay out of the spotlight. Dharmendra's first marriage was with Prakash Kaur before he started his film career. Together, they had four children. Sunny and Bobby, who followed their fathers' footsteps by becoming actors. But their two sisters, Ajeita and Vijeta, chose a quieter life away from cameras and fame. Like their mother, they avoid the media and rarely appear in public. Here's a closer look at the lives of Ajeita and Vijeta. Who Are Ajeita And Vijeta? After marrying Prakash Kaur in 1954, at the age of 19, Dharmendra and his wife welcomed Ajeita, who currently works as a psychology professor in the US. She has been settled abroad for many years with her husband, Kiran Chaudhary, who is an Indian-American dentist. The couple has two daughters, Nikita and Priyanka Chaudhary. Her sister, Vijeta, lives in Delhi with her husband, Vivek Gill and their family. She's the director of a company called Rajkamal Holdings and Trading Private Limited. That's not all, Dharmendra has even named his production house, Vijeta Production Private Limited, after her. Despite being connected to a famous film family, both sisters have chosen peaceful lives away from the film industry. Years later, after marrying Hema Malini, Dharmendra welcomed two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. Esha has acted in many popular movies and made a name for herself in Bollywood. Ahana also decided to work in films, but has only appeared in a few movies so far. At present, Sunny and Bobby are the most active members of the Deol family in Bollywood. In recent years, Sunny's son, Karan Deol, has also entered the industry. He made his debut with the film Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. The young star is married to his longtime girlfriend, Drisha Acharya, who comes from a well-known film family. She is the great-granddaughter of legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
