Only Murders in… Abbott Elementary? It’s a television event that is not out of the question.
John Hoffman, co-creator and executive producer of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, is expressing interest in the concept of a crossover — a TV collaboration in which two or more shows intertwine storylines and characters for an episode — with another Disney property: Abbott Elementary.
Talking with Decider about the Season 4 finale of OMITB, Hoffman shared that while he hasn’t put too much thought into any crossovers, he would be more than happy to see the Abbott teachers meet up with Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin) in New York.
While Only Murders in the Building is set in the Big Apple, Abbott Elementary famously takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the hometown of the city’s creator, Quinta Brunson. The Keystone State setting is especially important considering that it will be the site for an Abbott Elementary crossover with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, announced earlier this year and playing out later in their respective seasons.
“I haven’t thought of that [a crossover] but I will say this much, I love Quinta Brunson. And, you know, I’ve been fortunate to be at a bunch of these kinds of awards things or parties that I sometimes get a little bit tongue-tied and a little bit overwhelmed by and she’s been like a life preserver,” Hoffman told Decider.
“We just happen to have gone to many of the same things together. And [she’s] so smart, sweet — it’s just a delight. And we talk about each other’s shows in the most glowing terms,” he said. “I love everyone on her show and everyone behind the scenes on her show.”
There appears to be no bad blood between the two shows, which both compete in the Outstanding Comedy Series category at the Emmy Awards and have gone up against each other in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Those trophies ultimately went to Ted Lasso, The Bear, and Hacks, respectively, although Abbott and OMITB have picked up hardware in other categories so all is fair in love and war.
For Hoffman, the idea of getting to work with a fellow creative who is bringing joy to millions of people weekly in the form of comedy TV is invigorating… even if what it would look like is completely unclear.
“That’s the one [show] that comes to mind first. I don’t know if there’s a world that could ever happen or what that might look or feel like. But it’s fun to imagine,” he said. It’s important to note that
Hoffman added of the possibility that the teachers could stop by the Arconia in New York, “It’s not far from Philly.”
While neither show has aired a crossover yet — the Abbott Elementary/It’s Always Sunny episode is expected to debut in December — both Abbott and Only Murders have become synonymous with killer guest stars which make for great TV moments. Season 4 of OMITB recently brought on Molly Shannon, Melissa McCarthy, Meryl Streep, Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria, and Euguene Levy, just to name a few. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Abbott has welcomed everyone from Bradley Cooper to Kevin Hart to Taraji P. Henson.
One can only hope that Brunson and Hoffman can find the time and the proper storyline to bring their shows together. We know we would be seated for it.
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 is currently streaming on Hulu. New episodes of Abbott Elementary air on ABC Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET and stream the next day on Hulu.
The post ‘Only Murders In The Building’ Showrunner John Hoffman Says He Would Be Down For An ‘Abbott Elementary’ Crossover: “Not Far From Philly” appeared first on Decider.
