In a crossover no one saw coming, ABC’s heartwarming mockumentary Abbott Elementary collided with the outrageous chaos of FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. While the odd pairing worked together, fans of both shows had one pressing question: where was Dennis Reynolds, played by Glenn Howerton? Here are the details.
What was Dennis doing during Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover?
Glenn Howerton’s Dennis wasn’t missing—he just didn’t want to be on camera.
In the Abbott Elementary half of the crossover, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s gang takes on volunteer duty. But Dennis dips as soon as he hears that Abbott operates under a constant documentary-style setup. For a man obsessed with control and image, the idea of being filmed without complete control over the footage was a dealbreaker. Especially after his humiliating televised meltdown on “Family Fight.”
Instead of joining the gang’s court-mandated community service inside the school, Dennis takes a more calculated approach. In the Always Sunny portion of the crossover, titled “The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary,” Dennis decides to avoid chaos and quietly serve his hours. His idea of contributing? Improving the teacher’s lounge coffee and comparing himself to Walter White.
Dennis also attempts to collaborate with Charlie on an educational parody of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” to teach children about 9/11, although he mostly operates behind the scenes. It’s a rare moment of subtlety from someone who once created a sitcom called Old Lady House by filming people without their consent.
The non-appearance in Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny crossover also underscores Dennis’ calculated detachment from the gang’s increasingly wild antics. While Mac, Dee, Frank, and Charlie bumble through the school, often forgetting they’re being recorded or wearing mics, Dennis keeps his distance. It’s a deliberate character choice that aligns with his long-established fear of exposure.
Whether or not this universe-blending experiment continues, fans now have an answer to Dennis’ whereabouts: brewing coffee, dodging cameras, and plotting something that’s probably deeply unsettling.
