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I am an artificial intelligence skeptic. That said, I like to see what it does with requests that I think will teach me something about it.

So recently when I heard that Philly-based TV shows Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia had committed to a joint episode, I thought it provided a chance to test AI and see what it could come up with.

So I gave ChatGPT this query …

Please provide a story summary for a crossover episode of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The two comedies are both set in Philadelphia. As a crossover episode, there should be at least two subplots that engage the casts of the two shows.

After thinking about 10 seconds, this is what it provided …

Title: “Abbott’s Always Sunny Day”

Summary:

Main Plot (Subplot A – School Fundraiser Chaos)
When Abbott Elementary finds itself in desperate need of new school supplies, Principal Ava decides to team up with local businesses for a school fundraiser. Coincidentally, Charlie, Mac, Dennis, Dee, and Frank of Paddy’s Pub (from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) get wind of this and, in their usual fashion, decide it’s a prime opportunity to promote their bar under the guise of “supporting education.”

The crew from It’s Always Sunny shows up at Abbott with outrageous fundraising ideas, which instantly clash with the school’s more structured efforts. Dee tries to pitch a talent show, hoping to show off her acting chops, while Charlie suggests selling Paddy’s mystery cocktails to “liven up” the event. Meanwhile, Dennis and Frank team up with Ava, hoping to turn the fundraiser into a larger spectacle that could gain media attention, with Dennis envisioning himself as the face of the event.

Things go awry when Mac takes it upon himself to run the bake sale, misunderstanding how allergies work, and Dee’s performance ends in disaster. Despite the chaos, Abbott’s teachers like Janine and Barbara attempt to salvage the event, all while navigating the chaotic personalities of the Paddy’s Pub gang.

Subplot B – The Art of Scamming the School
Meanwhile, Gregory and Jacob find themselves entangled in a secondary plot with Charlie and Mac, who have set up an impromptu “business” on school grounds. Charlie believes they can sell what they call “Philadelphia history tours,” offering half-baked and completely incorrect facts about the city. They rope Jacob into the plan, who, being excited about historical education, doesn’t initially realize he’s helping them scam people. Gregory, ever the voice of reason, tries to put a stop to it, but finds himself reluctantly participating, especially when Charlie offers a convoluted (and utterly false) explanation of the Liberty Bell that somehow resonates with the students.

Resolution:
In the end, the fundraiser ends in disaster, with the Paddy’s crew inadvertently causing more harm than good, but Abbott’s teachers manage to raise the necessary funds through sheer persistence and creativity. As a parting gesture, the Paddy’s gang tries to make amends by offering the school a free “pizza day” at the bar, which is immediately and firmly declined by Barbara.

The episode wraps up with the teachers and Paddy’s crew agreeing that they’re better off sticking to their own corners of Philly, with Ava and Frank still somewhat convinced they’ve struck gold with their viral fundraising idea.

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This crossover highlights the humor of both shows, with the wholesome chaos of Abbott Elementary meeting the outlandish schemes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The two subplots offer ample interaction between the casts, allowing each character’s distinct personality to shine in the mashup.

I think it’s pretty good. Now, situation comedies are among the most patterned kinds of media there is, but it got the need for interplay, for taking elements from both shows to create something different.

I didn’t ask it to write an actual script. I think that would be so bad that it would kill any goodwill I’m offering it here. But this plays to AI’s strengths, as an outliner and synthesizer. I’d probably watch this episode …

Where the AI did fall down was in creating a graphic to go with this crossover episode.

My query was pretty straightforward …

Can you create a horizontal image, at a 4:3 aspect ratio, that melds the casts of Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, in which they are shown at Abbott Elementary School? Perhaps it could be like a cast shot, with them all standing together. Lastly, the image should be cartoonish, like a mural.

It provided this …

I think I recognize Danny DeVito in there, and not anyone else. Calling that a swing and a miss. A request to clarify didn’t get better.