By Hilda Filke, Staff Writer
Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day do an outstanding job with their roles as business partners and best friends in FX’s hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. As both the directors and showrunners of the series, the three have managed to create a hilariously entertaining show, leaving the viewer wondering whether they are simply just reenacting their real-life friendship on TV.
The cast, although not very well-known, has starred in notable movies and TV shows. Rob McElhenney, the creator of the show, has played the role of Aldo – one of The Others – in the popular series Lost, while Charlie Day has been the voice of one of the main characters – Benny – from The Lego Movie as well as Art from Monster’s University. Their limited fame should not be cause for underestimating the actors. Their talent and realistically portrayed roles shine through in It’s Always Sunny.
The show’s pilot spins off with Mac and Dennis attempting to play basketball, Dennis being distracted by Mac’s cut off t-shirt sleeves. This is when Charlie, a constantly confused child at heart, tries to join the game, only to end up having his height mocked by Mac and Dennis who call him a “munchkin man” and begin dancing like Oompa-Loompas (Charlie then joins the dance of his own mockery). This child-like humor is what the show centers around, lightening the mood of the viewer with every buoyant and droll joke. The cheerful old-fashioned music in the background also adds to the lighthearted mood of the episode by bringing back memories of old cartoons such as Tom & Jerry.
A mash-up of The Office, Modern Family, and Friends, the show manages to include witty jokes and awkward situations while keeping it original. The many co-directors, including Matt Shakman (director of Ugly Betty and Everybody Hates Chris) and Fred Savage (director of Modern Family and What I Like About You and child actor on The Wonder Years), create an amusing and relatable environment on the series.
As the title suggests, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia offers 20-minute episodes of bright and upbeat entertainment. The simple quick-witted humor makes the time spent watching the series worthwhile. The show – available on FX, FXX, and Netflix – is definitely worth the watch, so don’t be surprised when you add it to your list of favorite comedies.