It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Utter Entertaining Filth
There's something so effortlessly beautiful about 'It's Always Sunny', 14 seasons of some of the most brilliantly obtuse comedy ever made. The show uses the question 'what if the worst people in the world had a sitcom' and this premise is airtight for comedy. The 'Gang' are a fantastic satire of white trash Americans and how easily they succumb to greed, jealousy and lust without an inch of self-awareness. Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton have created this perfect blend of taking these characters just over the edge of absurdity to make them seem like inhuman filth and as a massive fan of the show it is so entertaining to watch them destroy everything and everyone around them. The show has been going for an almost record-breaking 14 seasons and has constantly adapted to creating consistent satirical comedy and I have decided to choose my top 20 favourite episodes.
20. Mac Bangs Dennis' Mum
I see this as when the show really turned a corner, the first two seasons are a bit rocky as the show is still finding its feet but after this episode the show hits it's stride and finds its feet. It is a sharp half an hour as the Gang goes down a rabbit hole of deception, through having sex with each other's parents. Each character has so much to do in this episode, Dennis questioning himself as he tries to use his gross seduction techniques to no success, Mac's pathetic relationship with Dennis' mum, Charlie acting like a genuine psychopath to get back at everyone, Dee getting caught in the middle of this and finally Frank delivering the best punchline of the episode in those closing moments. But the real standout is The Waitress who finally gets to prove her comedic worth as she is used and abused by the gang resulting in a beautiful climactic explosion. It's a simple airtight concept with just so many hilarious moments that do not disappoint, for early Sunny it is a masterpiece.
19. Mac and Charlie Die
An episode that is mostly on this list for one scene which may be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Mac's dad Luther is going to be released from prison and a very terrified Mac and Charlie decide to fake their death in the stupidest way possible. There is so much in this two-parter but honestly it is all about that suicide scene that cracks me up so much, from Charlie's scream as Mac drives full-on into the wall and then a conquest Mac playing brilliantly against a rare straight-man Charlie, every part of this scene works so well. But then the episode even has fantastic sequences such as Frank and Dennis visiting an orgy, the funeral scene that is brilliantly dark (any appearance of Bonnie is a win to be honest) and of course Frank with that uncomfortable Charlie doll is hilarious. It is a bizarre episode that leans into everything these characters do well and I love every second of it.
18. The Gang Goes on Family Fight
This is one of those examples of an episode basically writing itself. There isn't a single doubt in anyone's mind that The Gang going on a Family Fortunes/Feud type gameshow would disappoint and this episode certainly does not. It plays right into the vanity and lack of self-awareness of these characters perfectly as none of them know how to appropriately act in this situation yet they all commit to their brilliant personal dysfunctions. It's all brought together by a fantastic guest star appearance by Keegan Michael-Key who is honestly my favourite part of the episode, he bounces of these characters so well and his growing irritation coming through his gameshow host facade is just perfect. Everything is set-up and paid off wonderfully, as Dennis gets more frustrated by his team embarrassing him resulting in that hilarious buzzer breakdown in the finale is one which is one of my favourite moments in all of Sunny.
17. The Gang Beats Boggs
An episode so brilliant they did it twice! This is an episode that is just so full of memorable moments that it is in the hall of fame for Sunny fans and deservedly so. The Gang attempt to break Wade Boggs beer-drinking record by attempting to drink 64 (apparently he actually drank 107 beers on the plane which is just insane). If you are a fan of just watching these characters drink themselves to death then this is by far the episode for you, another example of using the sitcom-style by just letting each character run free in the situation to brilliant results. It is a surreal cabin-fever like the episode as we watch Frank and Dennis compete to join the Mile High club, Charlie and Dee getting extremely wasted throughout the flight and Mac trying his hardest to keep the gang under control. It also features one of my favourite final scenes with Charlie and Mac playing baseball, I quote 'What do now?' far too often. An undeniable classic in every single way.
16. The D.E.N.N.I.S System
An episode that cemented Dennis as the genuine psychopath that he is. Dennis is the closest thing Sunny has to the 'straight man' sitcom trope and this is the episode that completely deconstructs him and proves he has always been a predatory sociopath. The episode revolves around Dennis showing off his D.E.N.N.I.S system that he uses on women to the gang in order to show off his 'seduction' skill. It is a gross and unnerving system that is manipulative and honestly really dark, even for this show. But the beauty of this episode is watching the rest of the Gang attempt to recreate the system or create their own systems to many hilarious results. It is one of my favourite episodes for Frank, watching him be as sleazy and gross as ever is always a delight. A dark brilliant episode that proves why this Gang are just the worst people and why we love watching them.
15. Mac Finds His Pride
Throughout the series there is this recurring joke about Mac and the punchline usually is about him suppressing his homosexuality, it is a fine joke that isn't meant to offend but in early series (15 years ago) comes off as slightly immature in retrospect. So in a beautiful show of maturity, in series 13 Mac comes out and his character doesn't undergo a massive personality change, instead it is a matter of fact adaptation of his character. In the next series, the finale takes a massive gamble and is one of the only times that Sunny has genuinely moved me and attempted something other than satirical comedy. The episode see's Frank trying to understand Mac, who is depressed about coming to terms with his sexuality, this climaxes in Mac coming out to his father in a interpretive dance sequence. This is played completely straight, it almost takes you by surprise when the show attempts something genuine and full fo heart, the dance sequence is absolutely breathtaking and genuinely full of subtext about Mac's feelings. It is a gamble of an episode and although it might not be the funniest (Frank's nose gag is still hilarious), it is an impressive feat and show of maturity.
14. The Gang Hits the Road
If it isn't clear by now that I love when Sunny commits strikes gold at a concept for an episode. It is why I really appreciate the satirical take on a sitcom, that is essentially just using the sitcom formula but creating characters that act unexpectedly in these situations. 'The Gang Hits the Road' is essentially a bottle episode except in a car. The Gang decide to all go on a road trip to the Grand Canyon however, of course, things don't go to plan. I love how the whole episode plays out as musical chairs as they bicker over who goes where and fight for the best place to sit, relax and drink. It is a study in how ridiculously incompetent these characters are as they bicker and fight the entire journey, all end up wasted or seriously hurt and wind back exactly where they startup. It is without a doubt the most Sunny set of events in the series.
13. The Gang Turns Black
I'm a big fan of attempting something big and off the wall and what is more absurd than a complete 4th wall breaking musical about The Gang waking up in the bodies of African Americans in a sort of Quantum Leap situation (or is it more like The Wiz?). This is mostly on this list out of pure admiration for this episode's commitment to its insane premise and leaning right into the surprising musical talents of the group. I genuinely love all the songs written for this episode (it is scary how often 'What are the rules?' gets in my head) and they all work so well in context to the episode. It is admittedly light on the show's traditional satire but I love how the concept is basically the Gang trying to work out the message they are supposed to learn from this experience, which distracts them from what they actually need to learn. Genuinely some of the most fun you can have with an episode of Sunny, full of amazing memorable moments and a catchy and hilarious pace and energy that is just infectious.
12. The Gang Gets Quarantined
This one hits a bit too close at the moment but it is such a classic in its own right not just because of its relevancy. A dangerous flu is going around Philadelphia so the Gang decide to quarantine themselves in the bar till further notice (something everyone should be doing right now!). It is an episode that utilises this fantastic snowballing pace as each of the Gang slowly get ill and Frank sentences themselves to personal quarantine in the bathrooms as he goes completely insane. I love how it is one of the only episodes with genuine stakes and a narrative that uses jokes to compel the plot really well. Surprisingly low on gross-out humour, instead relying on jokes that see these characters react completely unnecessarily over the top to this situation the comedy never fails to leave an impact. It finishes with a series of just hilarious punchlines that expand on the last so well capping off an brilliant episode.
11. Reynolds Vs Reynolds: The Cereal Defence
My favourite ability the Gang has is to derail any situation they are in, to the point of absolute ridiculous nonsense and this is one of the best for that. When Frank accidentally hits Dennis' car, resulting in him spilling cereal on his car, the Gang decide to hold a trial to determine who is guilty in this situation and this then results in rabbit hole after rabbit hole. Although the title might not suggest it, it is a Mac episode through and through where he gets to shine in so many ways. The 'science is a liar sometimes?' is one of the best monologues written for the show and cracks me up every time. I adore watching these characters scramble to one-up each other in the most ridiculous ways, where a simple cereal liability discussion turns into a conversation about evolution and atheism. Every hole they go down is entertaining and ridiculous and every character gets to shine comedically, with a climax that is hilariously subversive and brilliant this is an incredible episode.
10. Frank Reynolds' Little Beauties
I was surprised to see how little this episode is mentioned when discussing the best episodes of the series, I think it is an absolute marvel of an episode. Somehow Frank manages to accidentally get a kids fashion pageant to take place at the bar resulting in him desperately trying to prove he is not a paedophile to the audience of the kids' parents. Once again it is an episode that utilises the fantastic vanity of these character as they believe they are incredibly talented and this is the perfect opportunity for them to demonstrate this talent. It works so well as a concept you wouldn't think would work, every character gets their moment to shine and be highly inappropriate in this situation. The highlight by far is the actual pageant itself, the opening dance number being confusingly vain and about the Gang more than the children, Dee's hilariously sad attempt at reliving her pageantry days and Frank looking like a walking corpse trying to remind the audience that he is not a paedophile. A hilariously dark and brilliantly ridiculous episode that I think is criminally underrated.
9. A Very Sunny Christmas
Who would have thought Sunny would work so well in the happiest holiday of the year? 'A Very Sunny Christmas' is downright the best thing you could hope for in a Christmas special and one of the few examples of heart in the series. It basically revolves around that idea of reliving the Christmas Past as these 30-somethings attempt to rectify and compare their traditions and hardships from Christmas' gone. Dennis and Dee attempt to 'Christmas Carol' Frank to teach him a lesson whilst Mac and Charlie attempt to rectify the criminal traditions their families had. It features some of the darkest and most shocking moments of the show, Charlie attacking a Santa and Frank crawling out of a sofa naked, which is so brilliant for a Christmas special. But the charm really comes from seeing these character's pasts and actually adding a bit of depth to these characters is really nice, seeing how they spent their childhoods makes so much sense to why they are the way they are. And after they have tried just about everything to relive the joy of Christmas, they find solace in something as simple and as trashy as throwing rocks at trains. One of my favourite Christmas Specials of all time and a truly wonderful episode to get you in the mood for the holiday season.
8. The Gang Dines Out
I haven't got much to say about this episode other than it's a downright classic in every single way. Not often do we see this other side to the Gang's life as they attempt their own private fancy meals, separately from each other as they seem to spend so much of their time with each other. But here we get to see them attempt their best interpretation of a 'fancy night out' where they all obviously pretend to be so much more than they actually are. It manages to narrow down my favourite ways these characters interact in just a perfect way, from Dennis and Frank's fight to be the alpha to Mac being as pathetic as always towards Dennis and Dee being left out of everything as per usual. It also features one of my favourite recurring characters in The Waiter and the start of his endless torture from the gang. An absolute romp of an episode as we see these characters bicker among themselves in a way that we have never seen before, by paying tribute of course.
7. The Gang Goes to the Water Park
Whenever anyone says modern Sunny isn't as good as classic Sunny I point to this episode as a brilliant example of the show remaining as fresh and as exciting as always. Again it is an example of a perfect sitcom situation by placing these characters in a water park but they manage to create three plots that are equally as hilarious and each one just gets darker than the last. Dennis meets a child whom he takes under his wing to teach to become the perfect grifter, Charlie and Frank race around the park to go down every single ride using a 'fake AIDS' scheme whilst Mac and Dee get wedged in their favourite ride as children keep piling into them. My favourite is watching Dennis grift everyone in the water park that actually ends with a brilliant unexpected twist, it blends in a Scorsese film in the middle of this water park romp. The rest of the Gang's plots are fantastic dark humour, with a sprinkling of possible child murder and they climax in a hilarious disgusting scene. It is disturbing, entertaining and some hilarious dark fun watching these characters turn a day at a water park into a day in hell.
6. CharDee MacDennis: The Game of Games
In an almost meta opening to the episode, the Gang complain about having no news or schemes to do today and decide to reminisce and play their own invented board game resulting in possibly the best bottle episode of all time. Seeing a board game invented by these absolute sociopaths is just pure joy, the fact that the whole game is a long-winded drinking game comprised of every single board game in existence just about sums up the Gang perfectly. They really create a sense of history behind this game and having Frank as an outsider works well as an audience surrogate and allows Devito to play a lower status than usual. It is a brilliantly conceived episode watching how needlessly invested these characters are in this pointless game with way too many stupid rules and watching as Mac and Charlie try desperately to win for the first time against the ever smug Dennis and Dee is just hilarious. It contains so many brilliant memorable moments, every challenge is insane and super entertaining and has a genuine compelling third act twist with an even better reversal. A true classic and I have always wanted to get my hands on that damn board game.
5. The Nightman Cometh
For a long time, I thought this was going to be my number one episode as it is so many people's go-to favourite and I've seen it so many times I could probably quote along with the whole episode. But needless to say, I still have a few preferences over this shining star of an episode which says a lot about what is to come. Every second of this episode is pure gold and there is no denying that. I think Charlie might be my favourite when he plays his version of the straight man and as he slowly unravels whilst trying to contain the Gang's utter incompetency is downright one of the funniest things I have ever seen. The musical itself is where it truly shines, every set-up of a joke pays off as well as it could possibly pay off and the songs are genuinely entertaining and worryingly catchy. I like how you can't quite figure out if the rest of the Gang are doing this on purpose but I love how vastly they mess things up (Frank's song still makes me cry with laughter every single time). It is one hell of an episode and I feel like I don't need to tell anyone why it is amazing because it holds such an iconic place in Sunny history.
4. The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award
What can I say? I love meta Sunny and this is the best meta episode they have ever done. In a response to the show running for 8 seasons and never even being nominated for any major awards, the creators decided to make an episode that is such a thinly veiled attack on award season and the show's own reputation. I love how this episode manages to be such an outright metaphor with no reservations yet works so well as an episode in its own right. The Gang go and visit this award-winning bar where there are clear satirical takes on the 'will they? won't they?' trope and the use of the laugh track (with the ringing of the bell telling everyone to drink) and try to replicate it themselves to hilarious results? It is an episode that reminds the audience why they love Sunny, the lack of conformity and the fact the show will always remain as this ridiculous gross and unpredictable mess and that's how it hasn't slowed down over the years and kept such a loyal fanbase. This episode also features Charlie's incredible musical numbers and Dennis trying to get chemistry out of Dee and Mac (the real-life couple) which are just iconic moments in the show. A genuine meta masterpiece that cements my love for the show through and through.
3. The Gang Gets Analysed
This is probably the one that is going to surprise the most people by being this high up on the list but it is a personal favourite and I love it when Sunny takes time to deconstruct these messes of human beings. You can tell the writers had an absolutely brilliant time coming up with what these characters would do in therapy and that is how the episode earns its spot on this list. I love how ultimately this is just about who needs to do the dishes and it snowballs into a breakdown psychologically of each member of the Gang yet the punchline reverting back to that first point is such a perfect structural comedic beat. Each therapy session feels varied and each actor gets to really shine in their own personal way. Charlie immediately breaks and is as unstable as ever, Mac doesn't seem to care about any of his deep issues, Dee is clearly broken and blames the rest of the Gang and Frank gets completely unzipped in a sequence that is Devito's best performance in the series. It is a simple brilliant premise that uses these characters so well and is so dense with jokes, a genuine brilliant screenplay that is vastly underrated.
2. Charlie Work
This is the episode that is often deemed the greatest the show has ever produced and there is a very good reason why it is so greatly appreciated. It is rare that I get to call Sunny a 'technical masterpiece' but this is the closes the show has ever got to being genuinely impressive in its construction and development not just from its writing. Once again Charlie gets to play his version of the straight man (I'm telling you all the best episodes are when Day gets to be in this kind of role) and it is a high octane masterful lesson in comedic timing and comedic construction. In a homage to 'Birdman' the episode is made to look like it is shot in one continuous take, following Charlie as he tries desperately to make the bar look acceptable for the health inspector, meanwhile, the rest of the Gang are for some reason doing a Chicken/Steak/Airline Miles scheme that drives Charlie insane. It is a delight to watch as everything is so precisely constructed and the episode almost works like some sort of magic trick behind the scenes as we watch Charlie piece together so many brilliant schemes on the go to fool the health inspector. There is so many 'blink and you miss it' details that make this episode feel so rewarding yet it also remains incredibly funny with moments such as 'LOOK AT ME WHEN YOU'RE TALKING TO ME' that crack me up every time. One of the most impressive feats of the show and deserves its place in the shows hall of fame.
1, Mac & Dennis Move to the Suburbs
This has and always will remain my favourite episode of Sunny and I have no doubt in mind at all. I think it combines everything I love about this show in a succinct, well-paced and satisfying half an hour and I have watched it more times than I can count at this point. It's almost like the shows attempt at a Hitchcockian episode that sees Mac and Dennis slowly go insane from their comfortable life in the suburbs. It is a ridiculous concept based around the idea that Mac and Dennis are 'city trash' that can't adapt to the peaceful and comfortable life in the suburbs because they are that far gone into their world of filth and hatred in the city. It is paced so well, their slow descent into madness is done at a rate most thriller's failed at and it keeps it fresh and interesting by having each character go down a separate path of insanity and play off each other. So many memorable moments that have become a staple of the show since such as Old Black Man, Dennis the Dog, Frank and Charlie in the Russian hats. Mac's Famous Mac N' Cheese and of course the poor Wally. I think it is the funniest episode the show has ever done and that is almost purely down to Rob and Glenn's mind-blowingly committed performances, I lose it every time at Dennis' breakdown to Wally. It is without a doubt my favourite episode and one that I can always enjoy. Bizarrely this is from Season 11 of the show and that's what keeps me watching Sunny, the joy of wondering what they will do next and the possibility that the next season might feature a new favourite is wonderfully excellent. Long live It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia!
Thanks for reading! I thought I would give a quick update to the blog. Obviously, with the recent Coronoavirus pandemic I have so much time on my hands and are hoping to post more regularly
to this blog and hopefully attempt to bigger longer projects so if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them! Stay safe out there and please stay indoors and avoid social interaction as much as possible, all the best to everyone out there and hope you are all doing as well as you can be in these times.
