Forecast: ‘Sunny’ days ahead
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is one of the most successful comedies in TV history.
It it isn’t for everyone, but has obviously done something right — its upcoming 15th season, debuting Wednesday on FXX, will make it the longest-running live-action sitcom in U.S. television history. But fans of today’s gentler comedies, like “Schitt’s Creek” and “Ted Lasso,” will find little optimism or redemption in “Sunny.”
What they will find is a brilliant ensemble of self-centered neurotics who somehow manage to be likable, despite their best efforts. Creator Rob McElhenney calls it “satirizing ignorance.” If you aren’t yet familiar, here are three great episodes of the show, which is available to stream on Hulu.
“Mac and Charlie Die” (Season 4, Episodes 5-6): Spoiler alert: Mac and Charlie, two of the show’s main characters (played by McElhenney and Charlie Day, an executive producer), do not die in this two-parter. They do, however, fake their deaths in order to avoid being murdered by Mac’s jailbird father (Gregory Scott Cummins). It’s a long story.
“The Nightman Cometh” (Season 4, Episode 13): A longtime fan favorite, this episode follows the rehearsal and performance of a stage musical written by Charlie, packed with many terrible double entendres.
“A Very Sunny Christmas” (Season 6,
Episode 13): This hourlong special finds the gang determined to live in the holiday spirit but thwarted by ghosts of Christmas past. The episode includes several of the most memorable moments in Sunnydom, including a scene in which Frank (Danny DeVito) sews himself into a leather couch.