It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a black comedy and satire created by Rob McElhenney. The series quickly gained fans worldwide and received critical acclaim, with many complimenting the cast's performances and dark humour.
The show follows a group of five friends with big egos and very few morals, the owners of a failing dive bar in South Philadelphia.
What is It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia About?
Entitled “The Gang”, the five alcoholic narcissists spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing with each other and conspiring elaborate scams against others and even each other for personal gain, financial advantage, revenge, or simply out of boredom.
The gang initially consists of caretaker Charlie Kelly, security guard Mac and bartender Dennis Reynolds. All three own Paddy's Pub with Dennis' twin sister Dee Reynolds, a struggling actress who works there as a waitress.
Throughout the series, they are followed by Frank Reynolds, an eccentric millionaire who takes over most of the pub's ownership and soon becomes the gang's economic catalyst, often funding many of the overly complicated plots while succumbing to the group's shameless depravity.
They are constantly inventing some scheme for sex, money, fame or any other awful reason that any of them can devise.
The show's comedy surfaces from these extreme characters, resulting in conflicts that lead the gang into absurd, dark and painfully embarrassing situations, typically ending with them getting their way but never learning their lesson.
This allows the show to approach several socio-political and economic issues for satire and dark humour while keeping the characters in a state of relative stasis conducive to the long-running sitcom format.
Shows Like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
If you like series that use humour to highlight real issues, you won't want to miss the list of nine other equally addictive series we've put together for you.
Meet a community college focused on a group of deviants, where the leader is a lawyer who had his degree revoked. They form a study group, where they learn more about themselves than the subject matter, in Community.
Follow a self-centred, insensitive and incompetent regional manager who believes he is the funniest guy in the office, a fountain of business wisdom and his employees' best friend, in The Office.
Or there's the story of a wealthy family that lost everything and where the son had no choice but to do everything to keep them together, in Arrested Development.
Check out our list of shows like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, where you will enjoy several hours of pure entertainment.
OUR LIST OF SHOWS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY
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How Many Seasons Of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiered in August 2005 with one season of seven episodes. Since then, it has aired every year, a season ranging from 10 to 15 episodes each.
In May 2020, the series was renewed for a fifteenth season, which debuted in December 2021 with eight episodes.
This made It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia the longest running American live-action comedy series. In December 2020, the series was renewed for four additional seasons, increasing it to eighteen.
Season 19 currently does not have a premiere date.
Is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Age Appropriate?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a black comedy series with plenty of satire on different kinds of subjects. The central characters are immature and get into silly and illegal situations.
They often engage in activities that others would consider demeaning, disgusting, or shocking. Some of these include pretending to be disabled, getting addicted to crack to qualify for welfare, attempting cannibalism, kidnapping, blackmail, and pretending to have AIDS to get priority access to water park rides.
Many of the images are quite explicit, with sex scenes, alcoholism, and several illicit practices. There is no consideration for others, and even friendship is emphasised for personal gain. The language is strong, and some of the show's scenarios and insinuations are too much for younger viewers.
Although it is the parents' full responsibility what type of content they allow their children to see, we advise this series to more mature teenagers over 16 years old.