Why It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the best US sitcom

Meanwhile, it has found artistic inspiration in a range of likely and unlikely sources, from classic comedy fare such as The Three Stooges to Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and Daniel Keyes’ sci-fi novella Flowers for Algernon. Incidentally, last season McElhenney and co paid tribute to Seinfeld episode The Contest in ‘The Gang Does A Clip Show’, indicating a fondness for their revered predecessor. But while Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer were, by and large, decent, upstanding members of society, Charlie, Mac, Dee, Dennis and Frank are their looking glass counterparts: damaged, difficult emblems of awfulness.

It also has come to show real heart, unexpectedly – as in ‘Mac Finds His Pride’, the final episode of It’s Always Sunny’s 13th season, in which Mac decided to come out as gay to his father, a stern, uncommunicative felon. In a piercing, beautifully-choreographed set piece, McElhenney executes an emotional piece of modern dance, while Danny Devito’s Frank looks on in amazement. “Now I get it,” he whispers, tears forming in his eyes. 

After so long on the air, there is of course a question over whether It’s Always Sunny can continue to keep things fresh. With a show as sharp-toothed as this, it’s crucial that it retains its bite. Nevertheless breaking the “No hugging, no learning” rule every once in a while is no bad thing. The jokes still range from pleasingly juvenile to bafflingly surreal, and the tone seems as sardonic as it ever was, but there’s some warmth too – and after 14 years, It’s Always Sunny has earned it, as well as a place in the comedy Hall of Fame.

Season 14 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia premieres on the FXX channel in the US on 25 September

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