Satirical Success: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Media Meditation Number 2

Satires have been used throughout history to bring attention to the qualms of society. FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia brings to light some of pressing issues of our time, while disguising social commentary in hilarious and absurd comedy. From the ironic title to the well-developed slew of relatable characters, "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" is a commentary on American society that hits the nail right on the head.

From the first thirty seconds of the episode, the audience is alerted that they are about to cover some sticky and controversial subjects. The pacing in this show allows the audience to know pretty much what they are going to see before they commit to watching the whole 30-minute episode. Some of the episode titles include: “The Gang Gets Racist, Charlie Wants an Abortion, Underage Drinking: A National Concern, The Gang Goes Jihad and Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare.”

In “Charlie Goes America All Over Everbody's Ass” written by Rob McElhenny and Charlie Day, “The Gang” covers topics such as smoker’s rights, fictitious or misleading PR, the pitfalls of freedom, and the Hurricane Katrina crisis.

Dennis Reynolds: "If you don't like smoke, then don't come into the bar."

Charlie Kelly: "I *work* in this bar. I work here."

Dennis Reynolds: "But that's because you have the freedom to choose to work here, okay? Smoking bans, they don't protect freedom, they strip it away from smokers."

Smoker’s rights have been a controversial issue for years. Recently, it has been made illegal in many places to smoke indoors, and in some places even outdoors. In Manhattan it will soon be illegal to smoke outdoors. The show challenges us to consider this topic when Dennis is smoking in the bar, even though Charlie, a fellow employee, wants a smoke free workplace. Are Charlie’s rights in danger, because he should be guaranteed a safe, and healthy workplace? Or, are Dennis rights being tromped on because he should be allowed to exercise his choice to smoke cigarettes?

Connected to this issue is that of misleading or fictitious PR. In Media and Culture, it is shown how a “staged event,” such as the staged event in the 1920's which led to generating the idea that high class women smoke cigarettes, and challenged the taboo of women smoking in public. This event was put into order by PR agents, who paid important women to smoke cigarettes in public, and staged a parade to showcase this event. The same issue of creating a fictitious PR, coincidentally also about smoking, comes up in the “Always Sunny” episode. Charlie, who is captivated by an anti-smoking street performance by the advocacy group TRUTH, is shocked to find out that the people that were demonstrating against Big Tobacco were actually actors, and also smokers.

Another comment on American society made in “Always Sunny” is the Catch 22’s of unrestricted freedom. Mac and Dennis decided to implement an “anything goes” policy, advertising unlimited freedom. They even allow Frank to run an illegal gambling parlor in a portion of the bar. This is an example of a political shift, the rules of the bar changed from being regulated to deregulated.

Soon, this idyllic situation of unrestrained freedom spirals out of control. Mac and Dennis walk into the bar to find a man shooting up heroin, and they’re two main enemies, the McBoyle brothers sitting at the bar committing incest with their sister.

They try to gain the upper hand in the situation, but when they walk downstairs to Frank playing Russian roulette with a group of Vietnamese men, they realize that only the police can restore order at this point.

Theoretically, America was designed to give its citizens freedoms that they couldn’t experience in other countries. But as the country developed and social interactions became more complicated, more and more laws had to be put in order to keep a general peace within the country. Should we feel disappointed that the promise of “true American freedom” falls short, or value the safety and balance that laws, and law enforcement, provides?

The “anything goes” regulations of Paddy’s pub in this episode were modeled after the crazy antics of New Orleans’ famed Mardi Gras Celebration. Mac and Dennis make an astute comment on the events of Hurricane Katrina.

Dennis: “See, this is what it was like to have a bar in New Orleans, bro.”

Mac: “Oh, man, New Orleans really had their shit figured out!”

Dennis: “Oh, they totally had their shit figured out. Yeah, except for the levees.”

This episode in particular uses the persuasive technique of defensive nationalism. Charlie, so fed up with the "Un-American" actions he's witnessed, sings a song about "rising up, and kicking a little ass." His clothing also alludes to a nationalist attitude. He is wearing a jean jacket and an American flag bandanna throughout the show, which is not his usual garb.

So how is this 30 minute weekly cable television show so aptly able to comment on so many complicated facets of society?

The most crucial element of the show that allows “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is that is relies heavily on humor, one of the most effective techniques of persuasion.

The main premise of the show is cataloguing the adventures of "The Gang," which consists of Frank, Dee, Dennis, Charlie and Mac. This implies a group dynamic, so much in fact that usually none of the characters are ever shown alone on screen during the show.

Also, the show appeals to the average viewer by having relatable, and typical characters. This technique is also known as "Plain Folks."

One of the biggest questions I have regarding the show is about reality construction trade offs. Most of the time the characters are drinking at their bar, no matter what time of day. This raises the question of their quality of life, since you cannot possibly drink all day and have a successful life. Also, the bar never has any customers, but all of the characters live in semi-nice apartments, with the exception of Charlie. The lifestyle proposed by the show is not a viable one, so the reality presented in Always Sunny is kind of twisted.

The series also frequently alludes to iconic cinema or events. In the final scene of “Charlie Goes America Over Everybody's Ass,” Frank and his group of Vietnamese gamblers are playing Russian roulette. The scene is a homage to the 1978 film The Deer Hunter.

Charlie also references the film Dog Day Afternoon in the same episode, when he shouts “Attica, Attica!” outside Paddy’s.

Upon entering the bar after a night that got too crazy with freedom, Dee exclaims, “It looks like Jonestown in here,” referencing the Jonestown massacre of 1978.

Mentioning these iconic films and events is almost like using a testimonial, because they are relating the show to these successful and well known movies/events.

Another aspect of this show that viewers eat right up is merchandising. You can buy Always Sunny T-Shirts, or T-Shirts with the Paddy's Pub logo on them. You can get the "Green Man" costume, worn by Charlie, as well as coffee mugs and pint glasses with Sunny slang on them. There is even an "Always Sunny" beer pong table, shot glasses, mouse pads, and even the "Dick Towel," which was introduced as a gag in the current season of Sunny, and as of the day the phrase was mentioned on the show, there is a fully functioning website to order the towel.

One aspect of the show that has only been apparent in recent episodes is product placement, which is "buying space for particular goods to appear on a TV show or movie" (345). For example, in the recent season Paddy's has begun to serve Coors, when previous to this season they never named a specific brand of beer that was served at the bar. In another episode, they constantly mention the restaurant Dave and Busters, and there was a Dave and Busters commercial at every break.