The Funny Side of the Sun

There are not too many shows boasting the quality of writing and acting that keeps them afloat with audiences and critics for years. There are even fewer ones that break new ground exploring topics that other and less courageous souls would not dare touch with a six-foot pole.  

Shows that change your life? Only one for me.

In the fall of 2013, I had been thinking about numerous things, as one does. My writing, Christmas stuff, my job, new films and reviews, the various facets of death...

Yes, that is correct. Without going into detail, I had just come off of a summer that revolved around one extremely close call and an actual death in the family. The concept of passing did not touch me for the first time, but I had almost forgotten how empty it made me feel, almost being the operative word. Now it was palpable in every molecule of the air that I inhaled. It had crossed my path, rammed into me and spun me around the safety of my axis, its hollow voice telling me that the presence was never far away, that we were all merely a breath away from disappearing, that human existence was a sugarcoated illusion, that it all meant nothing. The worries and what ifs toyed with my feelings, making me feel like Sisyphus when forcing myself to push the intrusions away. As a sensitive human being with the best family in the world, I had a natural reaction to shocking events; however, the reaction kept evolving into an ugly beast, into a force that was trying to overwhelm me. I am an inherently optimistic person and these thoughts were not close to taking over my days or escalating in any way, but I wanted them out of my head.  

I remembered finding out earlier that an actor I liked was a fan of a comedy series I had heard about, but never watched -- "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". For some reason, I had never seen a single episode. All I knew was that the story revolved around a group of friends hanging out in a Philadelphia bar. Why not?, I thought.

It did not take more than a couple of episodes for the DVR to become my best friend.

I started watching daily. The language and comedy resonated, making me wonder about what I had been missing for eight years. The humor was the lens through which our world's insanities were dissected, something I had never seen on television, or at least not done in such an unmanicured way. The locations and cinematography reminded me of indie films made in the early 2000s, nearly pulverized since by the advent of the recession and the almighty blockbuster. Having always been a wacky combo of reserved, sensitive, quirky and friendly, I found subliminal freedom in the bluntness and the bizarre antics of characters that did not know the meaning of apology. Everything about this show was HONEST. In an over-the-top manner, it presented to us people who had not quite figured out their place in society. These were people attempting -- however clumsily and without scruples -- to find out where they belonged, all the while showing that they were as gullible in the bigger scheme of things as they were debauched on a more narrow plane. As warped as their views were, more often than not it was the external realm that was frightening in its depravity. 

People like us... they don't get got. -- Dennis

("Mac and Dennis Buy a Timeshare")

  

Then it hit me.

I was crushing on a TV show.

I was crushing on the subversive conversations that five lovable misfits were having, the uncompromising defiance that wove through many of the Gang's actions and much of the dialogue, the unstoppable Day/DeVito/Howerton/McElhenney/Olson train of talent, the fact that I could not stop laughing. I even fell for the rustic carelessness of Paddy's Pub and the squalor of Charlie's apartment because, seriously, who wouldn't?

As I watched, I found out the story behind the story. Exasperated by the lack of good roles and seeking more control over the creative process, actor Rob McElhenney had created "Always Sunny" and developed it with friend and fellow actor Glenn Howerton. The tale of four sharp-tongued, slightly sociopathic friends hopping in and out of trouble found its home on the FX network in 2005 and has only grown in popularity over the years. The leads ponder, write, edit and act, and I know that they could take over the planet if they wanted to. Toward the end of the first season, the show was close to cancellation; someone over at FX had brains to spare, though, since they decided to give it more time and more room to grow. I would like to kiss this person and give them a bear hug.

No words can express how much Mac, Dennis, Dee, Charlie, Frank and their plays on absurdity have captivated me. While watching the home makeover parody "The Gang Gets Extreme: Home Makeover", my jaw literally hurt from laughing. The Pretty Woman mockumentary -- as I like to call it -- "Frank's Pretty Woman" nearly made me fall off the couch. "The Gang Exploits a Miracle", a sidesplitting send-up of religious influence and evangelist anti-culture, was one of the best episodes of any show that I had ever seen. I was giggling every day and loving every second.

Charlie: It's a sign.

Father Matthew: It's... a stain.

("The Gang Exploits a Miracle")

An aspect of "Always Sunny" that I do not think gets much attention is the underlying love that these characters have for each other. They may lie, cheat, steal, throw one another under the bus and ruin people's lives (Rickety Cricket!). They may act impulsively or greedily guard their own interests; still, there is a strong undercurrent of attachment running through the dark hijinks. At the end of the day, the friends stay close to one another and, considering the twisted families that they had come from, their makeshift family is all that they have. Misunderstood by outsiders as much as they are insufferable to them, the group inevitably return to their circle after each of their plans has fallen through. Just check out "The Gang Hits the Road", "Charlie and Dee Find Love" and "A Very Sunny Christmas". When it comes to affection, the Gang are alone together and damn happy about it.

 Dennis: How exactly do you view yourself in the context of our group?
Mac: The... Sheriff of Paddy's.
("The Gang Hits the Road")

It needs to be said that "Always Sunny" should not only be recognized for its humor, but also for its treatment of social issues. I am talking specifically about LGBTQ topics. When it comes to these issues, the writing is sublime. Far from being ambiguous, the portrayals of same-sex relationships and potential same-sex relationships are done in a matter-of-fact way, one that acknowledges but does not single out characters based on their sexual orientation. "Will & Grace" and "Sex and the City" had done their thing in terms of bringing the LGBTQ community into the mainstream consciousness but, in the 21st century, we need a show that does not even make a distinction. "Always Sunny" gives us numerous moments between male characters where something might happen and something might not -- hey, you never know, right? There is a relationship between Mac and a transsexual character, as well as a terrific story arc for the latter. There is a wonderful episode called "Mac Fights Gay Marriage" about obstacles that gay couples face when fighting for rights taken for granted by many. When asked on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" in September whether the principal characters may be gay, Charlie Day laconically stated that "everyone might be gay", with McElhenney and Howerton adding that "everybody is a little bit gay." Truer words were never spoken. We are all people, living in the same world, dealing with the same problems day in and day out. Do you really measure attraction in estrogen or testosterone? Does anyone really care if two consenting adults are in a relationship? Be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want, that is the message here. Talk about a show being ahead of its time. 

As a brand new fan, I had been unaware of the metaphor behind one of the best episodes. "The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award" follows the group as they try to revamp their style in order to be considered for the best Philadelphia bar, simultaneously pondering the value of compromising integrity for the sake of being acknowledged. When I discovered that the Emmys had somehow succeeded in overlooking this show in the major categories year in and year out, I figured that the Emmys required an eye doctor rendezvous pronto. The sophistication, intelligence and eloquence of "Always Sunny" has no match in any other half-hour or hour block on television. The lack of recognition brings me to one of the most important things that this show can teach you -- the relevance of doing what you do and doing things your way, no matter how kooky it may seem to others. Most smartest indeed.

What's with all the loud fake color? I mean, where's the subtlety? -- Mac
("The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award")

My only regret is that I have been missing this gem for eight years. Not only had I barely known anything about "Always Sunny", I did not have access to FX -- now suspiciously transmorphed into FXX -- for a while either. Hell, I did not watch much TV or follow TV happenings until probably 2007. Thank you, TV people, for syndication. It is never too late.

Then again, "Always Sunny" came into my life at the exact moment when I needed more... well, sunshine. It is safe to say that my crush has long grown into a full-blown love affair. Currently, I have more than 30 episodes on my DVR. Everything else can go, but my Philly stays. I stopped watching some other shows so that I could keep recording it. If anyone from this cast ever happens to make a film that involves reading a phone book and nothing else, I will be the first in line. I still have occasional thoughts with the potential to spin out of control, but now I also have these guys. Whether it is my DVR and DVD library, the soundtrack on my iPod or their dialogue in my head, I can always count on Mac, Dennis, Dee, Charlie and Frank to tell my sadness to take a hike.

The fact of the matter is that this magical bunch did not just make me laugh. 

They unburdened me.

And for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you, Mr. Day, Mr. Howerton and Mr. McElhenney, for a show that layers more levels of humanity than I can count and for making me cry with laughter. Thank you, Ms. Kaitlin Olson, for being one of the bravest, most beautiful comediennes that I have ever seen. Thank you, Mr. Danny DeVito, for playing one of TV's biggest fraudsters to perfection. Thank you, Ms. Mary Elizabeth Ellis, for your straight-faced humor and no-nonsense attitude. Thank you, Gang, for reminding me that life's lunacies are the same for everyone and for reminding me not to take life or myself too seriously. Your show has helped me through one of the roughest times that I have ever had and it means so much to me that it is difficult to put into words. It turned my world around and changed my perspective on every single thing that I had been grappling with. Simply put, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" will forever be more than the best show I have ever seen. It is endearing, zany, edgy, hilarious brilliance that inspires me and hugs my soul.

It goes without saying that I am never gonna give you up.