It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Comedy Central, FX)

common sense media says

Irreverent comedy for older teens only.


parents & educators say
  • 57% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 43% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the central characters are immature and get into predicaments ranging from the goofy (pretending to be wheelchair-bound to attract sympathetic members of the opposite sex) to the illegal (drunk driving). The language is strong, and some of the show's situations and innuendoes are too much for younger viewers.

Positive messages: While the show parodies current moral topics such as lying, greed, and binge drinking, it does so in a way that could easily be misconstrued by younger audiences. On the face of it, these characters will do anything that benefits them (for example, pretending to be handicapped to score dates).
Violence: The main characters get into fights and, in at least one episode, drink and drive -- which results in a minor crash.
Sex: Sexual innuendo, simulated hooking up, scenes with strippers, trolling bars for the opposite sex.
Language: Strong. Curse words like "asshole," "s--t" and "f--k" are used freely.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Lots of social drinking, often to the point of excess.

More on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about relationships. Why is it important to love and respect your parents, siblings, sons, and daughters? How can family members smooth over differences? Is it easier to confront/get mad at family members than friends? Why or why not?

  • Families can also talk about the issues raised by the show. What is the show trying to say by dealing with sometimes-controversial topics in a funny way?

What's the story?

What's the story?

In FX's IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADEPHIA, four self-involved friends from high school who all work in a neighborhood bar attempt to balance their professional and personal lives. Each week, the core foursome stumbles from one bad situation to another while putting the spotlight on social faux pas and moral questions including pedophilia, bribery in politics, gun ownership, and taking advantage of the elderly.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The show began as a $200 digital camera project that was later sold to FX by executive producers/writers/stars Glenn Howerton (That '80s Show, Must Love Dogs), Charlie Day (Law & Order, Third Watch) and Rob McElhenney (A Civil Action, Wonder Boys) who play Dennis, Charlie, and Mac, respectively. Dennis' sister, Dee, is played by Kaitlin Olson; Danny DeVito joined the show in its second season as Dennis and Dee's dad, Frank (marking DeVito's first regular TV role since Taxi).

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's humor comes from the offbeat scenarios in which the friends find themselves; the humor is dark and adult, and none of the characters are particularly admirable. For example, when Charlie's ex-girlfriend informs him that he's the father of her child, it inspires Charlie to attend a pro-choice rally in the hopes of meeting another woman. In another episode, Frank returns to tell Dee and Dennis that he and their mother are divorcing. Frank proceeds to call his wife a "whore mother" who is "on vacation banging one of the boys she hangs out with." Younger viewers might find the physical hijinks funny, but the writing and subtle jabs at society's hang-ups will fly right over their head.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-MA
Network: Comedy Central
Cast: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Comedy Central

This review was written by Lucy Maher
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 57% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 43% say sexual content is an issue
  • 43% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Brando804
teen, 16 years old
 
Positively the funniest show on T.V! I watched two episodes and got hooked! Its Hilarious. Theres a lot of drinking and some depiction of drug abuse, but all in good humor. I love the cast and the humor in this show, its wonderfully written and truly one of the best shows on T.V.

modernmother
parent of 14 , and 15 , 17 year old
 
Not suitable for the impressionable
A hilarious show for age appropriate viewers, but it requires a knowledge of right and wrong to fully understand. These characters are NOT role models, but can serve to a more mature viewer as an antithesis of what is moral behavior,

F-Zero studios
teen, 14 years old
 
its very funny
it has all sorts of crazy stuff

 
The most depraved and hilarious shows on tv.
Always sunny in Philadelphia is probably the funniest show on TV probably because the characters are the worst and most depraved people Television has ever seen. Not a show for people under 16. It's funny and irreverent covering every taboo topic from teen drinking (main characters supplying booze because they realize that minors are the only customers at the bar they own) to incest (there being an ever milk drinking family called the "McPoyles" who are always suggested to have incestuous tendencies) and gun ownership (episode ending in one of the main characters being shot in the face though not killed). I think it's pretty obvious to anyone that what the characters in the show is horrible and there really isn't any type of moral ambiguity. Most of the jokes are played off of the fact that the characters are horrible people. Great show for older teens and adults.

 
Great for the older crowd. Keep kids away.
This show is hilarious. However much of the humor comes from the absurdity of the characters actions and how 'serious' issues are dealt with in a completely un-PC way. Definitely not good for anyone under the age of 17. There are episodes where the characters use a priest for money after they get him addicted to cocaine. In the very same episode another character is prostetuting himself for money. The horrid thing is that his father acts as his pimp.

rie97
teen, 14 years old
 
"Always Sunny" is always funny to me, and is one of my favorite shows on TV. But, since the show is set in a bar, of course there is drinking, and none of the characters are good role models. Since the gang's actions aren't to be imitated, anyone below 13 should proceed with caution. (By the way, I am almost 13, but I can understand the show)

 
Its always funny in philadelphia
This show is prob. the funniest show on TV. It approaches topics that other shows are afraid to go near from a funny viewpoint. If you are easily offended, dont watch this show.

walkingdead101
kid, 13 years old
 
Best show ever
THis Is THe BEst T.v. SHow EVer! Some sexual refrences. Some brief sex scenes. No nudity..

 
Give me a break
Ya know what you snooty people out there... would you say the same thing about seinfeld? NO! Yeah it can be pretty vulgar and they get away with it because it's on cable. Guess what... your kids are hearing it on the playground! Let me guess, you make your kids wear helmets when riding there bikes too. I'm 28. College educated, and went to a private school growing up. I was 12 years old and talking like them on the show. Not from TV, but my friends learn the stuff from their older siblings. It happens! Can' hold the kids hands up to the front door when they're seniors in H.S. Let your kids grow up! PLEASE!!!

wannabemoviecritic
teen, 15 years old
 
I LOVE THIS SHOW
You don't have to worry if your child knows the good from the bad. I'm about to turn 13 but i started watching this show when I was ten. THIS SHOW IS HILARIOUS AND IS MY GENRE OF COMEDY.

The Review Guy
teen, 15 years old
 
Drunken,Racy,Funny Comedy is best for Older Teens
Messages:The show celebrates bad behavior among the characters,but this show also doesn't take itself to seriously. Role Models:Although no one is perfect in this show,they are still good friends and they do show some sense of care from time to time,but they also show bad behavior. Violence:Some brawls,but nothing actually violent. Sex:No sex or nudity,but there's plenty of talk about sex,abortion,and other topics relating to that. Language:Lot's of swearing includes S**t,God*mn,H*ll,F**k,and even some racial slurs,which includes the "N" word.And it's all uncensored. Consumerism:Not an Issue Drinking,Drugs,and Smoking:Most of the show takes place in a bar,which characters are shown drinking,sometimes to the point of drunkness. My TV Rating:TV-MA LS

 
Great but not family comedy.
Like they said , it's Seinfeld on crack.Wild and crazy stuff in it,but still played for good laughs.

 
Its hilarious, but I still regret watching it.
Its a hilarious show, but the amount of swearing and FXs high commercial amounts limited the amount of people that would want or be allowed to watch it. I thought you couldnt use the F word on TV. isnt that like a law that will make you get fined like a million dollars now if you violate it? Hmmm.... I shouldnt have watched it cause all the swearing is stuck in my head.

Dman
teen, 17 years old
 
Hilarious show, not for anyone under 13.

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