It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has finished airing it’s 15th season, making it the longest running live-action sitcom ever. The success of the series can somewhat be attributed to how well the show adapts its comedy and views to match the current debates in society. Not only is the creative team able to flawlessly pull this off, they do it in a way that maintains the vibe and tone set in Season 1.
Over the course of its many seasons, the show has satirized many controversial topics — from gun control, to politics and even bathroom rights. While there are definitely some episodes in the early seasons that have not aged well, the show and its writers seem to always attempt to evolve the characters and their views, making them more understanding of current issues, while at the same time keeping the core character traits in tact. And while the characters on the show are some of the worst people on television, they are beloved by their fans and they help display important issues in a way that looks at all sides of the argument.
The character Mac is an amazing example of how It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has adapted over time. In the early seasons, Mac is portrayed as a straight man, but over the course of the show that slowly changes. In later seasons, Mac comes out as gay to the gang, and the gang admits they have known for a long time. It was always obvious to fans and to the gang that Mac was gay, but he was always scared to admit it. The series navigated this change very well, and even has an entire episode about having Mac find his pride in being gay, and having Frank understand what this all means to Mac. While this has changed a large aspect of Mac’s character, it feels natural for the show. The change was made gradually, and Mac is still the loveably frustrating character he has always been.
In Season 15, the gang even tackles COVID-19, dealing with how it has affected their lives and the lives of everyone else around them. They also satirized voter fraud and the events of Jan. 6 in the US. These are all controversial topics that wouldn’t normally be dealt with in a sitcom, but It’s Always Sunny fans have come to expect it from the show. The fans understand that they are trying to shed light on things that are happening in society.
While some shows get grief for being political, It’s Always Sunny is praised by its fans. Over its 15 seasons, the show has never shied away from challenging topics. They have established trust with their fans because they handle each issue in a comedic, yet respectful way. Being able to adapt their comedy each season may seem like a simple thing to do, but there are plenty of shows that get stuck in one place and never change their jokes. By tailoring its jokes to match to the current societal mood, instead of expecting fans to match its standards, the series can appeal to a wider audience and gain more freedom to explore the topics they want to explore.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia has created an incredible fan base and gained their place in TV history. The show’s creative team understands that people’s views change and evolve, and their show has to be able to do the same thing. Their ability to adapt and change is part of the reason It’s Always Sunny has stayed on the air for 15 seasons.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 15 is available on Hulu and FXNow.
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