One Genius Trick Saved ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ From Possibly Becoming the Most Hated Show on the Planet, Despite Tackling Many Sensitive Issues

SUMMARY

• It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia navigates sensitive topics through satire, using exaggerated flaws of characters to critique their behavior.
• Rob McElhenney explains that their approach of satirizing, rather than endorsing, controversial views has helped maintain the show's integrity.
• The show has remained fresh and relevant by continuously evolving, experimenting with new ideas.

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With the debut of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, its irreverent humor and controversial characters drew both attention and criticism. The show’s risky approach of displaying sensitive topics and flawed characters could’ve easily backfired.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | FX

Especially when it’s still on-air in these times of mass cancel culture. However, the creators of the show have managed to navigate these challenges with a strategy that keeps the show relevant and beloved. The thought and creativity that went into the sitcom only show how mindful and talented the creators were.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Navigates Controversy Through Satire

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | FX

In an interview with Rolling Stones, Rob McElhenny, the creator of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia spoke about how they get around sensitive subjects, and if there’s a particular topic which they would never include. 

I get this question a lot, too: ‘Are you guys afraid of tackling any subject, or are there certain places you won’t go?’ Because we do seem to get away with a lot that on the surface it seems people are not able to get away with now. And I think there’s a key distinction in what we’re doing, and ultimately our fans recognize [it], in terms of satirizing certain behavior.

We’re certainly not lauding characters for their homophobia or misogyny or casual racism. In fact, it’s the complete opposite, where we’re degrading our own characters for holding some of those views.”

This distinction was crucial in maintaining the show’s integrity and by presenting the negative traits of their characters as absurd and exaggerated, the creators were able to highlight that these were flaws and not things to be celebrated or endorsed. 

The Challenge of Sustaining Creativity in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | FX

Most shows die a slow death after the first few seasons, usually due to the creators running in circles or running out of gags. However, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia turned out to be an exception. McElhenney also spoke about how they eventually settled into the show and figured out how to make the best of their creativity.

We had that anxiety at the beginning of every season at least for the first two or three years. And once we realized the story engine was this tool we could use and pump culture through and see what came out the other side, we realized we could probably do it forever.

Part of the show’s charm has been its unexpectedness and the characters’ shenanigans, and it ended on a high note because the creators never beat a dead horse. They evolved and experimented with new ideas, and maintained an authentic camaraderie with each other, which kept the show fresh and beloved.

You can watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu.

Written by Sonika Kamble

Articles Published: 60

Sonika thrives on her passion for cinema, artistic expression, and philosophical exploration. Every medium of storytelling intrigues her, and she can’t help but dissect the layers to unravel the deeper meaning behind an arc or a scene. She finds contentment in playing chess, vibing to background scores, and penning the next chapter of her book. Sonika is driven by the idea of being a dutiful and responsible human who dedicates herself to a task, regardless of the outcome—a principle she’s committed to upholding at FandomWire.