‘It’s Always Sunny’ Season 18 was my favorite stream of the week
‘It’s Always Sunny’ Season 18 was my favorite stream of the week
The show may not have the genius feel it once did, but it’s still packed with incredibly funny people.
Approaching 40 as I am, I’m extremely sensitive to any reminders of my advancing age. The longevity of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” hasn’t helped; the show first premiered in 2005, meaning if it were a person, it would be old enough to drink by now.
I suppose that’s somewhat appropriate for a show which is often set in a bar, but it’s still unsettling to someone with vivid memories of the initial premiere of “It’s Always Sunny.” Despite its age, the show still manages to pack in the laughs in its 18th season, which was my favorite stream of the week.
I was in high school when the first season of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” premiered, and I didn’t really care for the show during its early seasons. To be sure, the series took some time to find its footing and evolve into one of the best comedies on television, but I also didn’t initially see the appeal of watching bad people do terrible things.
The true genius of the show is, and always has been, about the comeuppance those bad people receive. At its best, “It’s Always Sunny” has always been about seeing its main cast suffer for their absurd and horrific actions, with some truly thoughtful and expertly executed storylines sprinkled in as a changeup.
I think it’s fair to say the brightest days of “It’s Always Sunny” are probably behind us. Thus far in Season 18, no episode has stood out as a comedy gem like the incomparable “Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre,” which is admittedly a high bar to clear. But even if the show doesn’t have the same genius writing it once did, it’s more than compensated for by the chemistry the cast still shares.
Charley Day, Danny DeVito, Glenn Howerton, Rob Mac, and Kaitlin Olson carry every joke across the finish line with the expert timing of a cast who has been united for decades. They know each other’s best comedic moves and know when to make room for someone else to carry through a punchline. The show’s supporting cast is likewise attuned not only to each other, but to the type of comedy an “Always Sunny” episode demands.
That’s the main reason “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” still manages to be, at times, hilarious, even if it doesn’t feel as if it’s treading any new ground. Everyone understands the assignment, and everyone can still execute at a high level.
One note I’ve found a little strange about Season 18 of “It’s Always Sunny” that has nothing to do with the show itself is watching it on the Disney+ app. This week, I finally decided to integrate my Hulu profile with my Disney+ account, and I have to say I appreciate the streamlined feel of finding my Hulu and Disney+ watch histories all in one place. But “Always Sunny” is still a very adult show, and it’ll take some getting used to to put the idea of Disney+ as a kids’ streaming service behind me.
New episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Season 18 premiere on FX and FXX on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. They stream on Hulu — and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers — the next day.
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