It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the longest-running live-action sitcom on television, starring Danny DeVito, who joined during season two, when the show was facing cancellation.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a live-action comedy series which premiered in 2005 on FX. Though it is now the longest-running live-action on television, the first season almost faced cancellation due to low viewership numbers.
However, the president of FX at the time, John Landgraf, arguably saved the show with his proposition that they introduce DeVito’s character to boost the viewership.
What is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia about?
IMDb describes the premise of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as, “Five friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.”
The lead roles include twins Dee and Dennis Reynolds, who are played by Kaitlin Olson and Glenn Howerton, Ronald “Mac” Macdonald, who is played by Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Kelly, who is played by Charlie Day.
When does Danny DeVito join Always Sunny?
The original formation of the cast would exist for the first season of the show on FX. However, the live-action series was the only comedy show on the channel. Therefore, it faced low numbers during the first season of the show.
Danny DeVito was introduced in order to give the show a lifeline for its second season, or it would have faced immediate cancellation by the channel. A move that has so far given television fifteen seasons.
Rob McElhenney explains Danny DeVito’s enlistment
Rob McElhenney explained Danny DeVito’s enlistment during a 2020 interview with Stephen Colbert by stating, “We got a call the next day after the first airing […] and the President of the network, John Landgraf, said, ‘nobody watched the show.’”
He then asked they get DeVito, a personal friend of his, or face cancellation and the decision was easy.
Who does Danny DeVito play on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
In the world of the story, Danny DeVito plays the character of Frank Reynolds. He is the father of the twins and lead characters, Dee and Dennis Reynolds.
Following him joining the series in the second season, he has been in every episode except Mac’s Banging the Waitress and Paddy’s Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia.
Why you should watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
One of the biggest reasons outside of the fact that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is funny, considering the 16 nominations it has received, three of which being Emmy nominations, the live-action series is also considered the longest-running comedy live-action series on television. Which it will continue to affirm with the imminent release of the sixteenth season.
Conclusion
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is FX’s longest-running comedy show, as when it first premiered there were no other popular comedies on the channel.
After facing an almost-cancellation during its first season, the show enlisted Danny DeVito for the second season. A decision that saved the show, producing fourteen seasons since.