Jan. 5, 2014

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

From The Novelist Portent by Johnny E. Mahaffey (author's profile)

Transcription

Johnny Mahaffey says:
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

11.25.13

Comedy--it's a big deal. There's not much a good belly laugh can't help cure, or, at least, ease in toleration. A good comedy can not only captivate a pained individual, but for albeit brief moments, ease their discomfort.

"It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia," debuted in 2005, an FX-produced comedy, I believe; and isn't known anywhere near what it should be. I think if CBS picked it up, it'd fit right in with "The Big Bang Theory," just a little later in the hours. "Always Sunny," is for a more mature audience. "The Gang," is always tackling some racy and hot topic at times, as:

Dee (Kaitlin "Irresistible" Olsen)
Charlie (Charlie Day)
Dennis (Glenn Howerton)
Mac (Rob McElhenney)
Frank (Danny DeVito)

All play out some of the most realistically American characters I've ever seen. Created by Howerton and McElhenney, "Always Sunny," reveals Americans not as they pretend to be, but as they are behind their societal mask: their paucity of morals, their materialistic ambitions, childhood scars, and all.

In a non-apologetic, healthy, comedic way, episodes like "Charlie Got Molested," "The Gang Finds a Dumpster Baby," and "Frank Sets Sweet Dee on Fire," are gut burstingly hilarious, yet ironically honest. The show doesn't shy at poking fun at, say, a preacher's pederastic tendencies, or, Sweet Dee's dildo when a guy unexpectedly calls to ask if she has any plans, would she like to go out? No, she says -- the camera panning to reveal her dildo filled hand -- she has no plans). This kind of honesty via the show, doesn't just shatter the 1950's view of women, it bends it over and spanks it.

The show may be a little extreme in some episodes, yes. Not all of us just run across two bums getting it on underneath the boardwalk at Jersey Shore, or end up fighting someone over a "rum ham." but we all have our moments of "Plan B." It's being able to laugh about it later that can sometimes be a good thing.

People are usually more superficial than they like to admit, or are even aware of themselves, and unfortunately there is a percentage of people out there who've put their baby in a tanning machine, "Just to get a base!" A lot of us live out our life under "Plan B," or even C. The question is can we take it? Or will we just roll over and cry? Some of us, may even laugh it off, take off our shirt, bare our belly, and howl like a dumpster baby -- just for shits and giggles, to show the world we can.

Emily Nussbaum recommends to, "Binge-watch episodes, and a gonzo compassion begins to seep up through the filthy surface." (The New Yorker, 11.11.13. p. 84-85) If you watch just one; you won't get it. It's like a book, it takes a few chapters sometimes to get the right feel of it all, and once you do, you're hooked to its end. "Always Sunny," now airs on FXX; check out some episodes and see what you think. You may soon find yourself on the net ordering your own, green, "Paddy's Pub," t-shirt --they look really cool. I arranged to have one ordered for myself and stored away until my release -- I may even wear it to my new trial, under one of my Express sports coats of course. (Also recently stored away for me.). What could be any more "Plan B" appropriate? Or, in my case, "Plan X!"

One day, in some abandoned warehouse, they'll have the first Always-Sunny-Con, as AS-Con, or maybe even PADDY-CON? Who knows what they'll call it, but whatever it's names, I'll be there if I can. I'll be dressed as Green Man, with my own Sweet Dee in tow; you won't msis me, I'll be the one in the green fidora.

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Imponderables Posted 10 years, 3 months ago. ✓ Mailed 10 years, 3 months ago   Favorite
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post.

Johnny E. Mahaffey Posted 10 years, 2 months ago.   Favorite
(scanned reply – view as blog post)

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