‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ Proves That Bigger Isn’t Always Better
by Frank Martin
The problem with large cast sitcoms: not every character is versatile enough to pair up with every other available character. Sure, there are a lot of pairs that work extremely well and even some that can mix and match. The Office is a great example of this as it had a wide assortment of tremendously great characters. But not every character fits with another. This is not so much a problem with smaller casts that focus on much more intimate characterization and plotting. The long running series It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is a great example of this.
Although there are several guest characters who make frequent appearances, there are five main regulars who show up every episode. Their relationships are intertwined in terms of friends, family, and roommates. They are Dee (Kaitlin Olson), Charlie (Charlie Day), Frank (Danny DeVito), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), and Mac (Rob McElhenney). The key to the show’s success is that there are no limitations or restrictions in the pairing of these characters. The plots become ridiculous, but they stem from the fact that all the characters have relationships with each other. There is a history between them that allows for great chemistry and the potential for a lot of jokes.
This plug-and-play method of storytelling allows for a lot of versatility to keep the episodes fresh. The same characters aren’t teaming up with each other every episode. Of course, a series with a very large cast can also shift focus between the characters from episode to episode, but that just means some characters won’t get a chance to appear. It’s Always Sunny allows all of its characters to shine every episode and in different pairs, which no doubt plays a huge role in its success.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is now streaming on Hulu.
