"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (2005) TV series 2005-????

Creator:

Rob McElhenney
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

It's "Seinfeld" on crack.

Plot:

Four young friends with big egos and slightly arrogant attitudes are the proprietors of an Irish bar in Philadelphia.

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Slacker | Black Comedy | Friendship Between Men | Punctuation In Title

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Charlie Day	...	Charlie Kelly (56 episodes, 2005-2009)
Kaitlin Olson	...	Dee Reynolds (56 episodes, 2005-2009)
Glenn Howerton	...	Dennis Reynolds (56 episodes, 2005-2009)
Rob McElhenney	...	Mac (56 episodes, 2005-2009)
Danny DeVito	...	Frank Reynolds (49 episodes, 2006-2009)

Series Directed by
Fred Savage		(18 episodes, 2007-2009)
Daniel Attias		(12 episodes, 2005-2006)
Matt Shakman		(12 episodes, 2007-2008)
Randall Einhorn		(6 episodes, 2009)
Jerry Levine		(5 episodes, 2007)
John Fortenberry		(3 episodes, 2005)
Rob McElhenney		(2 episodes, 2005-2006)

Series Writing credits
Glenn Howerton		(55 episodes, 2005-2009)
Rob McElhenney		(55 episodes, 2005-2009)
Charlie Day		(31 episodes, 2005-2009)
David Hornsby		(14 episodes, 2006-2009)
Sonny Lee		(14 episodes, 2008-2009)
Patrick Walsh		(14 episodes, 2008-2009)
Scott Marder		(13 episodes, 2007-2009)
Rob Rosell		(13 episodes, 2007-2009)
Kristi Korzec		(unknown episodes, 2009)

Series Produced by
Jeff Luini	....	associate producer / co-producer (44 episodes, 2006-2009)
John Fortenberry	....	executive producer (32 episodes, 2005-2007)
Charlie Day	....	executive producer (21 episodes, 2005-2008)
Nick Frenkel	....	executive producer (21 episodes, 2005-2008)
Glenn Howerton	....	executive producer (21 episodes, 2005-2008)
Rob McElhenney	....	executive producer (21 episodes, 2005-2008)
Thomas Lofaro	....	producer / co-executive producer (20 episodes, 2005-2008)
Michael Rotenberg	....	executive producer (20 episodes, 2005-2008)
Fred Savage	....	producer (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Daniel Attias	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 2006)
David Hornsby	....	supervising producer (8 episodes, 2008)
Matt Shakman	....	producer (7 episodes, 2008)

Series Original Music by
Cormac Bluestone		(1 episode, 2008)

Series Cinematography by
Peter Smokler		(17 episodes, 2005-2007)

Series Film Editing by
Robert Bramwell		(14 episodes, 2005-2007)
Josh Drisko		(9 episodes, 2005-2007)

Series Casting by
Wendy O'Brien		(43 episodes, 2005-2009)
John Papsidera		(7 episodes, 2005)
Natasha Cuba		(6 episodes, 2006)
Jeanne McCarthy		(6 episodes, 2006)

Series Production Design by
Scott Cobb		(41 episodes, 2005-2009)
Donna J. Hattin		(14 episodes, 2007)

Series Set Decoration by
Lisa Tong		(10 episodes, 2006)
Kathy Curtis-Cahill		(7 episodes, 2005)

Series Costume Design by
Sabrina Rosen		(45 episodes, 2005-2008)

Series Makeup Department
Leah Vautrot	....	key makeup artist / makeup department head (31 episodes, 2005-2007)
Autumn Butler	....	key makeup artist (21 episodes, 2008-2009)
Amanda Mofield	....	hair stylist (16 episodes, 2005-2006)
Michelle Bühler	....	makeup department head / head makeup artist (10 episodes, 2006)
Liz Webster	....	key hair stylist (10 episodes, 2007)
Mandy Danielle Benton	....	key makeup artist / additional makeup artist (7 episodes, 2007)
Corey Jeen	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 2005)

Series Production Management
Patrick Burns	....	unit production manager / assistant unit production manager / ... (17 episodes, 2005-2007)
Amy D'Alio	....	production supervisor: Philadelphia (12 episodes, 2007-2008)
Thomas Lofaro	....	unit production manager (7 episodes, 2005-2007)
Terri Murphy	....	post-production supervisor (7 episodes, 2005)
Rod Paul	....	executive in charge of production (7 episodes, 2005)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Maximillian D. Day	....	first assistant director (17 episodes, 2007-2009)
Kristen Heiden	....	second second assistant director (15 episodes, 2007)
Ross Novie	....	first assistant director (12 episodes, 2005-2008)
Mark Lyon	....	first assistant director (11 episodes, 2006-2007)
Jennie O'Keefe	....	second assistant director (10 episodes, 2006)
JoAnne Lowrie	....	dga trainee (7 episodes, 2005)
Richard Silva	....	key second assistant director / second assistant director (7 episodes, 2005)
Aaron Penn	....	second second assistant director (7 episodes, 2008)
Timothy C. Reischauer	....	second second assistant director (5 episodes, 2006)
Carla R. Ponzio	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 2007)
Brad Robinson	....	second second assistant director: Philadelphia (4 episodes, 2007)
Mike Gray	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 2005)
Jim Simone	....	first assistant director (1 episode, 2005)

Series Art Department
Bruce C. Knight II	....	property master (19 episodes, 2007-2009)
Greg Sanger	....	leadman (15 episodes, 2007)
Drew Pierce	....	scenic painter (13 episodes, 2008)
Christopher Branan	....	carpenter (11 episodes, 2008)
Eric Fishman	....	property master (10 episodes, 2006)
Greg Hamlin	....	construction coordinator (10 episodes, 2006)
Adee Serrao	....	set coordinator (10 episodes, 2009)
Monica Sotto	....	art department coordinator (8 episodes, 2009)
Eric J. Bates	....	property master (7 episodes, 2005)
Jon Bush	....	art department coordinator (7 episodes, 2005)
Craig Pittman	....	lead man (7 episodes, 2005)
Artie Chavez	....	construction coordinator (6 episodes, 2005)
Al Eisenmann	....	property master (6 episodes, 2005)
Lauren Slatten Day	....	art department coordinator (6 episodes, 2007)
Sharon Potts	....	property master: Philadelphia (5 episodes, 2005-2006)
Megan J. Baptiste	....	art department assistant (4 episodes, 2006)
Noreen Coyne	....	art department coordinator (4 episodes, 2006)
Michael D. Costello	....	art painter (3 episodes, 2006)
Billy Stearne	....	assistant property master (3 episodes, 2007)
Chris Buchinsky	....	storyboard artist (unknown episodes, 2009)
Erin J. Beverly	....	art department coordinator (unknown episodes)
Kim Bolanowski	....	assistant property master (unknown episodes)
David Gardner	....	art department assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Mike Marchain	....	supervising sound editor (28 episodes, 2007-2008)
Jeff Clark	....	supervising sound editor (17 episodes, 2005-2006)
Dave Rainey	....	sound utility / sound mixer (17 episodes, 2007-2008)
Chris Kellet	....	sound mixer: second unit (16 episodes, 2005-2007)
James Thornton	....	production sound mixer (15 episodes, 2005-2006)
Mick Davies	....	boom operator (15 episodes, 2007)
Erik Magnus	....	sound mixer / production sound mixer (15 episodes, 2007)
Joshua E. Schneider	....	sound re-recording mixer (14 episodes, 2005-2007)
George Flores	....	production sound mixer (14 episodes, 2008-2009)
Valeria Ghiran	....	boom operator (14 episodes, 2008-2009)
Bruce Michaels	....	sound re-recording mixer (12 episodes, 2005-2006)
Andrew Morgado	....	foley mixer (9 episodes, 2007-2009)
Ken Dufva	....	foley artist (7 episodes, 2005)
Brian Jordan	....	boom operator: Philadelphia (7 episodes, 2005)
Kevin Valentine	....	sound re-recording mixer (6 episodes, 2005-2006)
Mike Ford	....	sound utility: Philadelphia (3 episodes, 2008)
Josh Schneider	....	sound re-recording mixer (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Visual Effects by
Steve Vitolo	....	post production assistant (15 episodes, 2007)
Marc Fisher	....	digital effects artist / visual effects (8 episodes, 2007)
Casey Conroy	....	visual effects producer / visual effects supervisor (2 episodes, 2008)
John Myers	....	visual effects executive producer (2 episodes, 2008)
Rick Cortes	....	visual effects: Modern Videofilm (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Michael Munoz	....	stunt double: Danny Devito (3 episodes, 2008-2009)
Simone Bargetze	....	stunt double / stunt double: Kaitlin Olsen (2 episodes, 2008)
Mark Aaron Wagner	....	stunt double: Rob McElhenney (2 episodes, 2008)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Wayne A. Lee	....	lighting technician (43 episodes, 2005-2009)
Adam Sklena	....	camera operator (17 episodes, 2005-2007)
Michael M. Silver	....	gaffer (16 episodes, 2005-2008)
David Pearce	....	key grip (16 episodes, 2005-2006)
Ryan DeGrazzio	....	first assistant camera (15 episodes, 2006-2008)
Anthony DeFrancesco	....	digital utility (13 episodes, 2008)
Keith Orefice	....	chief lighting technician (11 episodes, 2006-2007)
John Huneck	....	camera operator (10 episodes, 2006)
Francine Natale	....	electrician / electrician: Philadelphia (8 episodes, 2006-2007)
Bruce M. Pasternack	....	camera operator (7 episodes, 2005-2007)
Rob Mabin	....	best boy electric: Philadelphia (7 episodes, 2006-2007)
Peter Portizo	....	chief lighting technician (6 episodes, 2005)
King Lanaux	....	grip (6 episodes, 2007)
Robin Morton	....	additional camera assistant (6 episodes, 2008)
Leannah Jake	....	lighting technician (5 episodes, 2008)
Michael Yarish	....	still photographer (4 episodes, 2007)
Colin J. Peters	....	electrician (4 episodes, 2008)
David Gasperik	....	additional camera operator (2 episodes, 2006-2007)
Chris Rauch	....	key grip (2 episodes, 2007)
Dana Lee Anderson	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Daniel C. Cook	....	camera operator: "a" camera, Philadelphia (unknown episodes)
Mike DeGrazzio	....	second assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Leon Sanginiti	....	first assistant camera: Philadelphia (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Joanne Bloom	....	casting assistant (10 episodes, 2006)
Lyndsey Gayer	....	casting assistant (6 episodes, 2007)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kathie Pierson	....	set costumer: Philadelphia (45 episodes, 2005-2008)
Traci Asher	....	costumer / costume production assistant (25 episodes, 2007-2008)
Rani Cunningham	....	costumer (17 episodes, 2007-2008)
Shawn Barry	....	costume supervisor (11 episodes, 2006-2007)
Michael Crow	....	costumer (11 episodes, 2009)
Michele Posch	....	set costumer / key costumer (7 episodes, 2005)

Series Editorial Department
Bryan Petty	....	first assistant editor / assistant editor (45 episodes, 2005-2008)
Ken Van Deest	....	final colorist (36 episodes, 2007-2009)
Heydar Adel	....	on-line editor (19 episodes, 2008-2009)
Ted Brady	....	final colorist (17 episodes, 2005-2006)
Sean Palsgaard	....	post-production assistant / post-production coordinator (15 episodes, 2006-2008)
Matthew Crocker	....	assistant editor (15 episodes, 2007)
Susan J. Vinci	....	assistant editor (4 episodes, 2007)

Series Music Department
Ray Espinola Jr.	....	music supervisor / music consultant (32 episodes, 2005-2007)
P.J. Bloom	....	music consultant / music supervisor (7 episodes, 2005)
Evyen Klean	....	music consultant (7 episodes, 2005)
Jennifer Reeve	....	music consultant (7 episodes, 2005)

Series Transportation Department
Richard Denson	....	transportation captain (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Roger Bojarski	....	transportation captain (10 episodes, 2006)
Robert E. Dingle	....	transportation coordinator (7 episodes, 2005)
David R. Blakely	....	driver: honeywagon (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Anthony DeFrancesco	....	production assistant: Philadelphia (32 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jeff Gonzalez	....	script supervisor (24 episodes, 2008-2009)
Niki Delone	....	production coordinator (22 episodes, 2007-2008)
Fisher Pence	....	assistant: Michael Rotenberg (17 episodes, 2005-2006)
Eric Fierstein	....	location manager (16 episodes, 2005-2006)
Melissa Engle	....	key set production assistant / production assistant (15 episodes, 2007-2008)
Lisa Hoover	....	key assistant location manager/scout (15 episodes, 2007)
George Ritter	....	production assistant (15 episodes, 2007)
Adam Stein	....	writing assistant (15 episodes, 2007)
Tom Vicini	....	stand-in (15 episodes, 2007)
Olivia Gerke	....	assistant: Michael Rotenberg (15 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jen Willis	....	production assistant (15 episodes, 2008-2009)
Hosam Solaiman	....	assistant production coordinator (14 episodes, 2008-2009)
Rebecca Asher	....	script supervisor (13 episodes, 2005-2007)
Diana Valentine	....	script supervisor (13 episodes, 2005-2006)
Dale Dreher	....	location manager (13 episodes, 2008)
Andrew R. Gardiner	....	key assistant location manager (13 episodes, 2008)
Eric Zimmerman	....	assistant: executive producer (13 episodes, 2008)
Jennifer Marren	....	production coordinator: Philadelphia / production coordinator: philadelphia (12 episodes, 2007-2009)
Brad Pero	....	key set production assistant (12 episodes, 2007)
Kirill Baru	....	assistant: executive producer (11 episodes, 2008)
Shannon Petska	....	production coordinator: Philadelphia (10 episodes, 2005-2007)
Martin Alcala	....	production accountant (10 episodes, 2006)
Pamela I. Brown	....	assistant production coordinator (10 episodes, 2006)
Carol Kravetz	....	production coordinator (10 episodes, 2006)
Rob Palma	....	assistant: Nick Frenkel (10 episodes, 2006)
Katie Rosen	....	assistant: Tom Lofaro (10 episodes, 2006)
Abby Lyn Rogers	....	philadelphia: assistant production office coordinator / philadelphia: office production assistant (10 episodes, 2007-2008)
Kate Ducey	....	production assistant (10 episodes, 2009)
Sonny Lee	....	executive story editor (10 episodes, 2009)
Patrick Walsh	....	executive story editor (10 episodes, 2009)
Joseph Izzo	....	production assistant (9 episodes, 2006)
Rayshelle Willis	....	first assistant accountant (9 episodes, 2008)
Monique LaMontagne	....	location manager (8 episodes, 2007)
Mark Asaro	....	assistant production coordinator (7 episodes, 2005)
Starla Davis	....	assistant: Tom Lofaro (7 episodes, 2005)
Vanessa Gutin	....	office production assistant / set production assistant (7 episodes, 2005)
Catherine A. McCabe	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 2005)
Lisa Moloshok	....	assistant: Michael Rotenberg (7 episodes, 2005)
Nathan Oliver	....	production assistant (7 episodes, 2005)
Alex Schwartz	....	assistant: Nick Frenkel (7 episodes, 2005)
Meredith L. Ditlow	....	assistant: Michael Rotenberg (7 episodes, 2006)
Bobby Kennedy	....	production assistant: Philadelphia (7 episodes, 2007)
Jean-Marc Madelon	....	payroll (7 episodes, 2007)
Melissa Mahoney	....	second assistant accountant (7 episodes, 2007)
Kevin Streckewald	....	assistant location manager (7 episodes, 2008)
Bryan Swarberg	....	assistant to executive producer (7 episodes, 2009)
Dawn Todd	....	production coordinator (6 episodes, 2005)
Marlena Schaefer	....	location assistant (6 episodes, 2009)
Amy Cutler	....	key production assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Jared Berenholz	....	location production assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
Brooks Boutwell	....	location assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
Tracy L. Connors	....	set production assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
Bianca D'Carpio	....	production assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
David Jennis	....	set production assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
Joe Zarriello	....	stand-in (5 episodes, 2009)
Jason A. McCauley	....	parking coordinator / parking coordinator: Philadelphia (4 episodes, 2005)
Demian Resnick	....	location manager / location manager: Philadelphia (4 episodes, 2005)
Czarfred Reyes	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 2007)
Erin Sullivan	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 2007)
William Ostroff	....	production assistant: Philadelphia (4 episodes, 2009)
Scott Cohn	....	production accountant (3 episodes, 2005)
Jennifer Perryman	....	assistant: Michael Rotenberg (3 episodes, 2006)
David Hornsby	....	story editor (3 episodes, 2007)
Sara E. Tower	....	production accountant (2 episodes, 2005)
Chris Gormley	....	assistant parking coordinator (2 episodes, 2007)
Lauren Harrison	....	additional set production assistant (2 episodes, 2007)
Marisa Tellez	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 2007)
Lauren Selman	....	environmental consultant (2 episodes, 2008)
Brian Ankrum	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 2008)
John R. Brewer	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Rudi Fischer	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Laura M. Guzik	....	production office assistant (unknown episodes)
Kathleen Kelly	....	medic: Philadelphia (unknown episodes)
Peter Madamba	....	legal script clearances (unknown episodes)
Brad Robinson	....	set production assistant: Philadelphia (unknown episodes)
Adam Wallingford	....	locations department (unknown episodes)
David Wittlin	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Bluebush Productions
• 3 Art Entertainment
• RCH

Distributors

• fX Network (2005-) (USA) (TV)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (season 3)
• Bravo Television (2006-) (UK) (TV)
• Comedy Central (2008-) (Hungary) (TV)
• Comedy Central (200?-) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)

Other Companies

• Act One Script Clearance  clearances and research
• All Balloons All The Time  balloon decor
• Central Casting  extras casting
• David Haddad  transportation equipment
• Filmtools  expendables
• Haddad's  transportation equipment
• Inter Video  computer and video playback
• LCW Props  set equipment
• Movie Movers  cast trailers (uncredited)
• Paws for Effect  animals provided by
• Philly Picture Cars  picture vehicles

Also Known As:

It's Always Sunny (USA) (promotional title)
It's Always Sunny on TV (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

Hungary:16 | Australia:M | Singapore:M18 (seasons 1 and 2) (season 3) | USA:TV-MA

Company:

Bluebush Productions

Trivia:

According to creator Rob McElhenney, the name 'Sweet Dee' was the nickname of one of his friend's girlfriends. He liked the nickname and later thought of it while creating the character of Dennis' sister.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Some camera angles in various episodes of season 2 revealed the 'top' of the 'Paddy's Pub' set and the studio lighting above.

Quotes:

Charlie Kelly: [talking about the waitress] She got a job at the fair I can probably stalk her there.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#26.33)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Temptation Sensation

One of the best, funniest and most refreshing shows currently on television

Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney), and Charlie (Charlie Day) are all the owners of an Irish bar in Philadelphia, and "Sunny" essentially follows their awkward lives - each episode revolving around some type of political or social issue such as gun control, abortion, steroids, underage drinking, health care, and the handicapped (just to touch on a few issues already addressed in the show).

It begs comparison with "Arrested Development," "The Office," "Seinfeld" and "South Park" in its broad humor and wit, but it is completely original in its own right. The pilot was filmed on a low budget by a few friends and was picked up by FX after wards, so the show retains its low-budget feel - giving it a gritty, down-to-earth edge.

"Sunny" does border on the edge of bad taste sometimes (hell, what am I saying - it crosses the line every time) but it contains enough satire and wit to get away with it. For example: in one episode Mac and Dennis decide to pick up girls at an abortion rally. Mac pretends to be pro-life just so he can be around an attractive woman, whom he ends up sleeping with. Later, she tells him she's pregnant. "You need to get an abortion," he says. This type of irony runs throughout every episode.

The banter between the characters in the show is what tends to be particularly funny. The actors - although novices - are all great. Charlie Day in particular has me laughing like crazy every episode. And his interaction with Danny DeVito (who's been brought in for season two) is hilarious. Season two is more polished so far in terms of the mechanics of the show - the characters have all been setup now and they know what they're doing - and in that regard it is seeming to get better and better with every episode.

You do have to have a very sick sense of humor to like some of this - DeVito's character, Frank, is the father of Dennis and Dee, and his reason for being in the show is that he is getting a divorce and wants to relive his glory days as a youth. He tries to re-ignite a relationship with an old girlfriend of his from high school - but when he finds out she's a grandmother and not interested in doing anything wild, his attention instantly turns to the waitress and he tunes her out. It's cruel, sick and hilarious. DeVito is playing another ruthless character (same as in "Taxi" all those years ago) and it works splendidly.

Overall this was a delightful blast of fresh air - after seeing so many stale sitcoms, this proved to me that FX really is becoming the new lead in character-driven comedy-dramas (such as the equally superb "Rescue Me" which isn't quite as funny, however).

My only hope is that "Sunny" doesn't become so popular that it attracts controversy and sells out and dumbs down its humor. Right now it's on par with the early episodes of "South Park" and "SNL" in terms of how irreverent its humor is - and personally, in my opinion, its plots are better than most comedy films I've seen within the last few years.

If you want to see something new, different, and funny, check this out. I have a feeling it could either become huge, like the next "Seinfeld," or - more realistically - it will become a cult phenomenon. Either way, I'll be watching.