20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia cast in yellow



Following its premiere episode in 2005, It's Always Sunny has made a point of showcasing some of the most immoral television characters in history. Not a single member of  "The Gang" is concerned with being a good person. They would much rather lead their lives as insensitive, self-centered people. The one good-natured thing that comes out of the show is that all the fans get to experience all the hijinks and laugh about it all.



Here are 20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia:

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20 The Pilot Only Cost $100





19 Danny Devito’s Casting Saved The Show

Charlie Day and Danny DeVito in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (photo: FX)


While the season one cast of Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton were hilarious, the network did not have much confidence in their ability to garner ratings. In order to secure a second season for the show, they were asked to procure a "name" to star in the show. This led to McElhenney contacting Danny DeVito, who agreed to be cast in their second season. Due to the network's demands, if DeVito had not agreed to join the show it would have been canceled.


18 McElhenney’s Body Transformation


Ron McElhenney transformed himself in to "Fat Mac" in an effort to prove a point on social commentary regarding actors being too good-looking while on screen - and cites Ryan Gosling and Chris Hemsworth as prime examples. Alternatively, he thought it would be more entertaining if an actor began to let themselves go instead. Over the months, McElhenney slowly gained weight over the show's episodes, leaving him fully out of shape.

His transformation became complete when he unveiled his brand new look during the season 13 preview. The reign of "Fat Mac" is over, and he has been replaced by washboard abs.

Why did he work so hard on a muscular body this time? To prove a point that it doesn't make sense for every character to be incredibly muscular either.

17 Hidden Audio Messages

Kaitlin Olson Charlie Day and Danny DeVito in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 13

Leave it to "The Gang" to give the audience something to decipher even while an episode is ending.

Following watching an episode of It's Always Sunny, the viewer is left with an image of the show's production company. Most network shows end this way in order to show off who made the show.



16 The Actors Never Actually Drink On Set

Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 13


Kaitlin Olson revealed that there is an absolutely "no drinking on set" rule that must be obeyed. Since the show is near-and-dear to each of the main actors' hearts, they would never to anything that would jeopardize the show. This includes creating a potentially dangerous situation by drinking on the job.

Kudos to the everyone for thinking responsibly here - the last thing anyone would want is for this show to go under for something so silly.

15 The Game of Thrones CrossOver

Nightman Cometh It's Always Sunny

Season nine featured an episode co-written by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss titled "Flowers for Charlie". Following their writing credit being released, fans began clamoring for "The Gang" to appear in Westros and to hang out with Daenerys Targaryen. While it has not happened yet, it was also revealed that it was certainly discussed.


This needs to happen immediately! Hopefully the possibility is still on the table for Game of Thrones' final season.

14 Charlie Day's Improvised Songs


Look no further than Day's improvisation while shooting "The Gang Desperately Tries To Win An Award". While competing to win the "Philly Best Bar Award", Charlie performs a musical number to draw attention. What fans did not see were the numerous takes that he did before this, which resulted in everyone on the cast and crew cracking up.

He improvised crazy songs in different musical styles.

Kaitlin Olson Performs Her Own Stunts

Kaitlin Olson as Sweet Dee at fake baby funeral in Its Always Sunny

Dee is certainly more tough than fans give her credit for.



Olson is the first to put up her hand to complete the stunt-- evn when it is something like running herself head-first into a parked car.


13 Lack Of Award Wins

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Charlie Rules the World

Following the recent premiere of season 13, It's Always Sunny became the longest-running live-action sitcom in American history, edging out Ozzie and Harriet. While this is an incredible accomplishment, the show sure would appreciate some award recognition to go along with it.

Despite the show's rabid cult following, it has never accomplished much during award season.



12 Danny DeVito's Drowning Danger


While filming a scene which involved each member of "The Gang" being stuck underwater, it required DeVito to be weighed down. While the shot itself went off without a hitch, he was not able to swim up along with the others once the cameras stopped rolling.




11 Charlie Day Actually Tried Rum-Ham

He certainly deserves credit for actually trying it.

This Thanksgiving delicacy made its first appearance in season seven. While this boozy-soaked treat did succeed in letting Charlie "eat his drinks" for the day, it certainly would be disgusting to actually eat. The whole gang may see it as a special treat, but there is no way that someone would actually eat this on their own, right?

Apparently it was too gross for Day.

According to TMZ, while sitting at a restaurant he was offered some pieces of Rum-Ham. Being the fearless comedian he is, Charlie actually tried it, but later lamented that "it was disgusting." Kudos to him for actually trying this, but it seems like a one-way ticket to a stomach ache.

10 Its Always Sunny in Moscow


In an effort to create a homage to the show, a Russian version called It's Always Sunny in Moscow was created for fans in Russia. From viewing clips on YouTube , it appears that the show is very similar to the American version, but without all of the extreme craziness.


In tribute to the show, the Moscow Gang's bar is even named "Philadelphia."

9 Every Actor’s Spouse Has Appeared On The Show

It's Always Sunny certainly has become a real family affair.


It is no secret that Kaitlin Olson is married to Ron McElhenney, but the rest of the group's spouses have made appearances over the years. Charlie Day's wife plays series regular The Waitress, while Howerton and DeVito's wives have made cameo appearances.


8 Danny DeVito Joined Because His Kids Love The Show


The first season of It's Always Sunny was not an overwhelming critical success, which almost resulted in the show being canceled. As reported before, the studio wanted a "big name" to be attached to the project to guarantee ratings. When the show-runners approached DeVito to join, they met with him in his home. During that meeting, the crew learned that DeVito's children were big fans of the show. Ultimately, this was one of his deciding factors in taking the role of Frank.


It also made him very popular at home!

7 The Show Started as a Nightmare


The inspiration for the pilot episode of the show - where Charlie reveals he may have cancer only to deal with an insensitive Dennis at every turn - came from a bad dream. McElhenney dreamed up what it would be like to not receive any sympathy after a potential fatal diagnosis, and began writing the episode. The pilot fully encapsulates the insensitivity of The Gang, as no one gives Charlie any sympathy.

After conceiving the idea, he brought it right to Day and Howerton. Knowing his good friends well, he said "I knew that nobody else would think that was funny except Glenn and Charlie." Well, he was wrong about that part.

6 Kaitlin Olson Originally Turned The Show Down

Always Sunny The Gang Broke Dee


As Kaitlin Olson revealed in an interview, her character was originally written very differently. Instead of messy, rude, aggressive Deandra that fans know today, she was envisioned as the total opposite. Dee was initially meant to be seen as "the voice of reason" on the show, while all the men would be the immoral ones.

According to Olson, this is due to McElhenney not knowing "how to write about a woman."

This resulted in Olson not wanting to take the role.


5 Why Mac and Dee will never be together

Rob McElhenney Kaitlin Olson and Glenn Howerton in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia





4 Pacific Rim Crossover In "Flowers for Charlie"


This episode involves Charlie taking a pill which increases his intelligence.



In addition, Pacific Rim was directed by Guillermo del Toro, who also guest-starred on It's Always Sunny.

3 McElhenney Kept Waiting Tables During Season One

It's Always Sunny Mac and Dennis





2 Fred Savage Directed Multiple Episodes

Kevin Arnold from The Wonder Years was behind the camera for some of The Gang's hijinks. Who would have thought someone so pure and wholesome would be responsible for some of this craziness!


While first spending his time on family-friendly shows, he eagerly tried to break in to the adult market. It's Always Sunny gave him his first chance, and he would go on to direct eighteen episodes beginning in season three.

How did he get the job? Savage maintains that it is all because of McElhenney's love for The Wonder Years.


1 The Seinfeld connection





Being a fan of Seinfeld himself, when McElhenney learned this he responded on his Instagram by saying "No pressure."


Do you have any trivia to share about It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Let us know in the comments!

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