It's always sunny in Philadelphia

About a year ago, I read about some local kids who were shooting a super-low budget sitcom about a fictional bar down here in South Philly. It sounded promising. “I’ll have to check that out,” I remember thinking. But then I never got around to watching an episode. In fact, I didn’t even notice when the first season aired on F/X back in the fall of 2005.

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Recently, a friend, who shall remain unnamed, told me he had watched it and liked it and also realized he had played basketball on the very court where the guys shoot hoops in one episode. He asked what I thought of it and what it was like for me to see so much of my neighborhood featured in a show like that. Of course, having no idea it had started airing, I had nothing to say. So after hanging up, I headed straight to iTunes, ponied up $11.96, and downloaded Season One, the first seven episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” First off, watching shows on a desktop computer is a drag. Besides that, I have to say I liked the show. For those who don’t already know the premise, it’s about three 28-year-old kids, life-long friends, who own a bar called Paddy’s in Philly. One of the friends has a younger sister who works as the bartender. The four of them get into all kinds of zany trouble. Yes, zany trouble. That’s usually a bad thing for a sitcom. What redeems this one is that their troubles are pretty uncharted in the sitcom pantheon.

The funniest episode is called “Underage Drinking: A National Concern” and follows the crew through their ingenious idea to run the bar as an underage drinking establishment. They rationalize their way into feeling like doing so is actually an enlightened social good: “They‘re going to drink anyway, why not provide a safe place.” Plus, “we can raise the drink prices.” That's funny. Later, they end up getting emotionally involved with some of the kids and getting sucked into the petty manipulative world of high school society. At one point they buy a keg for a house party and then end up trying to prove themselves doing keg stands. The humiliation gets even worse from there. But I won’t spoil it.

Other episodes take on abortion rights, racism, and child molestation in unexpectedly funny ways. It has the comical fearlessness of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but without the anxiety. And also without Curb’s amazing acting and writing. But still. It’s good. If you’re looking for something to watch this summer, I recommend it. Plus, season two starts on F/X on June 29. The new season features Danny DeVito as Dennis and Dee’s estranged father who moves in with the show's funniest character, Charlie. The show needed something like this. I’m hoping for the best.

And as far as seeing my home city and neighborhoods featured so prominently, well, it’s cool. Who doesn’t like seeing the places they live on TV like that? Especially when the filmmakers edit out the piles of trash and abandoned houses. I loved seeing my friend Dave Guinn's mural featured in one of the episodes. The only thing better would be seeing myself and family somewhere in the background as extras. So stay tuned. They're still not finished filming Season Two. Look out for a brick-filled dumpster, a dusty pair of 30-somethings, and an exuberant toddler. Must see TV.

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