Christmas, "Sunny"-style

The gang from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has never taken the politically correct route in five seasons on FX. So don't expect any warm and fuzzy holiday memories when Dennis, Mac, Charlie, Dee and Frank gather for "It's a Very Sunny Christmas," out on DVD today for around $26.

Based on this preview (which isn't suitable for our blog because of language, ahem, among other things), Dennis and Dee still harbor resentment over Frank's habit of buying Christmas presents they wanted for himself. Meanwhile, Mac talks about his family tradition of stealing neighborhood Christmas gifts, while Charlie gets into it with Santa, presumably because of his mom's heavy drinking.

Oh, and a naked, sweaty Danny DeVito is also prominently featured.

Thought a bit steep in price for a 40-minute special, the DVD should be worth it based on "Sunny's" revival this season. Not that the show became unbearable or anything, but from "Kitten Mittons," Frank's intervention, Gail the Snail, the Birds of War and last week's amazing Dennis and Mac break-up, this season, if not the best, is certainly the most inspired.

So break out the riot nog and milksteak. It's Christmas, "Sunny"-style.



-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

Preview time: "Sunny's" back Sept. 17

This clip really needs no introduction.

The "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" gang -- fresh off a season that saw its principal members become cannibals, painstakingly examine mystery feces left on a bed and write a "Night Man" musical that memorably referenced a "troll toll" -- returns with a new shock and awe campaign Sept. 17.

As always, the FX comedy crew aims to stay topical with storylines about Frank Reynolds losing all his money in a Ponzi scheme, the economic crisis taking a toll on the "new poor" and Sweet Dee adopting the Octomom's plan for world domination by renting out her womb. Of Dee's surrogacy scheme, actress Kaitlin Olson says, "Whatever you want to jam in there, she'll hold onto it as long as you pay her."

We can't possibly top that, so just watch the clip.



Also, I can't get enough of this "Kitten Mittens" preview. Couple that with "Birds of War" from above, and yeah, safe to say it's gonna be a banner year for "Sunny."



-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

TV Potpourri: "Daisies" done, "Sunny" wraps, and a Colbert Christmas

Some random TV business to take you into the weekend ...

The rumors are true: ABC confirmed that it won't be ordering new episodes of critically-adored, ratings-challenged series "Pushing Daisies." While the dreaded c-word wasn't used, multiple sources told Entertainment Weekly that "Daisies," along with "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money," were officially goners.

As Adam noted a couple days ago, "Life on Mars" -- which shows so much promise but is far too melodramatic and hokey -- got picked up for four more episodes (a Season One total of 17) and will follow "Lost" on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 28. While an enjoyable show for the most part, "Mars" is too incredibly flawed to get excited about this early in its run. For example, why hasn't "Spaceman" Sam Tyler raised the possibility that if he's really from the future, he could "predict" -- or at least not be surprised by -- actual events in the news that he should already know about? Don't you think that would get someone's attention at the police precinct if he was bringing some Biff-like sports almanac knowledge to that week's Knicks-Celtics game? Think, "Mars," think.

No more "Sunny": "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" ended its remarkably quick Season Four run last night with a grandiose ode to Dayman/Nightman via Charlie's ridiculous musical/marriage proposal for his long-beloved waitress. First, nothing will ever top the Dayman/Nightman introduction from Season Three's "Sweet Dee Dates a Retarded Person," so last night's season finale couldn't help but feel like reheated leftovers at the very outset.

And like most of "Sunny's" disjointed Season Four, "Nightman Cometh" had moments of sporadic greatness -- Frank's troll toll, Mac's cat eyes and lame karate moves -- but ultimately felt a bit too rushed and forced to match the series' greatest moments (especially when compared to last season's dance-off extravaganza featuring cough medicine coated brownies.) Save for last week's "Extreme Home Makeover" episode (who can forget the taco bed?), the gang's ode to poopies, and random brilliance in the form of gorilla masking and Charlie's wildcard, "Sunny" felt a bit off this season in terms of overall direction. It's still the funniest comedy on TV. But with Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney getting more "Sunny" episode orders, and more script work for a new series ("Boldly Going Nowhere" on Fox), there might have been too much on the ol' work pile this year to really flesh out the series.

Finally, a reminder: Stephen Colbert's Christmas special, "The Greatest Gift of All," with Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson and Jon Stewart airs at 9 p.m. Sunday on Comedy Central. With bleak economic news all but ruining Christmas for a lot of folks this year, you may as well bank a few laughs before December doom kicks in.

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

Commercial Interruption: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

Sometimes there's just too much television for one Channel Surfing blogger to handle.

That's when we need a break to sit back, relax and indulge in some friendly back-and-forth (via email of course, we don't actually like to speak to one another in person). Bloggers Sara Boyd and Thomas Rozwadowski dissect back-to-back episodes of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" -- Boyd from the perspective of a newbie who may or may not have been prepared for a Season Four premiere about cannibalism, and Rozwadowski from the perch of a veteran who, in quiet moments, likes to prance around in spandex like Dennis as lead singer of "Electric Dream Machine."

Thomas: Sara, Sara, Sara ... I actually feel kinda bad that your first pure viewing of "It's Always Sunny" was an episode as deliciously demented as "Manhunters." I mean, it would be like a church-going 22-year-old losing her virginity to Ron Jeremy. Wait, can I write that here? Of course! It's an "Always Sunny" post!

I mean, you can't go back now. You. Cannot. Go. Back. There's this imaginary line of decency that keeps getting pushed further and further with "Sunny," and dear God, "Manhunters" even surpassed my expectations for just how insane the subject matter could get. Was it a classic? Well, I now know to choose the gorilla mask over the dated hand-in-a-cup-of-warm-water routine when hosting a sleepover. And while it was certainly funny -- I'm thinking specifically of the line, "The morgue. Now hear me out ... SOLD!" -- the pace was manic, the point-of-view almost too randomly absurd from the get-go. Ease me in, Sunny! Ease me in!

But that's also what I love about the show; it maintains a high level of self-awareness that only needs to make sense to a certain point. They can get away with anything, even cannibalism, and by the time a new episode (we'll get to "Gas Crisis" in a bit) rolls around, eh, all is forgotten and now Dee is talking about murdering her own brother.

It's more "South Park" than anything in that approach. Granted, it was on a major network, but remember when "The Contest" was a taboo topic amongst the "Seinfeld" crew? Um, how about teabagging and eating human flesh? SOLD!

Sara: Oh, Tom. I appreciate your attempts at shielding my "virgin" eyes when it comes to "Sunny," but let's be honest, if there was one way to really go -- ahem, balls to the wall (get it? yeah, that'll probably be edited out ...) for an intro -- it was most definitely with a crude, violent and obscene episode like last night's.

And let me just say, I ain't seen much, but what I sees, I likes. Sure, you could argue that last night's "Manhunters" may have scared, or scarred, a large portion of the viewing audience similar to me who thought, "Ooh, I've always wanted to check this show out." But as I quickly and perhaps, forcefully learned with "Sunny," there's just no room for the timid or "anti-cannibals."

It was shocking, no doubt, and it was a bit like watching a cast of misfits take a hit of acid and ad-lib from there. But it sold me, and oh yes, I will return. I did have a bit of a warning from dear Thomas Rozwadowski who described the show as perhaps crossing the line and maybe even pushing its own TV-MA rating.

And while I'm all for good, clean "Will Smith" humor every now and then, it's always refreshing to know there are shows still out there ready to push the envelope.

To sum up the first viewing of "Sunny," any show that successfully addresses cannibalism, gorilla masking and racism within cannibalism -- well, what's not to love? I'm literally asking. That. Episode. Had. Everything.

Thomas: First: You will be borrowing the Season One and Two DVD and watching "Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare" and "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom."

Second: I can't stop laughing at the idea of a gorilla mask.

Three: It really feels like we're writing in code, which is probably a good thing. As I sit here today, I'm still stunned by the heightened level of absurdity in "Manhunters." Two people walking down the street while eyeballing everyday folks to sprinkle some Montreal Steak seasoning on? And I think both of us had to appreciate the monkey conversation that took place in Chinatown. You're right. What's not to love?

But as the second episode, "Gas Crisis," showed shortly after, when "Philly" rips a headline from the news and makes a mockery of it to the degree of Charlie adopting a horrible Texas accent and spewing fireballs at Mac as "the wildcard," well ... that's the gang I know and love. Not that I wouldn't know and love them as cannibals, but Mac running the "rape van" into that poor dude's parked car five times ... um, I can't finish typing this, I'm laughing too hard.

God, I can't wait for you to discover the backstory of Rickety Cricket. And also, I think it's pretty clear that if Channel Surfing fit the "team" paradigm, I'd be the looks and brains, Adam would be the muscle, MJ would be the wildcard and you'd be the ... oh, I guess all that's left is the useless chick!

Sara: Yes. I will be borrowing, and by the title of the episodes alone, I know I will soon be transformed into a true, sick-humored fan.

The visual of the gorilla mask will forever be etched in my brain, for use whenever I need a little pick me up. I literally was in tears laughing at that scene.

Another scene that brought me to tears, for which I don't really know why, was the fact that Frank and Dee were sitting in a "rape van" that had inside tinting that turned everything to blurred shadows in the outside world. Hilarious. Plus, you can't go wrong with a water boarding reference in a men's urinal.

Charlie's Texan accent reached new heights when he brought out the Foghorn Leghorn adaptation. Plus, anytime he was mentioned as the "wildcard" you knew it was bound to be a gut-buster.

I had a feeling monkey wouldn't taste like chicken, or human for that matter. And I think that's all I'll say on that.

And please, I would definitely be the wildcard. If anyone's the useless chick, it'd be Adam.

-- Sara Boyd, sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com, and Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

"Sunny" days are here to stay

A friendly reminder: Season Four of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" kicks off with back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. tonight on FX.

Where does the dysfunctional gang go from here?

Well, last season, they managed to confuse Dennis with a sex offender, Mac with a serial killer and Charlie ... well, he could probably qualify as both by just being his usual demented self. Oh yeah, and there was a little thing called FREAKIN' NIGHT MAN that makes me squeal like a little girl even though I've watched it about 100 times.

So as the show continues to move closer and closer to the edge -- or maybe they already passed the imaginary line of decency by almost slicing a baby in half with a Samurai sword? -- my best advice is to buckle up and enjoy the unapologetic ride.

I mean, what else do you have to look forward to? Jim's dragged-out proposal to Pam? Bah!

On the docket tonight: "Mac and Dennis: Manhunters” and “The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis." For the AV Club's full, hearty interview with Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day, click here. Among its revelations: the show has been picked up for 39 more episodes! Woo-hoo!

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

Fall TV: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

All hail fresh episodes! During the next few weeks, Channel Surfing bloggers will place the spotlight on new shows and returning favorites as the Fall 2008 TV season rolls out the red carpet. The fourth season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" begins Sept. 18 on FX. The Season Three DVD hits stores Tuesday.

When we last saw "Philly": Thanks to his idiocy, Charlie offered Paddy's Pub as the grand prize in a radio station dance marathon. Despite his best choreography to "Take My Breath Away," Charlie ended up face down in his own drool, the victim of a cough-medicine spiked brownie. Sweet Dee was also left writhing on the floor, her knee shattered by a vengeful ex-priest callously nicknamed Rickety Cricket. Dance-off losers Mac and Dennis each had 25-pound kegs hung around their necks. And due to Frank's constant scheming, a homeless man ended up the grand dance champion and new owner of the gang's bar.

Background: While you really should catch up with the first three seasons of "Philly" -- Sunday's Best Buy ad has Seasons 1 & 2 at the ridiculously low price of $20 -- the brazen FX comedy doesn't follow a linear format. Sure, the McPoyle brothers are funnier if you know their history as gross-out foils to the Paddy's gang, but you can drop into any episode of the series and become an instant fan.

If you're expecting easy-to-stomach laughs though, look elsewhere. The Philly gang dishes out topical humor with an acerbic, uncomfortable twist. It's been lovingly called "Seinfeld" on crack for a reason. Truth be told, the crass, confrontational tone is more "Curb Your Enthusiasm" than anything, but its outright lunacy -- and the level of self-awareness for that lunacy -- is unmatched by any other comedy on TV.

Like "Seinfeld," "Philly" revolves around the twisted group dynamic of Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Day), Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olsen) and Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito). All five are highly-flawed proprietors of Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia, but don't do anything except try to lazily outwit the system, constantly backstab each other for selfish gain, and of course, ruin countless lives in the process. Seriously, if you thought George Costanza was emotionally-stunted and deserved to be rotting in a jail cell at the end of "Seinfeld" ... well, these guys would be prime candidates for the firing squad.

Should you watch: With "The Office" past its expiration date, "Flight of the Conchords" on hiatus, and even "30 Rock" firing a few blanks last season, "Philly" is the funniest comedy on TV. The show gets away with a lot more by being on cable, but it really thrives because it's the brainchild of Howerton, McElhenney and Day. All three made the pilot for a mere $85. They've maintained creative control, brought DeVito on as a priceless addition at the start of Season Two, and have even employed Mr. Kevin Arnold himself, Fred Savage, as a director. Best of all, they refuse to water down the content or consider anything taboo.

It's high point, however, was last season's "Sweet Dee's Dating a Retarded Person" -- or quite simply, the funniest half hour of comedy I've ever seen. Yes, that even includes "Arrested Development," "Seinfeld," "The Simpsons" ... you name it. "Night Man/Day Man" officially put the Philly crew over the top. Not lying. We're talking tears ... after five viewings, even. From that point forward, I've made it my mission to tell everyone about this show. Well, anyone with a decent sense of humor.

Looking forward: Among the topics already covered: abortion, gun control, welfare, terrorism, slavery, incest, pedophilia, mental illness and Nazism. As for Season Four, the official "Philly" blog lists the following episodes:

Mac and Dennis: Manhunters
The Guys Solve the Gas Crisis
Mac and Charlie Die: Part One
Mac and Charlie Die: Part Two
Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life
Frank Buys a Billboard
The Gang Gets Extreme: Home Makeover Edition
Who Pooped the Bed?
The Night Man Cometh
The Gang Cracks the Liberty Bell
Mac Dates the Waitress
Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack
Paddy’s Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia

Oh, then there's this gem ...


-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

It's never sunny in Green Bay

I did myself a favor yesterday and picked up one of those "a lot of trusted folks on the Web rave about it, but for some unexplainable reason, I've never seen it" shows on DVD. Actually, I just like a good deal and as the writers' strike drags on, also feel the need to combat extreme TV boredom by adding to my DVD collection. So with that in mind, I grabbed the first two seasons of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" for a measly $20 at Best Buy.

Only six episodes in and I'm already giving the show my highest recommendation, particularly for fans of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." "Curb" has long been called a crass, uncensored version of "Seinfeld" because of how Larry David (he plays himself on the show) reveled in ratcheting up George Costanza's worst qualities, leading to unspeakable havoc in the personal lives of those around him. Plus, being on HBO allowed David to really take the gloves off, for instance, giving sweet Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) an opportunity to drop an unabashed f-bomb during a Season Two story arc, or gratuitously stabbing Ben Stiller in the eye with a toothpick in Season Four.

Truthfully though, "Curb" is David's show, not an ensemble piece in the purest sense. Like "Seinfeld," "It's Always Sunny" revolves around four central characters (childhood friends Dennis, Mac, Charlie and Dee, Dennis' sister) who run an unsuccessful Irish bar in Philly called Paddy's Pub. The theme is roughly the same: four incredibly immature, emotionally stunted individuals riffing of a variety of controversial topics with no real censor for what's right and wrong. Except in the case of "Sunny," the conversations aren't quite as random and the dialogue is much looser (lots of "dudes") giving it a fresh, improvised feel like "Curb." "Sunny" builds its episodes around a singular explosive topic, for instance, "Gun Fever," in which Paddy's is robbed and the male bar owners invest in a gun, only to become intoxicated by its ability to make them feel bad-ass. Even worse (read: funnier), entire episodes are devoted to meeting women at abortion rallies or setting up the floundering bar as a safe haven for underage drinkers, which spirals out of control and traps the foursome in a clique-ish high school web that gets three of them asked to Prom. Most absurd of all, the newly "popular" trio (plus "going stag" Mac) plans to attend.

Danny DeVito is also on the show, but has yet to show up (presumably he comes in Season Two), which means he's the most recognizable actor among a group of talented unknowns. In a not-so-odd coincidence, Kaitlin Olson, the actress who plays Dee, made guest appearances on "Curb" as Cheryl David's sister, so there's another parallel.

Anyway, because the show is on FX Network, it's easy to ignore. Then again, if it were a network show, it probably wouldn't be as edgy, demented or funny (Dee's repulsion at the sight and touch of old people is especially hilarious.) So my advice: quit whining about the strike or relying on the 800th viewing of the Soup Nazi episode for laughs. Instead, go buy some cheap DVD sets and find new favorites.

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com