It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia – Seasons One
& Two
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B- Episodes: B+
Original.
Witty.
And has all the makings of a classic.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
– Seasons 1 and 2 is now available in one fabulous three Disc set. The series is only 17 half-hour episodes to
date but with the hype and critical acclaim the series is getting it is sure to
rocket off in its third season. The show
is seemingly low budget but a great deal of heart is poured into every scene. The obvious chemistry between cast members
only makes the comedy all that much better and classic. The series takes place in Philadelphia, PA
and uses many famous locations to the scripts advantage. Though, admittedly, most of the series is
filmed in Los Angeles. Most of the
action and happenings of the series take place in a fictitious bar near South
Street names Paddy’s Irish Pub.
And
though fictitious, you can tell the series is getting quite a following by
walking around Philadelphia (this reviewers home town) and seeing a plethora of
people wearing ‘Paddy’s Pub’ T-shirts.
The storylines of each episode usually focus on the daily lives and
mishaps of a tight group of degenerate friends; who happen to own the
floundering Paddy’s Pub. The series
manages to leave no stone unturned in addressing controversial topics such as
transsexuality, physical handicaps, racism, abortion, racism, and so on. Most of the time because the cast is going
against the social norms or political correct view associated with such
controversial topics they find themselves in trouble. As if the views the cast held weren’t funny
enough, the manner in which they act on their BAD IDEAS is down right
hilarious.
Danny DeVito
joins the cast in the Second Season
and 8th episode of the series.
The series got around and gained popularity from word of mouth with Season One, but Season Two propels to a whole new level with the talents and
comedic stylings of Danny DeVito. For
lack of better words, he is insane. He
plays two of the lead characters’ (Dee and Denis) father, Frank. I’ll say it again, Frank is insane. The lack of morals and degenerate qualities
that the original cast demonstrates only is exacerbated with the entrance of
Frank. He has just found out his ‘WHORE
OF A WIFE’ has been cheating on him and has decided to give it all away; money,
possessions, the whole shebang. Well,
according to Dee and Denis poor people suck and to hell with them; the
following scene they are at their father’s house taking all that they can. This is not to leave out the other two cast
members (Mac and Charlie) who have their own quirks. Between Mac being the unwitting and constant
a-hole to Charlie’s rage fits, this reviewer does not know where the laughter
stops. In the end, the show is now one
of this reviewer’s favorites and if the series remains this good it is sure to
become and instant classic.
The
technical features of the series are pretty low budget, but improve with each
episode. The picture is presented in an
adequate 1.33 X 1 Full Frame that should by all means be in at least Anamorphic
Widescreen, but maybe next season. The
Sound is a bit muffled at times in its Dolby Digital Surrounds and is obvious
that the DVD has its limits. The extras
are funny and admirable. Extras include scenes
from the original Pilot, audio commentaries by cast and crew, a Making of
Featurette, a blooper reel entitled ‘The Gang F*#!s Up,’ Fox Movie Channel presents Making a Scene: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and
finally Kaitlin Audition Featurette.
Overall, nice extras.
WATCH
THIS SERIES! It is funny and original, not to mention absolutely politically
incorrect. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is sure to go far.
- Michael P Dougherty II
