Posted in: FX, Hulu, TV | Tagged: , , , , ,


It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Happy Birthday, Danny DeVito!

Just because we've been spending the past few days trying to track down the new teasers for the return of the Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney & Danny DeVito-starring comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for its record-setting 15th season (on FXX but not on social media… yet) doesn't mean we can't multitask the important things. And what could be more important than recognizing DeVito aka Frank Reynolds aka Trollfoot's birthday? The actor's excellence was established well before IASIP, but joining the series elevated DeVito in the eyes of younger generations that weren't raised on his Louie De Palma from Taxi. And while he didn't join the series until the second season (more on that below), it's hard to imagine Frank not being a part of The Gang since the first episode (in our inner fanboy's mind, Frank was just off camera doing shady things). So in honor of his special day, we're looking back on his time with the long-running series and wrapping things up with a look at the greatness still to come.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Happy Birthday, Danny DeVito!
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Image: FX Networks)

First up, we have a look back to 2020 when McElhenney was a guest on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. During his visit, he explained to Stephen Colbert how they were originally "forced" to give DeVito a chance in what can best be described as one of the best (and rare) moments when a network offering creative notes actually worked:

A year prior, DeVito checked in with ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live to explain to Jimmy Kimmel his shock and surprise over just how much viral fame he's gained since joining the series, Following that, DeVito stopped by The Jonathan Ross Show to offer play-by-play on his (in)famous crawling-naked-out-of-a-couch scene from S06E13 "A Very Sunny Christmas":

While back in 2015, The Gang visited TBS' Conan where Conan O'Brien asked DeVito what it was like working on the series and what they can get away with now as opposed to when he was on Taxi. And from there, O'Brien presented a "supercut" of examples of what DeVito had already gotten away with up to that point (ahhh… the younger days!):

And just to be clear, FX Networks has also done its part over the seasons to recognize the greatness of DeVito's Frank Reynolds. As you're about to see, we've had retrospective compilation videos honoring Frank's many noises, some of his more memorable alter egos, his mastering the art of flirting… and how loaded our lovably amoral & adorably corrupt head of Wolf Cola truly is:

So make sure to mark it down on your calendars because the doors to Paddy's are swinging open again starting Wednesday, December 1, with its first two episodes. Here's a look at the official It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 15 trailer from FXX. And before you ask? Yup, apparently The Gang was cleared to travel internationally (nice work, TSA). And we might be seeing Mac and Dennis appear before the January 6th committee from the looks of things:

When the show returns, the gang finds themselves at a crossroads in this strange new world in the wake of Covid-19 and all things 2020. The rules are changing quicker than anyone can keep up with, despite herculean efforts from Mac (McElhenney), Charlie (Day), Dennis (Howerton), Dee (Olson), and Frank (DeVito) to continue business as usual. They must also now face the music and decide who they'll become in the cultural upheaval that is 2021.


Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!

Ray FlookAbout Ray Flook

Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017.
twitterinstagram
Comments will load 20 seconds after page. Click here to load them now.