July 04, 2025
FSadou/SIPA USA
'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' starts its 17th season with a crossover episode with 'Abbott Elementary' on Wednesday, July 9. The photo above shows the cast members ahead of the Season 14 premiere.
The longest running live-action American sitcom rolls into its 17th season next week when The Gang gets back together on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." The season premiere sees the unhinged group that runs Paddy's Pub link up with the "Abbott Elementary" characters in the second part of a crossover special.
For a series that has 170 episodes, the show's hardcore fan base, particularly in the Philly region, is going to have its favorite moments, characters and lines. For "Always Sunny" fans who prefer a quick, darkly hilarious review of 16 seasons of lore to a complete rewatch, these 10 essential episodes make for some fantastic Philly fun. And they double as an introduction for "Abbott Elementary" fans who have missed out on the legendary comedy over the last two decades.
RELATED: What 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' gets right about Eagles fans
It's obvious that there are so many episodes that are worthy of inclusion here, but here's a good selection to get the ball rolling on the chronicles of The Gang. The Season 17 premiere airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. on FX.
Season 3, Episode 2
In the first, but certainly not the last, Eagles-centric episode on this list, "Always Sunny" takes a note from the 2006 film "Invincible" about Vince Papale making the Birds in an open tryout. Mac, Dennis and Dee attempt to make their way on to the Eagles' roster. It's a great Green Man and McPoyle family episode to boot.
Episode MVP: The "Donovan McNabb" imposter who inexplicably is supposed to be the Eagles' then-star quarterback.
Most quotable line: "I'm sitting in my chair. I'm relaxing. I'm getting blackout drunk and you are leaving me alone!" — Charlie
Season 4, Episode 13
This just may be the definitive episode of "Always Sunny." Charlie, in the hopes of finally winning the love of The Waitress, stages an elaborate musical — with The Gang as cast members — that features a troll, the Nightman and, of course, Dayman himself.
Episode MVP: Charlie and, really, performer Charlie Day for coming up with the musical numbers for this.
Most quotable line: Other than the entire "Dayman" song ... "Laughs are cheap. I'm going for gasps." — Mac
Season 5, Episode 6
Detailing The Gang's attempt to sneak into the Phillies' World Series-clinching game in 2008, "The World Series Defense" features a knockoff Phillie Phanatic, the "Philly Frenetic," riot punch and a cringe-inducing piece of fan mail to a certain All-Star second baseman.
Episode MVP: Mac, for his letter to Chase Utley.
Most quotable line: "'Dear Chase, I feel like I can call you Chase, because you and me are so alike. I'd like to meet you one day. It would be great to have a catch. I know I can't throw as fast as you, but I think you'd be impressed with my speed. I love your hair. You run fast. Did you have a good relationship with your father? Me neither.'" — Dee, reading Mac's letter.
Season 5, Episode 9
An illustration of the co-dependent relationship between Mac and Dennis, this is likely my favorite Golden Age episode of the series. Naturally, the two friends struggle to exist without one another and hijinks ensue when Dee, Frank and Charlie get involved.
Episode MVP: Charlie, for his understanding of cats and the laws of nature they may (or may not) abide by.
Most quotable line: "Cat in the wall, eh? Now you're talking my language!" — Charlie
Season 7, Episode 7
Leave it to The Gang to concoct the most elaborate and sometimes vile game out there. A four-level game that pits Dee and Dennis against Mac, Charlie and Frank, the only thing more outrageous than the humor here is the rules of "Chardee MacDennis" itself.
Episode MVP: Dee and Dennis, for their continued domination.
Most quotable line: "Because Dennis is a bastard man!" — Dennis
Season 7, Episode 7
The Gang gets literal roadblock after roadblock thrown in their way as they try to beat the traffic and the summer heat to see the blockbuster film "Thunder Gun Express." Both robust public transit and AMC A-List could've helped them this time around, no?
Episode MVP: Frank, for leading a boat tour for Philadelphia tourists on the Schuylkill River.
Most quotable line: "No hesitation. No surrender. No man left behind!" — the tagline of "Thunder Gun Express."
Season 9, Episode 3
Perhaps the most meta of all "Always Sunny" episodes, "The Gang Desperately Tries to Win an Award" has The Gang looking inward for the reason Paddy's Pub is never as acclaimed as other bars in the city. It's a commentary on how the series has never been an award-winning show compared to less raunchy comedies like "The Office."
Episode MVP: Dee, for her takedown of woefully undeveloped female characters in mainstream 2000s network sitcoms.
Most quotable line: "At least I'm not covered in stupid tattoos and have a cigarette for a mother." — Dee
Season 10, Episode 1
Set on an airplane, The Gang tries to break Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs' fabled record of drinking 70 beers on a single cross-country flight, tallying their beer count on their T-shirts along the way. One member of The Gang might win, but, really they all lose something.
Episode MVP: Wade Boggs, for appearing in a dreamy, beer-drinking cameo.
Most quotable line: "Well, I'm tired of people telling me what I can't do. They say I can't drink on a plane. ... They'll say I can't be a pilot. I can't be a doctor. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it right in front of your face. I'm gonna chug 15 beers right now." — Frank
Season 10, Episode 4
In an allusion to the long take in the "True Detective" episode "Who Goes There," Charlie does everything in his power to have Paddy's Pub pass its health inspection while the rest of The Gang gets up in a textbook nefarious scheme.
Episode MVP: Charlie has never shined brighter as the face of the series than he does here.
Most quotable line: "You're doing a chicken and airline mile scam today?" — Charlie
Season 13, Episode 9
The second of a two-part event that covers The Gang in the midst of the Eagles winning their first Super Bowl in 2018, "The Gang Wins the Big Game" is the perfect encapsulation of Birds fandom from Philly's rough exterior to its unmatched passion and penchant for hilarity. It's the perfect thing to watch the night before a big Eagles game.
Episode MVP: Super Bowl LII champions Jason Kelce and Beau Allen, for their hallucinatory encouragement of Charlie's wild Eagles gameday superstitions
Most quotable line: "Every single thing that every fan does, at home or at the stadium, makes a direct impact in the game." — Jason Kelce.
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