BeforeIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiabecame the cultural phenomenon it is today, the show’s creators weren’t sure they would even make it to a second season. Producers warned them that if they didn’t put on an A-lister, they’d be out of a job. Reluctantly, show creators and stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton added industry legendDanny DeVitoto the show’s main cast (arguably, the smartest decision this rag-tag group could have made).
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a Sitcom and Black Comedy created by Rob McElhenney. It stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton, and Danny DeVito. The series follows a group of friends that own and frequent the Irish bar, Paddy’s Pub, and get into all sorts of troubling adventures.
Witha record-breaking 16 seasonsunder their belt, one could wonder about the fate ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiahad it not been for Danny DeVito to add a mainstream appeal to this otherwise niche show. His bizarre character development from a corrupt business executive to the deranged lunatic he has become in recent years is incomparable. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the moments that established Frank Reynolds as a mainstay for the gang at Paddy’s Pub.
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10"Of course we sing! We’re a gang!" (S03, E07)
From an outside perspective, it would seem as if the gang is living the dream. They managed to maintain a lifelong friendship and took it to the next level by going into business together (with a fair amount of financial assistance from Frank). That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t give it all up for a sizable paycheck, as is made evident when they are presented with an offer to relinquish Paddy’s Pub to a growing restaurant chain. Frank questions the viability of the deal and presents a list of ridiculous demands that are swiftly rejected. Once Frank catches wind that the restaurant’s owner has already given up on Paddy’s and set his sights on a local bookstore, he makes a call to The Yellowjacket Boys in an attempt to scare away any potential buyers.
The Dangerous Yellowjacket Boys
Frank Reynolds is known to embellish his life experiences when it comes to impressing the group. One recurring example of this is Frank’s references to his brief stint in Vietnam, eventually revealed to have taken place during the early ’90s. Similarly, Frank insinuates to Mac that The Yellowjacket Boys are a dangerous gang meant to act as an imposing force in front of the bookstore. In reality, the so-called “gang” is a group of older gentlemen donning leather jackets who will sing classic doo-wop tunes upon request. Seeing Mac’s realization that Frank had gravely exaggerated the group is priceless on its own, but Frank’s justification takes this scene one step further.
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9"Do yourself a favor and flush it out." (S05, E01)
When Dee bursts into Paddy’s Pub with a new demented money-making scheme, Frank interjects with one of his own. He reveals that he has just invested in a recently foreclosed home and needs assistance from Mac, Dennis, and Charlie to flip it amidst the recent mortgage crisis. Choosing to ignore Dee altogether, the guys begin to embark on their real estate journey before Dee chimes in and exclaims that she’s pregnant to gain the group’s attention. The result was a stunned silence followed by this admittedly crass (but equally hilarious) quote from Frank before Dee explains that she plans to be a surrogate.
Is This One too Offensive?
Any fan ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaknows that these guys don’t pull any punches. With numerous episodes of the showremoved from Hulu, it’s evident that the show’s creators aren’t afraid to offend as long as the result is a good laugh. This quote is no exception, even being recited verbatim when Dee reveals that she actuallyispregnant in the show’s following season. While this is certainly not a joke that has aged well in today’s political climate, it’s difficult not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation along with Danny DeVito’s stern delivery of this crude line of dialogue.
8"Well, I don’t know how many years on this earth I got left. I’m gonna get real weird with it." (S05, E04)
As Frank has become more acclimated to the frequent destructive behavior of the gang at Paddy’s Pub, his character has grown more and more unhinged. This season 5 episode sees Frank at rock bottom as he binge-drinks his way into his sister-in-law’s husband’s funeral, believing that he has a chance with her. This decision was not without opposition, as Dennis and Dee expressed their concerns about Frank taking a pass at their Aunt. These concerns are ignored by Frank as he further explains that this act would be his next step toward total depravity before his inevitable demise.
Why It’s One of Frank’s Best Quotes
In many ways, this quote perfectly encapsulates what makesDanny DeVito’s portrayal of Frank Reynoldsso iconic. Ever since his first appearance inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s second season, Frank Reynolds has continued to devolve from the snob he once was. Likewise, Danny DeVito has shown beyond doubt that he has no concerns about making himself look foolish, agreeing to do just about anything he finds humorous for the sake of the show. It’s moments such as these that have provenIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiamight not have had the same long-lasting appeal had it not been for Danny DeVito adding his own layer of lunacy to the already off-the-wall nature of the program.
7"I dropped my monster condom that I use for my magnum dong." (S05, E10)
After Dennis reveals his foolproof method of seduction to the gang, Mac and Frank devise their own systems. Mac’s strategy is to act as the shy bookworm type when Dennis introduces one of his prospects, swooping in once Dennis is through to console them. Frank, however, had a more straightforward approach. With a fresh box of Magnum Condoms in one hand and a roll of hundred dollar bills in the other, the wheels were in motion for Frank to get himself back in the game.
Why It’s One of the Best
Arguably thebest episode ofSunny’s fifth season, there are many moments in “The D.E.N.N.I.S. System” that have established it as a fan-favorite. Even with Dennis' juvenile demonstration of his carefully thought-out formula of convincing women to sleep with him, this snippet remains one of the most quotable. The scene has been shared and even remixed on YouTube and other forms of social media, in turn causing a whole new group of fans who normally wouldn’t have sought outIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaon their own to flock to the show. Certainly a testament to the longevity of the program, these simple jokes are the elements that allowed Sunny to develop the large fan base it has amassed since the series' inception.
6"I’m not going in there. I don’t sink." (S06, E03)
When the guys make the thoughtless decision to purchase a rundown houseboat with the remaining profits from their recently disbanded website, Frank and Charlie are left with the responsibility of scraping the barnacles that have accumulated on the boat before Dennis and Mac return from the store. Refusing to do so, Charlie and Frank opt instead to go out on the ocean in search of oysters and “shrimpies.” Before they can begin their voyage, Frank accidentally throws the keys into the water (meaning to give them to Charlie). Charlie then instructs Frank to retrieve the keys, infuriated that he would throw them overhand rather than casually toss them. Frank rejects him, explaining that doing so likely wouldn’t get them any further with this hilarious quote.
A Hilarious Boating Adventure
Each member of the gang went into this boating venture with different intentions in mind. While the majority of the group envisions the potential of a “P. Diddy style” party boat, Frank and Charlie have more practical uses for it. Their intentions were sound despite their lack of experience, but the untimely demise of The Drowning Sailor due to an accidental electrical fire would throw a wrench into their initial plans. Although Frank blatantly missing Charlie’s hands is hysterical on its own, his ridiculous rationalization about why he can’t get into the water is what makes this scene so memorable.
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5"Wait a minute! Where’s the rum ham?!" (S07, E02)
On a typical day at Paddy’s Pub, Frank, Charlie, and Mac are seen burning old family photos in the alley of Paddy’s Pub. Alerted to the commotion taking place outside, Dennis and Dee intervene and remind Frank of the family vacations those photographs depict. A wave of nostalgic memories ensues, inspiring the Reynolds family to take a spontaneous trip to the Jersey Shore. As each member gets settled into their respective activities, Frank and Mac begin consuming a ham drenched in rum until stray dogs begin swarming them. Frank then has the idea of taking the party to the water, continuing their feast on an inflatable raft before falling asleep. Mac frantically attempts to figure out how to get back to shore, though Frank remains unfazed by this turn of events. That is, until he notices his rum ham being taken by the current.
A Reference to Cast Away
This is yet another instance where the idiocy ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiais unmatched. While that may sound like a negative aspect, this level of absurdity is actually what makes this show so charming compared to other sitcoms currently releasing. The visual of Mac and Frank lounging on this inflatable raft and devouring an entire rum-soaked ham could stand on its own, but Danny DeVito’s horrified reaction to seeing said ham float away from the raft has established this as one ofFrank Reynolds' most hysterical episodes in the series.
4"Doctor Toboggan. Mantis Toboggan!" (S07, E08)
After Dee discovers a new trendy bar through a link sent to her on Facebook, the gang reluctantly joins her before finding out the bar only serves gin. As they each express their disdain for gin and demand a beer, the guys begin to ponder how an establishment serving only one drink on the menu has gained so much traffic. Frank believes they just have a better business model, while Mac chalks it up to their web presence. With that knowledge, Frank prepares a viral video to put Paddy’s Pub on the map. His one flaw, however, was not understanding what a viral video was.
Spreading the “Virus Video”
Frank’s “viral” video begins with a series of lies, including the promise of strippers, cockfights, and regular celebrity appearances. The gang is immediately on board, praising Frank for his efforts. However, as the video progresses, Frank is revealed in a full Doctor’s getup, saying any patron of Paddy’s Pub is bound to catch a virus. He makes the situation worse by adding that anyone who doesn’t spread the video will get a computer virus. In a callback toone of Dennis' finer episodes(“The D.E.N.N.I.S. System”), Frank adopts the role of Dr. Mantis Toboggan once again, spreading the “virus video” of a lifetime.
3"Anyway, I started blasting." (S09, E02)
When Frank is invited to speak on a morning news segment after being mugged, the gang watches in disbelief as he explains how he narrowly escaped death. He begins his recollection while eating a sandwich brought from home before being instructed to put it away. He obliges, and then proceeds to explain that he wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for his “pieces”. Asked to clarify, Frank pulls out the two weapons he was carrying during the incident as he nonchalantly describes the events that had recently transpired, prompting this quintessential quote.
Why This Quote Is a Blast
If you were to ask the average person about Danny DeVito, they are more than likely to refer back to this pivotal scene. Even those who haven’t spent a significant amount of time watchingIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaremember this moment fondly. This morsel of dialogue has been subject to numerous memes around the internet in recent years, and rightfully so. The entire news segment remains one of the mostmemorable moments of the season(and the series as a whole), still being referenced over a decade later.
2"What’s up, b*tches?! I’m a man-cheetah!" (S10, E06)
Immediately after the humiliation of missing the chance to go aboard a party boat, Dennis and the gang begin to consider how drastically the group has changed since Frank’s arrival. Dennis expands on this by presenting the group with the hypothetical scenario of dressing as a man-cheetah, to which Frank replies, “I’ll go get the spots!” Reminiscing about some of the more outlandish schemes the gang has embarked upon due to Frank’s financial support, Dennis, Mac, and Frank attempt to rediscover their true selves. Frank’s plans skew a bit when he meets a group of young upstarts celebrating the grand opening of their bar. Once Frank’s infallible (and illegal) money-making scheme backfires and the new group decides to cut all contact with him entirely, he reveals the aforementioned man-cheetah costume.
A Classic Frank Character
If there’s one thing Frank Reynolds loves more than his money, it’s dressing up in strange costumes for the amusement of others. This is perhaps one of the funniest examples inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaof him doing so, even if the persona was short-lived. In the end, it becomes evident that this group of degenerates wouldn’t be complete without one another. Against their better judgment, the original Paddy’s Pub gang decides to make amends, celebrating their return to form with a rum ham. Although Frank wears the spots with confidence, his visible excitement about being able to don the outfit in the first place is priceless.
1"Allow me to destroy your gallery." (S11, E04)
In yet another instance of the gang trying to establish themselves as functioning members of society, Dee has just revealed to the gang that she has recently appeared in an art film starring established ’80s television actor Richard Grieco. The group remains skeptical, demanding she provide evidence to prove these outlandish claims. Once the screening commences, they discover it is a pornographic film (albeit a pornographic film that does, in fact, star Richard Grieco). This recognition would lead to Mac, Frank, and Charlie questioning the impact of modern art, believing they possess the ability to weasel any unsuspecting art connoisseur to invest in them. To do so, Frank would need to debut a new persona. The persona of an art critic known as Ango Gablogian.
Why This Is Frank’s Funniest Quote
Ango Gablogian is a prime example of Frank Reynolds' tendency to not only adopt a persona but to take that persona to outrageous avenues for the sake of even the most absurd ventures the gang is pursuing at that point in time. This is one of the major aspects that has established Danny DeVito’s pivotal role within the cast ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Aside from Frank’s confidence that he can convince even the most pretentious of museum proprietors that he is a reputable investor, the fact that he enters this museum and begins insulting each piece displayed is too funny for words.
