As the longest running live-action sitcom in the history of television, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has amassed a variety of running gags. From Dee being called a bird, to Charlie’s illiteracy, to the recurring suggestion that Dennis might be a serial killer, there are a lot of jokes that are key to Sunny’s brand of humor.
One comedy device, however, deserves special recognition: the show’s innovative use of episode titles.
Whereas most sitcom titles do little more than label an episode and maybe offer an occasional pun, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia uses its titles as the punchline to a joke set-up in the cold open. For example, a Season 16 episode begins with Frank Reynolds accidentally shooting Dennis and Dee, before claiming, “I just nicked you. It’s not like anybody is in any real danger.” After that, comes the episode title: “Frank Shoots Every Member of the Gang.”
And while that’s a good example of the device, it’s not even close to the 10 best examples below…
The Gang Tries Desperately to Win An Award
The episode, which is really about why Sunny has never won an Emmy, begins with Frank first learning of Philadelphia’s “Best Bar Award” and asking the other members of the Gang why they’ve never won or been nominated. Dee, Dennis, Charlie and Mac initially dismiss the award, but they eventually decide to “play the game” and try for a nomination. The cold open ends with Dennis playing it cool, saying, “This literally means nothing to me,” before cutting to the hilariously phrased title card “The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award.”
Dennis Gets Divorced
Sunny’s best title card gags come out of the quick punchline to a set-up with a slow burn. Season Six began with Dennis getting married to his old flame Maureen Ponderosa, but by the second episode, it’s clear that he’s already deeply regretting that decision. It begins in the morning with Dennis leaving for work and Maureen still in bed. In the course of their conversation, Dennis comes to realize that Maureen lives with him now and that she’s not going anywhere. He also discovers that she has no job. Dennis is clearly uncomfortable with all of this, but Maureen tells him “I love you,” and Dennis, eventually, reluctantly, replies in kind. The two then do this mock game of pantomiming aggression that goes from joke growling to Dennis motioning that he’s strangling Maureen. After this slow, protracted conversation ends, the title card hits like a bullet. The timing really does have to be experienced to be believed.
Mac Bangs Dennis’ Mom
It’s Always Sunny occasionally used the title card for laughs in Season One, but the show perfected the device in Season Two. Case in point: When Mac is sent to retrieve Frank’s toupée from his ex-wife’s house in Episode Four. When Frank’s ex, who is also Dennis and Dee’s mom, answers the door for Mac, he clumsily tells her he’s getting the toupée, and she invites him in to find it among Frank’s belongings. Once Mac locates it, he shouts to her off-screen in another room, explaining that he’s leaving. As he’s walking out, she silently appears in a robe, which she quickly drops to reveal that she’s naked underneath. Mac then says, “Oh shit,” as he realizes what’s about to happen. An act that the title card is perfectly happy to spell out completely: “Mac Bangs Dennis’ Mom.”
Mac and Dennis Buy a Timeshare
In sitcom parlance, a timeshare is shorthand for “scam,” and Sunny used that understanding to deliver a great joke in Season Nine. The episode begins with Dee clearly having gotten caught up in a pyramid scheme, and Dennis shaming her for it, explaining to her that she “got got” and that he and Mac couldn’t be so easily taken advantage of. Dennis and Mac then decide to attend the same presentation that Dee did with the intention of not buying into the scam and only getting the free golf clubs that come with it. Dennis even tells Dee that, people like he and Mac “don’t get got, we go get.” Then comes the punchline: “Mac and Dennis Buy a Timeshare.”
Mac Kills His Dad
Mac’s psychopathic father is at the center of several great title card gags, like “Mac Kills His Dad” in Season 10. The episode begins with a news report saying that Mac’s dad beheaded a man with a stop sign. Mac, however, cannot believe it, and he’s worried the state will convict — and maybe execute — his dad for the beheading. Mac vows to save his dad, promising, “I’m going to save my dad’s life,” before the title card promises the exact opposite.
Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare
Like in “Mac and Dennis Buy a Timeshare,” “Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare” uses Dennis’ supreme arrogance against him. The setup is that Dennis and Dee quit Paddy’s Pub to pursue their dreams. As they walk out, Mac tells them, “You guys have nothing without this bar.” To which Dennis replies, “Don’t worry about us, Mac, we’ll be just fine.” The title card, of course, promptly undermines that sentiment.
The Gang Gets Whacked
This joke begins with Dee and Charlie having found some free speakers on the side of the road. As they bring them into the bar, a panel opens, revealing that drugs were hidden in the speakers. While Dennis warns Dee and Charlie that someone will be looking for those drugs, Charlie objects and decides to keep them, asking “What’s the worst that could happen?” The answer to that question comes in the form of a title card that reads, “The Gang Gets Whacked.”
The Gang Goes Jihad
This one begins with the new neighbor of Paddy’s Pub entering the bar and explaining that he just moved from Israel and that the deed to his property includes half of Paddy’s Pub. He then hands the Gang a notice to vacate. The neighbor leaves with the Gang in shock and Dennis asking, “What are we gonna do?” The answer goes hard with a ridiculous title card that reads: “The Gang Goes Jihad.”
Frank Sets Sweet Dee on Fire
When a Season Three episode kicks off with Mac and Charlie deciding to make their own news program, Frank decides to tag along with them. Dee objects, however, warning Frank that he’s going to get hurt. “I’m just palling around with the guys,” Frank replies. “How is anybody going to get hurt?” The title card explains exactly how: “Frank Sets Sweet Dee on Fire.”
Mac and Charlie Die
This Season Four episode begins at a parole hearing for Mac’s dad. With Mac and Charlie on the witness stand and Mac’s dad glaring at them from across the room, a member of the parole board tells Charlie the following, “Mr. Kelly, in your sworn statement to police, you claim that the prisoner told you that if you didn’t, and I quote, ‘jam a bunch of stuff into your butt,’ he was going to ‘rape you so hard the room would stink.’ Then, he was going to, quote, ‘eat your butt and his son’s butt’ in the stink until his stomach was full of ‘your butts.’”
Mac’s dad objects, saying he doesn’t wish to hurt Mac and Charlie and that they’re lying to keep him in jail. As proof, Mac’s dad plays a recording of Charlie telling him, “Mr. Mac, I’m going to tell those parole board dickheads that you said you were going to rape my butt until the room stinks, and then you’re going to eat my butt until your stomach is full of butt — full of my butt and full of Mac’s butt.”
There’s a pregnant pause to capture Mac and Charlie’s embarrassment followed Mac’s dad’s prison paperwork being stamped with “Parole Granted.” Finally, it cuts to the greatest title card gag in the show’s history: “Mac and Charlie Die,” which is yet another master class in the show’s impeccable timing.
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