‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 16 Could Be Its Last
The FX comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia became the longest-running sitcom with its 15th season. The show surpassed The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which ran for 14 years from 1952 – 1966. In a recent interview, co-creator and star Charlie Day said he’s thinking It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 could be the show’s last.
Day was a guest on the Smartless podcast on Feb. 28. When hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes introduced Day, he revealed he’s thought about wrapping up It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia at season 16. All 15 seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are streaming on Hulu.
Charlie Day: ‘We’ll see’ after ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 16
FX renewed It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia through season 18 in December of 2020. Despite that, Day indicated he thinks they may not be able to continue past the upcoming 16th season.
“15 years, we just did the 15th season,” Day said on Smartless. “At least another one and we’ll see after that.”
‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ may run out of ideas after season 16
Although FX is enthusiastic for three more seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Day isn’t sure they can create that many more. 15 seasons have seen the gang from Paddy’s pub cover lots of hot button issues from abortion and the crack epidemic to the #MeToo movement and pandemic. Mac (Rob McElhenney) has come out. They’ve played laser tag, done film noir, and flashed back to an ’80s roller rink. Day said he struggles to think of more ideas without jumping the shark.
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“You know what it is, we’ve done a lot,” Day said. “We’ve done a lot of these. I don’t know how long we can keep ‘em up.”
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 15 was already shorter than most. As it is, they usually only do 10 episodes per season. Season 15 was only eight, due partly to coronavirus (COVID-19) limitations.
Charlie Day and the gang have put in the work
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia first aired on FX in 2005 but that wasn’t when Day, McElhenney and Glenn Howerton began work. They filmed a pilot themselves with a video camera. Then perfectionist McElhenney redid the pilot several times.
The cast and creators have been loyal to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia while it launched their careers. Day has been in blockbuster movies like Horrible Bosses and Pacific Rim while creating other TV shows. McElhenney created Mythic Quest for Apple TV+. Howerton stars on A.P. Bio and Kaitlin Olson has been in The Mick, Hacks and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Day feels like ending at It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 would hardly be leaving anyone in a lurch.
“I think the thing is when we were shooting that pilot I was 27 years old,” Day said. “I’m 46 so I feel like I’ve put in my time with this one.”
