Fall Guide to Good TV: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia never shies from tackling hot-button issues. Abortion, drug addiction, Israel and Palestine—for five seasons now, the show’s characters have taken pride in being equal-opportunity offenders. And as creator Glenn Howerton (Dennis) explains, there’s a very good reason why the show makes you a little uncomfortable: That’s the point.

Glenn Howerton: When we first started shooting we didn’t intend for them to be such blatantly selfish, self-involved people. But as we started playing these characters, we realized that’s what was funny about it. And I feel like that humor is totally reflective of our culture -- we live in an every-man-for-himself society where we’re wired to think of ourselves first.

Paste: What’s your reaction to the growing appreciation for the show as a send-up of homophobia and machismo? 

Howerton: I think that’s one of the best things about it. Each of these characters has a perception of themselves that’s totally inaccurate. There’s definitely a brainless bravado to them, and being so transparent and insecure is part of what makes them lovable. It’s a façade.

Paste: You’ve done a lot of social-commentary episodes. Are any issues off the table? 

Howerton: There’s always a way to make something funny. If you put the right spin on a subject, you can make people laugh. That’s true for anything that makes people uncomfortable. It’s a very human quality to find humor in unlikely places.