If one were to make a list of television's most reprehensible ensembles, it wouldn't take long for the gang of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia to show up. After a rocky start, it quickly grew into one of the most popular shows of the 20th Century. With nearly a record-breaking twenty years of evidence to support this claim, the gang (as they are best known as), comprises Mac, Dennis, Dee, Charlie, and Frank. Their outlandish ideas, intense dislike for humanity, and complete lack of care for other people, are principle personality traits that ultimately come to backfire spectacularly. To make an apt comparison, It's Always Sunny operates and behaves as if the nihilism in Seinfeld was kicked up to 11. Their overall repulsive attitude has turned them into some of the most memorable sitcom characters ever created, made even more recognizable through their actions towards others, all beautifully cataloged over the course of 162 episodes (and counting). Here are their very best.
Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare
After being denied help by Frank, Dennis and Dee decide to scam the welfare system by faking disability and addiction, turning them into actual addicts in the process. Meanwhile, Charlie and Mac hatchet up a scheme that lands them a few extra bucks, only to lose it all when their plan is uncovered. The episode goes to show the lengths of depravity these characters are willing to cross, and how their actions, though very humorous, have pretty tough consequences. However, the fact that they constantly fail to learn their lessons is where most of the humor is found.
Dennis and Dee Get a New Dad
After Dennis and Dee's mom reveals that Frank is not their biological father, they take an invitation extended by their real father to meet him, and they discover he is the complete opposite of everything they represent. Meanwhile, Mac and Charlie are left in charge of cheering up Frank after his panic attack upon finding out the truth. What truly makes this episode an instant classic was Frank's reaction upon hearing the news, going (rightfully) full-blown berserk in what is one of the most hilarious rants ever made on television. The episode's conclusion is also worth mentioning, as it gears up an almost series-long story-arc between Frank and Charlie.
The Maureen Ponderosa Weeding Massacre
Taking a spoof out of many horror films, the gang invites themselves to the weeding of Liam McPoyle and Maureen Ponderosa, Dennis' ex-wife. Dennis is there to ensure the marriage succeeds in order to stop paying alimony, while Frank and Dee are trying to crash it as a favor to Ryan McPoyle. After guests start to behave erratically, things turn towards survival, all the while every conventional horror trope is highlighted to comedic effect, from Charlie's Jaws-inspired monologue to Dee's reveal of the truth.
Mac and Charlie Die
After getting tangled up with very shady people, Mac and Charlie attempt to fake their own deaths, much to their surprising success. It's clear to both Dennis and Dee that they're both faking their deaths, but none seem to care enough to do anything about it and even play on the angle for their own gain. However, Frank develops a deep depression over Charlie's death, one that turns borderline disturbing when he starts to replace him with an inanimate object. When Mac and Charlie reveal themselves, the gang, as always, is not really happy to see them back.
Mac and Dennis Move to the Suburbs
Tired of living in the city, Mac and Dennis decide to move to the suburbs in an attempt to be more relaxed. It turns out the suburbs make them even more unhinged, culminating in what is one of the most hilarious character fights ever conceived of, including everything from threats of violence and dog food. The slow and intensifying decline is what really sells the whole shenanigan, going from optimistic and happy to cynical and disturbing at the drop of a montage.
Frank's Pretty Woman
When Frank appears to have found the love of his life in a crack-addicted sex worker named Roxy, Charlie attempts to steer him in a different direction while Dee tries to make her more presentable. Meanwhile, Mac is being forced to confront his sudden weight gain by Dennis, leading to striking revelations when they both visit the doctor. Mac's detached attitude reigns supreme, as he accepts his gluttony with open arms. The limousine scene alone makes this episode one of the funniest the series has produced, highlighting the outright stupidity of Charlie and Frank's complete lack of awareness, and the ending perfectly highlights their complete state of collective depravity.
Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense
When Frank crashes Dennis' car, the gang is forced to litigate within themselves on who deserves to pay for the damages. Dennis asserts that he was rear-ended while Frank makes a play on Dennis' lack of attention due to eating cereal. Every argument they come up with is met with an even more hilarious comeback, leading to one of Mac's brightest moments of successfully arguing his belief in god as a side bet. In the end, nothing is actually fixed, and the gang completely forgets what started this in the first place, putting all the blame on Dee. It goes to show how simpleminded the gang ultimately is, going as far as to stage an elaborate show-trial for their own amusement, only to completely abandon the idea at the drop of a hat.
Flowers For Charlie
Charlie is chosen as the subject for a test experiment trying to determine whether a pill can make a person of low intellect smarter. When the pill appears to be working, Charlie grows distant from the gang, forcing them to deal with problems at the bar using more lenient methods. Frank is bothered by Charlie's distance and attempts to cozy up to him by trying to learn from his books and tapes. This is all the lead-up to a beautiful punchline of the results of the experiment being revealed in front of a supportive gang, made even more hilarious thanks to Charlie's attempt at a British accent.
The Gang Gets Analyzed
When Dee brings the whole gang to a therapy session after a dispute on who gets to clean the dishes, the therapist is left with quite a hole to clean up. Seeing each of them individually, it is revealed how deep and complex every single one is in their own little worlds, giving us some of the most insightfully perspective into their psyche, from Mac's self-loathing to Charlie's inability to grasp many ideas, none are more hilarious than Frank's mental breakdown. With the therapist so much as saying a few words, Frank goes on a deep tangent about his past that resulted in some of the oddest recollections of mental trauma ever conceived of, made even more comical by the sheer absurdity of what we're watching. Despite her best efforts, and the chaos she has unfolded, the gang is left intact and more determined to blame Dee for everything.
McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century
Following the events of "The Maureen Ponderosa Massacre", Liam McPoyle lost an eye and is suing Bill Ponderosa, Maureen's cocaine-addicted brother, for damages. Bill hires Charlie's uncle as an attorney, leading to what is easily the most hilarious television trial put to screen. To make matters worse, the McPoyles are being represented by the gang's long-time nemesis. In order to win the case, the gang hatches up the most embarrassing ideas possible, backfiring in spectacular fashion. From Mac's coercion exploits, Dee's slandering, and Dennis' compulsive need to make the judge reconsider alimony, the chaos creates an avalanche of hilarity, culminating in what is perhaps Charlie's finest hour, successfully getting a mistrial, as the truth is revealed in the form of a bird. Turns out bird law actually does pay.