If I told you to think of cities in the U.S. that have a big place in the entertainment industry, I have no doubt that the first ones to come to your mind would be New York or Los Angeles. This is a fair answer and is definitely the most obvious one, but there is somewhere else out there that people tend to forget about… and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia wants to help you remember.
Philadelphia: a Center for Media Production
Philadelphia, the very city where our nation started, is the sixth most populated area in the country and contains its fourth biggest media market. Philadelphia makes the top ten in a list of the “World’s Most Popular Cities for Film Sets” and has been the backdrop of over ten top-rated TV shows in the past two decades. That, along with the amount of pure star power that has come out of the city, should be enough to make a point that Philadelphia is not somewhere that should be overlooked when it comes to the media industry, so why is it still rarely considered when we talk about that sort of thing?
Philly as a whole considers itself an underdog in every meaning of the word. The TV show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia encapsulates that mindset to a T, both in its real life media industry implications, but also in the way they represent the city within the show. The show, the longest running live-action sitcom in America, is incredibly important to Philadelphia in this sense. Through its detailed representation, the show expertly captures the energy and vibe of the city unlike any other piece of media has, and thus brings well-deserved attention and focus to Philadelphia as a place for media to both be produced and be set in.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia offers such a rich and complex representation of the city it is set in that it exemplifies the idea that Philadelphia is not only the epicenter of sports and cheesesteaks, but also a prime spot for media production.
The Show’s Origin Story
The most shocking thing about IASIP (and believe me, there are a lot of shocking things in the show) is the fact that it originally wasn’t even supposed to take place in Philadelphia, but LA instead. IASIP was first conceived by creator Rob McElhenney as a sitcom about wanna-be actors. When he first pitched the show to the FX Network, the executives loved the characters, but not the setting: “Too many Hollywood-centric series had already hit the airwaves.” Rob, being a native of Philadelphia, figured that if LA was too big already, then Philly, the city where he was born, would have to do. He tweaked various aspects of his pitch to make the main cast of characters, four best friends, bar owners in South Philly rather than out-of-work actors in LA. Two different jobs and places, but with the same degree of desperation.
The world can only imagine what the show would have looked like if this change had never been made, as Philadelphia being the setting of production is at the core, the heart, of the entire show. Over 90% of the show’s episodes take place in Philadelphia; The setting is of so much importance to the show that every time the characters leave Philadelphia, they make a big point to talk about how terrible it is that they aren’t in Philly. Take for example Season 5, Episode 2 “The Gang Hits the Road”; The entire episode revolves around the fact that it is Charlie’s first time leaving Philly (ever), and he isn’t very happy about it.
Link to Clip of Charlie Talking About Leaving Philadelphia (Season 5, Episode 2)
In IASIP, the setting isn’t just a setting, but a character.
IASIP as a Representation of Philadelphia
When I say that IASIP is a representation of Philadelphia, I truly mean that it represents every single aspect of the city, both good and bad. The insane demeanor of Philadelphia sports fans, as shown in Season 5, Episode 6 “The World Series Defense”, the dirt and grime that plagues many side streets, as shown in Season 2 Episode 3 “Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare” , and the variety of unique people and businesses here in the city, as shown in countless episodes like Season 7’s “Thunder Gun Express” and “The High School Reunion”, are all represented with an equal amount of attention and detail.
“The Gang Gets Invincible” (Season 3, Episode 2)
“The High School Reunion” (Season 7, Episode 12)
Rob McElhenney and his coworkers want to paint the truest, grittiest image possible of the astounding city that is Philly. Over 150 distinct locations in the greater Philadelphia area have been noticed by fans as the settings for many of the show’s episodes. A couple of notable locations are:
- Philadelphia City Hall (Season 4, Episode 3)
- Philadelphia Museum of Art (Season 1, Episode 4)
- Rittenhouse Square (Season 2, Episode 2)
- Citizens Bank Park (Season 5, Episode 6)
- University of Pennsylvania (Season 1, Episode 1)
- Geno’s Steaks (Season 2, Episode 3)
- Reading Terminal Market (Season 5, Episode 9)
What would IASIP be if not a tribute to all of the hidden beauties located in the area?
What Representation Means to Philadelphia
The representation of these areas means a lot to the people of the city, especially those who lived here long before the show began. Finally, this meant that people could see, even through the eyes of selfish, evil, and downtrodden characters, that Philadelphia is a place of importance, where important people live and important things happen. Famous Philadelphia media businesses, like WMMR, Philadelphia Magazine, and the Philadelphia Inquirer all have articles published revering IASIP for how it has brought more good attention to the city.
“The cast still makes its annual pilgrimage each summer to shoot [in Philadelphia], despite the cost. That authenticity shows…you can tell which South Philly block they’re standing on, and landmarks like the Reading Terminal Market haven’t been green-screened in”
Richard Rhys, Philadelphia Magazine (September 15, 2011)
In 2016 (when IASIP was in its 11th season) The New York Times took a look at 50 of the most popular TV shows in the country, 20th of which was IASIP, and analyzed, based on ratings, where they were most watched. It feels like no surprise that on the map for IASIP the boldest section of viewership comes from the city itself.
The people of Philadelphia consider themselves underdogs in every way imaginable, and IASIP acknowledges this trait of the city with great care. The characters are all underdogs in their own way; They are down on their luck, get dirty at times, and fight for what they believe is right. They embrace what it means to be from Philly, whether that is in the Delco accent, a love for cheesesteaks, or simply the mindset of “No one likes us, we don’t care”, a popular motto amongst Philadelphia sports fans. To Philadelphians, this embracing of the culture on public television, especially extremely popular long-form public television, means the world. But it also means the world to Philadelphia’s entertainment industry.
The Impact on Philadelphia Television
Looking at the ratings, it is hard to deny that the sitcom has brought great popularity to the city as a means of setting. Having a consistent 8.8 rating on IMDB for over 16 seasons (18 years!), with more than 300k views for each one, is an incredible feat for any TV show. IASIP is one of the first TV shows with astounding popularity to take place entirely in Philadelphia, and since its creation the city has only further grown as a hub for the entertainment industry.
Shows like How to Get Away with Murder (2014), Servant (2019), Mare of Easttown (2021), and Bel-Air (2022) have brought more and more representation to Philadelphia, as well as it has brought attention to the city as a powerhouse of television and entertainment. More than ten high rated TV shows have been set almost entirely in Philadelphia since 2005 when IASIP aired its first episode.
The one successor of IASIP that stands out the most though, is Abbott Elementary (2021). Abbott Elementary is the greatest proof that IASIP has represented Philadelphia as a place rife with ideas and content waiting to be created. Quinta Brunson, the creator of Abbott Elementary, is a Philadelphia native much like Rob McElhenney, and has admitted that she has watched IASIP. It is clear that Abbott takes much inspiration from it; The focus on Philadelphia landmarks, Philadelphia sports teams, and distinctly Philadelphian social problems all intertwine the two shows.
“Both Abbott and IASIP wear their setting proudly on their sleeves, and it is a credit to them and the city they’re from that they have created two completely unique worlds that have such vivid characters inhabiting them”
Dylan Fugel, Paste Magazine (October 17, 2023)
If Abbott and IASIP are connected in any way, it is in showing that Philadelphia, and its population, has a lot to say, and should not be underestimated in the entertainment value that it holds.
A Dedication to the City
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia might be an extremely dark, offensive, and over the top comedy, but when you look beneath the surface, it is still that, but also a lot more. I am talking about the emphasis it brings to a place that is often left out of the conversation when we talk about important places. Sure, Philadelphia has a lot of historical merit that is recognized by most adults in the country, but beyond that, this city is often looked down upon in comparison to other places like New York and LA that have more respectable reputations, especially within the entertainment industry.
Philadelphia is not just the headlines you see in the news about ‘greasing the poles’ for an Eagles game, it is a city filled to the brim with potential and beauty. This city, with all its quirks, deserves just as much respect on its name as New York and LA get, and the people here deserve to be recognized and represented for their interesting traits rather than be ridiculed for them.
I love It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia because it does these things perfectly, giving respect and appreciation, while also being funny, perplexing, and overall just fantastic television. It dedicates itself entirely to encapsulating the vibe of one place, at one time, and it does so expertly and with such kindness (especially for a show based around evil people). If you love Philadelphia, then you have to watch IASIP (that’s a given), but if you hate Philadelphia, then you also have to watch IASIP, and get back to me later with your new opinion of the city.