The Gang's Still in Ireland

Last updated
"The Gang's Still in Ireland"
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode
Episode no.Season 15
Episode 6
Directed by Megan Ganz
Written by Rob McElhenney
Charlie Day
Glenn Howerton
Cinematography byJohn Tanzer
Editing byScott Draper
Production codeXIP15006
Original air dateDecember 15, 2021 (2021-12-15)
Running time22 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"The Gang Goes to Ireland"
Next 
"Dee Sinks in a Bog"
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 15
List of episodes

"The Gang's Still in Ireland" is the sixth episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia . It is the 160th overall episode of the series and was written by main cast members Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on December 15, 2021, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "The Gang Goes to Ireland".

Contents

The series follows "The Gang", a group of five misfit friends: twins Dennis and Deandra "(Sweet) Dee" Reynolds, their friends Charlie Kelly and Ronald "Mac" McDonald, and Frank Reynolds, Dennis' and Dee's legal father. The Gang runs the fictional Paddy's Pub, an unsuccessful Irish bar in South Philadelphia. In the episode, Frank and Charlie visit Shelley Kelly, Charlie's pen pal and possible relative. Meanwhile, Dee and Dennis stay at a dilapidated castle where the influence of the house and Dennis' deteriorating health cause problems; while Mac decides to join a priesthood. The episode continues a story arc where the Gang goes to Ireland. [1]

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.232 million household viewers and gained a 0.12 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received very positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances (particularly Colm Meaney's guest appearance), wholesome elements and surprisingly emotive tone.

Plot

Dee (Kaitlin Olson) wakes up in an Irish pub named "Patty's Pub" with the Gang, realizing that she will be late for her role. She then goes outside and is angry to find that she is in the Irish countryside.

Charlie (Charlie Day) wants to find out more about Shelley Kelly, discovering that he is the town's "Cheesemonger". He and Frank (Danny DeVito) visit Shelley (Colm Meaney), who is much older than Charlie imagined and shares many of his traits. Shelley recognizes Charlie as his pen pal, and states he is not his brother, he is actually his father. It's revealed that Charlie's illiteracy was in part due to writing letters in Irish to his father.

Dee and Dennis (Glenn Howerton) visit an estate agency in order to find a castle. Dennis's constant coughing prevents him from dealing with the realtor and Dee is the one who talks. When they arrive at the castle, they find it is in ruins and is a place where multiple atrocities were recently committed. Dee is horrified, but Dennis is happy with the property. That night, Dee hears Dennis talking to "the castle" and is then attacked by Dennis with an axe. Meanwhile, Mac (Rob McElhenney) decides to join the priesthood as he is still questioning his true identity. He attempts to avoid the handsome priests as he feels this will distract him.

Charlie, Frank and Shelley go to a pub to celebrate their discovery, where some of the bar's male patrons state they also "loved" Charlie's mother. They stay at Shelley's house, where he offers a bedroom for Charlie and a cot for Frank. Frank's shock humor does not seem to cause amusement to Charlie anymore, who goes in to the bedroom. The episode ends with a dejected Frank sitting alone on the cot.

Production

Development

In November 2021, it was reported that the sixth episode of the fifteenth season would be titled "The Gang's Still in Ireland", and was to be directed by executive producer Megan Ganz and written by main cast members Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton. This was Ganz's 2nd directing credit, McElhenney's 57th writing credit, Day's 63rd writing credit, and Howerton's 45th writing credit. [2]

Casting

In November 2021, the trailer for the season revealed that Colm Meaney would guest star on the series as part of the series' episodes taking place in Ireland. [3]

Filming

In August and September 2021, images circulated where the cast teased that they were filming in Ireland. [4] In November 2021, it was confirmed that the series would have episodes set in Ireland. [5] However, due to COVID-19 restrictions in the country, the series used Bodega Bay, California as a stand-in for Ireland. [6] [7]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "The Gang's Still in Ireland" was seen by an estimated 0.232 million household viewers and gained a 0.12 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research. This means that 0.12 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [8] This was a 19% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.285 million viewers with a 0.13 in the 18-49 demographics. [8]

Critical reviews

"The Gang's Still in Ireland" received very positive reviews from critics. Dennis Perkins of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "Taking the Gang out of Philly has been done before, of course, but this episodes-long Irish interlude is a big swing in a season that's emerged with uncharacteristic wobbliness out of the Season 15 gate. But while an eventful overseas jaunt might smack of the late-run desperation of 80s sitcoms like The Facts Of Life or Family Ties , where creators try to brush off the gathering moss by plunging their aging characters into some disposable, colorful comic intrigue, this two-parter hits the ground in deliriously confident stride." [9]

Ross Bonaime of Collider wrote, "The trip to Ireland has both Charlie and Mac coming to grips with where they come from. It's astounding that after all this time, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia can still expand this world, evolve these characters, and find new facets of these dynamics that we never even knew we wanted." [10] Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence wrote, "Much of the latter part of the season ends up taking place in Ireland, for which the production did travel to the Emerald Isles for some location shooting. To explain what leads the gang there would take a very long time and wouldn't be nearly as amusing as watching it yourself, but the extended international trip features a fantastic guest star in Colm Meaney, some truly beautiful Irish vistas, and a lot of Gaelic jokes." [11] Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com wrote, "The season really gets going when a series of events sends the gang to Ireland for the first time as multiple episodes unfold across the Atlantic Ocean." [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i> American sitcom

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American sitcom created by Rob McElhenney and developed with Glenn Howerton for FX. It premiered on August 4, 2005, and was moved to FXX beginning with the ninth season in 2013. It stars Charlie Day, Howerton, McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito. The series follows the exploits of "The Gang", a group of narcissistic and sociopathic friends who run the Irish dive bar Paddy's Pub in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing among themselves, and plotting elaborate cons against others, and at times each other, for personal benefit, financial gain, revenge, or simply due to boredom or inebriation.

"Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare" is the third episode of the second season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the tenth overall episode of the series, and was written by series creator Rob McElhenney, from a story by executive producers Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton and McElhenney. It was directed by executive producer Dan Attias, and originally aired on FX on July 6, 2006 back-to-back with the following episode, "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom".

<i>Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American television sitcom series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiered on FX on June 29, 2006. The season contains 10 episodes and concluded airing on August 17, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Nightman Cometh</span> 13th episode of the 4th season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"The Nightman Cometh" is the thirteenth and final episode of the fourth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 45th overall episode of the series and was written by co-creators Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob McElhenney and directed by Matt Shakman. It originally aired on FX on November 20, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Work</span> 4th episode of the 10th season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"Charlie Work" is the fourth episode of the tenth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 108th overall episode of the series, and was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Matt Shakman. It originally aired on FXX on February 4, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac and Charlie Die</span> 5th and 6th episodes of the 4th season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"Mac and Charlie Die " are the fifth and sixth episodes of the fourth season of the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The two-part episode was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Fred Savage and Matt Shakman. They are the 37th and 38th overall episodes of the series. Both parts originally aired back-to-back on FX on October 2, 2008.

<i>Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i> season 15 Season of television series

The fifteenth season of the American television sitcom series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiered on FXX on December 1 and concluded on December 22, 2021. This season had next day availability on FX on Hulu and FXNOW. The season consists of eight episodes and makes the series the longest-running live-action scripted comedy series in American television history, surpassing The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

"2020: A Year In Review" is the first episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 155th overall episode of the series and was written by series developers, executive producers and lead actors Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton and directed by Todd Biermann. It originally aired on FXX on December 1, 2021, airing back-to-back with the following episode, "The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 7".

"The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 7" is the second episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 156th overall episode of the series and was written by story editors Keyonna Taylor and Katie McElhenney and directed by Pete Chatmon. It originally aired on FXX on December 1, 2021, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "2020: A Year In Review".

"The Gang Buys a Roller Rink" is the third episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 157th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producers Rob Rosell and David Hornsby and directed by Richie Keen. It originally aired on FXX on December 8, 2021, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "The Gang Replaces Dee With a Monkey".

"The Gang Replaces Dee With a Monkey" is the fourth episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 158th overall episode of the series and was written by main cast member Glenn Howerton and Nina Pedrad and directed by Todd Biermann. It originally aired on FXX on December 8, 2021, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "The Gang Buys a Roller Rink".

"The Gang Goes to Ireland" is the fifth episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 159th overall episode of the series and was written by main cast members Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on December 15, 2021, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "The Gang's Still in Ireland".

"The Gang Carries a Corpse Up a Mountain" is the eighth episode and season finale of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 162nd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Megan Ganz and directed by Richie Keen. It originally aired on FXX on December 22, 2021, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "Dee Sinks in a Bog".

"Dee Sinks in a Bog" is the seventh episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 161st overall episode of the series and was written by executive producers David Hornsby and Rob Rosell and directed by Pete Chatmon. It originally aired on FXX on December 22, 2021, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "The Gang Carries a Corpse Up a Mountain".

"The D.E.N.N.I.S. System" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 55th overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer Glenn Howerton and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by series producer Randall Einhorn. It originally aired on FX on November 19, 2009. The episode features Howerton's real life wife, Jill Latiano, as the subject of the titular system.

"Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense" is the tenth and final episode of the eighth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 94th overall episode of the series, and was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Richie Keen. It originally aired on FX on December 20, 2012, and was the last episode of the series to be aired on the network before it was moved to FXX the next year.

"The Gang Gets Held Hostage" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 22nd overall episode of the series, and was written by series creator Rob McElhenney from a story by Lisa Parsons, and directed by producer Fred Savage. It originally aired on FX on September 20, 2007, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "Dennis and Dee's Mom Is Dead".

"The Gang Inflates" is the first episode of the sixteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 163rd overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Nina Pedrad and directed by co-executive producer Heath Cullens. It originally aired on FXX on June 7, 2023, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "Frank Shoots Every Member of the Gang".

"Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab" is the fifth episode of the sixteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 167th overall episode of the series and was written by series developers Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton, and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on June 28, 2023.

"The Gang Goes Bowling" is the seventh episode of the sixteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 169th overall episode of the series and was written by series creators and main actors Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on July 12, 2023.

References

  1. Starkey, Adam (November 10, 2021). "'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' heads to Ireland in season 15 trailer". NME . Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  2. "(#1505/1506) "The Gang Goes To Ireland / The Gang's Still In Ireland"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  3. "WATCH: 'Always Sunny' reveals huge Irish guest star in new season trailer". Irish Central. November 10, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  4. Flannery, Amanda (September 24, 2021). "Alway Sunny in Philadelphia filming 'on location' in Ireland". Dublin's Q102 . Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  5. O'Shea, Kerry (November 3, 2021). "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia gets its Irish up for Season 15". Irish Central. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  6. Holub, Christian (December 1, 2021). "Danny DeVito explains why he's really the kid in the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia family". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  7. Lawrence, Derek (November 30, 2021). "Kaitlin Olson will still do anything for a laugh on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (December 16, 2019). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 12.15.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  9. Perkins, Dennis (December 15, 2021). "The Gang goes to Ireland, as season 15 of It's Always Sunny hits its stride". The A.V. Club . Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  10. Bonaime, Ross (December 1, 2021). "'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Season 15 Review: The Cause of and Solution to All of Life's Problems". Collider . Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  11. Miller, Liz Shannon (December 1, 2021). "Even After 15 Seasons, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Keeps Getting Better". Consequence . Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  12. Tallerico, Brian (December 1, 2021). "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Remains Confident in Record-Setting Season". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved December 9, 2021.