It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

When "Sunny" works, it makes your rib cage ache. Even when it's not up to its usual standards, it's still better than whatever else is passing for a good time at the moment. [29 Jun 2006]

Gleefully raunchy and hilarious. ... The secret to Philadelphia's success is the delight it takes in its ridiculous situations. They go in whole hog, with no apologies. [29 Jun 2006]

If you're prudish or just polite, in other words, you'll be turned off by all the happy offensiveness. If you're not turned off, though, you may be entertained, as I am. The show is the quintessential slacker comedy. [29 Jun 2006]

The language is offensive, the characters, in one light, reprehensible. But they and their show are a lot like puppies, too - incorrigible, yet lovable. You can't wait to see whose slipper they'll chew next. [29 Jun 2006]

It can be downright uproarious at times. [27 Jun 2006]

"Sunny"'s lively energy can get a bit too manic at times... and the characters are not quite differentiated enough to make much of a lasting impression. For that reason, "Sunny" doesn't belong in the ranks of the very best recent TV comedies, such as "The Office" and "Arrested Development," where each character feels incredibly specific and real. Still, there are pleasures to be had in Philadelphia. [29 Jun 2006]

Even for sitcoms, "Sunny" is often a vile, twisted beast that crosses the line of acceptable taste. But it can also be highly amusing, and the addition of DeVito and Archer does nothing to diminish that. [29 Jun 2006]

As comedy it's hit-and-miss; what sells the show are the in-between things, the nonsense sibling spats between Dennis and Dee, the way Charlie's voice rises as his anxiety level does, the loose play of the banter. But if giving DeVito a prominent role will up the attendance, it doesn't immediately up the comedy. [28 Jun 2006]

Recruiting Danny DeVito to play the estranged dad to half the show's central quartet might have seemed like a good idea, but the result is a more uneven and mean-spirited show that overreaches and forces some gags. [29 Jun 2006]

The three episodes of the new season that I've seen are almost entirely flat. [29 Jun 2006]