BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) DIY ROOTS
A few friends, a video camera, and a location was all that was needed to get this current cult hit off the ground. Rob McElhenney came up with the idea and got Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton on board. The pilot was picked up by FX, they added Kaitlin Olson to the cast, and the first season was born. They shot it on the cheap. Some reports say “$200”, some say “$85”, and some say just the cost of tapes but who knows. Whatever the amount, it was a very wise investment. Danny DeVito was added to the cast for season two, but the show still has that DIY/low budget thing going for it.
(THREE) MEANEST HUMOR
The thing about this show that people don’t get is that you’re really not supposed to like any of the characters. The jokes, tone, and personalities are of some of the meanest humor I’ve seen on basic cable. They joke about religion, abortion, Nazis, homeless, drugs, sexism, and all that stuff that gets people’s panties in a bunch. It’s like “naughty humor”. You know you’re not supposed to laugh, but the situations are so over the top and bizarre that you can’t help yourself.
(TWO) REOCCURING GAGS
There are plenty reoccurring gags on the show. Charlie’s obsession with “The Waitress”, D and Dennis’s battle for Frank’s love, Mac being sleeveless, and I can go on and on and on. The show is full of reoccurring gags that once you start following the show you find yourself laughing more and more. It’s like they’re letting us in on some inside joke. But two reoccurring gags stand out to me. The first is “Green Man”. It’s Charlie Day in a spandex “green man” outfit that covers him from head to toe. The other is “Dayman”. Charlie’s rock opera character and song is amazingly catchy and awesome. The handful of appearances of this song makes this show worth watching on its own. I don’t want to give too much away, but once you hear it your life will be changed forever.
(ONE) THE CAST
What makes this show work is everything above, the DIY roots keep the show grounded, the mean humor makes it stand out, and the reoccurring gags keep long time fans happy, but if it weren’t for Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Danny DeVito then this show would suck. These five individuals have awesome chemistry together. DeVito is a proven legend in cinema, but the others are getting around out there too. That’s cool to see, but I just can’t imagine them ever being as awesome as they as when they’re together. If you’ve mixed out on this show you can catch it in syndication of Comedy Central and get the new episodes on the show’s home, FX. We’re guaranteed at least seven seasons, so that’s plenty more vulgarity to come. Can’t wait!
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