PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST 2009: 26TH ANNUAL WILLIAM S. PALEY TELEVISION FESTIVAL: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s 26th William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Cinerama Dome at the Arclight, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television and is dedicated to television’s creative community. This evening honors "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” a comedy series about friends who run Paddy's, an unsuccessful Irish bar in South Philadelphia. Craig Hitchcock (executive director of The Paley Center for Media, Los Angeles) offers opening remarks and acknowledges William C. Paley, son of the festival's namesake. Hitchcock then introduces executive editor for TV Guide Craig Tomashoff, who serves as the evening's moderator. Cast members Rob McElhenney and Danny DeVito introduce the episode "The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis," which is show in its entirety. (For episode synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 100195.) Following the screening, Tomashoff introduces the panelists: executive producer/writer/ cast member (Dennis Reynolds) Glenn Howerton; executive producer/writer/cast member (Charlie Kelly) Charlie Day; series creator/executive producer/writer/director/cast member Rob McElhenney (Mac); and cast members DeVito (Frank Reynolds), and Kaitlin Olson (Dee Reynolds). Panelists touch on such topics as: the show’s reputation for tackling “sinful” subjects; if censors at the FX channel have accused writers of "pushing the limits"; how a scripted show pulls off "an improv feel"; why Olson agreed to getting “waterboarded” as part of a script, despite her fear of being held under water; McElhenney being married to Olson; how the concept for the show – which initially focused on a character with cancer -- was sold; shifts in the show’s comedic tone; if the characters are “despicable”; how DeVito was talked into joining the cast; plans to raise the ante for next season’s scripts; if DeVito is viewed by younger cast members as “a father figure”; several of the show’s participants having known each other for years; reactions to the show in Philadelphia; if the characters are exaggerated versions of the actors; the most memorable episode for each panelist; Olson’s physical pratfalls on the show; why the writers decided to do one episode as a musical; Howerton being taken aback when McElhenney “egged” him in a scene from the abortion-based episode; what the cast’s family members think of the show; if a finale for the show has been conceived; and how the show developed an international following. Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: how illiteracy became a running joke on the show; Howerton “getting killed” in the 2008 horror film, “The Strangers”; future projects for the panelists; how Day improvises songs for the show; the “inspired” teaming of Rob Thomas and Sinbad as guest stars; why Day’s character never finds sexual fulfillment on the show; if future episodes will include more Philadelphia landmarks, as when one plot revolved around the Liberty Bell; and how Olson perfects Dee’s alcoholic moments.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: April 10, 2009
- RUNNING TIME: 1:41:22
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 100001
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Craig Hitchcock … Host
- Craig Tomashoff … Moderator
- Glenn Howerton … Panelist
- Danny DeVito … Panelist
- Charlie Day … Panelist
- Kaitlin Olson … Panelist
- Rob McElhenney … Panelist
- William C. Paley
- Sinbad
- Rob Thomas