It's (Almost) Always Sunny in Philadelphia: How Three Friends Spent $200 to Create the Longest-Running Live-Action Sitcom in History and Help Build a Network

by Kimberly Potts

In the bestselling traditions of Seinfeldia and Top of the Rock comes a fascinating deep dive into the longest-running live-action sitcom in television history, from its humble beginnings to its evolution as a critically acclaimed cult classic comedy .

Charlie, Dennis, Mac, Sweet Dee, and Frank are deplorable characters. They will never mature, become more self-aware, or less self-involved. That is what the creators of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are committed to—and that’s why the show’s millions of devoted fans have stuck with the cult comedy hit for over sixteen seasons and counting.

Created in 2005 by stars Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day, unemployed actors with a pair of Law & Order guest appearances as the highlights of their collective resume, the frustrated trio drafted a homemade TV pilot. A few months and $200 later (the cost of videotapes, pizza for their friends who volunteered as extras, and a broomstick to tape their boom mic to), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was ready for its network debut. All major parties either passed or were interested but wanted creative control. And then came FX looking to shake up cable TV. Willing to allow McElhenney, Howerton, and Day complete freedom to deconstruct the traditional sitcom, new president John Landgraf agreed to take a chance. No one had any idea how big of a success it would be. With FX’s one creative note—the hiring of Danny DeVito—adding the final piece of the puzzle, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has enjoyed a steady climb to high ratings, critical acclaim, and a place in the cultural zeitgeist. Now, how the show and its creators have accomplished this is revealed with this in-depth, behind-the-scenes celebration.

As thoughtful, provocative, and engaging as the show itself, this book also explores how the show has pushed the envelope and used absurdist comedy to explore major societal issues, including the #MeToo movement, LGBTQ+ rights, racism, and more. It also asks, what does the future hold for The Gang? It certainly won’t include the characters’ personal growth, but the show itself continues to move forward, adding to its dynamic history with each season.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Audiobook, Pop Culture, Tv, Film, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this because I enjoy the show, this was just essentially a recap of classic Sunny episodes while relying on other source material (“as Day told Entertainment Weekly” or “as Howerton mentioned on the podcast”) to fill in the gaps.

[Patrick Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 40% or more of this book is comprised of episode recaps.

[Bethany Busse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve binged the entire 16 seasons this year and last with my husband and it’s growing into one of my favorite shows.

That being said this book works if you have a vague idea of the show, have never watched their podcast or any interview ever. I learned some details but mostly it just recapped a lot of episodes.

[RL Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

An author who has no direct access to the creators and seemingly did only a handful of their own interviews with minor characters is going to rely on known material. And that's what happens here. Everything in here is something anyone who listened to the Always Sunny Podcast or lived the last 17 years liking the show knows.

The book hits that flaw of these unauthorized books where it just spends time summarizing episodes. And of course a book like this has to deal with the controversy of the show. How that's handled is debatable, but this is a book that uses the phrase "cancel culture" and having someone interpret the creators own numerous statements just didn't work for me.

In the end this reads like most of these books by pop culture writers in that they have to be familiar with a popular thing to write about it but don't really have effection for that thing.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Gang is Not Involved Here.

[Kadin · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans of the show, it's an interesting read. No information that's not already out there somewhere, but it's nice of Potts to collate it all in one place.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're definitely an "It's always sunny" family. My daughter even named her dog after some of the characters. But even as I've watched it over the years, it's also one of the few shows where I try to follow the people making it. Everything is just so INTERESTING.
I still learned a lot here, although it's not necessarily surprising. The people making It's always Sunny didn't start out with a big budget and backing, which is why it's independent and still wildly different from everything else.
I understand why they burn out on the show and I appreciate their other projects, but I hope they keep making this. It's amazing the obstacles they've overcome to create and continue this classic.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Brennan Klein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given the sheer amount of quotes from the Sunny podcast and TCA panels that are included here, it’s pretty obvious that the author didn’t have access to enough key members of the cast and crew to put an entire book together.

Plus, while the story of the creation of the show is interesting enough, the book devolves into disorganized nonsense pretty quickly. When it’s not shoveling pounds and pounds of boring plot synopsis onto your head, it’s issuing flop-sweaty apologia for some of the show’s more controversial moments (something I can get behind in most cases, but not for pages and pages).

It’s just a wildly unfocused work. Like, there’s a random long diatribe against Jerry Seinfeld. Again, not something I inherently disagree with, but… why is it here?

[Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I genuinely don't know who this book was written for. This added nothing new for the super fans and casual fans certainly don't want to read recaps of episodes that they can just watch instead. The recap writing gave me the feeling of listening to coworker drone on about a boring dream they had. It's abundantly clear that the author didn't bother interviewing creators, writers, actors, or network involved in the show. Was really hoping for a behind the scenes look at the making of the show, how creative decisions were made, and the secret to the long term success of the show. A disappointing read for sure.

[Katie Followell · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is a must read for any fans of the Gang. I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This is an in detail timeline of how the groundbreaking show was born, and where it stands today. It's very well written and is a quick read, but my only complaint is if you're a Sunny fanatic (I have several paintings of Danny Devito in my house) like me, a HUGE chunk of this book is recaps of episodes, seasons, and some basic facts. There was some new info in it to me, but for the most part-- it is definitely a walk through of the show.

Get this book in stores in July of 2025, or else you're a jabroni.

[Gerard Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The implication that this book is in the same vein of Seinfeldia, which I would recommend, is a bit misleading. As another reviewer pointed out, this reads more like a TV Guide-like recap of each season of Sunny-highlighting some of the more notable episodes. While there is some personal information about the main players disclosed, it's not very edifying regarding the character of the actor/writer being described. We get virtually no information about the formative years of the main cast of IASIP, and even though it does touch on some broader cultural questions, the analysis of the author is neither insightful nor very entertaining.

[Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

A biography of sorts of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Another reviewer mentions that none of the information is new, but my takeaway is that this reads like it's talking to an audience that has never seen the show before. As someone who's seen every episode but not delved into every nook and cranny of trivia, the behind the scenes and general history was interesting. But when it got into summarizing episodes and jokes, the book took on a weird tone. Best way to ruin a joke is to explain it.

[sam. · Rating 1 out of 5]

the title is incredibly misleading as we get almost no information on the formative years of such an insanely accomplished show.

this was mainly just recaps of episodes, with very little added info.

save ur money and listen to their podcast instead

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author spends an inordinate amount of time padding the pages with summaries of episodes, interspersed with small anecdotes, most of which ardent fans of Sunny will already be aware of. A more casual fan would probably get way more out of it, but I also can't imagine why they'd choose to read a book about Sunny, so it's largely a wash.

Dennis Reynolds is a 5-star man, but sadly, this is not a 5-star book

[Adri Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about nonfiction books is when the author seems genuinely interested in the content they’re writing about. Kimberly Potts really seems like she is a big fan of the show, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. To be fair, she is not alone. I do not know how many times I’ve watched through the whole show or rewatched various episodes.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is pure genius. It is astounding that it has been on the air for as long as it has, two whole decades. Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day, the creators and 3 of the main characters of the show, are complete madmen in introducing this idea of IASIP, a deconstruction of the classic sitcom. There has been blood, sweat, and tears put into a single idea and dream of Rob McElhenney’s that has powered this cult classic for the last two decades. This book has so much information about their start, the development, and the lasting laughs that have endured over the years. I cannot boast enough about this book that is about one of my favorite shows. If it is one of your favorites, then you need to read it now. It’s worth the read.

#ThxNetGalley #KimberlyPotts #It'sAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphia

Merged review:

One of my favorite things about nonfiction books is when the author seems genuinely interested in the content they’re writing about. Kimberly Potts really seems like she is a big fan of the show, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. To be fair, she is not alone. I do not know how many times I’ve watched through the whole show or rewatched various episodes.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is pure genius. It is astounding that it has been on the air for as long as it has, two whole decades. Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day, the creators and 3 of the main characters of the show, are complete madmen in introducing this idea of IASIP, a deconstruction of the classic sitcom. There has been blood, sweat, and tears put into a single idea and dream of Rob McElhenney’s that has powered this cult classic for the last two decades. This book has so much information about their start, the development, and the lasting laughs that have endured over the years. I cannot boast enough about this book that is about one of my favorite shows. If it is one of your favorites, then you need to read it now. It’s worth the read.

#ThxNetGalley #KimberlyPotts #It'sAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphia

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the show, so when I found out there was a book coming out that peeks behind the curtain, I was all in. In my mind, It’s Always Sunny is a lightning in a bottle-type comedy that really should not work, but it does, and so spectacularly at that, as a result of the chemistry between a group of extraordinarily strange and hilarious people. The tidbits of how the show got started, what inspired it, what everyone was doing before, etc, are voyeuristically compelling and make for a book that’s hard to put down.

I think for fans of the show, it’s hard to imagine these guys being competent. This book shows that side of them. Honestly it’s incredible what they were able to pull off with no money and little influence/reputation in the industry to go off of. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that they’re not just the acting talent, they wrote, directed, and conceptualized the whole deal.

The only detractor, as others have noted, is that it is heavy on episode recaps where it could probably have been fleshed out with new information. It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen most of the show, so I did admittedly enjoy the reminders, but probably would have appreciated more behind the scenes content.

If you’re a fan of the show, why are you even reading this? Get it! 4/5 stars.

*An uncorrected proof of this book was provided by the publisher at the reviewer’s request in exchange for a fair and uncompromising review.

[Aurora Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
A behind-the-scenes dive into how It’s Always Sunny went from a $200 home video to the longest-running live-action sitcom. Potts digs into how the gang kept creative control and used it to push boundaries - taking on racism, LGBTQ+ rights, #MeToo, and more, all while keeping the worst people on TV hilarious.

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
RCG (Rob, Charlie & Glenn) built this show from scratch and somehow got FX to say yes - genius! The origin story is super cool, and I definitely learned a lot about the behind-the-scenes chaos.

The episode recaps were fun at first but kind of dragged after a while - I wanted more new stuff, not just play-by-plays. Also, RCG weren’t interviewed (boo), so while the author pulls from lots of sources, I missed their direct voices. Still, there’s plenty for fans to geek out over.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If you love IASIP, you’ll find something to enjoy. It’s not the ultimate fan bible, but it did make me hit play on yet another rewatch - this time with my wife!

Thanks to @Netgalley and @GalleryBooks for access to this advance readers copy

[Chris Boutté · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s hard to put into words how much I disliked this book. I love the show, but this book was so bad, I’m shocked that it was even published. If you’ve watched the show, you don’t really need to read this book. The book is so strange. I’d say a good 75% of the book is just the author telling you the plot of episodes. I kept asking myself why I was even reading it. You’d think the majority would be behind-the-scenes stories, but these were rare. Yes, there are some interesting stories about the cast, but they’re rare.

By far the most annoying and frustrating thing about this book is that the author literally tells the same story or recaps the same episode multiple times. I wish I was kidding about this. There were multiple times in the book that I thought I lost my place and was re-reading the same parts just because the author was telling the same story. Again, I have no clue how this book made it past editors and to the publishing floor. I wish I could have the time back that I spent reading this book.

[Tony Farinella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s Always Sunny is one of the best TV shows to have been released over the past 20 years. Even though I’ve watched every episode multiple times, I wasn’t at all familiar with how the show was created, and this book took me behind the scenes on how it all came together. The author has a real passion and love for the show. It makes reading the book a real treat. I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this book, as it made me think about the show’s many memorable episodes and moments.

This book made me want to revisit the show once again, and it made me appreciate what the cast and crew have created. Her research is incredible, and she really knows her It’s Always Sunny history. The book talks about the many famous fans of the show, its milestone episodes, and also how the show has been both incredibly popular and also under the radar at the same time.

If you love It’s Always Sunny, this book is a must-read.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd posted this review, but GR is telling me I haven't read it. Sigh.

I got really into Sunny during the pandemic and became a huge fan. Even though it hasn't been very long for me, I already knew a lot of information in this book, as it tended to come from previously existing sources like articles and the guys' own podcast. I was honestly surprised at the end of the book where the author listed all the cast and crew members that talked to her. Notably not participating: the five main actors. Curious.

The part about the teen who brought the Danny cutout to her prom was very cute and a fun example of the power of fandom. I would have liked more stories and quotes from real-life fans.

I didn't care for huge chunks of text summarizing episodes. I don't think fans need summaries of those.

Nonetheless, I laughed multiple times. I love this show so much. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley!

[Dan Castrigano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty bad. I mean, kind of enjoyable because I watched "Sunny" a lot like 10-15 years ago. But Potts didn't even interview any of the five main cast members for this book. It's just like a long article about "Sunny." There's also a full chapter just retelling Dee's storylines and just saying how they are funny which is kind of odd. Also, this book will be out of date immediately, as what happens next with the show is still anyone's guess. It seems like of a waste of a book. Easy to read. Slightly enjoyable. Really cool how the "Sunny" folks get along so well and how they're such good friends. And it's just not a good book.

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of the show, this book is perfect. The author mixes recaps of poignant episodes in the series with background information of the main cast and, rewardingly and interestingly, some of the favorite guest appearances in the show's history. Potts also shines a light on the development of the show on FX, the addition of DeVito, and the continuous struggle for the writer's room to consistently produce cutting edge comedy for mainstream tv. The book was a tad repetitive on information and there were episode recaps that went a little too long, but that does not ruin the book at all. Fand of the show and cast will appreciate the effort.

[Natalie (booknerdalie)]

The gang gets a book about them. 🍀🍻

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is iconic and It’s (Almost) Always Sunny In Philadelphia does a great job documenting the unexpected success and longevity of this anti-sitcom sitcom.

I’ve watched many of the early seasons of Sunny but honestly didn’t know the show was on season 17 and counting. That’s kind of wild?? I loved learning about the show’s insanely precarious start and how the “bunch of friends having fun” vibe is still intact all these years later.

I’d say even if you’re a passive Sunny fan you’ll enjoy this one!

[Ryan Lesica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read for fans of the series. The first half was certainly the most interesting, learning about the finer details about this true Hollywood success story; going from a $200 pilot to one of the most successful and celebrated shows of the modern day.
But once their show and success is established, the book more or less becomes a “greatest hits” recap of some of their more memorable episodes, which isn’t a bad thing, but doesn’t provide that much substance outside of recapping a few episodes.
Fun little read, but not too much to write home about.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe more 2.5 stars rounded up. IASIP is one of my all time favorite shows and I was excited to listen to this audiobook, but The Gang clearly had no involvement in this. While I did find myself giggling along at the episodes recaps (because no matter how many times I rewatch this show, I still laugh every time), I was expecting more. The chapter on the cultural impact of Sunny and how they "get away with" so much on the show was probably my favorite and I love that the audiobook was read by The Lawyer. Other than that, you can probably skip this one.

[Grainger Rickenbaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars is what I want to give this book. It does a great job of diving into the world of always sunny and giving a view into the background of the show. But, a lot of it was just recapping episodes and other parts felt repetitive. I kept thinking “I’ve already read about this in an earlier chapter”. Great book for any fan of Always Sunny but I felt it maybe could have been written more efficiently.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

With IASIP being one of my favorite comedies, I knew I had to pick the book up. I love books about shows/movies I've seen. I just felt a lot was missing from this. Yes, it brought me back to all of the classic episodes. But there were no interviews between the author and main cast. While I can imagine those are hard to get, I feel that was the extra "piece of the puzzle" needed. Instead, it's a book that is definitely 50-60% just episode recaps that I can get anywhere.

[Methuselah · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I have been a huge Sunny fan for years, but this was so poorly written that I found it unreadable. Case in point: "And he agreed give them to what was most important to them: control" (25). I mean, did this not even have a proofreader?!?! And don't forget the author's poor pacing and redundancy. Just awful! The gang deserves better!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from 3.5 stars, as the end of the book especially repeated a lot of the same information in different chapters, but I enjoyed the overall look at the origins of the show and why it endures. I've been rewatching the series (currently halfway through S3), so the timing of this book was fortuitous.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm not a rabid fan of the show, I do find it a fascinating creation, and I was curious about its backstory. This book doesn't disappoint in the explanations and analysis department, and I'm certain that the analysis will appeal to the most hardcore fans of the series.