'It's Always Sunny' is back and still making me laugh after 20 years

The absurdist comedy series is back for another season on Monday, and it’s the title I’m most excited to stream this week. It’s patently absurd that “ It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ” has been on the air for more than 20 years. The way that comedy and society have changed over the past two decades certainly shows when one circles back to early episodes, which are chock-full of jokes that rightly wouldn’t fly in 2026, despite how infrequently “It’s Always Sunny” pulls its punches, comedy-wise. “It’s Always Sunny” is preparing to launch its 18th season on Monday, defying the odds once again thanks to the genuine hilarity the show manages to hit on. It doesn’t churn out seasons of never-ending comedy gold the way it once did, but Season 18 of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is still the title I’m most excited to stream this week. 30-Day Free Trial $11.99+ / month hulu.com This season, the gang (Dennis, Dee, Charlie, Mac, and Frank) will find themselves in the midst of a variety of misadventures, including trying to salvage an inheritance from a dead woman, trekking to the Renaissance Faire, and trying to sponsor a Little League team. All in the name of friendship, justice, and civic duty, of course. Admittedly, when “It’s Always Sunny” first came on, I didn’t really have any interest in the show. I didn’t quite understand how the premise of “bad people doing horrible things” could be funny until I saw the formula under which the show’s writers deliver their characters their well-deserved comeuppance. Stream the trailer for ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 18 But eventually, the series won me over with its shockingly sophisticated writing. The way the show leans into the absurdity while simultaneously casting a light on how ridiculous its main characters are behaving by filtering the comedy through the view of normal people in the show is what gives it its genius. When the gang tries to pull off something stupid, be it relatively benign or unspeakably evil, there’s immediately someone there to call it out. The quality of episodes has fluctuated throughout the years, to be sure — the gang’s Irish sojourn in Season 15 made me wonder if the series had lost its juice. But more recent seasons have been a welcome return to formula, and I simply cannot wait to see them invade a Renaissance Faire this season, especially when the petulant McPoyle clan is in the mix. “Get ready for some of the series’ most outrageous moments yet, with loads of star cameos, as well as nods to both iconic Philly traditions and other classic TV sitcoms,” the show’s Season 18 description reads. “It’s art imitating life imitating art. So, step right up to the plate and brace yourself for one hell of a swing. The Gang may be into their 50s and 80s now, but their behavior is more out of control than ever. Who said with age comes wisdom? That person sure is a jabroni.” Viewers can find “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Season 18 on Hulu , but fans with a pay-TV package can also watch on FX and FXX at 9 p.m. ET on Monday evenings. Viewers with a Hulu subscription can catch up on past seasons of the show while they wait for a new episode to drop each week. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia August 4, 2005 Four egocentric friends run a neighborhood Irish pub in Philadelphia and try to find their way through the adult world of work and relationships. Unfortunately, their warped views and precarious judgments often lead them to trouble, creating a myriad of uncomfortable situations that usually only get worse before they get better. Live 5 FXX Next Episode: Aug 17, 2026 directv.com 5-Day Trial DIRECTV MyEntertainment $42.99 / month Show More sling.com Save with Sling Sling TV Sling Blue + Hollywood Extra $51.99 / month hulu.com Free 3-Day Trial Hulu Live TV Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select (ads) $89.99 / month fubo.tv 30-Day Trial Fubo Pro $88.99 / month tv.youtube.com Free Trial YouTube TV $82.99 / month Loading...