When followers discuss Glenn Howerton presumably leaving “It is At all times Sunny In Philadelphia,” they often consider that brief period between seasons 12 and 13 where Dennis Reynolds’ future on the show wasn’t clear. On the finish of “Dennis’ Double Life,” Dennis decides to depart the gang so he could be nearer to his recently-discovered child in North Dakota. In actual life, Glenn Howerton introduced he can be leading a new sitcom, “A.P. Bio.” Dennis fortunately returned to the present part-time the following season, and has caught round full-time from season 14 on.
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However earlier than Howerton formally pulled away from the present for a bit, he was interested by leaving as early as season 6. In a current podcast interview with Rick Glassman, Howerton defined how he had felt confined by the present and it was making him slightly depressing. “After we have been capturing season 6 of ‘At all times Sunny,’ I used to be in a foul place,” Howerton mentioned. “I used to be feeling burnt out, and admittedly I used to be feeling boxed in by the present.” He defined additional:
“At that time, we have been doing 13 episodes a season. […] I did not need to do it anymore — in any respect. As a result of I had different profession objectives, and it was getting in the way in which. As a result of I am spending, at that time, in all probability eight, 9 months have been spent writing, performing, after which in submit on ‘At all times Sunny.’ 9 months. And I did not got down to be a comedic actor, I had different issues that I needed to do. […] I am not somebody with limitless quantities of power. Some folks can juggle a number of issues without delay, I am not good at that.”
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The excellent news is that co-star Rob McElhenney, who plays Mac and also co-writes/produces the show, was capable of get Howerton out of his funk. As Howerton put it, “[McElhenney], in essentially the most loving means, he pulled me apart and he was like, ‘Hey man, I simply needed to speak to you for a minute.’ I used to be like, ‘Yeah?’ and he was like, ‘Are you okay? Are you doing okay?'”
The 2 have been capable of speak by means of Howerton’s frustrations, and Howerton got here out of the dialog slightly extra content material together with his state of affairs, and extra able to having fun with the manufacturing with out bumming out the remainder of the crew. It additionally might have additionally helped that “At all times Sunny” began making modifications to its manufacturing quickly after.
The later seasons of At all times Sunny are shorter and fewer demanding
As early as season 8, “At all times Sunny” switched from 13-episode seasons to 10-episode seasons, and in season 15, the present lowered its output to 8-episode seasons. Not solely have the seasons grown shorter, however the gaps between them have grown longer; it could be irritating to “At all times Sunny” followers who simply need extra episodes, however the much less demanding schedule is a part of what’s helped the present keep recent for therefore lengthy. It does not really feel like “At all times Sunny” goes by means of the motions as a result of the folks concerned appear to be giving themselves time to attempt new issues and take time without work when wanted. It’s rare for a live-action TV show to make it as long as this one has, and the gaps in manufacturing could be the important thing to pulling the feat off.
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The opposite factor that is helped is the present’s tonal shift. It is nonetheless raunchy and foolish, positive, however the present has grown more and more snug with letting its actors showcase their dramatic performing chops. Mac was given a surprisingly emotional coming-out scene to his neglectful father, and poor Charlie was given a sad, heartfelt monologue in the rain. The later seasons of “At all times Sunny” are full of moments seemingly designed to provide its actors an occasional dramatic showcase amid all the zany comedic beats followers have come to count on.
Howerton has sadly not but been given any massive, flashy emotional second on the present like those McElhenney and Day acquired — I suppose it is more durable to write down that form of second for a longtime sociopath like Dennis — however he is been given loads of little scenes that trace at his vary. Take that season 14 second the place Dee jokes about Dennis being outdated, just for a flustered Dennis to reply, “We’re the identical age!” This might’ve been a forgettable throwaway joke, however the unhappy rage Howerton imbues into the road elevates it into one thing a lot extra:
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“It is At all times Sunny in Philadelphia” season 17 premieres on July 9, 2025.
