“Seinfeld” is the greatest half-hour comedy of all time.
That is not said as an opinion in the review section of a college newspaper; that is said as a sheer fact. Yes, what one likes and does not like is purely subjective. Somebody could think the worst TV show ever is a masterpiece, and somebody else could think Stanley Kubrick is one of the most overrated directors ever. These are things that fans of films and TV argue about constantly because art is subjective and people have different tastes in different things. But there is one thing that cannot be argued, and that is because “Seinfeld” is the greatest sitcom ever to air on TV. Ever.
Some people hate the series finale, and sure, it is not great. But Larry David was able to make up for that when he used an entire season of “Curb Your Enthusiam” to brilliantly craft a fictional “Seinfeld” reunion show in an effort to get back his ex-wife. They brought back all the iconic actors and used them in various ways to create one of the best seasons of “Curb” there is and simultaneously made up for the critically hated “Seinfeld” finale. So, no, please do not reboot or revive “Seinfeld.” It is perfect as it is, and they already redeemed themselves.
There has been a new “Seinfeld” on TV since 2005. It truly is the modern “Seinfeld” but it is not just a rehash of the classic show. It is a white-trash version of “Seinfeld.” It is “Seinfeld” on crack… “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
It is more in your face than “Seinfeld” was. It is raunchier, darker and even a little bit depressing at times. The 13th season of “It’s Always Sunny” is coming this fall, and it is already renewed for a 14th, which will tie it as the longest running live-action sitcom in American TV history, an astounding feat for a show nobody thought would make it to a second season.
Both shows focus on a group of bad people that never learn from their constant mistakes. “The Gang” of “It’s Always Sunny” consists of Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), “Sweet Dee” Reynolds, Dennis’ twin (Kaitlin Olson), Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day), “Mac” McDonald (played by the show’s creator, Rob McElhenney) and the Reynolds’ legal father, Frank (Danny DeVito). They are morally deprived, egotistic, selfish, petty, lazy and ignorant, and use all these traits to hatch way too elaborate schemes for either personal gain, payback or to simply be entertained by the downfall of others. The fact that a character started as a priest and is now a burned up, homeless, drug-addicted prostitute says all you need to know about how these characters treat others.
The foursome from “Seinfeld” shares the egotistic, selfish, petty, morally deprived qualities of The Gang, but without the way too elaborate schemes to achieve things. “Seinfeld” is known for being the show about nothing, and while “It’s Always Sunny” is also sort of about nothing, creators have been making an effort to slowly evolve their core characters in recent seasons.
Dennis is “Sunny’s” Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), Charlie and Frank are the show’s Kramer (Michael Richards), Dee is Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Mac is the equivalent of George (Jason Alexander). These are not perfect match-ups, but they are pretty close. Dennis is the straight man, but on “Sunny,” he is always on the verge of a meltdown. Both Charlie and Frank are the wild cards. You never know what is coming next from them, and they are pretty gross. Kramer is not as gross as Charlie and Frank, but their unpredictability is still there. Dee and Elaine’s superficial interests are one of their most important aspects. Mac’s self-consciousness is why he is the equivalent to George. They both do not know who they really are and let other people’s personalities warp theirs.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” seems to attempt to make more statements about society than “Seinfeld” ever did, though. “Seinfeld” sort of broke down the problems with white people and how they feel entitled to certain things in life. But “It’s Always Sunny” analyzed what racist, lower class, Philadelphian alcoholics are like – how they do not want to work, but expect all the glory, and how they look and treat people that are different than them. This is not what every single person from Philly is like, but they perfectly display the problems within a subsect of the city.
Sure, the recent seasons are nowhere near the greatness of seasons three through eight, but they are evolving and trying to create fresh, witty episodes. They would not all be classics, but it is nice to see that a show that has been on for so long is still trying new things.
Do not be sad “Seinfeld” is not on TV anymore. Be happy we have had “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” for over 10 years now with no signs of slowing down.
Image from FXX via YouTube.com
