It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV Series) The Gang Turns Black (2017) User Reviews

Excellent episode. Absolutely brilliant! Why so hated?

[metallaura79 · 10/10 · 12 June 2018]

Yes, it's different than most IASIP episodes and doesn't have as many sharp LOL moments that we're used to from Sunny, but it's still entertaining, hilarious, and brilliant. The music is spectacular. The acting is spot on. The story is an excellent social commentary on some aspects of what it's like to be black in America, i.e. when Dennis comments how it's hard to tell when you're being discriminated against, or "I guess we just found out a new rule." Then, in keeping with the theme of Always Sunny, the gang doesn't actually learn any of these lessons, but maybe we do? A little?

I'm seeing a lot of hate for this episode. It seems the hate is more from people simply not enjoying the musical aspect and not liking how it's a bit different than most other IASIP episodes. However, I haven't seen a lot of people who hate because they think it's racist, probably because it's really not IMHO.

On the other hand, the episode gets a lot of love. So, I guess it's a love it or hate it kind of episode. I loved it.

I like this very much

[arnoud-bekker · 10/10 · 6 June 2017]

These people keep reinventing themselves. This is probably one of the most amazing, funny and touching productions i've seen in the past couple of years. The songs are actually very good, i hope they actually use them for a real theater performance at some point. But until that time, i am just grateful for this episode!

amazing, different.

[ciraulodylan · 10/10 · 12 January 2017]

Lots of controversy over the subject matter in this episode. People need to lighten up. This is a musical episode and very well written one at that. The Music is fantastic and there are definitely some funny moments and some jaw dropping ones as well, kind of like "oh they went there kind of moments". The Gang can surprisingly carry a tune. The dialogue was sharp and fast. Everyone had there funny moments, but not as many as you would normally get out of a typical episode. That's probably due to the fact that there's a lot of singing which takes away from any of the crazy dialogue that the gang normally says. I thought this episode was bold and refreshing.

Excellent episode that appears to be among the gang's most polarizing

[Mucceroo · 9/10 · 8 January 2017]

I've seen every episode of this excellent show, and I think this episode ranks among the best. It's also one of the episodes with the most buzz around it in recent memory, having to do with its controversial subject matter. A lot of the professional reviewers have come out in favor of it, but the audience opinion seems to be rather polarized.

The good thing is that the episode tackles a difficult subject in a relatively inoffensive way. I admit I had some trepidation when I first saw the name of the episode "The Gang Turns Black." I should have known by now to have more faith in these guys, 12 seasons in, to push the envelope without being pigheaded or offensive just for the sake of causing offense.

The device of the gang appearing as Black people to everyone besides themselves was such a great way to depict this body-switching storyline. Even better was how different in appearance they were, particularly Frank (a tall-ish young adult man), Dennis (a decidedly very chubby dude) and, best of all, Charlie (a young child). There were a lot of great shots done through mirrors or split-second visuals of them as they appear to other people. One of the highlights was Charlie baring his darkest secrets in the police station, telling things to a social worker that would absolutely cause concern. We got to see both how messed-up Charlie's life is and make some observations as to the difficult state in which many Black children may find themselves.

What a fair number of reviewers seem to have an issue with is the singing throughout this episode. I think it fit very well with the idea and it took some of the sting out of some rather dark observations. It was best utilized in the final scene ("our home" "White home" "just say home!"), which would have been almost too terrifying and devastating had there not been music to soften it a little bit. However, the music did not detract from the race-based observations. And the lessons "the gang" learned by the end were very topical, well-rounded observations about the state of our world today.

Very well done.

10 of 10

[ieddaddy · 10/10 · 10 August 2018]

The gang turns black is a 10 of 10. 9 and 8 are acceptable also. If you don't like it at first maybe try again. The music is great and the underlying message is on point. Kudos to the gang.

Scott bakula is the best hahahaha

[joaquingomez-33800 · 10/10 · 26 January 2021]

This is such a good episode, so funny and the lyrics are so good, the heaters need to rewatch it an enjoy it

Brilliant

[brettjohanson-17172 · 10/10 · 21 April 2017]

Even for those who are accustomed to the predictable unpredictability of Always Sunny, this might take a moment or two to adapt. But the more quickly you embrace the musical format, the sooner you connect with the sophistication of the humor and social commentary. Wrap your arms around it and enjoy.

Hilarious

[superteeddyfils · 10/10 · 2 July 2023]

This it's so funny, it's one of the best Sunny episodes. Even though I can see why it's controversial I still love it. Btw I'm black. And the musical sections are so funny, well this entire episode is very funny. In fact I think this is why sunny is one of the best TV shows of all time. It's not afraid to do stuff like this, and for that reason it's on the same level of South Park at comedy. I love both of these shows, South Park and it's always sunny in Philadelphia. These are both in my top 5 5 shows and South Park is number one. Sunny started in 2005 and this episode came out in 2017, so over 10 years, 12 years actually, this show it can still be funny and come up with a 10 out of 10 and that's the rating I give to this.

10/ 10.

Love the show, love the musicals

[imdb-52184 · 9/10 · 26 May 2017]

It was disappointing to see this episode rated so low by a few users. I love the show and have seen every episode, this episode has made it into my top 10 - Although I'll admit I do tend to enjoy musicals. Even if you're not a musical fan you should give this one a try.

The music to me has a very retro 80-90s TV feel, felt like a real throw back :)

One of the best TV episodes of all time

[scottwiedeback · 10/10 · 7 July 2019]

And I don't even like musicals.

Like they've done many times, the sunny crew illuminates things that are really f'd up about society. Very similar to what Dave Chapelle did, or Key & Peele did. And way, way before that, what Mark Twain did with "Huck Finn". The point is that there is a long tradition of delivering social commentary through art.

How better to experience empathy and someone else's point of view, than to literally walk in their shoes? (Don't say their) ;).

This may sound nuts, but there are very few perfect episodes/movies out there. This is one of them. There aren't any wasted dialogue or actions, and everything ties up perfectly at the end.

It literally gets better every time I see it. It's brilliant.

It baffles me that some people didn't like this episode. IMO, they just didn't "get it". I can see where the initial reaction is strange, until you really pay attention to what they're trying to say in this episode.

If you watched it and hated it, watch it again with what I said above in mind. And if you haven't seen it, you're in for a treat.

I'm a HUGE sunny fan- have watched it since episode one, season one. And I don't think they'll ever top this episode.

By far and without the shadow of a doubt the worst episode of Sunny ever

[k-03779 · 2/10 · 7 January 2017]

I don't know of a single episode that comes close. It's that bad. It might as well not have been an episode.

There were zero laughs. It's a musical episode with terrible songs - this is coming from me who loves the songs of this show: the entire Charlie musical, Paddy's Pub, (I Just Wanna Tell You All) Go F*** Yourselves, etc. Those were gold. Top quality compositions, funny lyrics, hilarious context.

This was quite bad and I will never watch this episode again.

Random references to Trump, Nash Bridges and Quantum Leap did not make it any funnier.

I never thought I'd see a Sunny episode I didn't like. Sad to see this day come.

If you don't appreciate this as one of the most exceptional of the series..you watched wrong.

[Ezknickels · 10/10 · 11 December 2022]

As one to catch on to this series late When i did (2009) I've since that time, watched this show go from a small gem of hilarious raunch comedy (introduced to me by a girl I was dating) to the most brilliant and entertaining performances Of any sitcom I or anyone has ever seen.

Rob, Glenn, Charlie & the gang really committed throughout these years to keeping everything about this one's execution open, funny & honest. As conversations of race in the times need to be.

As a black man who enjoys both comedy and art, I find this to be their most interestingly thought provoking, WHILE MAINTAINING BALANCE OF BEING FUNNY, episode. All gift wrapped as a cheesy "The wiz" type musical w cleverly inspired lyrics, we are shown a day in the life of The gang surviving a reality as black people w NO short on all of the modern stereotypes being placed front & center for us all to laugh at (as these guys do so well.) What ppl don't understand is, alot of blk ppl like myself, although I consider myself a cinephile initially never watched this show, again had it not been for the girl whom i was in an interaccial relationship w, not sure how long it would have been for me to actually catch to it. Even then, back in those days they weren't FX most popular show & every other blk friend id told about it, said they never watched although they heard. Because On the surface, it just doesn't strike as our usual format for what would be entertaining comedy. But I must say, they've transcended many times over through that period for me, and proved themselves to Be genuinely the freshest, most original funny thing on tv. Feels like almost disingenuous to call This episode my favorite of the series and to be honest, I wouldn't put in ANYWHERE near the funniest. However it doesnt change that it also happens to be my favorite. This episode not only serves as their second commentary to racial issues,(think "the gang gets racist" s1) but it also serves as an ode to 80's sci fi. With particular reference & memorable cameo by one of my all time faves, Scott Bakula. This episode has it all. Its another well done masterpiece that didnt hold back.

This episode is incredible

[mnhertz26-818-895128 · 10/10 · 26 September 2019]

I can't recall the last time I've laughed so hard.... And it's the 10th time I've seen it. Incredibly clever.

One of the BEST episodes of the series

[nana-jamshidi · 10/10 · 13 July 2023]

This was hands down one of the best episodes of IASIP. I've watched it so many times.

Aside from the beautiful references to the old tv shows, the layers of humor in searching for the rules were amazing and also so true. This is how to pay tribute to an important social issue, which is nicely accomplished.

The songs (which are written by Charlie Day) were really good. In the scene where Charlie is in the police station and questioned by a social worker, his reflection as a black kid and his answers as himself come together very well. His lifestyle is funny and weird, but to say those things as a kid is like a horrible story, and at the end of it, he admits that all of it feels racist.

One of my top 5 in the series

[krazykozak · 10/10 · 12 May 2020]

For a series that has lasted as long as Always Sunny, episodes like this really standout for being so different.

Highly recommended.

Hilarious

[hickdick · 10/10 · 18 March 2022]

The writing is impeccable as always, amazing jokes, great songs. What an episode.

They so cleverly involve political issues while bringing light to them and also making them hilarious.

Last Season sucked... This season starts off like ....

[namikazedante · 9/10 · 8 January 2017]

I don't know what to say more than that the gang is finally back !

Last season yeah it sucked real hard. With maybe one or two good episodes. But oh boy ! The first episode of this season just caught me off guard.

I mean just read what the episode is about and you will just think to yourself ''This is what Sunny is all about and I like it''.

I am like all others who hate this crap all TV shows has started to do. The singing thing. Which is so lame and always are lame. But when the gang did it. It was actually fun and done in a really good way. I loved it. And there were many laughs and very good jokes throughout the episode. I was even surprised in a funny way how it all ended too.

This was a good start !

This one punches

[rabaaltamimi · 10/10 · 21 March 2023]

I really love this show. It is the only show I re-watched all seasons THREE TIMES in a span of a year in all my life. It was my only COVID lock-down refuge. The role reversal and singing was really ingenious for a comedy show addressing a very serious topic , and is very memorable since I am already a big Quantum Leap fan ;). Then, in a split second I was gutted. I literally shook!!! And my eyes welled up in a second at the final scene. Didn't think I would see this kind of point blank harsh reality call, but then again these guys put so much work in the writing and creativity I am always in awe at how they keep it going strong and have caught up with all their other shows. Give them an Emmy already.

Worst Episode Yet

[laxfanatic · 1/10 · 10 January 2017]

This is literally the only episode I haven't loved. Absolutely no laughs whatsoever. I kept waiting for it to get funny and it just didn't. No crude, off-color humor (let alone any kind of humor) that makes the show what it is. It felt like a an educational episode of Sesame Street based on racial discrimination. While there is a time and place for racial awareness, it shouldn't be on this show. And if it has to be, please make it FUNNY. It also felt like 3/4th of the episode was filler as well. This was a complete miss and i'm seriously disappointed. After 11 seasons of laughs, I really hope this episode is a fluke and isn't an indication of a new direction they're headed in.

This show does not impress me

[sgtpooki · 10/10 · 18 July 2019]

At all. But it's entertaining enough, and not irritating, so I watch it when I'm doing something else.

This episode is one of the very few that got me laughing. Great acting and talent expressed by these folks finally. All the other episodes feel like new member only amateur improv groups... but this one is great

GO HOME...GO HOME...GO HOME...

[brooksrob1 · 10/10 · 1 January 2024]

The reveal in the end is what makes Always Sunny in Philadelphia the amazing show it is...I was late to the series, despite being a native of the city. I believe it was the 8th season. Once I started I binged for weeks. To this very day, I'm on my at least third binge.

This episode is one of the winners in the series...They took that off time between series and really put the work in...One must really embrace the characters over some time. Each episode, starting from season one; really expands the characters. It's genius how they work together in writing these episodes to come up with these profound contributions...Spoiler; THEY'RE NOT REALLY BLACK...

Very good episode for the first in a season

[rpotter-07020 · 9/10 · 30 January 2023]

I am very late to the IASIP game. I just started watching in 2022 and I have been watching a few episodes a week for about a year. I have noticed that the first episode of any season tends to be a bit of a disappointment but this episode was definitely an exception to that rule. Maybe this episode being their first in the Trump era had more energy because of the political situation. I remember watching the very first season just last year and loving all the social commentary presented through the lens of these selfish idiots. This episode harkens back to that. But it also adds the musical numbers that have they do so well. The Nightman Cometh is easily one of my favorite shows and ever since I have loved anytime they add an original song. Combining their musical talents with the blunt social commentary that made the 1st season so compelling is really a winning combination. I am starting to think that the Obama years drained them a bit of their creative juices. Now I am excited to see the remaining episodes.

The episode is cringe

[easeof · 9/10 · 7 December 2020]

So I couldn't finish. But this other reviewer, fav movie of the year is la la land. What? But then doesn't like this show? This is a great show and LA la land is an okay movie. The best part about L.A.s la land is one of them drives a Prius. I drive a Prius. So that's the best part.

End of its always sunny?

[markhourigan-97457 · 1/10 · 10 January 2017]

I've been a fan of its always sunny from the beginning and i cannot believe how this first episode has gone.

Maybe its the the fact that the show is gaining a lot of popularity but this episode was absolutely awful.

It was nowhere near the high standards that it once held in comedy from the previous series and i have no idea why the episode was set in a fantasy land.

It was a major disappointment and i hope it was a once off.

The show is based on a dark sense of humour and always has been. I believe that all lives matter but the fact that they made an episode covering this theme seems as if they are just jumping on the band wagon and hoping for the best.

God damn it, what's the matter with musical episodes?

[sebastian_eklund · 1/10 · 12 October 2018]

They are never fun, just a waste of time. Frustrating.