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Advance Review: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S7, E1 – “Frank’s Pretty Woman” (Whores, Chimichangas and a Blind Date) #SunnyFX

  • By

  • September 9, 2011

  • 5 mins to read

IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA: L-R: Rob McElhenney as Mac, Kaitlin Olson as Sweet Dee, Charlie Day as Charlie, Danny DeVito as Frank and Glenn Howerton as Dennis. CR: FX

Air Date: Thursday, September 15, 2011, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

I’ll be honest. I haven’t watched Sunny on a regular basis despite living in Philadelphia which, normally, would be reason enough for me to watch a show. With my busy schedule, I just didn’t have time. I became interested in Sunny, though, when I was offered the chance to participate in a set visit this past summer. I’ve written about it in my Charlie Day interview and my Glenn Howerton interview. As soon as the season premiere airs, I’ll post my interview with Rob McIlhenny. I had to sign an embargo which prevents me from airing any video of Rob prior to the first episode of the season because of his weight gain. Yes people, he’s not wearing a prosthesis—Rob actually gained 50 pounds in order for the show to realistically deal with the topic of obesity. If you ask me, that’s going above and beyond the call of duty but for McIlhenny, it’s all for the love of his art. That’s a real actor in my eyes.

Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Charlie (Charlie Day) explain to Dennis (off screen) why they want to adopt a pitbull

The gang is back and as irreverent as ever. The season seven premiere starts off with Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Charlie (Charlie Day) explaining to Dennis (Glenn Howerton) why they need a dog-fighting pitbull to guard the bar. Then there’s a mention of Tiger Woods (in relation to his extracurricular activities), and a gay slur which Dee immediately apologizes for. They may be a bit behind the times, but it’s this controversial and comedic writing that makes Sunny as beloved as it is.

“Frank’s Pretty Woman” revolves around Frank’s (Danny DeVito) new girlfriend Roxie (Alanna Ubach), a hooker he plans to marry. While the writers have borrowed the name Pretty Woman from the movie, the woman in this case bears no resemblance whatsoever to the beauty of Julia Roberts’ character in the movie. She’s a dirty, foul-mouthed, crack-smoking alcoholic, so Dee and the rest of the gang decide to give her a make-over.

Frank (Danny Devito) and Roxie (Alanna Ubach) get it on while Dennis (Glenn Howerton) looks on

However, she’s not the only one changing. With the gang approaching the “second act” of their lives, Dennis challenges Mac (Rob McIlhenny) to find out which one of them is in better shape. You’d think the answer to that would be readily evident given the ever-present chimichanga in Mac’s hands. Then there’s Charlie who decides to set Frank up on a blind date with a “regular woman” so he can see what it’s like when you don’t pay for it. Unfortunately, or fortunately for us, nothing goes the way it’s planned. Of course the premise for the date is ridiculous!

What happens on the date is absolutely hysterical and had me laughing out loud, despite my usual dislike of slapstick comedy. Day’s Texan accent is spot on, which, for some reason, made me laugh all the harder. Actually, I was laughing throughout the entire episode, something which isn’t uncommon as fans of Sunny know. The banter among the characters is so witty and quick at times you have to pay close attention for fear of missing one of Sunny’s terrific jokes.

Funny lines:

Dee, about the pitbull: “Look, we’re going to rehabilitate the dog, ok? We don’t want it to attack other dogs. Now we would like it to attack people….And, if the dog, or when the dog bites a customer, that person could then go home and have a great story for their friends.”

***

Alanna Ubach as Frank's girlfriend Roxie

Frank, about his new girlfriend: “I’m gonna make that whore my wife.”

***

Mac and Dennis about Mac’s weight gain:

Mac: “Dude, we’ve been through this. I’m cultivating mass.”

Dennis: “Stop saying that. You are not cultivating mass. And if you are, stop cultivating and start harvesting!”

***

Roxie: “Help me dig these crack rocks outta ma ass.”

Tune in to the incredibly funny season seven premiere, Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 10:00 pm ET/PT only on FX.

Photos courtesy of Patrick McElhenney/FX – © 2011 Fox Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!