An Intimate Look at the Art of Scamming. Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie's Mom has Cancer"

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S8 E6 – “Charlie’s Mom Has Cancer”

Air Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

An Intimate Look at the Art of Scamming. Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie's Mom has Cancer" 1

Sean “P Diddy” Combs guest stars as Dr. Jinx

From the title of this week’s episode of Sunny, “Charlie’s Mom Has Cancer,” I knew right away this was going to be very irreverent, and man, was I right! There are scams galore, and not one, but two, twists at the end of the episode I never saw coming. As Dee (Kaitlin Olson), Mac (Rob McElhenney) and Charlie (Charlie Day) struggle with their faith, Frank (Danny DeVito) loses his memory, and Dennis (Glenn Howerton) realizes he has no feelings. Add in Diddy (as in Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs) stretching his acting chops, and you have one funny episode.

Observations:

Charlie’s mom, Bonnie Kelly (Lynne Marie Stewart), tells Mac and Charlie she has cancer when they drop off the Gang’s laundry for her to do. Shame on you—making your mom wash your clothes at your age! One of the things I love most about Sunny is how intelligent the humor is, as we see when the guys can’t comprehend why or how Mrs. Kelly got cancer. What a great job of editing as the camera quickly pans to Mac’s mom (Sandy Martin). There’s no need to tell us secondhand smoke is the culprit as billowing fumes hover over her as she sits there coughing her guts out, explaining in a very raspy voice, “It’s just one of those freak things!” Way to drive the point home!

Dennis’ reaction to Charlie’s news couldn’t be more disingenuous if he tried, a result of his lack of feelings. But the look on Dee’s face is something else altogether. Whether it’s due to Charlie’s news or Dennis’ reaction, I’m not sure. What I do know is Olson’s a terrific comedic actress, and master of facial expressions, as is evident with the excellent way in which she screws up her face. I don’t know anyone else who does that as well as Olson.

There are so many scams in “Charlie’s Mom Has Cancer,” it’s hard to keep track of who’s scamming whom. We start with Dee playing Frank in an effort to get money for her psychic. With Frank’s bad memory, it’s easy to fool him. He may think he’s got it all together, but he can’t even finish the phrase, “Sharp as a …a…” No, Frank, it’s not a “thumbtack.”

An Intimate Look at the Art of Scamming. Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie's Mom has Cancer" 2

Mac checks out his arm after Dr. Jinx sprays something weird on it.

Diddy does a good job as Dr. Jinx, a doctor Momma Mac has been using for years, or as Charlie calls him, “a con artist; a lunatic.” I smelled scam the minute I saw where he lives! Add to that the unknown concoction he sprays on Mac to cure his eczema, and the weird way he tries to make Dennis have feelings, and you have a very questionable person. Let me tell you, Diddy’s eyes are really creepy in this scene, but the best part is the racist commentary among the men on a black man being a doctor. Too funny, guys, just too funny!

An Intimate Look at the Art of Scamming. Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie's Mom has Cancer" 3

Mac and Dennis give Charlie a hug sandwich.

Dennis, Mac and Charlie go to church, because Mac figures the “big man upstairs” might be able to help. But while Mac is deeply rooted in his religion, Dennis—like the lion in The Wizard of Oz seeking courage—only goes to find his feelings, and Charlie thinks church is just another scam. Charlie’s behavior in church gave me some really good laughs when Mac explains what one gains by going to church. Pay attention, because you don’t want to miss the hugging scene. And then, there’s Charlie’s mini melt-down outside church! I nearly pissed my pants!

Talk about scams! I’m surprised Dee doesn’t see what Psychic John (Paul Bartholomew) is doing, although she’s doing the exact same thing to Frank. And what about Psychic John telling Frank his dead wife is still alive and “living with a small Mexican dog?” Bring up any memories from episodes past? It certainly brings up memories for Frank because now, he and Dee are off on a hunt for buried treasure! And while they are somewhat successful, there’s a twist at the end that had me roaring with laughter. Let me just say, DeVito and Olson are comedy gold together, as they play off each other beautifully. And Bartholomew does such a great job with his character, I could almost believe he really was a psychic!

An Intimate Look at the Art of Scamming. Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie's Mom has Cancer" 4

Mrs. Kelly recities her speech at the fundraiser, while Charlie mouths the words right alongside her.

The guys’ visit to church spawns the most despicable scam of all—a fundraiser at Paddy’s, or as Mac explains, “It’s the holy trinity – beef and beer and Jesus.” The makeup Charlie’s mom is forced to wear is outrageous, as is the speech Mac and Charlie give her to recite. While I enjoyed Diddy’s musical renditions *wink*, the best part is Dennis’ Baptist pastor-like speech, “Do you feel it…do you feel it?” I was ready to stand up and shout “Hallelujah Jesus,” and I’m Jewish!

Memorable lines:

Dr. Jinx to Mac about his rash: “When you was in Kensington, did you have relations with any ho’s, ladies of the nights, or prostitutes?”

Psychic John: “I want to talk about someone close to you. I’m getting a Faa…”

Dee: “Nope.”

Psychic John: “A Baa…Nope, I’m getting a Daa…”

Dee: “Dennis?”

Psychic John: “Daa…Dennis. Yes, I’m seeing that.”

Dee, referring to property taxes: “Paying for what you already own? Now, that’s a scam.”

The two twists at the end of “Charlie’s Mom Has Cancer” are epic. I’m not going to discuss them because that would ruin it for you, and that’s not my current mission in life. So, I’ll just say, they are real doozies!

Tune in to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Thursdays at 10:00 pm ET/PT, only on FX.

LIKE Sunny on Facebook, and follow the show on Twitter @FXNetworks, using the hashtag #sunnyfx. You can also follow Frank @DannyDeVito, Mac @Robmcelhenney, Dee @kaitlin_olson, and Dennis @Glenn_Howerton. You can also submit questions to The Gang via the Sunny mailbag @SunnyMailbag.

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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!