Movies - TV
Glenn Howerton Pinpoints The Moment It’s Always Sunny Came Into Its Own
By SHAE SENNETT
The characters from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" have evolved little over its 16 seasons and counting, except for becoming more despicable, but the group dynamic did change.
Co-creator and star Glenn Howerton (Dennis) said the transition came about due to the gang’s only female member, Sweet Dee, originally played by Jordan Reed.
At first, Sweet Dee’s nickname was unironic and meant to contrast sharply with the guys' misanthropy, but then the character was recast with Kaitlin Olson.
Howerton told Vice in 2015, "We didn't want a typical 'the girl is the straight guy and the guys are the crazy ones who the girl doesn't get to be as funny as' show."
However, he and the other writers weren’t sure how to write for women. Olson thought, "Just write another funny character. I'll make it female just by not doing anything."
Giving Olson credit, Howerton said that the Season 2 episode "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom" was "the first time we really figured out the internal dynamics between the characters."
He added, "[I]t was this web of deceit and f***ing each other over that became a turning point for the show." Sweet Dee went from the voice of reason to one of the gang.