It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiahas beenfamously snubbed by the Emmys, and the author of a recent behind-the-scenes book provides some insight as to why. Author Kimberly Potts, who wroteIt’s (Almost) Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a book that’s being published in July 2025, alongsideIt’s Always Sunnyseason 17’s FX release.
Kimberly Potts is an American journalist whose work has appeared in publications such asThe New York Times.Herrecent book exploreshow Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day went from being unemployed actors to some of the century’s most renowned comediansthrough the creation of their hit series.
In an interview withScreen Rant’sBrandon Zachary, author Kimberly Potts shared some insight on why theIt’s Always Sunnycast hasn’t won an Emmy. She explains thatRob (McElhenney) didn’t understand how “the game is played,” referring to the Hollywood enginebehind Awards shows. Read her full quote on the subject below:
“Rob said something about this at one point, that initially they didn’t understand how the game is played. In the early seasons, they didn’t know that you had to go to all these parties and you had to shake the right hand and be nice to the right people. You have to know that the whole system even exists, and it didn’t in the early years. And then by the time they did, they were super popular. Certainly, after everybody found out about “The Nightman Cometh” and they did the Live Tour, it was kind of too late. Now, it feels like – and I think some of their best episodes absolutely have come after that – but it’s everybody thinks of them as an older show now. They think, ‘Oh, they’ve been on five or six seasons, you know? We don’t need to recognize them now.’ They did get to present at the Emmys finally, a couple of years ago, which was good. That was, I think that was night Rob got busted by Kaitlin listening to an Eagles playoff game on his little radio. But, you know, priorities.”
What It’s Always Sunny’s Emmy History Means
It’s Always Sunny’s Legacy Is About Going Against The Tide
Many of the best TV shows ever, be itThe SopranosorBreaking Bad, have been Emmy juggernauts. In comedy,SeinfeldandFriendsalso had their fair share of Emmy nominations and wins. However,there’s plenty of phenomenal television that hasn’t been represented at awards shows, and it says more about the industry than it does those series.
When it comes toIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it should almost be a point of pride to see that it hasn’t won anything.
The Wire, for example, is undoubtedly one of the greatest works of art of this century, yet it consistently received poor viewership numbers and was never recognized by the Emmys.Curb Your Enthusiasmis in the same boat, despite Larry David finding success with awards for writingSeinfeld.
When it comes toIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it should almost be a point of pride to see that it hasn’t won anything.“The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award” leaves everything that needs to be said about how the Emmys honor sitcoms, and subverting those expectations is ultimately what makes the FX series a more interesting piece.
Our Take On It’s Always Sunny’s Emmy History
It’s Always Sunny Doesn’t Need Emmys
While it seems like theIt’s Always Sunnycast are beginning to “play the game,” even getting an opportunity to present at the Emmys in 2024, it’s likely that their best opportunities to win one are behind them. They’re still delivering great comedy, but the show’s Golden Age has passed, and that’s fine.
Episodes like “Charlie Work” and “The Nightman Cometh” represent the show at its strongest and most artistic, and the fact that they didn’t win anything doesn’t take away from that.It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiais a brilliant show, whether it has 30 Emmys or zero.
