As the longest-running live-action sitcom, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's future may be on the cusp of a Hollywood sunset; luckily, however, it's already teased a potential spinoff. While the gang and their schemes have yet to grow old in their hilarity or absurdity, the format is becoming stale. Moreover, it is becoming more challenging to come up with new stories, according to Rob McElhenney. Moving beyond Paddy's Pub certainly helps keep the show fresh and interesting, evidenced by season 15, episode 5, "The Gang Goes to Ireland".
These episodic deviations from the norm are welcomed and sometimes help explain the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia gang's origin story. However, they don't resolve the issue that the show has become too familiar. Instead of periodically relocating the gang, it may be time to reimagine the characters in their own spinoff. The most likely candidate should be a member of the gang with the most divergent perspective and least explored story.
"Charlie Work" Is It's Always Sunny's Best Potential Spinoff
After 15 seasons, Charlie Kelly is still the most unique and comically vexing wild card of the gang. Season 14, episode 6, "The Janitor Always Mops Twice" proves this by revealing how Charlie views his life from the perspective of a custodian-detective in a noir world. This is by far the most hilarious episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and its best spinoff opportunity.
Like the aforementioned episode, the potential spinoff would follow the most revolting and least explored facet of Cheers.
Why Charlie Deserves An It's Always Sunny Spinoff
If a custodian investigating cases involving "diarrhea poisoning" or toilets murdered by "brown lightning" isn't enough to swoon over, the fact that Charlie lives with dyslexia, has a deadly craving for cat food and paint, is a musical savant, and has an unfathomable amount of good fortune for a consistently ill-choice making person should be enough to warrant a spinoff featuring Charlie. The list of unusual skills and disturbing traits do not end there. According to a weird It's Always Sunny fan theory, he may even be a demigod, which could explain his resiliency. However, if nothing else, Charlie is the only original member of the gang who has yet to lead a series of his own. To Charlie, that just may be another conspiracy.
The only major consideration would be the big goodbye if Charlie were to potentially leave the gang or Philadelphia. His undying infatuation with The Waitress could be enough to send him off if she were to leave town and he followed. Seeing how Charlie copes and handles himself independent of the gang as he searches for The Waitress, despite the restraining orders, would be an entertaining journey. Charlie's love for The Waitress coupled with Charlie Work make a potential It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia spinoff from his black-and-white noir worldview a colorful story you could "fall in, and summer in, and winter in too."