10 Shows Like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005)

Description: Larry David's improvised comedy shares 'Always Sunny's' cringe humor and focus on socially inappropriate behavior. Both shows feature protagonists who lack self-awareness and constantly find themselves in awkward situations they've created. The shows also share a similar loose, conversational style.

Fact: The show is largely improvised from outline scripts. Larry David plays a fictionalized version of himself. The 'Seinfeld' reunion episodes in season 7 brought back the entire main cast of the iconic sitcom.

Description: Like 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', 'Arrested Development' features a dysfunctional group of characters who are largely self-centered and oblivious to their own flaws. Both shows use rapid-fire dialogue, absurd humor, and running gags. The Bluth family's incompetence mirrors the Gang's in 'Always Sunny'.

Fact: The show was initially canceled after three seasons but gained a cult following, leading to a revival on Netflix. Ron Howard serves as the narrator, adding a unique documentary-style feel. Many phrases from the show, like 'I've made a huge mistake', became popular catchphrases.

Description: Danny McBride's comedy shares 'Always Sunny's' focus on a deeply flawed, egotistical protagonist. Kenny Powers' delusional self-confidence mirrors characters like Dennis Reynolds. Both shows blend outrageous humor with moments of surprising pathos, and aren't afraid to let their characters be truly unlikable.

Fact: The show was created by McBride along with Jody Hill and Ben Best, who all attended film school together. Kenny Powers' catchphrase 'You're fucking out!' became widely quoted. The series was filmed in multiple locations including North Carolina, Mexico, and Myrtle Beach.

Description: While more optimistic in tone, 'Parks and Rec' shares 'Always Sunny's' mockumentary style and ensemble cast dynamic. Both shows feature characters with exaggerated personalities who often create their own problems. The humor in both comes from character interactions and absurd situations.

Fact: The show was originally conceived as a spin-off of 'The Office'. Chris Pratt's character Andy Dwyer was only supposed to appear in a few episodes but became a series regular due to popularity. The fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana has an elaborate backstory including a rich (and ridiculous) history.

Description: Dan Harmon's meta-comedy shares 'Always Sunny's' self-referential humor and willingness to break sitcom conventions. Both shows feature deeply flawed characters who form an unlikely family unit. The humor in both comes from pop culture references, running gags, and the characters' dysfunctional relationships.

Fact: The show's famous 'paintball episodes' were homages to action movies. Donald Glover left the show to pursue his music career as Childish Gambino. The show was canceled twice but revived each time due to fan campaigns.

Description: This fantasy football comedy shares 'Always Sunny's' focus on a group of friends who are constantly scheming against each other. Both shows feature characters who are deeply competitive and willing to betray their friends for personal gain. The humor in both comes from the characters' amorality and poor decision-making.

Fact: Much of the dialogue was improvised by the cast. The show featured numerous NFL player cameos. The fantasy football league in the show was actually played by the cast members in real life.

Description: While more political in focus, 'Veep' shares 'Always Sunny's' fast-paced, insult-heavy dialogue and focus on incompetent people in positions of power. Both shows feature characters who are terrible at their jobs but completely unaware of this fact. The humor in both comes from the characters' lack of self-awareness.

Fact: Julia Louis-Dreyfus won six consecutive Emmys for her role as Selina Meyer. The show was originally planned to be set in the White House, but was changed to focus on the Vice President's office. Many cast members improvised their lines, leading to some of the show's best insults.

Description: While more wholesome than 'Always Sunny', 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' shares its ensemble cast structure and fast-paced joke delivery. Both shows feature distinct character archetypes who play off each other for comedic effect. The workplace setting also allows for similar situational humor.

Fact: The show was canceled by Fox after five seasons but revived by NBC due to fan outcry. Andre Braugher's deadpan delivery as Captain Holt became one of the show's standout elements. The writers consulted with real NYPD officers to add authenticity to the police work depicted.

Description: Mike Judge's tech comedy shares 'Always Sunny's' focus on a group of misfits who are their own worst enemies. Both shows feature characters who are technically competent in their field but socially inept. The humor comes from their inability to navigate normal social situations and their constant self-sabotage.

Fact: Many tech entrepreneurs have said the show accurately portrays Silicon Valley culture. The character Erlich Bachman was inspired by real-life tech incubator founders. The show's opening theme is composed by electronic music duo Daft Punk.

Description: This Comedy Central series shares 'Always Sunny's' focus on immature friends making bad decisions. Both shows feature characters who are stuck in perpetual adolescence, with humor derived from their laziness, substance abuse, and general incompetence. The humor is similarly crude and absurd.

Fact: The main cast members (Anders Holm, Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine) met while working together at a telemarketing company. Many episodes are based on the cast's real-life experiences. The show helped launch the careers of several alternative comedians.