10 Great TV Shows That Are Ugly On Purpose
4. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Like The Inbetweeners, this is a show that strives to capture the gruesome reality of its setting. Always Sunny forgoes the sugary sweetness of the typical sitcom, instead delving into the depravity and stickiness of owning a bar in downtown Philly.
Always Sunny was initially presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it clear from the start that it was cheaper than a pack of gum. It was even filmed on the "affordable" Panasonic DVX100 MiniDV, which is why the camera quality looks so grainy and bitty in the first few seasons.
While this cheapness was a reflection of the show's minuscule budget, it was also a vital tool for capturing the derelict spirit of the series. This is a show full of vomiting, gagging, faecal matter, racial slurs and more, so that ugliness was integral to hitting those low-brow notes.
Naturally, the show has become far more aesthetically pleasing in its later seasons, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a bigger budget. There are still plenty of remnants of that grit in there, but that sense of polish has made the show's later seasons a little less (disgustingly) charming.