3. The In-Jokes
Its Always Sunny has in-jokes by the bucket load; from outlandish movie re-enactments (the real Pretty Woman is a personal favourite) to Arrested Development style self-referencing. The best in-jokes in the show play off character traits; Sweet Dees bird-like qualities, abortion survivor Charlie, Macs homosexual leanings, Dennis emotional black-hole or Franks penchant for prostitutes. The in-jokes serve as a reminder of the carnage that has come before. Although the gangs antics are wildly outrageous, McElhenney, Howerton and Day have developed their characters over a long period of time and have a unique insight as actor-writers that makes the in-jokes and character quirks natural. This is not spoon-fed, canned-laughter comedy its clever, well written and well executed.