This is one of the funniest shows of all time and I devoured all 16 seasons of it!

Is 16 seasons too many? No, never when it comes to a comedy series that has managed to rise to such a level during this time. Broadcast continuously since 2005*, Philadelphia has featured four, then five, missing persons from the city of Philadelphia, who have so little connection to their lives that they go about their business as best they can, and often in the worst possible ways, sometimes knowingly, sometimes not. even realizing it.

But you read that right, it is indeed a comedy series. And it is his “evil” side that makes him so interesting, especially since the heroes are always responsible for their actions and as irreverent individuals.

Lover of lost people

Philadephia has the smarts to never take sides with its sociopathic characters and let the audience enjoy their behavior while punishing them at the end of an episode or next season and confronting them with the consequences of their past actions.

Among these “heroes” we have Dennis (his age and physique complex, toxic relationships with women), his sister Deandra (a failed comedian extremely disappointed at not becoming a star), Mac (repressed sexual desires, compulsive virilism and need for family love) and Charlie (The son of a harlot without admitting it, denying his loneliness). They run a bar, Paddy’s Pub, where they spend most of their time.

Danny DeVito’s second career

A fifth thief, Frank, arrives in season two, played by Danny DeVito. A wealthy businessman, Dennis and Deandra’s father, Frank is so clueless as to what to do with his life and money that he offends a small group, who then give free rein to their eccentric ideas and follow them willingly, sometimes hinting at existence. The driving force behind their stupidity.

To watch 16 Years of Philadelphia in 2024 is also to catch 16 years of humor evolution, as the characters experience the evolution of society, hating any kind of change because it makes them face personal stagnation. Their reactions to things we can no longer say or do are quite delicious and interesting, especially in retrospect.

“How far will they fall this time?”

A typical episode of Philadelphia sees the characters starting something new, an entrepreneurial project, or some kind of competition. Frank gives them a chance, but when they realize that not everything can be unlocked with a wave of a magic wand and face a wall of reality, they will choose rebellion or revenge, and the situation will deteriorate.

Philadelphia is a niche series because it doesn’t really have a headliner or famous “guests,” its black humor isn’t mainstream, its characters are troubled, and the humor comes from their pathos (“How low will they fall this time?” we often ask ourselves) as much as their ineptitude. to do something to improve their situation. They are all waiting for “something” to happen to them cooked in their mouths and put them out of their misery.

At the same time, each character’s narrative arc slowly but surely evolves to reveal a little more of their true personality or chaotic past lives over the course of the seasons. All five are excellently played, and the pathos of their lives immediately develops the sympathy of the audience, who, for this and their disturbing aspect, agrees to follow them in their silly and funny adventures.

Pierre Nini loves the series and especially one of its characters

Philadelphia continues to air and is the longest-running sitcom in American television history. Its 17th season is in development and is expected to air next year, and will include a crossover with Abbott Elementary, another comedy series. You can find both series on Disney+.

Even after watching all 16 seasons, now that the show is on hiatus until 2025, I miss it and its characters. They shouldn’t be so bad… if not!

* There was a hiatus in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, and since then the series has aired every other year.