It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: An a-ha song at the gym almost gave the show a different title, here's how

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia explores the hilarious lives of five of the worst people you’ll ever meet. Created by Rob McElhenney (who also stars as Mac), the show first aired in 2005 and has since become the longest-running comedy show in television history in the US.

Alongside McElhenney, the main cast includes Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly, Glenn Howerton as Dennis Reynolds, Kaitlin Olson as Deandra Reynolds, and Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds.

Set in South Philly at Paddy’s Pub, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows the Gang’s self-serving misadventures in business, love, and basic human decency, or lack thereof. Over the years, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has tackled everything from gun control and climate change to addiction and vanity.

The show is a standout because of the absurd plots and the way the Gang somehow makes you laugh while doing the most morally corrupt things imaginable. It works because the characters are never rewarded for their behavior. They’re stuck in their own miserable, hilarious loop.

But there's something you might not know. The show almost wasn’t called It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia at all. And believe it or not, an ‘80s pop song playing at the gym almost gave the show a different name.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: An A-ha song inspired the show's original title

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was not the creators’ first choice for a title. In fact, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day actually thought the title was way too long, too wordy, and not nearly catchy enough. They revealed this in The Always Sunny Podcast's second episode.

But the show worked, and the name stuck. And now it’s impossible to imagine the Gang’s absurd adventures being called anything else.

It all started when Charlie Day was making comedy home short sketches. That inspired Rob and Glenn to join in, and soon they were all writing and filming these short movies together. They acted in it as struggling actors trying to make it.

The title for these movies emerged when Glenn Howerton had a very random moment of inspiration while working out at a Crunch gym. He heard A-ha’s 1985 hit The Sun Always Shines on TV. He thought, why not call their sketch series It’s Always Sunny on TV? The team loved it as it was short and punchy.

That became their original pilot title, It’s Always Sunny on TV. But when they took it to the FX Network, the execs pushed back, as there were already too many shows about actors. So Rob decided that the show was actually set in Philadelphia. That one comment changed everything. That’s when the name became It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Interestingly, another title that topped their list was simply Jerks. That would’ve fit like a glove. These characters are the human embodiment of selfishness and delusion. They are arguably the worst people on television. Jerks would’ve gotten right to the point.

But then again, maybe that’s why It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actually works so well. The title sounds warm, optimistic, and even inviting. But the show itself is anything but. It’s not sunny. It’s cynical, hilarious, and full of terrible decisions made by terrible people. And that contrast is exactly what makes it such a standout show.

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