It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8 recap: Frank’s search for love takes him to a reality show

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, even after 17 seasons, does not fail to surprise as well as amuse the viewers. In the finale of Season 17, just like the title of the episode, The Golden Bachelor Live, it mocks the reality show where Frank (Danny DeVito) tries to find a good match.

In addition to poking fun at a reality TV show, the finale also reunites DeVito with his co-star Carol Kane from Taxi. She is one of the contestants that you'd least expect Frank to choose, but he surprises the audience and perhaps himself by the end of the episode.

Further, the finale of Season 17 also pays a heartwarming tribute to Lynne Marie Stewart, who played Charlie’s mom, Bonnie Kelly, and makes her one of the contestants, making Frank’s decision harder.

Here’s what happened in Episode 8 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8 recap: Frank in The Bachelor

The final episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 17, has all the elements of being an iconic episode. It begins with Frank going to The Bachelor to find love. From jokes about ad placements to making social media a part of the humor, the episode excels in every aspect.

After rejecting all the similarly aged contestants, Frank goes for the influencer named Co*k Chewa, a younger woman, and exactly what Frank was looking for. While she brings out the unlikable characteristics of Frank in the episode, there is another contestant who might catch your eye: Carol Kane’s Sam.

Kane’s Sam ends up becoming the heart of the episode, and her chemistry with Frank hits it off the charts. While the On*y F*ns live with Co*k Chewa might have instigated numerous laughs in the episode, Frank’s date with Sam brought so much more in the finale episode.

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8 recap: Paddy’s gang plays their part in Frank choosing one of the women

While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8 focuses on Frank’s story, Dennis, Charlie, and Dee also try to involve themselves in the narrative in their own ways. The most iconic scene would be the gang presenting Bonnie, Charlie’s mom, as one of the contestants.

This might be Lynne’s final appearance on the show. She has been part of the franchise for 17 Seasons. The actress passed away in February 2025, and the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8 also shared a heartfelt montage, remembering and giving a tribute to the late actress.

Other than that, the Gang was seen hilariously failing as their Elephant Toothpaste bomb appeared to be a bad attempt, which ended up exploding on them and stopped them from being part of Frank's final decision.

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 17, Episode 8 recap: Frank makes the right choice

The date between Sam and Frank in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 17, Episode 8, might be slightly clumsy, but it did not lack humor. Further, Kane’s Sam added wit and emotion to the episode.

Her confession of admiration for Frank was elaborated, and revealed that she had shortened her name from Samantha to Sam, to please people. But, in contrast, after watching Frank do his own thing, she fell in love with him. The confession was the highlight of the episode, other than obviously the Gang approving of her.

However, it almost looked like Frank, as expected of him, would break her heart after he was seen sending her a written message about being done with her. However, at the right moment, as he is about to give his rose to either Chew or Bonnie, he backs out and runs to Sam.

The scene, just out of a perfect rom-com, sees Frank running to Sam and giving her the rose and asking her to be his wife. The episode ended by depicting a side of Frank that is not seen often, and demonstrated how a character like Frank can undergo redemption and end up falling in love.

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