A couple weeks ago, I complained about Always Sunny seriously wasting opportunities for comedy in one particular episode. Last week was definitely an improvement, but “The Gang gets a New Member” was strong from start to finish. A scene didn’t go by that I didn’t find hilarious.
Thanks to unearthing their ten-year-old time capsule (which included a Korn CD and a Ciderhouse Rules laserdisc), Mac and Dennis kick Charlie out of the gang and bring in their old friend Schmidty, played by SNL‘s Jason Sudekis. It was great to see an outsider — one the guys respect so much, in fact — remark on the stupidity of the men of Paddy’s Pub. Their several step initiation ceremony was particularly a treat to watch: the four four-leaf clover rings ala Wonder Twins, the new age music, Mac’s several attempts at a roundhouse kick to a ceremonial bell. Schmidty mocking Mac is that last straw and you know in that moment the guys are going to get rid of him like they did the first time; they push him out of a moving car. Or they would have, if Frank had any upper body strength. They make due with pulling over and telling him to get the hell out.
Dee more-or-less forced to teach her old high school drama teacher’s class is a change for the character. I really liked that she was pushed into this situation and tries to make the best of it, almost like a normal human being. She still fails, but she was likable in this episode. I also love that she is still visibly pregnant, but she didn’t mention it. It’s part of her character this season, but it isn’t all of her character.
My favorite part of the episode came from Charlie’s interview at Dee’s school as the janitor. Kid’s in the Hall‘s Dave Foley plays the principal so perfectly straight to Charlie’s wild card personality. I mean, what would you say if an interviewee handed you a photo of Bruce Jenner as their resume? But Charlie Day‘s enthusiasm wins out in the end: “I’m not a proud man. I’ll do the jobs the other guys don’t want to do. I’ll degrade myself, I’ll make an general ass out of myself. I’ll swallow that eraser whole!” He just wanted to see if it tastes like grapes!
In the end, the gang realizes how much they need Charlie and his dependence on them. I was delighted when Charlie refused their offer and simply walked away. It reminded me of Dwight Schrute’s short departure from The Office in Season 3. So now the question is, when will Charlie come back?
Clacked by Katie Schenkel 
on Nov 05, 2010 @ 16:20 EST5EDT
and he left them polishing floors to the horizon… :)
*POST AUTHOR*
Exactly! And I loved that he actually looked kind of handsome (and clean) in his professional janitor’s uniform.