The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia theme has appeared in games like Madden NFL and Minecraft, leading to confusion amidst the show’s stars.
The iconic theme song from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has popped up in games like Madden NFL and Minecraft, leaving star Rob McElhenney a bit confused. The dark sitcom follows a group of morally bankrupt individuals who own an Irish pub in South Philadelphia and their bizarre schemes. Gamers have often paid tribute to the long-running series, with an Animal Crossing version of the Always Sunny pub being one notable example.
Premiering in 2005, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia puts a mean-spirited spin on the classic sitcom format. Each member of the show’s core cast is extremely volatile and selfish, rather than warm and friendly, and their goals frequently lead to ruin for other members of The Gang. This format has spelled massive success for It’s Always Sunny, however, with fans growing attached to the unhinged cast and their often unforgivable antics. The show’s popularity has led to references and Easter eggs within other mediums, which often pay homage to Paddy’s Pub or the corrupt cast itself. For example, an It’s Always Sunny Easter egg in Spider-Man: Miles Morales sees the web-slinging hero directly quote Charlie Kelly and his skills at cat removal.
In a brand-new episode of The Always Sunny Podcast, posted to YouTube, the stars of It’s Always Sunny discuss the use of the show’s theme song “Temptation Sensation” in various video games. The show’s theme song has never been officially licensed, according to star Rob McElhenney, allowing it to pop up in unexpected places like Madden NFL and Minecraft. This resulted in a particularly funny moment where McElhenney heard Temptation Sensation playing in his house and thought his children were watching the inappropriate comedy. While McElhenney expresses some frustration, co-stars Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton suggest that using the theme could be considered free advertising for It’s Always Sunny.
While some popular games have borrowed music from the hit series, an actual It’s Always Sunny mobile game arrived back in 2019 to immerse fans in the horrific world of Paddy’s Pub. Offering some competition for gaming juggernauts like Madden NFL and Minecraft, the iOS and Android title allows players to join The Gang and assist with a number of questionable schemes. While the show itself is often dark and ugly, the It’s Always Sunny game adopts a more colorful pallet to lure players into the seedy underbelly of Philadelphia.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has left an unmistakable, and often filthy, mark on the world of television. The appearance of the show’s theme song in popular games, like Madden NFL and Minecraft, only serves as evidence of the show’s sweeping influence. While football players and Creepers might be scary, It’s Always Sunny fans know that nothing is scarier than an angry Frank Reynolds.
Source: The Always Sunny Podcast/YouTube
Thomas McNulty is a self-published Senior Gaming News Writer who has been with Screen Rant since 2020. He has a bachelor’s degree in English, and is currently stationed in sunny New Jersey. As a part of Screen Rant’s dedicated Gaming News team, Thomas covers day-to-day happenings throughout the industry such as new game announcements, prominent leaks and rumors, exciting fan creations and more. As a life-long gamer and dedicated writer, Thomas is living the dream by reporting on the gaming industry’s latest and most groundbreaking stories. Movies, TV shows, video games, books and pop culture are personal passions, and he is thrilled to be helping Screen Rant cover topics that are so near and dear. If someone has a story to tell they should be able to tell it, so Thomas is committed to delivering accuracy with every article while staying true to his own voice and the voice of Screen Rant.
