Did The Gang Drink Beer Or Not?

The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are often shown drinking beer, and the show has had a product placement deal with Coors for several seasons. However, the cast does not drink alcohol on set. While they did drink on set during the first few seasons, they now mostly use prop beers. In an episode of the show's podcast, Charlie Day explained that they often shoot early in the morning and have to work for hours, so no one wants to drink.

The cast does not drink alcohol on set

The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia does not drink alcohol on set. While the show is known for its characters' excessive drinking, the cast does not actually consume alcohol during filming. In an episode of the show's podcast, Charlie Day explained that they typically shoot early in the morning and have to work for hours on different scenes before driving home, so drinking is not appealing.

However, there have been a few exceptions to this rule. The cast has admitted to drinking on set during the last scenes before production wraps, during the performance of a live show, during an outdoor night shoot, and, as Day describes, when he was filming a scene with his grandmother. In addition, it is suspected that guest star Wade Boggs drank real beer during his cameo appearance on the show.

While the cast does not drink alcohol on set, the show has a product placement deal with Coors, and the characters are often shown using their bottles. The show's high number of mentions and visual depictions of alcohol has been noted by viewers and critics, with one study finding that the average number of mentions or visual depictions of alcohol between the five main characters amounts to approximately 0.4 per minute.

The show has a product placement deal with Coors

The show "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has had a product placement deal with Coors for several seasons. The characters are often shown drinking Coors beer, with the bottles clearly visible on screen. However, the cast and crew have revealed that they do not actually drink alcohol on set. Instead, they use prop beers, as they are usually shooting early in the morning and have to work for long hours before driving home.

There have been a few exceptions to this no-drinking-on-set policy. For example, during the last scenes before production wraps, during the performance of a live show, and during an outdoor night shoot. Interestingly, Charlie Day shared on "The Tonight Show" that he suspected guest star Wade Boggs of drinking actual beer during his cameo appearance on the show. Day was less offended and more astonished at Boggs' massive alcohol tolerance, even at an advanced age.

The show is known for its excessive drinking and partying, with the main characters owning and operating an Irish pub. The gang's drinking habits are meant to be a cautionary tale, and it is remarkable that they are still alive given their consumption of alcohol and substances. A study by Alcohol.org found that the average number of mentions or visual depictions of alcohol among the five main characters is approximately 0.4 per minute, with beer being the most commonly consumed beverage.

The gang's drinking aligns with alcohol dependence

The gang's drinking often results in dangerous and self-destructive behaviour. In one episode, they got so drunk that they could not remember who they had slept with, leading to frantic attempts to piece together the night's events. On another occasion, Frank attempted to drug a college student with sleeping pills, and Charlie and Dee experienced hallucinations after consuming an excessive number of beers. These behaviours can lead to unintentional injuries, chronic diseases, and a further deepening of their alcohol dependence.

The gang's drinking habits also align with a pattern of substance misuse. In addition to alcohol, they have been shown to consume marijuana, cocaine, steroids, poppers, and inhalants. Their behaviour normalises excessive alcohol consumption and substance misuse, potentially influencing viewers to engage in similar risky behaviours. The gang's members are not positive role models in this regard, and their actions can have serious consequences.

The gang's drinking is often portrayed in a comedic light, but it is important to recognise that alcohol dependence is a serious issue. The excessive drinking patterns exhibited by the gang can have detrimental effects on their health, safety, and well-being. Their behaviour aligns with the characteristics of alcohol dependence, including cravings, spending excessive time drinking, and experiencing negative consequences as a result of their drinking.

The show's drinking is a cautionary tale

The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia does not drink real alcohol on set, but the show's drinking is still a cautionary tale. While the characters' antics are played for laughs, their behaviour often aligns with that of people who have become dependent on substances.

The show's main characters, Charlie, Dennis, Dee, Mac, and Frank, are shown drinking excessively and partying in almost every episode. They are constantly day-drinking, and many episodes begin with the gang already sitting around the bar with beers in hand. Their drinking often leads to dangerous and self-destructive behaviour, including endangering their personal safety, acting without empathy, and suffering from alcohol withdrawal.

In one episode, "The Gang Beats Boggs," the gang attempts to beat a drinking record by consuming 70 cans of beer on a cross-country flight. This results in Frank attempting to kill a college student with sleeping pills, Dee passing out on a luggage conveyor belt, and Charlie and Dee experiencing hallucinations. In another episode, "The Gang Gets Quarantined," the gang mistakes their alcohol withdrawal symptoms for the flu, and rather than address the issue, they decide to simply "keep an eye on it."

The show's depiction of excessive drinking and substance misuse can be seen as a warning of the dangers of alcohol abuse and the negative consequences that can result. While the characters are not meant to be role models, their drinking habits are a clear illustration of the risks associated with alcohol dependence.

The gang consumed alcohol at least 140 times

The gang from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are often shown drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages. In fact, over the course of the show's 12 seasons and 134 episodes, every member of the gang has consumed alcohol at least 140 times. This figure even doubled for some individuals, with Dee, Dennis, and Charlie consuming alcohol approximately 280 times each.

The show's main characters, Charlie, Dennis, Dee, Mac, and Frank, are owners of Paddy's Pub and are constantly shown day-drinking. Many episodes begin with the gang already sitting around the bar with beers in hand, and the show often features excessive drinking and partying. For example, in Season 10, Episode 1, "The Gang Beats Boggs," the gang attempts to beat the number of beers baseball player Wade Boggs supposedly drank on a cross-country flight. In another episode, "The Gang Gets Quarantined," the gang's alcohol dependence is confirmed when they mistake their withdrawal symptoms for the flu.

While the show uses prop beers and the cast does not drink alcohol on set, the characters' drinking habits are meant to be a cautionary tale. The gang's consumption of alcohol and substances is deliberately excessive and aligns with the patterns of people who have become dependent on them.

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