The Nightman Cometh

"The Nightman Cometh"
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode
Episode no. Season 4
Episode 13
Directed by Matt Shakman
Written by Charlie Day
Glenn Howerton
Rob McElhenney
Production code IP04008
Original air date August 11, 2008 (2008-20-11)

"The Nightman Cometh" is the thirteenth and final episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s fourth season. The episode features a rock opera based on songs written by Charlie Kelly. The episode was later adapted into a short-lived stage musical in 2009.

Plot

With a sprig in his step, Charlie notifies the gang that he's written a musical. Dennis and Mac quiz Charlie over his motivations, but ultimately want to play the parts that Charlie has written for them.

Charlie enlists the help of Artemis to transcribe the script into words and the gang squabble over which parts to play. Initially, Mac is excited to play The Dayman, but Dennis goads him into trading parts. Frank is cast as the troll and Dee is picked to play the princess.

Dee is concerned over the subject matter of her song's lyrics, contending they sound like she molests children. Charlie also tries in vain to get Frank to say "boy's soul" rather than "boy's hole" in his song.

Charlie tracks down The Waitress, giving her a ticket and telling her that he will never bother her again if she attends.

On the night of the show, the gang is excited to perform for an audience. However, some drama ensues when Dee ad-libs a song clarifying that she's not interested in children. Much to Charlie's chagrin, Mac gets laughs when he comes on stage as The Nightman.

The Troll sings to The Nightman that he has to pay the Troll Toll to get the boy's soul. Mac hops onto Dennis in bed, who is upset he's aroused. Dennis transforms into the Dayman, singing the song "Dayman," (which he and Charlie came up with in the earlier episode Sweet Dee's Dating a Retarded Person) The Dayman becomes the fighter of The Nightman.

Following "The Dayman" reprise, Charlie swoops down from a sun from above the stage, wearing a yellow outfit, singing "Marry Me" to The Waitress. However, Charlie's gambit is all for naught, as she declines his proposal and storms out.

Stage adaptation

In September 2009, the cast took their show live. The "Gang" performed the musical The Nightman Cometh in New York City, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.[1] Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Artemis Pebdani also appeared in the performance as The Waitress and Artemis. Actress Rhea Perlman (wife of Danny DeVito) assumed the role of Gladys.[2]

Creator Rob McElhenney said that Live Nation originally approached the cast about doing the show at 30 cities, but in the end the cast settled on 6.[3] Co-developer Glenn Howerton described the show as "essentially an expanded version of the actual episode of "The Nightman Cometh", which was the final episode for season four. There are some added moments, added scenes, added songs, and extended versions of songs that already existed."[4] Two new songs were included in the performance and a longer running time allowed for greater improvisation by the actors. The performance was also preceded by a preview screening of a season five episode.

The Los Angeles performance, filmed at The Troubadour, was included as a bonus feature on the season four DVD box set.

References

  1. ↑ Matheson, Whitney (August 6, 2009). "The 'Nightman Cometh' to a city near you". USA Today. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  2. ↑ Goldman, Eric (April 20, 2009). "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Live!". IGN. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Tucker, Alyssa (August 4, 2009). "Rob McElhenney & Glenn Howerton Interview". Flash Flood Media. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Glenn Howerton Talks "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" And More!". Icon vs. Icon. September 16, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
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