In "The Gang Tries Desperately Win an Award", Always Sunny takes down the Emmys four days before they air. Not bothering to conceal any frustration or veil the reference to the Academy of Television Arts & Science., they instead focus on the curious fascination ATAS has with set up/punchlines, rapport and lighting and do so in the disturbed and foul manner Always Sunny perfected over the last nine years.
More than the slights offered via the Middle America theme song, non-threatening pretty girl or the harsh lighting, one item stood out as commentary on the Emmy process.
Standing in solidarity with another Emmy perennial snubee*, the episode includes another appearance by Chad L. Coleman (Cutty from The Wire) and a comment about not wanting to be too black.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is how you make a joke about The Wire, by subtly incorporating your knowledge about the show (and their being slighted when it came award time... likely due in part to the East Coast, minority heavy cast) into the context of the plot in order to make a point. Not by referencing The Wire ("This is just like The Wire!" "blah blah blah, Omar!") and letting the reference itself stand as the joke.** Simply mentioning The Wire to let other people know that you are smart and know it exists is not enough to be funny.
* They did receive two writing nominations for 3-11 "Middle Ground" ("Get on with it moth-") and "-30-" the series finale.
** Looking at you Happy Endings. Or whatever other shows exist as the physical manifestation of Stuff White People Like
In the end, the proprietors of Paddy's drive the demo out of the bar in a way that epitomizes the show and where it exists in relation to the mainstream...by spitting on them.
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