Birds of War

Throughout many of the episodes in the TV series “its Always Sunny in Philadelphia” it is apparent that the TV show is a comedy that generally makes fun of certain aspects of every day life. Although this is seen a lot throughout the series in some episodes such as the birds of war episode (season 5, episode 7)

The gang is trying to appeal to an audience of war veterans who like wrestling by making a song and organizing a wrestling match that they hope these veterans will attend. Naturally for this show it is not that easy and some stuff goes wrong but the overall idea of this episode is for the gang to appeal to and attract war veterans to so called “give back” to them by organizing this match.

            They introduce this idea by starting the episode off with Dee receiving a message from an Iraq war veteran. Once Mac, Charley, and Denis see this they feel horrible for the veteran because he has to come back from war to see Dee. This gets the gang thinking and causes charley to say something along the lines of “let’s celebrate the troops, us, and America and what better way to do this then with good old American wrestling.” As one can see the topic of America and stereotypical patriotism is stressed by the gang. They hint to this American patriotism as wrestling and drinking beer.

            One can also look at this appeal to the audience from a signified and signifier point of view. For example in a lot of the shots of the gang talking about patriotism and what they should have at the wrestling match someone is drinking/holding a beer and the colors red white and blue are within the frame. Although they don’t stress the fact that beer is a big part of the event I found that sense a glass of beer is in almost every shot it is just implied, not in a drunk way but in an American dream way. Almost like when you think of backyard grilling, one thinks of burgers hot dogs and a beer its just natural.

            These are all reasons why I feel like this episode appeals to Americans as a whole and can give the viewers a sense of belonging in the community of America. Although the show is not 100% serious I also feel that the show most defiantly appeals to people with a sense of humor because I personally have not watched an episode that I didn’t find funny.