Underage Drinking: A National Concern
Encyclopedia
"Underage Drinking: A National Concern" is the third episode of the American situation comedy
series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
. It aired on August 18, 2005 on the FX Network in the United States. The episode was the first to be directed by Dan Attias
. Its story was developed by Rob McElhenney
and Charlie Day
, and written by Rob McElhenney.
While the gang is initially upset at their lack of professionalism, they soon conclude that they may have a social responsibility to provide a safe environment for these high school students to spend a night drinking. After Dennis suggests that they can also water down the drinks and jack up the prices, the Gang decides to permit underage drinking at Paddy's.
Meanwhile, Dee receives a phone call from Trey (Robert Adamson
), a popular and athletic high school student she met at the bar. Desperately lonely, and never having enjoyed her own high school experience (due to her scoliosis
), Sweet Dee goes on a number of dates with the student. However, Trey's former girlfriend Tammy (Jaimie Alexander
) becomes jealous of Dee's involvement. As a result, Tammy attempts to seduce Dennis to even the score.
Meanwhile, Charlie and Mac, bored from an evening of huffing Elmer's glue, (which they lament to see is clearly labeled non-toxic) receive a phone call from one of the high school students, inviting them to a house party. After Mac and Charlie purchase a keg for the party, Trey arrives with his date; Sweet Dee. Surprised to see one another, the three engage in a night of extreme drinking to curb any awkwardness. During the party, Charlie and Dee are both asked to prom
, while Mac is excluded.
Dennis, on the other hand, is blackmailed by Tammy to attend the prom with her. While Dennis is hesitant, he agrees in order to prevent the authorities from learning of Paddy's illegal practices. Since Dee and Charlie were unable to attend their own prom, they also decide to attend. Mac, pathetically, decides to go to the prom stag. When the Gang hosts a pre-prom party at Paddy's, both Trey and Tammy arrive for their dates (with Dee and Dennis respectively). During the encounter it becomes clear that both Trey and Tammy were merely using Dennis and Dee to make one another jealous; which as Charlie would proclaim, is "Classic Tammy".
The episode ends with Charlie dancing alone at the prom, allowing his date to rekindle her romance with her former boyfriend.
, the song that plays at the end of the episode while Charlie dances alone is "Forever Young
" by Alphaville
.
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American television sitcom that premiered on FX on August 4, 2005. New episodes continue to air on FX, with reruns playing on Comedy Central, general broadcast syndication, and WGN America—the first-ever cable-to-cable syndication deal for a sitcom...
. It aired on August 18, 2005 on the FX Network in the United States. The episode was the first to be directed by Dan Attias
Dan Attias
Daniel Attias is an American television director and producer. Attias' career has spanned three decades and during this time he has directed a significant number of popular primetime television programs, including Miami Vice and Beverly Hills, 90210...
. Its story was developed by Rob McElhenney
Rob McElhenney
Robert Dale "Rob" McElhenney is an American film and television actor best known for his role as Mac on the FX TV series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia...
and Charlie Day
Charlie Day
Charles Peckham "Charlie" Day is an American television and film actor, from Middletown, Rhode Island, best known for playing Charlie Kelly on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".-Early life:...
, and written by Rob McElhenney.
Plot
The episode opens in Paddy's Pub during a very successful and busy night. Slowly, Mac, Charlie and Dennis notice that the young looking crowd is not merely college students, but vastly underage patrons. After their realization, Dennis quickly pulls the plug on the evening, kicking out all of the underage drinkers.While the gang is initially upset at their lack of professionalism, they soon conclude that they may have a social responsibility to provide a safe environment for these high school students to spend a night drinking. After Dennis suggests that they can also water down the drinks and jack up the prices, the Gang decides to permit underage drinking at Paddy's.
Meanwhile, Dee receives a phone call from Trey (Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson (actor)
Robert Gillespie Adamson IV is an American actor. He's best known for his role as Charles Antoni on the television series Lincoln Heights.-Personal life:...
), a popular and athletic high school student she met at the bar. Desperately lonely, and never having enjoyed her own high school experience (due to her scoliosis
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. Although it is a complex three-dimensional deformity, on an X-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line...
), Sweet Dee goes on a number of dates with the student. However, Trey's former girlfriend Tammy (Jaimie Alexander
Jaimie Alexander
Jaimie Alexander is an American actress best known for portraying Jessi on the TV series Kyle XY and Sif in the 2011 superhero film Thor.-Early life:...
) becomes jealous of Dee's involvement. As a result, Tammy attempts to seduce Dennis to even the score.
Meanwhile, Charlie and Mac, bored from an evening of huffing Elmer's glue, (which they lament to see is clearly labeled non-toxic) receive a phone call from one of the high school students, inviting them to a house party. After Mac and Charlie purchase a keg for the party, Trey arrives with his date; Sweet Dee. Surprised to see one another, the three engage in a night of extreme drinking to curb any awkwardness. During the party, Charlie and Dee are both asked to prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
, while Mac is excluded.
Dennis, on the other hand, is blackmailed by Tammy to attend the prom with her. While Dennis is hesitant, he agrees in order to prevent the authorities from learning of Paddy's illegal practices. Since Dee and Charlie were unable to attend their own prom, they also decide to attend. Mac, pathetically, decides to go to the prom stag. When the Gang hosts a pre-prom party at Paddy's, both Trey and Tammy arrive for their dates (with Dee and Dennis respectively). During the encounter it becomes clear that both Trey and Tammy were merely using Dennis and Dee to make one another jealous; which as Charlie would proclaim, is "Classic Tammy".
The episode ends with Charlie dancing alone at the prom, allowing his date to rekindle her romance with her former boyfriend.
Music
In what is likely an allusion to the prom scene in the 2004 film Napoleon DynamiteNapoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite is a 2004 comedy film co-written and directed by Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess and stars Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite. The film was Jared Hess' first full-length feature and is partially adapted from his earlier short film, Peluca....
, the song that plays at the end of the episode while Charlie dances alone is "Forever Young
Forever Young (Alphaville song)
"Forever Young" is the title track from German rock/synthpop group Alphaville's 1984 debut album of the same name. Though it was not the group's highest-charting European hit and failed to reach the American Top 40 despite three separate U.S...
" by Alphaville
Alphaville (band)
Alphaville is a German synthpop group which gained popularity in the 1980s. The founding members were Marian Gold , Bernhard Lloyd , and Frank Mertens Alphaville is a German synthpop group which gained popularity in the 1980s. The founding members were Marian Gold (real name Hartwig Schierbaum,...
.