After a mild mid-season, ‘Sunny’ was back in top form last week. ‘Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games’ is not only one of the best episodes of the season, but it qualifies as one of the series’ very best, an instant ‘Sunny’ classic.
Brief Summary: On one slow and boring day, the Gang decides to pass the time by playing a heated Gang-created game called “Chardee MacDennis.” Since Frank has never played it, we are introduced to the game at the same time he is. Imagine a drinking board game that requires trivia, puzzles and cheating. It’s a mash-up of all the best games. It pits two teams against each another: Dennis and Dee versus Charlie, Mac and Frank. Drunken hilarity ensues.
Episode Thoughts: This episode is absolutely flawless. There’s not a dull moment. It constantly keeps you laughing. ‘Chardee MacDennis’ takes the series back up to its usually high level. When you dig into it, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. From dumb observational comedy (when the Gang gets bored, they make their own board game on an unnecessary wooden board) to great dialogue-driven and physical-based humor (like the pre-game routine), it’s non-stop laughs.
The actors make even bigger fools of themselves as the episode moves along. Like Charlie says, “It’s not just a game. It’s a war.” Before starting each of the three levels, the Gang does an idiotic version of a Maori war dance. They all fully commit to making themselves look like the biggest bunch of idiots. Then you get to see them drinking wine and acting like snooty bastards. Franks gets in a dog kennel, for crying out loud. There’s nothing these actors won’t do for a bunch of good laughs, and ‘Chardee MacDennis’ proves it.
If I could be a P.A. on set for a single episode, this one would have been it. It’s beyond me how the cast kept from cracking up mid-take. There are a few moments where the actors spout out obviously improvised lines and you can see that the others have to put all their attention towards keeping it together.
The game itself it hilarious and, just like the Dick Towel, you can purchase it from FX’s web site. Now you can watch your friends play Hungry Hungry Hippos with grapes, throws darts at one another’s hands, eat unmixed cake ingredients, and flash cards all while getting drunk. I don’t even drink and I want to play this game immediately!
