In this candid and in-depth conversation, actor and comedian Rick Glassman sits down with Glenn Howerton, co-creator and star of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The discussion explores the intersection of dramatic acting and comedy, with Howerton reflecting on his non-comedic background and the importance of playing scenes "straight" for comedic effect. They delve into the creative process behind It's Always Sunny, discussing their collaborative dynamic, healthy conflict resolution, and the challenges of character evolution on a long-running show. A significant portion of the conversation centers on personal growth and communication, highlighted by anecdotes about a pivotal, direct conversation between Howerton and co-star Rob McElhenney that changed his on-set demeanor, and a similar life-changing moment for Glassman involving showrunner Bill Lawrence. They also touch upon the fear of social missteps, the pressure to be funny, and the philosophy of grounding performance in believable character motivation above all else.
A Conversation on Comedy, Character, and Communication with Glenn Howerton
00:05:36 The Dramatic Actor in a Comedy World: Glenn Howerton discusses his background as a dramatic actor (trained at Juilliard) and his initial insecurity about starring in a comedy show, having never been a "comedy guy."
00:06:56 The Leslie Nielsen Approach: They explore the comedic principle of "playing it straight," citing Leslie Nielsen's work with the Zucker brothers. The directors instructed Nielsen not to try to be funny, but to play the absurd situations with dramatic sincerity, which is the source of the humor.
00:10:00 A Look Back at Sunny: Rick Glassman reveals he was a background actor in several episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia early in his career, sharing a clip of himself in the Christmas special.
00:12:35 On-Set Improvisation Challenges: Howerton recalls a guest actor on Sunny who struggled with their improvisational style, repeatedly insisting that the main cast stick to the script's exact lines, not understanding that the show's creators intentionally deviate from it.
00:30:33 The Value of Direct Communication: Glassman shares the direct text message he sent Howerton after not hearing back about scheduling the podcast, asking for a clear answer rather than having to interpret silence. Howerton expresses deep respect for this straightforward approach.
00:37:15 Fear and Vulnerability in Dating: The conversation shifts to the anxiety of making the first move on a date. Glassman shares a personal story about overcoming this fear by explicitly communicating his intentions and boundaries, a tactic Howerton finds both fascinating and characteristic of his Sunny character, Dennis.
00:52:35 A Pivotal Moment of Growth: Howerton recounts a difficult period during Season 6 of Sunny where he felt burned out and brought negative energy to the set. His co-star, Rob McElhenney, pulled him aside in a loving and accepting way to let him know how his mood was affecting the crew. This direct-yet-compassionate confrontation led to a major emotional breakthrough for Howerton.
01:13:55 Grounded Performance is Key: Howerton explains his acting philosophy, stating that his primary goal is to ground even the most outrageous scenes in the character's believable wants and motivations. He rejects "wacky for wacky's sake" and describes his approach to line delivery as "musical," focusing on rhythm and cadence to enhance the comedy.
01:36:04 The Challenge of a Long-Running Show: They discuss the difficulty of keeping characters fresh and avoiding predictability after 16 seasons. While characters must remain consistent, they have allowed for significant changes, such as Mac coming out of the closet.
01:48:00 A Life-Changing Email: In a moment paralleling Howerton's story, Glassman shares that he once received a similar life-changing email from showrunner Bill Lawrence, who informed him that his overly intense behavior during their weekly basketball game was making others uncomfortable. This feedback was the "inciting incident" for Glassman's journey toward greater self-awareness.