The series follows the exploits of a group of narcissistic and sociopathic friends who run the Irish dive bar Paddy's Pub in South Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, but spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing among themselves, and plotting elaborate cons against others, and at times each other, for personal benefit, financial gain, revenge, or simply due to boredom or inebriation.
The series has run for more seasons than any other American live-action sitcom, surpassing The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ' s 14 seasons. It has amassed a large cult following. The series follows a group of self-centred, alcoholic, narcissistic misfits, referred to as "The Gang", who run a dirty, unsuccessful Irish bar called Paddy's Pub in the neighborhood of South Philadelphia.
In the second season , they are joined by Frank Reynolds Danny DeVito , an eccentric multi-millionaire and the neglectful father of the Reynolds twins, who takes over most of the ownership of the bar. He soon becomes the financial catalyst for the Gang, often funding many of the Gang's over-complicated plots, while simultaneously succumbing to the brazen depravity of the group.
Each member of The Gang exhibits unethical behavior and anti-social traits such as racism, misogyny, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, extreme selfishness and lack of regard for others, pathological dishonesty, narcissism, physical aggression, blatant disregard for the law, excessive drinking and substance abuse , unregulated emotions, cruelty, greed , envy, manipulative and predatory tendencies, apathy toward suffering, contempt for others and a lack of remorse.
At the same time, The Gang also displays acute codependency, stupidity, and a lack of awareness of basic social norms. The comedy of the show emerges from these extreme character traits resulting in conflicts that lead The Gang into absurd, dark, and painfully embarrassing situations, typically ending with them getting their comeuppance, but never learning their lesson.
