The gritty tales of Paddy’s Pub are returning, and so is an unforgettable character from the show’s hysterical rogue’s gallery. The behind-the-scenes world of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” offers a glimpse into chaos as Rickety Cricket, the former priest turned pitiful vagrant, makes a comeback in season 17. Actor David Hornsby, responsible for bringing Cricket’s mangled misadventures to life, recently teased fans with a sneak peek of his transformation into the character on Instagram. The image features him undergoing a dramatic makeover, hinting at more of the same delightful depravity audiences have come to love.
The show—pridefully irreverent and shamelessly absurd—has chronicled the heinous antics of a morally-bankrupt group of friends since 2005. Set against the backdrop of Philadelphia’s run-down Paddy’s Pub, the series has made a name for itself by pushing the boundaries of comedy. The central gang—comprised of Dennis, Dee, Mac, Charlie, and Frank—repeatedly drags those around them into their ludicrous schemes, and Cricket often bears the brunt of their mischief in the most excruciating ways possible.
Hornsby’s recent Instagram post featured him slipping back into the tattered persona of Rickety Cricket. The picture showed makeup artists applying his infamous “SLUT” tattoo, alongside scar prosthetics, evocative of Cricket’s tumultuous trajectory—from a promising man of the cloth to a stumbling wreck, replete with unhealthy dependencies and living on the fringes. Hornsby’s caption, “SLUT mode engaged,” seemed to echo an ironic acceptance of Cricket’s fate intertwined with the gang’s merry dysfunctions. According to Hornsby’s Instagram post, his character’s appearance in season 17 promises another villainous adventure.
As season 16 wrapped up, Cricket found himself as the cocaine-addicted leader of a male prostitution ring, invited back during the gang’s botched efforts to unravel a streak of rotten luck. This leads many to ponder what new depth of madness will capture the character’s arc next. Rickety Cricket is both a punching bag and a testament to the show’s willingness to explore complicated narratives under the guise of comedy. His recurring calamity has become a tradition of sorts, one that plays out within the bizarre world of “It’s Always Sunny.”
Closing Credits
Rickety Cricket’s confirmed return for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” season 17 is a firm nod to the series’ commitment to familiar chaos amidst new stories. As it stands, fans are buzzing with anticipation not just for Cricket’s appearances but for the series’ first-ever crossover episode with “Abbott Elementary.” The legacy of “It’s Always Sunny” is one of revolutionizing the sitcom format by delivering a cast of characters that embrace the worst of humanity with outrageous humor. For now, fans can revel in the promise of more madness when season 17 lands next year on FXX.
