Overview of RE-RELEASE: Charlie Day
This episode of SmartLess (hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett) features actor/writer/musician Charlie Day. The conversation ranges from the origin and longevity of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to Charlie’s musical background, early career struggles, directing and producing, his new rom‑com I Want You Back (on Amazon), golf habits, and practical career advice for creators. The episode mixes industry anecdotes, candid backstage stories, and casual banter typical of the hosts.
Guest background & highlights
- Guest: Charlie Day — actor, writer, musician, producer, director.
- Major credits mentioned:
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (co‑creator/star; 15+ years, longest‑running live‑action comedy by years)
- Films: The LEGO Movie, Horrible Bosses (and sequel), Pacific Rim, Monsters University, I Want You Back (rom‑com)
- Theater roots: Williamstown Theatre Festival participant; Merrimack College alumnus; received honorary doctorate in performing arts from Merrimack
- Musical side: early piano and trombone lessons; plays guitar and writes songs for shows.
- Family: grew up in Rhode Island (born in NYC); parents both have musicology doctorates from Columbia.
Notable topics discussed
- Origin story of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Low‑budget pilots filmed in Charlie’s apartment (corner of Western & Franklin).
- Multiple versions shot before selling the show; frustrations dealing with agencies led to pressuring and switching representation.
- FX eventually bought the show; Rob McElhenney credited as the “closer” in meetings.
- Career path & bootstrapping
- Importance of creating your own work (write/film/put content online) vs. waiting on agents.
- Value of programs like Williamstown for craft and competition.
- Charlie prefers to develop projects independently (script, director, actors attached) so buyers mainly write checks.
- Writing and speed
- Charlie is fast as a writer (anecdote: big rewrite on a long flight).
- Podcasting & promotion
- He co‑hosts the It’s Always Sunny podcast (initial skepticism turned to action when Rob organized it).
- Directing/editing/reshoots
- Charlie finished a film he directed (Bateman appears); he later reshot ~20% and discussed conversations with Guillermo del Toro during the process.
- Rom‑com I Want You Back
- Stars Charlie Day and Jenny Slate; Charlie enjoyed doing a rom‑com and had to make choices about physical presentation for the role.
- Golf obsession and personal life
- Big golf fan and single‑digit handicap; humorous talk about how golf has become a major hobby.
- Family life: married to Mary Elizabeth Ellis (also an actor); child mentioned; family trips (Hawaii).
Notable anecdotes & moments
- Agency and industry frustrations: agents’ slow rhythms, holiday blackouts, and pilot season absurdities.
- Meeting Rob McElhenney on a plane and bonding after both projects were canned for the same pilot—led to a long friendship and collaborations (Always Sunny, Mythic Quest).
- Williamstown Theatre Festival: described as an early formative, competitive boot camp for actors (mentions peers like Catherine Hahn and Sterling K. Brown).
- Stage mishap story: a high‑school backstage hydraulics accident where a wheelchair got hoisted into midair (played for laughs).
- Movie/industry social moments: screening of Licorice Pizza at Paul Thomas Anderson’s home screening barn; hanging with actors like Maya Rudolph.
- Sex scenes conversation: candid, humorous takes on discomfort filming intimate scenes and the “sock” prosthetic props used on set.
Career advice & creative approach (key takeaways)
- Don’t wait for approval: create and produce your own work (write, shoot, post); be proactive in making things happen.
- Do the work beforehand: if possible, develop projects to a point where studios/producers mainly fund production rather than concept—attach director/actors and a solid script.
- Be reliable on set: do your prep and be ready to deliver in the moment—rehearsal and competence matter.
- Embrace multidisciplinary skills: Charlie’s musical background and varied interests inform his creative voice.
- Persistence and resilience: the entertainment business requires repeated self‑selling, rejections, and comebacks.
Sponsors & ad breaks (brief)
Multiple sponsor reads/ads interspersed through the episode:
- U.S. Bank (savings, CDs)
- Hilton (spring break travel)
- SkinnyPop (snack sponsor)
- Hulu (Malcolm in the Middle reunion promo)
- LinkedIn Ads promo
- GoodRx (prescription savings)
- Paragold (outdoor furniture)
- Quince (clothing)
- BetterHelp (therapy)
- Angie (home services) These are typical SmartLess ad reads, used as transitional breaks.
Recommended things to watch/listen (mentioned)
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (series; ongoing seasons)
- I Want You Back — Charlie Day and Jenny Slate (available on Amazon)
- Monsters University (Charlie voice role)
- Horrible Bosses (and sequel)
- Licorice Pizza (Paul Thomas Anderson film — discussed)
- It’s Always Sunny podcast (companion content)
Short list of memorable quotes
- On industry pitching: “I’d rather have the whole thing written… so all they do is write the check.”
- On agents/industry timing: “Next week is Thanksgiving… next week is Sundance… December is the holidays” — complaint about agents’ timelines, delivered for comic effect.
- On creative partnership: praise for Rob McElhenney as “an action guy” who executes ideas.
Final summary
This episode is a relaxed, wide‑ranging conversation that blends practical industry insight with personal stories and humor. Charlie Day comes across as seasoned, self‑reliant, and multi‑talented—someone who values doing the work himself, has a long history of collaborative creativity (notably Always Sunny), and continues to explore new roles as actor, writer, director, and podcaster. The episode is useful for listeners interested in TV/film careers, comedy origins, and the realities of producing content independently.