The poster for the upcoming 18th season of FXX's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has sparked a debate among fans, with many speculating it was created using artificial intelligence. However, a source close to the show confirmed that the artwork was intentionally designed to mimic AI-generated styles, playing on current societal interests, but was actually created by human artists.
The poster, released by FX on Tuesday, features the main characters as tap handles at Paddy's Pub, with drinks named after show references like "The D.E.N.N.I.S. Golden Lager." This distinctive, somewhat uncanny look led viewers to question its origin, with many commenting on social media that they hoped it was a joke for an upcoming episode.
According to the source, the show's creative team has a history of using stylized artwork, with "Sunny" art being driven by artists, graphic designers, and copywriters. The process for the Season 18 poster followed the same methods used for previous seasons, including Seasons 14 through 17, predating the widespread accessibility of AI art tools.
This artistic choice appears to align with one of the season's thematic elements. FX announced that Season 18 will explore "withstanding job loss at the hands of workplace automation," among other societal issues. The 10-episode season is described as a return to the show's roots, with the characters engaging in their signature "terrible, delicious deeds."
Plotlines for the new season will include "salvaging inheritances from a dead woman, surviving tent encampments and the great inside-outside divide between the haves and have-nots, embracing a newfound appreciation for neurodivergence, questioning the fabric of society against conspiracy theories," and addressing public sentiment shifts around drinking.
Additional storylines involve battles at a Renaissance Faire against LARPers and "nerds," and attempting to improve their public image by sponsoring a Little League team. Throughout these endeavors, the characters will strive to maintain order in their increasingly chaotic personal lives and at Paddy's.
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Season 18 is scheduled to premiere on FX and Hulu on August 17. All 17 previous seasons are currently available for streaming on Hulu.