It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16, episode 5 recap: “Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab”

The gang from Paddy’s Pub is back in action in season 16 of FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In this episode, titled “Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab,” the gang finds themselves in a series of hilarious misadventures involving celebrities and, you guessed it, booze.

The episode is already famous for featuring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, two famous celebrities known for starring in the AMC drama Breaking Bad, who are ostensibly joining the gang to create their own brand of booze. However, there’s a slight problem: The gang has to find a way to arrange to meet the two world-famous actors.

It all kicks off when they begin discussing new booze concoctions, and Mac, ever the marketing genius, suggests adding “premium” to the brand name. The gang starts mentally experimenting with different concoctions, including Goldschläger, Swiss cinnamon Schnapps lacquer, and Charlie invents “nickelschläger,” which is to be made up of booze blended with pieces of crushed nickels.

Meanwhile, Mac comes up with a brilliant idea to pitch a fashion brand, hoping to make a name for himself in the fashion industry. Up in the sky above Philly, Frank, always looking for tax loopholes, circles Philadelphia in his private jet for hours to avoid paying taxes, upsetting Dee, who only accompanied Frank because she thought they’d be heading to Aruba.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16, episode 5 recap: Meeting Malcolm’s dad

Ultimately, the gang decides to meet with Bryan Cranston, who they know as the dad character from Malcolm in the Middle. Being somehow unfamiliar with Breaking Bad, they also assume Aaron Paul is the adult Malcolm (who was actually played by Frankie Muniz). As the gang prepares for a meet and greet with the two celebs at a club, Charlie, who has been swallowing nickelschläger, sets off the metal detector with his belly full of coins.

Inside the club, Dennis (Glenn Howerton) fails to talk to Cranston and Paul, and Charlie confesses to the limo driver (Ross Kimball) about his vomiting nickels situation. Soon, Charlie ends up puking on the driver, who leaves to clean his suit, unwisely having Charlie stay with the limo.

The gang then spots someone they believe is football star Jalen Hurts entering the men’s room, but they mistakenly talk to a stall where Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, is doing its business. Jalen eludes them and exits from the adjacent stall, leaving the gang confused about his identity.

Dennis doubts that it was Jalen Hurts. These story elements aren’t really essential to the plot, but they’re a nod to the fact that It’s Always Sunny indeed, typically takes place in Philadelphia.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16, episode 5 recap: Cranston and Paul’s dysfunctional relationship

Charlie, ever the honest one, tells Paul and Cranston about his vomit incident in the limo, explaining the funky smell. On top of that, Paul corrects Charlie, stating that his name is not “Mr. Malcolm” but Aaron.

A bit later, Cranston opens up about his gambling problem, revealing a vulnerable side. It turns out, Charlie isn’t the only one potentially making himself sick: Dee, who has been off on her own adventure in the sky, has the strange revelation that she’s been eating some of Frank’s canned oysters from the 1980s!

Eventually, Charlie and the rest manage to get Cranston and Paul on Frank’s plane, where they badger the celebrities with their brilliant celebrity product ideas. Frank enters the scene and offers to sell his private plane for a whopping $35 million.

Mac, not one to be left out, pitches his idea of selling suits to complete his fashion brand vision. Charlie pitches his dubious nickelschläger.

However, Cranston takes the opportunity to give a dramatic performance about Aaron Paul’s abusive, controlling behavior, similar to the way Dennis controls Mac. Cranston showcases how Paul has been controlling him, including making it so he cannot shake people’s hands, and offers a warning to Paul about the fickleness of the celebrity world.

As the episode comes to a close, the gang finds themselves entangled in a web of celebrity drama, hilarious mishaps, and wild ideas. It’s just another day in the bizarre world of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia!

Lastly, you probably should not try making nickelschläger at home folks!

What did you think of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16 episode 5? Let us know in the comments below!

You can watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu.