'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' Season 9 Will Not be the Last, Cast Promises Much More to Come

There are certain shows that withstand the test of time. Year after year they put out fresh content that keep their viewers engaged and yearning for more. It's true that there are types of shows that cater to longevity, but it's an impressive feat nonetheless. Drama series for example typically begin to fade after five or six seasons as the characters drift and the plot branches into new themes. Comedy sitcoms suffer a similar fate, however, those that revolve around single episodes opposed to an all encompassing season tend to have higher rates of success. Think back on "The Office." Each episode has it's own story. Someone could sit down and watch any episode regardless of how caught up they are on the season. Sure there are recurring themes and storylines, but they aren't the shows focus. With this format, shows may not captivate their audience on a deep emotional level like other dramas do, yet their luster fades slowly overtime, allowing them to return year in and year out.

One of television's most celebrated series, "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia," is returning for its 9th season, and with a 10th season already in the books, there's no end in sight. According to The Hollywood Reporter, during the Television Critics Association press tour on Friday, stars and executive producers Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day appeased fans with optimistic outlooks. They're here and they're here to stay.

"I still feel like we're doing our best work," McElhenney said. "Yes, we're nine years into it, but we only do 10 episodes a season, which allows us to be fresh." The others shared similar sentiments, noting that shorter seasons and small productions make life easy for the cast and crew.

"At only 10 episodes a season, you really don't run the risk of burning out," said Day. This is true, but you're only extended the series by duration. The quantity of output is still the same, it's simply spread out over a longer period of time. But why not? They love what they do and the show makes money in the offseason too. It's a rather simplistic yet successful approach. As long as fans keep coming back for more, there's not need to change.

"It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" will return to the new FXX channel on September 4.