Danny DeVito and Carol Kane pull off a nostalgic comeback on the season 17 finale of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, reuniting four decades after their Taxi days. The two guest-star as Samantha, a poultry heiress competing for Frank’s heart on his fictional Golden Bachelor journey.
In the episode, Frank initially has his eye on a Chewbacca-like rival, but Kane’s Samantha proves unexpectedly charming. The dinner scene hints at Kane’s signature wit, with Samantha quipping about “these boils” and Frank acknowledging her sharp humor. The conversation soon takes a macabre turn as Samantha reveals her late husband died after being torn in half off the coast of Maine, with the line about preserving the memory—“I kept his member, pickled and in a jar”—leaving Frank impressed in his own offbeat way.
As the competition narrows, Frank introduces the final two contestants to the Sunny crew. Samantha’s lack of interest in Frank’s money—she’s already got “chicken money”—becomes a running theme. A proposed four-way with Samantha, Chewy, and Charlie’s mom Bonnie (the late Lynne Marie Stewart) is floated, but Samantha ultimately follows her own heart, delivering a ridiculous-but-funny speech that wins Frank over.
In a climactic moment, Frank slides a note under Samantha’s door that says “Dunzo,” and, after a heartfelt confession, he tells her he’s chosen her: “Would you accept this rose and be my wife?” Samantha accepts, and the pair share a kiss as the episode closes. The finale tribute montage then honors Lynne Marie Stewart, who died in February, bringing a bittersweet farewell to a beloved Taxi alum.
The cross-generational reunion isn’t the only nod to classic TV this week. Kane and DeVito previously worked together in the Miloš Forman biopic Man on the Moon, with DeVito playing George Shapiro and Kane appearing as herself on the Taxi set. The pair have also shared voice work on the 2023 animated film Migration and connected again with Taxi’s surviving cast members this year at events supporting DeVito’s theater achievement.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s season 17 is currently streaming on Hulu, continuing the show’s tradition of surprise guest appearances and meta-humor that blends old-school TV magic with its signature irreverent style. The episode’s clever homage to Taxi, plus the genuine on-screen chemistry between DeVito and Kane, gave longtime fans a warm retro fit while delivering the show’s trademark punchlines.
What this means for fans and future seasons: the Sunny writers and producers have a knack for leveraging iconic TV connections to heighten stakes and laughter, while also honoring the legacy of actors who helped shape television history. With crossovers and callbacks staying on-brand, viewers can expect more playful nods to classic TV favorites as the series continues.
Summary: A star-studded season finale brings Danny DeVito and Carol Kane back to the screen in a playful, heartfelt finale that ties the Golden Bachelor spoof to a Taxi-era reunion, concluding with a romantic payoff and a tribute to a beloved actor from the past.
Positive note: The episode delivers the best kind of nostalgia—funny, affectionate, and in service of advancing a fresh storyline—while saluting the industry’s enduring legends.
If you’d like, I can add a brief sidebar highlighting Kane and DeVito’s past collaborations and the Taxi connections for readers who want a quick refresher on their classic roles.