May 15, 2011

Tim Sampson in It's Always Sunny

I recently watched Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack (airdate: 10/30/08), an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In it, Frank (Danny DeVito) becomes addicted to drugs and is committed to a mental institution. A review notes the ending:I neglected to bring up Frank's "over medicated, off to the nuthouse" storyline, which was mainly an excuse to insert a few insider-y One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest gags. Two things I liked about the Cuckoo's Nest riffs: The guy at the beginning saying "hit me" over and over, just like DeVito's character does in the original film; and that "The Chief" is played by Tim Sampson.Comment:  The episode reprises the famous scene where the big, silent Indian smashes a window with a drinking fountain. DeVito plays the Jack Nicholson role and Sampson plays his father's role. DeVito calls Sampson "Chief" and "Tonto"--names I think Nicholson's character used also.

All in all, it's a cute little homage, but nothing special. For more on the subject, see TV Shows Featuring Indians.

No comments: