Rob McElhenney recently visited a breathtaking new hotel in West Hollywood for a conference, and he couldn’t resist taking photos of the place on his phone. “I had never been there before, and it was beautiful,” he explained. “So I took lots of pictures because I thought Kaitlin would love it. It’s exactly her style. And wouldn’t it be nice if we could just have a short getaway here, even for one night?
It’s thoughtful and heartwarming that after almost 17 years, this husband is considering a spontaneous trip with his wife – a clear testament to the resilience of their bond, which stands as the foundation for what is now one of TV’s most influential power couples.
Some time has passed, and McElhenney is sharing this story from his West L.A. office. Sitting next to him on a comfortable sofa is Olson, along with Ryan Reynolds, represented by a cardboard cutout, looking down at them. They all agree that they manage to keep things running smoothly – despite having two children, the expanding football club in Wrexham co-owned by McElhenney and Reynolds, and Olson’s recently successful TV show, “High Potential.” “Well, we still get along,” Olson remarks.
They initially crossed paths when he chose her for the role of Sweet Dee in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” a comedy series on FX, all the way back in 2005. Now, their children have grown up to the point where they can watch the entire show in one sitting.
Later on, McElhenney shares an anecdote, saying, “Last night, our fifteen-year-old was watching ‘Sunny’…
“He’s 14,” Olson reminds him.
McElhenney replies, “He’s nearly 15 years old!” However, he recently watched the first season of ‘Sunny’, and we watched it together. We appear as young children! We’ve changed so much – not just in comparison to our characters, but also from back then. We’ve been working together for a long time now, and it’s fascinating to see this new version of us being watched by the character we created. It’s an incredibly strange feeling.
In their youthful days, McElhenney and Olson wouldn’t have predicted where their paths would lead. Fast forward twenty years, they’ve become quite a dynamic duo, revitalizing not one but two struggling industries – television broadcasting and a British football club. If the terms “stimulus” and “package” sound a bit risqué, I’m sure after 17 seasons of their edgy “Sunny” humor, they would find the double meaning amusing.
Charlie Day, who stars alongside ‘Sunny’ and is also an executive producer, remarks it’s quite remarkable if one of them goes for a run, but what’s truly astounding is that they’ve been consistently achieving success,” he says. “In other words, they’re on a roll.
Initially, it’s worth noting that Olson significantly contributes to the revival of broadcast television this season. The ABC series “High Potential,” which is currently one of the most popular shows on TV, has injected fresh energy into the network TV landscape, rejuvenating it following the dominance of cable and streaming services in primetime hours. (In this series, inspired by the French/Belgian format “HPI” and reworked by Drew Goddard, Olson portrays a single mother who has a knack for solving crimes.)
Simultaneously, on the other side of the ocean, McElhenney and his companion Ryan Reynolds have transformed an unassuming Wrexham football team into a topic of conversation across the U.K. The team’s victories have revitalized its economically struggling local community, as Wrexham AFC has experienced three consecutive promotions in the English Football League, which is quite extraordinary. Last month, the club pulled off an unexpected win that propelled it to the Championship level, just one step away from the prestigious Premier League.
Apart from this duo’s current roles, Olson also frequently appears as a guest star on Max’s “Hacks.” Her outstanding performances have earned her two consecutive Emmy nominations for portraying Deborah Vance’s (Jean Smart) daughter. These performances significantly contributed to the show winning the award for Outstanding Comedy. Jean Smart praises Olson, saying, “She is incredibly talented and exceptional. The attention she’s receiving now is long overdue; I admired her from the moment I met her.”
In other Emmy news, McElhenney has been honored with two awards for his work on FX’s unscripted series “Welcome to Wrexham,” which documents his and Reynolds’ journey following their purchase of a football team.
Also important to recall: “Sunny,” the long-standing series that McElhenney oversees, where the pair initially kindled their romance, is set to return in July for its 17th season. This makes it a record-breaker as the longest-running scripted live-action sitcom.
They too run a business together as investors at Mac’s Tavern, a bar in Philly, which is named after McElhenney’s character from “Sunny” but also serves as a nickname he has begun to adopt. This might signal a significant personal rebranding move he’s contemplating (I’ll elaborate on that shortly).
According to FX boss John Landgraf, this individual is someone who identifies a task to be accomplished or sees a problem needing a solution, then simply finds a way to make it happen. For instance, if he decides on a whim to purchase an old soccer team in the U.K. with Ryan Reynolds, they manage to find a team. It’s almost like magic that the king of England and the prince of Wales are now visiting that place. There’s just something extraordinary about them, and it’s no surprise to me that ‘High Potential’ is proving popular due to Kaitlin’s exceptional talent in developing characters and scenes.
They both don multiple roles as actors and producers, and Olson’s comedic talents and McElhenney’s business savvy are drawing comparisons to another iconic duo from a past era of TV greatness: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, during the height of their “I Love Lucy” fame.
The pair shows a slight hesitation upon noticing the similarity to Ball/Amaz: “We’d never make such a comparison between us and Lucy and Desi!” McElhenney remarks, addressing Olson. “Still, John has likened you to Lucille Ball.
Indeed, Landgraf instantly became an admirer of Olson during the audition for “Sunny”. As he put it, “Kaitlin was exceptional; it felt like watching Lucille Ball enter the room.” He appreciated her physical comedy delivery, stating that regardless of the situation she found herself in, there was a unique charm to her performance.
Glenn Howerton, Sunny’s co-star and executive producer, remarks, “Rob consistently excels. He’s intelligent, modest, and a fantastic team player, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. As for Kaitlin, I can’t fathom how she manages it. She’s juggling three television shows! It makes me wonder, what’s going on? If I were to emulate what they’re doing, there might be a part of me that feels envious. But it all seems incredibly demanding. Frankly, I’m too leisurely to handle all that work. It’s simply too much!
As a fellow cast member, I can’t help but feel a sense of immense pride when it comes to Charlie Day. He’s an extraordinary individual, truly. And while I’ve always admired Kaitlin Olson as the funniest one on our show, she’s more than just a hilarious actress. She’s stunningly beautiful, yet her humor and comedic timing are naturally flawless.
In connection with the “Sunny” franchise, McElhenney’s associated production company, More Better Productions, has expanded to include Four Walls Whiskey, a venture he launched alongside Day and Howerton. Additionally, through their shared ownership of Wrexham, McElhenney and Reynolds have grown quite close, often exchanging humorous videos throughout the day (many times) while also discussing strategies for expanding their football club. This friendship has led McElhenney and Olson to offer support to Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, during their high-profile legal dispute with “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni.
McElhenney explains, “We’re finding ways to stay connected and work through things together.” He also shares his efforts to provide as much assistance as possible given all the other challenges he knows his friend is facing. In addition, they are both trying to offer support in a way that doesn’t further complicate matters.
or
McElhenney clarifies that their actions aim to keep in touch and tackle issues jointly. Furthermore, he expresses his attempts to render as much aid as feasible amidst the other hardships his friend is experiencing. Lastly, they both endeavor to offer help without adding more complications to the situation.
Reynolds not only supports his friend but went the extra mile by producing a full music video last year as a guide for correctly pronouncing McElhenney’s surname, which, surprisingly, is quite straightforward: “McKel-Henn-ey.
However, with More Better Productions increasing its worldwide investments, such as soccer teams in Colombia and Mexico, McElhenney has discovered that his surname often causes confusion. He shares that he’s contemplating a name change: “Given that our business and storytelling are growing into other parts of the world and languages where my name is even more challenging to pronounce, I’m simply going by Rob Mac,” he explains.
Before making the change, Mac had been apprehensive about potentially disregarding his heritage. However, he learned that some of his relatives have altered “MacElhenney” in the past. Moreover, during a family visit for his birthday last month, they confessed that they too were keen on changing their surname.
Howerton wasn’t aware of these details, but he compares the situation to when Mac shared his daring plan to purchase a soccer team in the UK, saying, “Perhaps you’re joking about this, or maybe he’s actually in downtown L.A., legally changing his name as we speak – I have no way of knowing for sure.
The Olson family is yet to fully embrace the concept of “Rob Mac”: “The children express discontentment since they share the same surname,” Olson explains. “I, too, hold that name legally.
As a diehard fan, I can’t help but reflect on the near miss of the McElhenney-Olson union in the creation of “Sunny.” This beloved series sprang from a humble, low-budget endeavor hatched by McElhenney, Day, and Howerton during our early days in the acting circuit. Interestingly enough, it was McElhenney who initially showed little enthusiasm about casting Olson.
McElhenney and Olson have mastered the art of origin stories now. During her audition, Olson acted alongside Day while McElhenney was directing. She faced stiff competition for the role, as Kristen Wiig eventually found success on “SNL” and beyond. At one point, she was asked to improvise instead of sticking to the script. “I abandoned the funny parts and focused on enhancing the rest of the material,” Olson remembers. “Afterward, I called my manager and said, ‘The audition went well. I want this role. But I’m furious that I left out the funniest line that was already there, because I was so focused on making everything flow smoothly.’
Who do you think penned the hilarious sentence that Olson failed to include, which McElhenney recalls as “So she leaves the room, we’re no doubt thinking she was awesome”? McElhenney muses, “But I’m unsure if her instincts were 100% correct, since she missed out on the funniest line. Now, could it be a mere coincidence that I wrote that line? At the time, I was just 26 years old and perhaps overly protective of my writing.
Fortunately, McElhenney’s co-producer Nick Frenkel stepped in to correct him, along with everyone else like Landgraf. “McElhenney eventually gave in,” Olson quips about his initial hesitation. “Then I declined the offer for the project.
Indeed, it turned out that Olson had been reading scripts intended for a different character, Sweet Dee, rather than her own role. “Upon receiving the part,” she explains, “I requested four scripts in anticipation.” What she found was startling, as there were no amusing lines written for Sweet Dee. Instead of the crude, delightfully inappropriate character she had been eager to embody, the initial version of Dee was portrayed as a nuisance – while the male characters got to enjoy all the humor and offensive antics.
Following Olson’s refusal, McElhenney phoned her to check on things and listen to her concerns. He shared that due to their limited funds, they hadn’t been able to pen fresh scripts for Dee’s development as planned, but assured her that the character would undergo transformation into something less proper instead. Eventually, Olson agreed and decided to be part of the show.
During the initial year, the budget was so tight that even while overseeing “Sunny,” McElheney continued his job as a waiter. What reason could he have had for not leaving? Well, each episode of “Sunny” paid him $7,500, but after taxes and commission, this wasn’t a large sum, and there was no assurance it would continue beyond the first seven episodes.
McElhenney expresses his pride in those specific episodes, stating, “That was our opportunity, and we’re incredibly proud of them.” He continues, “They were unique compared to anything else on television. We understood that we were taking a risk. John made it clear that they were betting on us. You hadn’t even been the head waiter at a restaurant yet! But he believed in us. He said, ‘You claimed you want to be the showrunner. Yet, you’re not even the head waiter at a restaurant! However, I believe in you.’ They offered us significant control over the show. They wouldn’t pay us much for a while, and they’d see if we could build an audience.” It turned out quite successfully for them!
Around their second year together, “Sunny” saw McElhenney and Olson’s relationship taking an unexpected turn. What started as playful flirting soon became undeniable attraction. As Olson puts it, “I was quite taken with this man who wrote our show, who was a waiter, just how proficiently he managed our television production.” He seemed so young, almost like a 14-year-old, but there was something about him that showed he was far beyond his years. He was incredibly intelligent, hilarious, and a fantastic collaborator. I recall telling my friend, ‘I think I’m developing feelings for this person, but when I hug him, I can embrace him completely from head to toe.’ He was thin and young, not typically my type, yet I found myself falling in love with him. Unfortunately, he didn’t reciprocate those feelings.
Retorts McElhenney: “I was professional!”
However, everything escalated during the wedding of Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis, a cast member known as the Waitress in “Sunny.” Following that weekend, it became clear beyond doubt.
On the film set, Olson confesses, she had a clandestine affection for someone. She admits, ‘This isn’t right,’ but soon found herself deeply smitten with him.
In no time, they were in a relationship, yet their colleagues remained clueless about it. This was true even for Howerton, who was residing with McElhenney during that period. “How could I have missed this?” ponders Howerton, looking back. “She’d frequently visit and then overindulge, claiming she needed to stay overnight. In hindsight, she wasn’t actually drunk; she was simply using that as a pretense to stay in our apartment. And then Rob would vanish for a couple of nights, leaving me wondering what was transpiring. He’d tell me he went out with another woman, just concocting stories!
DeVito expresses his intuition about their relationship: “Whenever we went on a trip or similar occasions, I could feel a certain closeness between them, a subtle and attractive bond,” he explains. “Occasionally, individuals who are meant to be together seem to find each other.
In the end, McElhenney and Olson were compelled to reveal the truth to their fellow actors and the network. Day commented, “I had absolutely no inkling. It caught me completely off guard. Perhaps because Mary Elizabeth and I had been together for such a lengthy period by then, I thought, ‘So what’s the fuss?’ I believe Glenn was somewhat more taken aback.
It’s accurate. Howerton recalls the moment when McElhenney revealed a surprising fact while he was cleaning their two cats’ litter box. “I thought he was joking, as he knows that dating a co-star is the most foolish thing you could do,” Howerton explains. “It puts the show and everyone’s job at risk. If it fails, both of you are in trouble, and the entire show might suffer because of it. So I chuckled, thinking he was kidding, but he replied, ‘No, I’m serious. We gave it our best to prevent it, but we couldn’t help ourselves. We’re in love.’
This is all unfolding as I’m holding a cat litter scoop. I couldn’t help but think, ‘Goodness gracious, are you serious? Surely, you must realize that this is the most absurd thing to do in this situation?’
Landgraf also felt a sense of concern, remarking, “I recall thinking, ‘Oh dear!’ At that time, I didn’t foresee the show lasting for 17 or 18 seasons, but I felt the likelihood of it making it to five seasons had significantly decreased.” He continues, “They are two incredibly witty and attractive individuals. So, while it wasn’t entirely unexpected, and I’m overjoyed that everything turned out well.
Following this, there was not much alteration on the set. Kiefer Sutherland shared, “I’ve always made an effort, even from the start and after we became a couple, to separate things and ensure that when we were engaged in a private discussion, it was truly personal. When we were dealing with professional matters — and of course these boundaries do overlap —you strive to keep what transpires at work confined to the workplace and vice versa.
The couple got married in the year 2008, welcomed their first child, Axel, in 2010 and then their second son, Leo, in 2012. McElhenney and Olson are fully conscious of the good fortune they had while working on “Sunny” in L.A., as it provided a great balance between work and personal life, especially during the years when their children were young.
Olson expresses her gratitude for being able to have children during her husband’s tenure as showrunner, stating that it allows her to be both a mother when she chose to become one and still maintain her career. She adds that while he works throughout the rest of the year, during their show ‘Sunny’, she was a stay-at-home mom for extended periods due to having a newborn. However, she only worked two months out of the year on ‘Sunny’.
Because “Sunny” McElhenney’s Apple TV+ series, “Mythic Quest,” and now Olson’s “High Potential” are filmed locally, this arrangement worked in their favor as the couple had established an early rule – they can only be away from home for a maximum of two weeks on any job.
Olson emphasizes the significance of this point, while McElhenney mentions a mutual understanding between them: regardless of their work schedules, one parent will always be present for key moments like breakfast, school drop-off, dinner, or bedtime. McElhenney explains, ‘Although you might not have both parents, you’ll have one consistently.’ They strive to ensure that no matter how hectic their lives get, the children understand they are the top priority.
As they’ve grown up, the children have become increasingly cognizant of their parents’ celebrity status. “Axel is quite enamored with ‘Sunny,'” Olson points out. “He watches it every evening without fail, and trying to stop him is futile. Consequently, we watch it together frequently, and I find myself doing a lot of pausing and explanation. Satire can be quite complex!
It’s becoming more complicated because the McElhenney-Olson children are expressing an inclination towards emulating their parents by making appearances on camera. This development has stirred up some unease within the household, especially since the boys, who have typically been kept out of the limelight, were spotted on “Welcome to Wrexham.
Olson recalls discussing the decision to hide their identities. “Going through puberty is a sensitive time, and no child should be exposed before they’re ready,” he explains. He adds that everyone has their own insecurities, and the fact that they became famous due to their choice doesn’t make it their fault. However, Rob disregarded this and included them in a documentary against Olson’s wishes, an action that still bothers him.
McElhenney shares that the children adore it. However, he offers a contrasting viewpoint. Many millions of people worldwide express their delight not just by saying they love it, but by enjoying watching it too!
Olson says, “I don’t care about them — I care about my kids! We’re still fighting about it.”
Over the years since I first interviewed them back in 2005 for “Sunny,” it’s been an open and genuine experience talking with Rob and Kaitlin. This candidness, I believe, truly reflects the message they want to convey to their fans – that beneath all the glamorous images associated with this feature, they are a genuinely real couple who take great pride in working tirelessly on their relationship.
In combination, hairstyling, makeup, lighting, photography, outfits – they all contribute to making us appear amazing,” McElhenney points out. “This speaks volumes about the skill and storytelling involved. However, let me be clear: marriage can be extremely challenging. We’ve faced difficult times and joyful ones. We’ve experienced what seemed like our lowest points, and reached heights I never thought possible with a partner. I hope that we’ll continue to navigate through these highs and lows for the next 40, 50, or even 60 years together.
In a pivotal moment in their journey together, McElhenney received a life-changing diagnosis a few years ago: neurodivergence, including ADHD. This revelation shed light on many mysteries I’ve carried about my personal path and the struggles I faced, particularly in academic settings where I underperformed significantly. I never pursued higher education due to these challenges.
He expresses that while he received a great deal of affection and assistance, there were also numerous instances where people assumed he was lazy due to his stubbornness, according to him.
For Olson, the consultation with the neuropsychologist provided insight into an ongoing issue in their marriage: “I appreciated it greatly, as the neuropsychologist called me for a detailed conversation and asked many questions. Rob is truly extraordinary, my closest friend, and my life partner, and he’s simply the best. However, at times, living with him can be challenging. The consultation provided answers that were long overdue. Reflecting on our dating days, there would be moments when I’d think, ‘That’s really strange. What’s causing this behavior?’ Now, I have the vocabulary to ask questions and initiate conversations about these issues. It allows us to discuss them openly, rather than me assuming he’s being disrespectful without cause, because he’s not.
Olson and McElhenney attribute therapy as their tool for finding the right words to navigate everything, primarily since they discovered that Olson tends to approach situations with empathy while McElhenney usually analyzes them systematically. This contrast in perspectives is significant.
Olson expresses his satisfaction with us prioritizing our marriage,” he says. “When we face difficulties, I’m glad to have a therapist, and so does he. It makes me really happy that my partner views therapy positively. If ever we need assistance, we don’t hesitate to seek help, address the issue, and then move forward.
McElhenney and Olson are contemplating what their future will hold once their children have left home, leaving them with more time for strolls together and to explore shared hobbies. However, they’re currently cherishing those final family moments at their Westside residence, which boasts a creek reminiscent of the one Olson knew from her childhood in Oregon.
Olson prefers the time of day he finds most enjoyable, which is currently dinner time with everyone,” Olson mentions. “Following that, we bounce on the trampoline together and then settle down to watch a program. It’s simply wonderful.” McElhenney chimes in, “If I were anywhere in the world at this moment, it would be right here at home.
Styling: Ilaria Urbinati/The Wall Group; Makeup: Kara Yoshimoto Bua/A Frame Agency; Hair: Abby Roll and April Schuller; Look 1 (Black dress/white shirt) Rob: Tuxedo shirt: Dolce and Gabbana; Trousers: Fendi; Kaitlin: Top and pants: Sandro Paris; Earrings: Saule; Look 2 (At pool): Rob: Shirt: Sandro Paris; Shorts: Todd Snyder; Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples; Watch: IWC; Ring: David Yurman; Kaitlyn: Dress: Rhea Acosta; Earrings: Saule; Ring: White Space; Shoes: Blank Suede Studio; Look 3 (Car): Rob: Shirt: Amiri; Trunks: Che Studios; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Watch: IWC; Ring: David Yurman; Kaitlin: Dress: Amiri; Shoes: Malone Souliers; Ring: Dana Kemp
Read More
- 50 Goal Sound ID Codes for Blue Lock Rivals
- How to use a Modifier in Wuthering Waves
- Basketball Zero Boombox & Music ID Codes – Roblox
- Lucky Offense Tier List & Reroll Guide
- 50 Ankle Break & Score Sound ID Codes for Basketball Zero
- MrBeast Becomes the Youngest Self-Made Billionaire in History
- Ultimate Myth Idle RPG Tier List & Reroll Guide
- ATHENA: Blood Twins Hero Tier List (May 2025)
- EA FC 25 LaLiga TOTS: Release Date LEAKED! + Predictions!
- Unlock All Avinoleum Treasure Spots in Wuthering Waves!
2025-05-21 18:22