Peacock’s original sitcom “Ted” has left viewers in stitches over the early adventures of the titular foul-mouthed talking teddy bear (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and his best friend, John Bennett (Max Burkholder). Among the prequel’s standout characters is John’s mother, Susan Bennett (Alanna Ubach), the loving, albeit naive matriarch. More than a decade earlier, Ubach also delivered an unforgettable guest performance on the FX sitcom, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where she played Roxy, a sex worker who becomes the object ofFrank Reynolds’ (Danny DeVito) affection.
In the Season 7 premiere episode, “Frank’s Pretty Woman,”Frank becomes so enamored with Roxy that he decides to propose to her.Dee Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson) opts to give Roxy the “Pretty Woman” treatment, attempting to clean her up so she’s more accepted by society. Meanwhile, Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) is skeptical of Frank’s wishes, feeling that Roxy is a gold digger, and instead tries to set him up with another woman who would love him beyond his wealth.
How Roxy and Susan showcase the comedic range of Alanna Ubach
When watching Ubach’s guest-starring role in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” it becomes clear that her comedic acting range is quite impressive. In “Frank’s Pretty Woman,” her abrasive, foul-mouthed Roxy delivers some of the episode’s most hilarious sequences, including a scenein which she and Dee visit a high-end fashion store and she spills vodka over a $500 leather jacket. The charactercould not be more different from Susan in “Ted,” a true sweetheart of a mother who is often treated unfairly by her family, particularly with her husband, Matty Bennett (Scott Grimes).
Ubach’s on-screen dynamic with DeVito can also be traced back to their earlier collaboration. As she shared in an interview with Good Day Sacramento, “I played his daughter in ‘Renaissance Man,’ and cut to, like, 20-30 years later, I’m playing his fiancée.” That contrast adds an extra layer of humor to their scenes together, and Ubach was fully willing to embrace the show’s chaotic tone. She also recalled pitching another bold moment to her on-screen love interest:”Danny, is it okay to make out with you in this next shot, because I’m just gonna grab you and start kissing you,” to which DeVito replied, “Do what you want, Alanna, whatever makes them laugh, sure.” Their work together pays off, with Ubach’s performance landing as one of the episode’s most memorable comedic beats.
