Summary

• BlackBerry offers Glenn Howerton a chance to shine in a different comedic style, potentially earning him major awards recognition.
• Despite It's Always Sunny's oversight, Howerton's performance in BlackBerry received accolades, especially in Canada, showcasing his versatility.
• The movie, a comedic take on BlackBerry's rise and fall, highlights the cutthroat entrepreneurial world of Silicon Valley and the downfall of a tech giant.

Glenn Howerton is one of the stars of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but his newest movie BlackBerry can fix the show's 18-year failure. Although BlackBerry is clearly a different style of humor than It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's irreverent and immature comedic styling, both projects are comedies, instantly making them comparable. However, BlackBerry has the chance to do for Glenn Howerton what It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia couldn't in one big way.

BlackBerry is a 2023 biopic about the creation of the titular cell phone, one of the world's first smartphones. Glenn Howerton stars in the movie as Jim Balsillie, a wealthy Canadian businessman and the former co-CEO of BlackBerry. Although Glenn Howerton is more well-known for his sitcom roles, some It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans were hoping that it could launch the actor's film career, possibly by doing something that the TV show couldn't; earning him a major award nomination.

Watch Blackberry on Hulu

BlackBerry Should Have Given Glenn Howerton A Major Awards Nod

Critics Praised Howerton For His Standout Performance

Upon its release, it seemed as if BlackBerry could finally have garnered Glenn Howerton a major awards nod, something that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia hasn't yet been able to do. The movie was overwhelmingly positively received by critics with Howerton's performance as the bald and uncaged co-CEO often being called a standout. Thanks to studying at Juliard, Howerton can bring a kind of theatricality to the over-the-top sitcom that the rest of the Always Sunny cast can't reach. Howerton has been deserving of an award nod for years, and BlackBerry should have been what finally earned him one.

Despite playing Dennis in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for 16 seasons, Glenn Howerton hasn't been nominated for a single major award for his performance on the show. Howerton's performance is one of the show's most impressive, with him channeling rage and narcissism in an incredibly impressive way. While he has gotten some minor nods for his writing, Howerton really deserves an acting award. Unfortunately, BlackBerry couldn't make up for the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia oversight, even though fans believe he was totally deserving.

Why It’s Always Sunny Has Never Been Nominated For A Competitive Emmy

The Cast Blames The Lack Of FX's Award Campaigning

Despite its long runtime, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has never been nominated for a competitive Emmy. The series has been up for three Creative Arts Emmys, being nominated for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program in 2013, 2014, and 2015, although it didn't manage to win those. Due to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's critical reception, it's shocking that it hasn't won any Emmys - but there is a reason why.

As Howerton, Day, and McElhenney have frequently discussed on their podcast, they feel as if they have been overlooked by the Emmys. This is in part due to the show's cult status, with awards ceremonies often looking over comedies that they consider "low-brow." On top of that, the series doesn't get a major For Your Consideration push when compared to FX's prestige TV shows. Despite these factors, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia certainly deserves some awards recognition.

The Awards Glenn Howerton Did Receive For Blackberry

Howeton Earned A Number Of Accolades, Especially In Canada

While he wasn't nominated for an Acade,y Award, or any other major award in Hollywood, Glenn Howerton's remarkable performance in Blackberry has still garnered him significant accolades. At the Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Awards, Howerton was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award, a testament to his compelling portrayal in the film. His role not only captivated audiences but also earned him the Game Changer Award at the Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards, highlighting his innovative contribution to cinema through his performance.

In Canada, Howerton's talent was further recognized. He received the Best Supporting Male Actor in a Canadian Film award from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, an achievement made even more notable as he was competing against his castmate and Blackberry director Matt Johnson, who was also nominated. Additionally, the Toronto Film Critics Association awarded him for Outstanding Performance in a Canadian Film, affirming his exceptional contribution to the film's success. Each of these awards not only celebrates Howerton's skill and dedication but also his significant impact on the film industry through his role in Blackberry.