Fish out of water
Kaitlin Olson rears three spoiled rich kids in ‘The Mick’
As an adult who doesn’t entirely have her life together, I can sympathize with those who find it tiresome (and a little scoff-inducing) to watch shows featuring 20- and 30-somethings who totally have life figured out. Listen, we’re not all married with two lovely children, a high-paying job, a house and more than two closets before the age of 35 (or heck, even 40, these days).
That’s why I think people will really get on board with “The Mick,” a new sitcom headlined by “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s” Kaitlin Olson. Whatever your current station in life, there’s something pretty great about seeing a full-fledged adult making life happen even though absolutely no element of that life is solidly nailed down. The auspicious comedy premieres New Year’s Day on Fox, before moving to its regular Tuesday night timeslot starting Jan. 3.
Olson, who also executive produces the show, stars in “The Mick” as the titular Mackenzie “Mickey” Murphy, a sharpminded yet salty, ribald and chronically shiftless hustler from Rhode Island who’s never had a shred of interest in acquiring any sense of responsibility. Broke again, she travels to Greenwich, Connecticut, to pay a visit to her estranged sister, Pamela (Tricia O’Kelley, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”), and billionaire brother-in-law, hoping for a handout.
She ends up with a good deal more than a fat check and a hasty retreat, however. It seems that Pamela, who has built up an impressive blue-blood facade, doesn’t have her own life tied up so neatly after all, even as she criticizes her wayward sister. When she and her husband are nailed with federal fraud charges, they flee the country, leaving their three kids in the care of their foul-mouthed, hard-living, booze-swilling Aunt Mickey.
On the one hand, Mickey suddenly finds herself in a huge Connecticut mansion with a pool, a convertible, a housekeeper and closets full of designer clothes. On the other hand, this highly irresponsible woman is now entirely responsible for the rearing and well-being of three horribly spoiled children.
Teenaged Sabrina (Sofia Black-D’Elia, “The Messengers”) oozes disdain for the whole situation, leaving the quick-witted Mickey to resort to unconventional tactics to keep her in line. Entitled 13-year-old Chip (Thomas Barbusca, “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp”) is insufferably arrogant with an “extremely punchable face” (Fox’s words, not mine), and thinks that throwing money at a problem will make it go away. Sevenyear-old Ben (newcomer Jack Stanton), still young enough that he hasn’t yet been ruined by his pampered upbringing, is a cute-as-a-button nerd-in-themaking with his own credit card.
It’s a true fish-out-of-water scenario for Mickey, who not only has to live alongside these mostly distasteful kids, but raise them to be normal, decent humans as well. Her niece and nephews are understandably less than thrilled about the whole setup, yet, as anyone lucky enough to have grown up with a “fun” aunt or uncle will understand, they soon get on board with having a ne’er-do-well for a guardian.
As “Always Sunny” fans know, the role of the hot mess is one with which Olson is well acquainted. Mickey is comparable to Sweet Dee, the character Olson has played for 11 seasons in the FX series. As much as Olson loves her “Always Sunny” work, she’s thrilled to be stepping into a more family-friendly network.
“I spent 12 years on a show that my children can’t watch,” the mother of two explained to Bustle. “I set out to make something that could maintain the comedic integrity of what we were going for, ... a network show that really feels like it belongs in cable.”
Whatever the series, comedy is clearly where Olson is in her element. Before starring in “Always Sunny,” she toured with The Groundlings, the improvisational and sketch comedy troupe whose alumni list includes the likes of Jon Lovitz (“Saturday Night Live”), Will Ferrell (“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” 2004), Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) and Melissa McCarthy (“Ghostbusters,” 2016), to name just a few notables who went on to enjoy illustrious comedy careers. She’s had guest spots in “Family Guy,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Drew Carey Show” and “New Girl,” but it’s with Sweet Dee that the actress has really made a name for herself.
While Olson is undeniably a strong comedic presence, the kids are a major driving force of the show. From Sabrina getting tricked into downing a NyQuil cocktail to keep her home from an unsanctioned night on the town to Chip getting the dirt kicked out of him by a bully, thanks to Mickey’s “helpful” advice, the young actors definitely hold their own in the show. And, with the typical resilience of children, it doesn’t take too long for their characters to adjust to their much weirder new lives; they seem admirably unfazed by waking up to their aunt face-down in the front hall clad in a wine-soaked wedding dress.
Stick around after the NFL doubleheader for the series premiere of “The Mick.” It airs Sunday, Jan. 1, on Fox, before moving to its regular home on Tuesday nights.