From left: Thomas Barbusca, Sofia Black-D’elia, Jack Stanton and Kaitlin Olson
Two writer-producers from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” team up to create a sitcom with one of the long-running show’s stars—and the result is nothing short of riotous.
Combining wacky family dynamics with often dark or risque humor, Dave and John Chernin’s “The Mick” brings in hilarious actress Kaitlin Olson as con artist Mickey, who is forced to raise her rich sister’s three kids after an unexpected disappearing act.
Mickey is utterly shameless, initially dropping by her sister Poodle’s (Tricia O’Kelley) posh place to leech off her. But, in an amusing twist of fate, it’s revealed that Poodle and her hubby are even bigger scammers, deciding to flee the United States and, therefore, giving Mickey a taste of the good life.
Fox Life’s “The Mick” is the suitable comedic vehicle for Olson, whose loud, vanity-free portrayal of the hesitant adult is exceedingly familiar.
Mick has a tough bunch to corral: Sabrina (Sofia Black-D’elia) is a sexually active teen and a condescending queen bee; whiny Chip (Thomas Barbusca) is often clueless when it comes to girls; and Ben (Jack Stanton) is a cute but weird kid with troubling behavior.
Welcome arrival
Prior to all this, housekeeper Alba (Carla Jimenez) raised the children almost by herself. She welcomes the arrival of the more approachable Mickey, who treats her like an equal. They’re joined by Mickey’s swindling boyfriend, Jimmy (Scott MacArthur), who becomes a father figure of sorts to the kids.
“The Mick” mines, and thrives on, awkward situations. It usually fits two concurrent storylines into a half-hour episode. The irreverence is nonstop and nothing is sacred.
Case in point: Ben, believing that birth control pills are “magical,” secretly steals and ingests them—with gut-busting results.
It repeatedly pushes the proverbial envelope, giving its unconventional family an appealing setup, and easily finding the funny bone in many things classy—and trashy.