Familiar but funny.
Do you like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? More specifically, do you like Kaitlin Olson on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia? Then Fox's midseason comedy The Mick, debuting January 1st, is definitely made for you.
The series follows Olson as the brash, outspoken, blue-collar Mickey, a.k.a. alternate timeline Sweet Dee, who finds herself living the life of a wealthy suburban housewife when her tax-evading sister and brother-in-law flee the country and she's stuck caring for her spoiled niece and nephews.
Remember that episode of It's Always Sunny where Dennis and Charlie briefly move to the 'burbs? It's a little bit like that, but instead of going slowly insane, Mickey decides to rebel against the Stepford wives and perfect children that inhabit the rich Connecticut town and make their existence a little more exciting in the process.
Essentially, The Mick puts a Sunny-esque twist on a simple fish-out-of-water story. And thanks to Olson, who is just as funny here as she is on FX, it totally works - despite the fact that the character is just a slightly more competent, self-aware version of Dee Reynolds. Or at least a version of Dee who can read the social cues of others (she just doesn't particularly care either way). You wouldn't want Dee in charge of three children in any situation, but Mickey, although wildly irresponsible, is actually trying (though she would deny it).
Mickey's new charges are her self-sufficient, rebellious teenage niece, Sabrina Pemberton (Sofia Black D'Elia), who is probably way more qualified to raise her siblings and wants nothing to do with Mickey (especially if it means taking orders from her), entrepreneurial 13-year-old nephew Chip Pemberton (Thomas Barbusca), whose idol would probably be Alex P. Keaton if he actually knew who that was, and her adorable youngest nephew Ben Pemberton (Jack Stanton), who, much like the youngest child on ABC's American Housewife, struggles with a few mental health afflictions.
Then there's Mickey's well-meaning but total screwup boyfriend, Jimmy (Scott MacArthur) -- well, in Mickey's eyes they're not technically a couple though they have been involved for a decade -- and the Pemberton family maid, Alba (Carla Jimenez). Alba and Mickey strike up a friendship that's based mostly on the fact that Mickey treats Alba like an actual human and helps her break out of her shell a bit. The power dynamic is still a little wonky, but over the course of the first three episodes the women build a rapport. Alba is by no means the traditional straight man, but next to Mickey she's far more responsible (and asserts herself more and more as she comes out of her shell).
It makes sense that The Mick shares more than a bit of DNA with It's Always Sunny as the show comes from longtime Sunny producers John and Dave Chernin. And, ya know, the fact that Olson stars and executive produces as well. That too.
The strongest part of The Mick, however, is the fact that it's funny. With the political polarization in the country and the approximately 500 superstar icons 2016 has claimed, it feels good to laugh, especially at the bickering of another family rather than your own. The show's premise can sustain plenty of material, and will also fit in well with the rest of Fox's comedy lineup. It's not as feel-good as Brooklyn Nine-Nine or New Girl, and not as vulgar and line-crossing as It's Always Sunny, but Olson finally gets the starring role she deserves and she's a delight to watch.
The Verdict
If Sweet Dee is your favorite part of It's Always Sunny, then you'll like this slightly more normal and competent version of the same character. Plus, it's a comedy with actual laughs. What a concept!
The Mick premieres Sunday, January 1st on FOX.
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