I am totally hooked on Elaine Carroll’s web series Very Mary-Kate, which parodies fashion icon Mary-Kate Olsen and her wealthy lifestyle. Carroll’s portrayal of MK is hilariously blonde; the faux-Olsen is whiney and perma-stoned, delivering lines like “I just want a tube baby while they’re still in style” with a straight face while abusing her body-guard and guzzling watermelon and Xanex purées.
Elaine Carroll honored Drooling Isn’t Pretty with an interview:
DIP: What inspired you to take on Mary-Kate Olsen as a comedic character?
EC: I did an impression of Mary-Kate about 2 years ago when I auditioned for SNL. It was a hit, so I just continued doing it. The more I performed it, the more it developed into a full blown character, and that’s when I got the idea to have a web series about her life.
Do you write the Very Mary Kate episodes yourself? Is there a lot of improvisation?
I write all the episodes myself. There’s some improvisation that happens on set, particularly between me and Luke Sholl, the actor who plays “Bodyguard”, but for the most part, we stick to the script.
You play Ashley and Mary-Kate very distinctly in the web series. Do you have totally different approaches to each of their characters?
The focus of “Very Mary-Kate” is on Mary-Kate Olsen becoming independent from her sister, so yes, Ashley ends up being the “straight man” in the scenes. But don’t be surprised if Ashley’s life gets a little more complicated in upcoming episodes… (Cue suspenseful music!)
Tell us about the fashion! What does it take for you to be Mary-Kate?
Becoming an Olsen Twin takes wigs, hats, kimonos, scarves, every single piece of jewelry in my closet, tons of make-up, and their distinct smile.
Does your personal style compare to Mary-Kate’s?
I wish. Mary-Kate’s style is amazing. My style is more, um, just whatever is clean.
Are you a fan of hers?
Big time. I grew up watching all their straight to VHS movies, walking around the house singing “Peanut Butter” and “Brother for Sale”. In fact, my biggest childhood dream was to be on “Full House”. I think of “Very Mary-Kate” as fan fiction.
On the topic of fashion, I have to know… Are you wearing a three-finger bling ring in the 4th Episode? If so, that’s amazing.
Thank you! I just found it in a box of costume jewelry, and was like “Yep, this is happening.” Sorry Mary-Kate, I know you’d never wear something like that in real life, but I couldn’t resist!
Is there a baby D’erangelo Eunich Trollface Olsen in Mary-Kate’s future?
You’ll just have to wait and see, missy! (Grandma Trollface is keeping her fingers crossed!)
There are a lot more episodes coming, right?? I’m hooked!
There are SOO many more episodes coming! I love doing this series, and I’ll continue doing it as long as there’s an audience for it!
What’s in store for you after Very Mary-Kate? Do you have other web series in the works?
There’s a bunch of things after VMK. I’m working on a film called “The Good Doctor” and just shot a pilot for Fox. You can always see me in videos on Collegehumor.com. As far as another web series? Maybe one about Tia and Tamera Mowry from “Sister, Sister”!
Finally… English muffins or bagels?
Bagels. And the correct spelling is “Beh-g’l”.
Thank you so much, Elaine, for the fabulous interview! My favorite line from the show is “I pee on ONE statue of ONE liberty and suddenly I’m irresponsible?!?” I think that should be a t-shirt! What do you guys think, are you ready for episode nine?
