Former ABQ resident Marc Maron comes out swinging with Apple TV+'s 'Stick'

When Marc Maron was filming for the Apple TV+ series “Stick,” there was one thing that had to happen quickly.

Maron and Owen Wilson — who play best friends Mitts and Pryce Cahill — had to establish a chemistry on screen.

This is why the pair spent a lot of time hanging out together before the shoot and while on set.

“Owen is a singular guy and talent, and we had a lot of fun on and off camera,” Maron says. “Owen was intuitive about the emotional range of Pryce, and also about our dynamics.

“We had a lot of conversations about how we were going to handle scenes. Some of them are funny, some are pretty heavy, as Pryce and Mitts have been through a lot, together and separately. Their bond is a little strained, but they always care for each other.”

“Stick” is a golf comedy series created by Jason Keller.

Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer.

After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi, played by Peter Dager, according to Apple TV+.

In addition to Wilson and Dager, the ensemble cast includes Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer and Timothy Olyphant, and features guest appearances from golf superstars such as Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark and more.

“Stick” premiered on Wednesday, June 4, with three episodes. A new episode will be released each Wednesday through July 23.

Maron — a Highland High School alum and former Albuquerque resident — fell into his role as Mitts with ease.

Not only is Mitts Cahill’s best friend, he’s also his former caddy.

Mitts is described as an opinionated loner.

Series creator Jason Keller says when he was thinking about Mitts, Maron came to mind.

“Mitts is this cranky guy who doesn’t quite understand the modern world and is often frustrated and upset by it,” Keller says. “And that’s Marc. But both of them are these really beautiful people. It’s been fun seeing Marc inhabit this role and bring the things I hoped he’d bring to it, which is warmth, intelligence and fun.”

Wilson describes the relationship between Mitts and Pryce as akin to an old married couple. “They’re not afraid to say unpleasant things to each other,” Wilson says. “They have a deep connection and friendship, but there’s also a lot of history and that can sometimes come out in a bitter way. The relationship between a caddy and pro player, especially one that’s been with them forever, is that’s the person you go to for advice. Mitts has a wisdom and insight into Pryce that other people don’t have. Mitts is also kind of curmudgeonly, and I think that Marc was able to access that quality in himself. What’s nice is it’s just real, it’s not sentimental, and it has an edge to it.”

Wilson says pulling back the layers on Cahill’s past was important.

He says back in the day, Cahill was ranked 18th in the world and was a stellar athlete who understood the game.

But then his life went off the rails.

He says when Cahill sees Santi hit a golf ball like he’s never seen anyone do before, he wants to take the kid on the road and qualify him.

What he doesn’t realize is that he’s only 17 and still living with his mother, Elena, played by Treviño.

Cahill gets her blessing and then finds a way for them to travel across the country to golf tournaments. This is where Maron’s Mitts falls into place and drives them in the RV.

Along the way, they meet Zero, played by Lilli Kay, who ultimately becomes Santi’s caddy. “He thinks Santi could be the next Tiger Woods,” Wilson says. “He’s a phenom, and that reinvigorates Pryce’s life. He feels like he can really do something with this kid, and it gives him a purpose. And even though Pryce was a pro golfer, he realizes this kid could be next level. When he discovers him, he’s like, ‘We can do something with this kid. We can make some money off him.’ ”

Former ABQ resident comes out swinging with Apple TV+'s 'Stick'