SNAPSHOT
Set in Los Angeles, Blunt Talk follows Walter Blunt, a British import intent on conquering the world of American cable news and the fallout from his well-intentioned, but mostly misguided decision-making, both on and off the air. Through the platform of his nightly cable news show, Blunt is on a mission to impart his wisdom and guidance on how Americans should live, think and behave. Besieged by network bosses, a dysfunctional news staff, numerous ex-wives and children of all ages, Blunt’s only support is the heavy-drinking, devoted manservant he transplanted from the U.K. to join him in Los Angeles.The cast is led by Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise, Ted) in the role of Walter Blunt, Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook) as Rosalie, Blunt’s tough and motherly producer-manager and Adrian Scarborough (The King’s Speech) as Harry, Blunt’s manservant. Dolly Wells (Doll & Em) who was cast as Celia, Blunt’s senior producer and head writer, with Timm Sharp (Enlightened), who was cast as Jim, Blunt’s head writer, round out the cast. (synopsis via Coming Soon)
It looks to be a case of do as I say, not as I do, in the case of William Blunt, an hilariously-opinionated Englishman who is determined to instruct Americans on the right way to live.
Trouble is, dear old Mr. Blunt, start of his own Piers Morgan-ish cable news opinion show, Blunt Talk, is not exactly a paragon of laudable humanity, and thus not the sort of role model many people would choose to follow.
But then when has that exactly affected any public figure’s rise to prominence or influence?
“Some people toe the line. Others Walk the Line. Walter Blunt Will Do A Line, If politely offered.”
The reality is it hasn’t, and in the case of the latest comedy offering from the gloriously, politically incorrect hand of Seth McFarlane (the series’ creator is Bored to Death‘s Jonathan Ames), with whom Patrick Stewart shares a long and creatively-productive history, it’s going to provide a lot of material for skewering everything from the modern cables news cycle to celebrity and a whole lot of salaciously funny things in-between.
And despite MacFarlane’s penchant for wildly out there humour, I have to agree with Screenrant when they note Blunt Talk probably won’t be a full-on as you might expect.
“How much cocaine-snorting and in what fashion are yet to be revealed but we’re guessing we’re not dealing with a Tony Montana Scarface or a Jordan Belfort The Wolf of Wall Street situation. Knowing Stewart’s mellow persona and subtle approach to comedy, it’s likely to be a more controlled situation.”
Even so as Stewart makes clear in the featurette, he won’t exactly be portraying a choir boy by anyone’s imagination:
“In the last 10 weeks I have done things on camera that I would never do in a locked and darkened room when I was entirely alone.”
It sounds like a lot of outrageous fun, with great satirical commentary thrown in for good measure, another worthy addition to the golden age of TV currently underway.
Blunt Talk premieres on Starz on 22 August 2015.