Non-Geek TV From The Geek Perspective: Blunt Talk

There’s a lot of TV out there, and some of it isn’t quite what you might think it is when you hear who’s behind it.

This week, we’re covering the Starz series Blunt Talk.

What’s the premise?

A British anchorman working in America, after an embarrassing encounter with law enforcement, vows to make a real difference for the American people.

What’s the appeal?

You know who’s playing Walter Blunt, former military man turned TV journalist?

This guy…again!

So, we may get the chance to see Patrick Stewart stretch his comedic muscles.

Anything stand out?

OK, so, initially I thought this was just going to be a string of goofy crude jokes while Sir Patrick Stewart plays a broad, depraved, comedic character.  Why would I assume this? Well, the executive producer is Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane.  Outside the pilot episode, there actually isn’t much of that.  The real creative force here isn’t McFarlane, but writer/creator Jonathan Ames, who created the HBO pot comedy Bored to Death.

As such, the humor is a lot gentler than viewers might have come to expect from McFarlane.  Walter Blunt, the main character, really wants to make the world a better place and make a difference, and Stewart’s full range is used to its best advantage.  He even quotes Shakespeare.

The cast is also filled with fairly reliable comedic actors.  Besides the regulars like Jacki Weaver, Timm Sharp, Dolly Wells, and Adrian Scarborough, there are some good regular guest stars and reoccurring characters played by the likes of Richard Lewis, Elizabeth Shue, Ed Begley Jr., theme song writer Moby, Stewart’s Next Generation co-star Brent Spiner, Romany Malco, and Bored to Death star Jason Schwartzman.  Stewart’s son Daniel even appeared in an episode as Walter’s boxer son Rafe.

Basically, there’s a lot of talent here, and Walter Blunt is pretty darn far from Peter Griffin.

Any downsides?

Truth be told, the show isn’t what you might call a laugh out loud comedy.  It’s clever and fun, but there are much better comedies out there.