Blunt Talk

For me this is a very rare 10 and an even rarer review. I should disclose to begin with that I have a pretty weighty man-crush on Jonathan Ames, the creator of the show. His memoirs, fiction, and TV work all have the same vibe of sweetly honest strangeness, and I find them all disarming and hilarious. He's a weird guy, but he's not ashamed or proud of it, he just presents it as is, and the result could maybe be described as absurdist realism? There's nothing fantastical about the world or the characters, but everything's just slightly off-kilter so that there's a vague surrealism pervading everything. (A comparison could be made with Miranda July's stuff.) But the human relations and emotions are completely real, and they manage to steer clear of mawkishness even though your heart's always feeling snug and warm by the end of an episode. You haven't laughed at anyone's expense, you've just laughed at humans being humans and trying to connect, and you switch the TV off and go to bed with a smile. This is my favourite of all Jonathan Ames' creations, I think. (Or is it only because I just now finished the first season? Maybe I'll go back and have another look at Bored to Death, just to make sure…)

Blunt Talk seems like someone's drunken idea to mix Entourage and Episodes but with Patrick Stewart as the lead. If that's the case, that someone deserves a cookie. It's highly exaggerated, a bit juvenile take on superstar's career and personal life.The series might not hit all the comedic mark and it hinges on the veteran lead, but with enough material packed into thirty minutes episode as well as Stewart's charming performance, it's a respectably enjoyable viewing.

Walter Blunt is a British newscaster who finds an opportunity in Los Angeles, however after years of monotony his show has become stale. Not to mention he has all sort of personal vices that always put him into unsavory situations. Blunt then resorts to silly antics and the help of dubious characters to maintain his talk show.

The show is banking a lot on Patrick Stewart, and with lifetime experience he's fully equipped for even these quirky gags. Script is pretty funny, although it doesn't rise to the level of more polished comedy such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine. This is definitely not an in-depth social commentary about an idol lifestyle, just merry occasionally mindless ride through it. The comedy style works for most part simply because the contrasting nature of the usually composed actors and his exaggerated predicaments here.

It can be a bit crude sometimes, but watching the versatile Patrick Stewart tumbles around the celerity life is a gleeful spectacle.

Blunt Talk is so much fun! Not only are the characters lovable yet amusingly flawed, they are articulate, funny and very entertaining. Maybe it's fun to watch them mess-up because we're thinking, "Well, at least I'm not THAT bad!" But forget the analysis, I'm really enjoying watching their antics and can't wait to see what happens next. I like the dialog and the casting very much. I disagree that it's only humorous because Patrick Stewart is playing against type. In my view, his portrayal of Blunt is brilliant, believable and intrinsically funny. I hope Blunt Talk runs a long time; it lightens up my day and puts a smile on my face.

I went into this partially skeptical. I was so pleasantly surprised and immediately addicted. Stewart is brilliant and the casting director equally so. This series is now on our "Do not miss" TV schedule! The writing is chaotically streamlined. What I mean by that is there's a lot going on with the dialogue, but not difficult at all to follow. The acting is... well... Patrick Stewart. He's an actor's idol and all the supporting cast keeps up with him with an energy unsurpassed in almost any other series. That was the fastest half hour I've ever spent and would love to see it expanded to a one-hour show. There was absolutely no moment where I wasn't enthralled.

I do like a good Hollywood bad boy. And Walter Blunt despite his advanced age (still got it though) is one bad bad boy. The show balances the dissolute, decadent and nihilistic view on the world with the kind, sensitive and appealing view on love and personal relationships. With emphasis on the fact that everyone is in their own way broken on the inside. You will enjoy Walter's awkward encounters with the real life as well as his drug fueled insane parties. I would say Blunt talk is what Californication's and Bored to death's love child would be like. I do mean that as a compliment being fan of both "parents". Starz, please, do not cancel!