Parents' Guide to

Blunt Talk

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Older teens only for this hilarious media-savvy comedy.

TV Starz Comedy 2015
Blunt Talk Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

After making the decision to move to Los Angeles to conquer the American cable news market, British newscaster Walter Blunt (Patrick Stewart) is the host of BLUNT TALK, and he's at a crossroads. He's just gone through his third divorce, the future of his relationship with his young son is in question, he's drinking too much, and his ratings have plummeted. If he didn't have his loyal manservant Harry (Adrian Scarborough) and loving right-hand woman Rosalie (Jacki Weaver) to lean on, plus his TV show staffers, there's no telling where he'd be. But even his staff can't save him when he's arrested for patronizing a prostitute and drunk driving, landing him in gossip columns all around the world. Things look dark for Walter Blunt -- can he find some redemption?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Crass, profane, and naughty, this sitcom is not for kids -- but adults who appreciate a good, rude media-set comedy and the talents of the very funny Patrick Stewart will be delighted. Blunt Talk takes a "show-don't-tell" approach to characterization that relies on the audience to fill in the blanks. No one has to tell us that Blunt's career is on the decline and that he's feeling out of touch and over the hill, yet trying desperately to hang onto his relevance.

The vintage pop-culture references Blunt makes (Wallis Simpson? Burt Lancaster?) and the expressions on the faces of those who learn Blunt has a wife half his age and a 5-year-old son quickly sketch in the details of this man's situation, and we can get on to the good stuff: Stewart mocking both himself and the media milieu in which the show is set. There's a marvelous moment in the show's pilot in which Stewart decides to interview himself in split-screen. "First, let's tape my emotional reactions!" he says, eyes alight with the zeal of a showman tasked with putting on a show. "Anger with self! Empathy! Coquettishness!" Hilariously, Stewart nails every one of them -- and this show too.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the type of show Walter Blunt stars on. In real life, who are Blunt-like celebrities? What shows are they on, and what channels? What type of influence do they have on news reporting?

  • How would this show change if it were set at a newspaper or a magazine? What about if it were set in a small town or in the 1950s?

  • Is the audience supposed to be disgusted by main character Walter Blunt? Are we supposed to fear him? Like him? Empathize with him? How can you tell?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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