or


[01/28/15 - 10:04 AM]
Production Has Begun on the Starz Original Series "Blunt Talk"
The Patrick Stewart-led comedy will launch this summer on the pay channel.
[via press release from Starz]

PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN ON THE STARZ ORIGINAL SERIES "BLUNT TALK"

STARZ RELEASES FIRST LOOK PHOTOS FROM SET

Patrick Stewart Stars in Half-Hour Scripted Comedy from MRC, Executive Producers Seth MacFarlane and Jonathan Ames

Beverly Hills, Calif., January 28, 2015 - The STARZ Original series "Blunt Talk" began production this week in Los Angeles on the 10-episode first season of the half-hour scripted comedy series from Media Rights Capital (MRC) and executive produced by Seth MacFarlane, Jonathan Ames, Tristram Shapeero and Stephanie Davis. Set in Los Angeles, the story 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. The series will premiere on STARZ in the summer of 2015.

Through the platform of his nightly interview 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 alcoholic 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 head producer and writer, with Timm Sharp ("Enlightened") who was cast as Jim, Blunt's head writer round out the cast. Actor and comedian Richard Lewis ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") will recur as Dr. Weiss, Blunt's appointed therapist.

The series is greenlit for a two-season, 20-episode commitment.

"It was a great first day on the set of 'Blunt Talk'- Patrick Stewart was noble, loony, and heroic," said Creator and Executive Producer Jonathan Ames. "And that was before the first shot. Later, in character as Walter Blunt, he was all those things and more."

MacFarlane and Fuzzy Door Productions, Inc. serve as executive producer. Ames, who originated the idea for the series, will also serve as executive producer, writer and showrunner. Tristram Shapeero ("Community") and Stephanie Davis ("Bored to Death") will also serve as executive producers with Shapeero also serving as director. Stewart will also serve as producer on the series.

MRC, the studio behind MacFarlane's directorial debut Ted, which is the highest grossing original comedy of all time worldwide, the highly anticipated sequel, Ted 2, and the award-winning series "House of Cards," is best known as one of the most artist friendly independent studios.

About MRC

MRC is a leading film and television studio, specializing in the creation of content in partnership with the industry's foremost creative talent. The company develops, produces and finances film and TV for leading distributors including Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal and Fox, as well as premier networks including HBO, ABC, Netflix, AMC, Lifetime and Comedy Central.

MRC is the studio behind the Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) winning series, House of Cards, distributed by Netflix and various international distributors. The company also developed, produced and financed Ted, distributed by Universal Pictures, the highest grossing original comedy of all time. For more information, please visit www.mrcstudios.com.

About Starz

Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ(R) and ENCORE(R) pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of September 30, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.2 million subscribers, including 22.5 million at STARZ, and 33.7 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ(R) and ENCORE(R), along with Starz Networks' third network MOVIEPLEX(R), air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution's home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.





  [january 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· BLUNT TALK (STARZ)




[02/27/26 - 03:00 PM]
"Survivor 50" Premiere Wins the Night Posting CBS' Most-Watched Wednesday Since 2022
Said premiere averaged 5.06 million viewers, peaking with 6.18 million.
[02/27/26 - 01:28 PM]
Paramount to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery to Form Next-Generation Global Media and Entertainment Company
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances and approval by WBD shareholders, with a vote expected in the early spring of 2026.
[02/27/26 - 12:30 PM]
The Jaw-Dropping Fifth and Final Season of Starz's Hit Drama Series, "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Set to Premiere June 12
To date, the series has accumulated over 21 billion minutes viewed across all episodes and remains one of Starz's top-performing series.
[02/27/26 - 09:12 AM]
Team USA Hockey Olympic Gold Medalists Hilary Knight, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes to Appear Together on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday, March 2
The episode will also feature guests Nicole Kidman, Luke Thompson and a cooking demo by Chef Mario Carbone.

[02/27/26 - 08:12 AM]
Paul Wesley Joins Season Three of Hit Apple TV Series "The Buccaneers"
Wesley will play the role as Frank, a mysterious but charming stranger who arrives into Nan and Mrs. St. George's world, turning it upside down.

[02/27/26 - 07:31 AM]
Peacock to Exclusively Stream Focus Features' "Hamnet" Beginning March 6
Directed by two-time Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao, the film tells the untold story behind one of Shakespeare's most memorable works and celebrates the power of imagination and the creative spirit.

[02/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
Prime Video Debuts First-Look Image of Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus On Set of New Series "God of War"
The series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions, and has received a two-season order.
[02/27/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Netflix and Apple TV Join Forces to Stream Formula 1 Thrills
The entire new season of "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" is now on Netflix globally and Apple TV in the U.S.
[02/26/26 - 08:46 PM]
"Dandelion": Netflix Adapts "Gintama" Creator Hideaki Sorachi's Debut Work into New Anime Series
Set within the Send-Off Department of the Japanese Angel Federation, Dandelion follows "Angels" Tetsuo Tanba and Misaki Kurogane as they scramble to track down Earthbound spirits - souls unable to move on and find peace - and gently guide them to pass on.
[02/26/26 - 06:01 PM]
Video: "Still Shining" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After falling in love as teens, two young adults drift apart - only to reunite 10 years later and confront their heartbreak, growth and new challenges.
[02/26/26 - 02:46 PM]
Netflix Declines to Raise Offer for Warner Bros.
"The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we've always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance's latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid," said co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters.
[02/26/26 - 02:19 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Soars to Season High with Best Audience in Over a Year
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 157 consecutive weeks across all key measures.
[02/26/26 - 02:08 PM]
Britbox Unveils Spring Slate with "The Lady" Starring Mia McKenna-Bruce; Premieres March 18
Other highlights include the return of "Hope Street" and the debut of "Mudtown."
[02/26/26 - 01:36 PM]
Paramount Comments on Warner Bros. Discovery Board's Determination of Paramount's Proposal as Superior
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, said: "We are pleased WBD's Board has unanimously affirmed the superior value of our offer, which delivers to WBD shareholders superior value, certainty and speed to closing."
[02/26/26 - 01:16 PM]
Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors Determines Revised Proposal from Paramount Skydance Constitutes a "Company Superior Proposal"
Under the terms of the Netflix merger agreement, this notice triggers a four business day period during which Netflix has the right to propose revisions to the Netflix merger agreement so that the PSKY proposal would cease to constitute a "Company Superior Proposal."