Richard Lewis Talks Working on Starz’s ‘Blunt Talk’ & Doing More ‘Curb’ [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Richard Lewis has been performing stand-up comedy for 45 years. And despite having found success in both film and television, it is his time on the stage that appears to give him the greatest feeling of elation. Lewis, who forever finds himself engaged in conversation with fans about Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm, is now gearing up for the premiere of the new Starz series Blunt Talk. In the show, Lewis plays Dr. Weiss, the psychiatrist to talk show host Walter Blunt, portrayed by the one and only Sir Patrick Stewart.

Yes, you read that correctly. Richard Lewis is playing a psychiatrist.

From the mind of Bored to Death creator, Jonathan Ames, Blunt Talk tells the tale of a drunken, drugged-up talk show host and his life working on the show. Alongside Stewart and Lewis, the series stars the likes of Academy Award Nominee Jacki Weaver, Timm Sharp, Adrian Scarborough and Dolly Wells.

Blunt Talk already has a 20-episode order, and will air its premiere on Saturday, Aug. 22. Here's a preview:

With much excitement and anticipation, MStars News recently spoke with the legendary comedian about the new Starz show and staying true to his stand-up roots.

And sure, we tossed in a little conversation about Curb as well.

MStars News: Thank you so much for talking with me.
Richard Lewis: Please, after 45 years of doing this and having some luck, it's an honor to be able to still do this.

MS: Yeah, I'd say you've had some luck in the business.
RL: I was just thinking about that. I worked so hard from 20 years old doing stand-up. I used to drive 70 miles roundtrip just to do seven or eight minutes – night after night sometimes. I remember the first time I came out and had my first fan note on my car, I couldn't believe it.

I'm just really happy I'm still doing this sh*t and to be involved with what I think a pretty remarkable, authentic, dark comedy. It's like being in an all-star game with this series.

MS: You play Dr. Weiss on Blunt Talk – Patrick Stewart's drug-dealing psychiatrist. How did you get the role?
RL: They asked me to audition. I knew about Jonathan Ames; he's a really intense, dark and brilliant novelist. Bored to Death was really a great show.

The pilot for this blew me away. And really, my whole life as a comedian has been to unravel onstage as fearlessly and as honestly as I can. This role, playing a psychiatrist, was almost like a punchline or a practical joke, you know? But I think I pulled it off. To play something so against my type was a lucky break for me. I'm really ecstatic.

MS: It really is interesting seeing you play a psychiatrist because you've been so open about your addictions over the years.
RL: I know. Everyone is pretty whacked. But I guarantee you that Dr. Weiss is a pretty messy individual. [laughs]

MS: Were you able to take your experiences in therapy to the role?
RL: I did. I've been to Freudian therapists before. And Jonathan Ames is such an open book, like I am. We had an hour-long conversation on the phone about this character. I said I wanted to do this role in a very big way but asked is there any way to flesh out this analyst? We talked, it was really an intimate, great conversation.

MS: It must be great to work around the talent on this show, in writing and producing as well as performing.
RL: Yeah! When I was reading the pilot [at the table read] with Sir Patrick and Jacki Weaver – this whole list of world class actors – I knew my scene was about ten pages in. This was the first day. I was so mesmerized by their professionalism and their acting that I felt I was sitting in a Broadway theater. For a minute I lost all of my preparation. Thankfully, I had ten seconds to snap out of it.

This is such an amazing cast. To be 68 and to be attached to a show that I think is going to last a while, I couldn't be more grateful. Particularly because of the cast. Curb Your Enthusiasm was the same way with the casting, but it wasn't scripted. I don't think you can compare the two.

Curb, to me, is one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. It was like Seinfeld unplugged. But this show is scripted, and to be able to read lines and work with people who are really talented, and have this fearless cast of people who will do anything for the show, it's the most peaceful thing.

I'm starting a tour again soon, and the show will be on at the time, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of people come to see me from watching this show.

MS: Something that I've always admired about you is that you've been in countless films and TV shows, but at the end of the day you're famous for being a comedian. How do you feel about that?
RL: Well, first, I thank you. It's funny- I don't have an act. I'm basically the same onstage and off. I adlib about 30-40% of each show and [stand-up comedy] still brings me a charge man.

MS: What is it about stand-up that gives you that charge?
RL: I wanted to be a stand-up initially because I felt I wasn't tethered to a home life when I was younger. I felt like I didn't know who I was. Stand-up provided me a chance to find whatever authenticity about me that there was, as Richard Lewis. When people laughed it validated my thought that maybe I was right. The more they laughed, the more I realized I'm not always wrong.

I didn't have a horrible upbringing, but I didn't have any self-confidence either. Stand-up gave me that.

MS: Everyone asks about another season of Curb. What I'm curious about is: Were you surprised with how big that show became? And in particular, how people took to your role on that show?
RL: When Larry came over to my house he said he had this idea and asked if I would play Richard. I thought for a second, but in my head I knew I'd be crazy not to do something with a person of his ilk, not to mention my oldest friend.

The truth is that I made one demand. I said I'll do it but I don't want to just do one episode. I didn't want to be judged on just one scene. I said if you could give me minimal three episodes I'll do it. He said it's a deal. The reviews for me, fortunately, were good. The show has such a cult following in the coolest, hippest way; it really tapped a nerve.

To be honest, I wasn't surprised as much as I was thrilled. In this business, you never know. It was so unique for television.

The secret to that show was that the storylines were so tight. It might be an episode about nothing but Larry is, to me, the Norman Lear of this generation.

MS: It's pretty amazing how much he's come into the spotlight.
RL: It really is. Every now and then I'll go on YouTube and see a scene of us fighting, and I remember it like it was yesterday. But I don't ask Larry anything about another season. If Larry David is in Martha's Vineyard and he comes up with an arc for another season, he'll do it. I'm convinced he'll do it because that was one of the best times of his life.

It's funny- I could be at a funeral and they're lowering the casket asking if Curb is coming back. And actually, I could do Curb because he would just talk about Blunt Talk. "You're a psychiatrist!?" He would slam the sh*t out of me. [laughs]

MS: [laughs] It seems like you've lucked out with yet another great project.
RL: Oh God, yes. Everybody is just really friendly. It starts at the top with Ames and Sir Patrick. Stewart is the most humble superstar I think I've ever known. He truly is a great guy. I never thought I could be on a set, after Curb, that was so much fun, and this is.

Blunt Talk premieres on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. on Starz.

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