Timm Sharp on ‘Blunt Talk’ & Working with Jonathan Ames, Patrick Stewart [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

The new Starz series Blunt Talk has quickly become a favorite amongst viewers and critics. This could be due to a number of things: the ensemble cast, the wonderful writing, the stellar acting, the names Jonathan Ames, Seth MacFarlane and Sir Patrick Stewart––take your pick. Part of the reason for its success, however, lies in actor Timm Sharp, who portrays a producer to Stewart's incredibly dysfunctional character, Walter Blunt – the anchor of an American nightly news program. Unfortunately, Sharp's character is rather dysfunctional himself. Which, as you might imagine, makes for wonderful comedy.

Sharp has been a fixture in the comedy scene for quite some time, appearing in Judd Apatow's cult classic Undeclared, the TV Land series Hot in Cleveland, HBO's Enlightened, and so many more. Now, he talks with MStars News about the new show, working with the legends involved in the series, and the time he had brunch with Sir Patrick Stewart and couldn't help but be really, really, really intimidated.

Of course, who wouldn't be?

MStars News: How did you first hear about the script and opportunity for Blunt Talk?
Timm Sharp: It was just a regular audition. Of course, I was a fan of Jonathan Ames before so I went in knowing that it was going to be a really good project, but I didn't read anything yet. I kind of went in just on the faith of Jonathan and Seth MacFarlane and Patrick Stewart.

MS: That's understandable. Was there something that you really connected with when you finally did read the script?
TS: I had a conversation with Jonathan when he first cast me and he kind of explained where my character was going to go. In the first episode you have no idea where these guys are going but you definitely sense that there's a unique working relationship.

Jonathan described my character to me as a guy who is going to have a laundry list of issues and that really appealed to me just because I think it's fun to play as many layers as you can.

MS: Had you worked with anyone in the cast before?
TS: No one in the core case but we all gelled immediately. I think Jonathan has a policy that he only hires people that he'd want to be friends with. [laughs] And we're all really close; that rarely happens on projects, I feel. When it does happen and it's being well-received, it's a bonus.

MS: Was working on the show, specifically with the cast, everything you expected it to be?
TS: I think before I met Patrick I was super nervous and intimidated by his legacy. In fact, I had brunch with him. I got an email from the producer [before shooting] saying, "Patrick wants to have brunch with you." And I was like, who's going to be there? She said it would just be the two of us. I asked, "Is there any way anybody else could be there?" [laughs]

He's a delight. I think that was a great thing. Working with him has been such an amazing experience because his range of emotion, and his charisma is so infectious. I feel like anytime I'm in a room with him I walk away more eloquent and smarter.

MS: He does seem like a very down to Earth guy. And despite that legacy, and being knighted, I think he really appreciates that he can work with talent people like yourself. He doesn't take it for granted.
TS: He doesn't. And I think he trusts Jonathan- once you start working with him, and he works with you, he sees what you're bringing. It all works out.

MS: In a weird way, since your two characters are so close on the show, it would make sense for him to want to be with you beforehand. Which doesn't happen often, I assume.
TS: Oh totally! And it doesn't, you're right. But when it does, it's a very "this is a working relationship" kind of thing. Not that we're hanging out all of the time but I consider him a friend.

MS: How was it working with Starz?
TS: Really great! I've never been a part of a show that has done as much promotion as this. Like, a lot! And I've done a couple of other TV shows so I thought I knew the ropes. [laughs] But they're great.

I think on the creative side, they are very- I mean, I would think it's a gamble for any network to put as much faith as they are into the showrunners but I think they made a good bet here. They placed a good bet with Blunt Talk!

MS: Are they pretty hands-off when it comes to the creative process?
TS: Yeah, for the most part. I think so. They ordered two season right in the beginning, and that's a huge testament to how much they trust Jonathan and Seth.

MS: One thing I love about the show is the mix of the silly humor and dark, twisted humor. Do you enjoy one more than the other?
TS: I would say that I prefer to go darker. And, to add a little caveat on that, I think I'm best when I play real grounded and subtle. I feel like that's what me and Dolly facilitate on the show. While there might be more cartoony stuff going on in the show, I think when it comes to us we bring it back down to Earth. Even though that's still pretty crazy. [laughs] But I think that may be our acting styles. I love the balance on the show.

MS: Richard Lewis told me that he loves this cast, and even compared it to Curb Your Enthusiasm. Blunt Talk appears to have both great writing and great casting. Do you think one is more important?
TS: I think they feed into one another. A good cast can make mediocre writing better, but I think it's a strong combination of the show. They play a large part of one another.

MS: What's been the highlight for with your character this season?
TS: Without giving too much away, let's just say in episode seven, there's a reason they had to shave the beard off. I'll leave you with that...

Catch More Blunt Talk Saturdays at 9 p.m. on Starz.