Yesterday’s series premiere of Party Down — the new Starz comedy set in the world of catering from Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas — was full of surprises. First, the show was a parade of much-beloved faces. There’s Adam Scott (pictured), a likable actor who has been in everything from Step Brothers, Knocked Up, and The Aviator to HBO’s racy, short-lived drama Tell Me You Love Me. Then you have funny woman Jane Lynch (Best in Show, The 40 Year Old Virgin), Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls, True Blood), Ryan Hansen (who some may have seen earlier this week in Josh Schwartz’s Rockville, CA), and even a grown-up Bill Haverchuck (!) from Freaks and Geeks (whose real name is Martin Starr, by the way). And, to top if off, Fred Savage directed the pilot and Paul Rudd, pretty much our favorite human being, is credited as a writer. It’s an impressive collection of comedic talent, to be sure.
Second, it was funny! Each episode is anchored by a different party the team is forced to cater, led by Ron (played by Reaper’s Ken Marino),one of those well-intentioned people who might snap at any moment. Therest of the troupe is made up of struggling actors just looking for apaycheck. While not exactly a novel premise, Party Down showedpromise. In the premiere, Henry (Scott) endured his first day on thejob at a neighborhood soiree that featured streaking, a publicmeltdown, myriad references to Repo Man, and an awards ceremony even more pathetic than the Dundees on The Office.Because each episode will allow these characters to interact indifferent locations (along with a revolving door of supportingcharacters), it has room to amp up the ridiculousness. It also has roomto utilize Lynch more efficiently. If you’ve seen her in, well,anything, you’d know she’s aces at playing crazy.
Third surprise: It’s on Starz?! I have been ignorant up to thispoint that the network is creating original programming. (Did someonesay Crash? Quiet, you.) For those of you who don’t have access to the network, Party Down isconveniently available for streaming on Netflix Instant Watch. I, forone, am glad to have watched and will continue watching. Did anyoneelse catch the series premiere last night? What did you think?
Comments (1-12) of 12 Add your comment
I thought it was funny and it’s great to see Jane Lynch in anything, and Adam Scott is one of those actors that grow on you with every small role you see him in. I just want to point out that Ken Marino will never be “Ken Marino from Reaper” to me. He will always and forever be “Ken Marino from The State.” Upon thinking about it, I’m not sure if I’d want to hire the guy who screams “I’m gonna dip my balls in it!” to do my catering.
Again, the show was funny but I don’t think it was funny enough for the praise that some have already given it (Whitney Matheson said it reminded her of Arrested Development? noooooo). I’ll definitely be watching again though. It was nice to see Enrico Colantoni on the show–he was definitely one of the highlights of the pilot! Cheers to Rob Thomas. I only hope that his work with this show doesn’t get in the way of Cupid.
Come on Ken Marino is not “Ken Marino from Reaper” or “Ken Marino from The State” it will always be “Vinnie Van Low from Neptune Veronica Mars !!
I saw it on Direct Tv’s 101 channel and they’ve got a Starz free weekend going on so I watched it again. I really really liked it!
I was thinking I’d have to wait till it came out on dvd for the first season to be able to watch it. but I’ll look into that netflix thing.
I really enjoyed the show! However I don’t think I can watch any scenes with Keith Mars on Veronica Mars the same way ever again, haha!
Were the references to Repo Man possibly because they were serving plates of shrimp? Because if that is true I will actually watch this show.
I loved it! I had little doubt I would, given the cast, writers and director (I loved Fred Savage’s direction on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). I think I was smiling the entire time. I’m already eagerly anticipating the next episode.
With the first episode alone, I saw at least 5 actors/actresses that worked on Veronica Mars!
I really enjoyed it and even ended up watching it a second time!
Loved this show – very excited about the wonderful cast & writing and the potential for more VMars alums to show up – Jason Dohrig next week!!
I watched this with my husband and his friend. We all thought it was hilarious. Count me in for however long it lasts!
I was really surprised how just how good this show was. I’m really looking forward to more of it.
http://www.joeonthetube.com
I just started watching this show. And basically I am obsessed. I am thinking of paying for Starz just to be able to watch it the minute the next season starts!!!