Starz' "Party Down" (Season 3)

[vegeta88]

I've watched a few episodes and it's prety funny. On Amazon it is only $14.99 so I was thinking of buying it.

It seems relatively unknown and I was just wondering if anyone here has seen it.

[Secretagentnumber6]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I've watched a few episodes and it's prety funny. On Amazon it is only $14.99 so I was thinking of buying it.

It seems relatively unknown and I was just wondering if anyone here has seen it.

I watch it on On Demand. I really like it. The cast is really great and it is usually really funny. I especially like Martin Starr's Roman Character.

[vegeta88]

I do like that character but there isn't one I don't like.

I'm suprised to see that Paul Rudd is one of the creators and that Fred Savage Directed some of it; hopefully it sees some of the success that "It's Always Sunny..." has seen (love that show).

[WyldeMan45]

The 2nd season starts in April. This show was quite amusing, the absolute funniest moment was when Ron catered his high school reunion and reenacted his Bluto moment and than went outside was laying on the ground vomiting and screaming "ooooooohhhhhhhhh gooodddddd, call an ambulance! call an ambulance! help me!" that was hilarious.

[vegeta88]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

The 2nd season starts in April. This show was quite amusing, the absolute funniest moment was when Ron catered his high school reunion and reenacted his Bluto moment and than went outside was laying on the ground vomiting and screaming "ooooooohhhhhhhhh gooodddddd, call an ambulance! call an ambulance! help me!" that was hilarious.

Great news! Now they just need to release season one.

EDIT: Haha, I just realized this is my thread.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

Great news! Now they just need to release season one.

EDIT: Haha, I just realized this is my thread.

Yeah, I had to dig WAY back to find an existing thread for this. I could have sworn I started a thread with lots of discussion on season 1 when it aired last summer, but couldn't find it, so maybe I'm high. Season One hits DVD April 6th, no blu-ray release at all

[vegeta88]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Yeah, I had to dig WAY back to find an existing thread for this. I could have sworn I started a thread with lots of discussion on season 1 when it aired last summer, but couldn't find it, so maybe I'm high. Season One hits DVD April 6th, no blu-ray release at all

I think I've seen threads "disappear" as well. Or maybe we are both high.
Sucks it won't be on Blu-ray but I will probably pick it up.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I think I've seen threads "disappear" as well. Or maybe we are both high.
Sucks it won't be on Blu-ray but I will probably pick it up.

I'd pick it up but not for $26, and somehow the episodes are on my computer

[WyldeMan45]

Party Down Season-Two Preview: Who's Coming and Who's Going?



Party Down season two premieres in two months (April 23 at 10 p.m.), but we're starting the high-pressure sales tactics right now, because you're going to need time to add Starz to your cable lineup and/or watch the first 10 episodes via Netflix.

Don't worry, though, frugalistas, because we're offering a money-back guarantee on Party Down. This neurotic, wisecracking comedy about Los Angeles cater waiters is one of the smartest, most entertaining shows anywhere on TV, and if you watch you will absolutely, positively love it.

Already a fan? Or just interested in finding out what's so great about Party Down? Read on for our exclusive Q&A with show runner John Enbom. He's spilling on what Megan Mullally's new character, Lydia, brings to the party, why Ron comes crawling back from Soup'r'Crackers, and what's in store for our hero, Henry...

Q&A With John Enbom, Party Down Show Runner

What's the overall theme of season two?
The big theme we set up for ourselves is "If you have a dream, what's it like trying to put a life together without it entirely? How do you kind of suppress what you formerly desired?"

Ours is a show that grapples with that fine line between ambition and delusion, so it's always about how to tell a story without making your characters' lives horrible and grim or having them succeed right out of the show.

Henry (Adam Scott) is team leader, and he's basically taken a full step into a totally other kind of life. He's not an actor anymore, he's a former actor. From his standpoint we're interested just seeing how he functions: Can he make a life doing something that his heart just isn't in? He has this relationship with Kristen Bell's character which happens, unfortunately, mostly offscreen, so he's in this kind of C+ relationship and C- job with just a passionless life and coming to terms with that and whether or not he can take it.

Similarly, with Casey (Lizzy Caplan), we've played her basically coming back into the acting world, in contrast to Henry who's just bowed out of everything.

In terms of succeeding your characters right out of the show, Ryan Hansen's character is the guy who everyone thinks will make it, just to spite everyone else—especially Roman. Do we see that this year?
It's certainly in our minds when we think about that show. Kyle is that guy, no matter how clueless, annoying, blank, whatever he is, he makes you feel like he's going to make it regardless even it's totally unfair. However, he's not there yet, like I said. We're always stuck with that problem of anybody who enjoys any success is unfortunately off the show. We don't want to lose people.

And how does Ron fit back into the show after the Soup'r'Crackers situation?
Well, that's another thing we kind of wanted to play with. Ron (Ken Marino) achieved his dream and then, through no fault of his own, it crumbled. He did a great job running Soup'r'Crackers, but Soup'r'Crackers went bankrupt in the recession and then the whole thing just disappeared under him. So we spend the first half of the season dragging on through this deep existential crisis as he's basically stripped of everything that once gave his life meaning. Seeing him rebuild and seeing him as an underling to Henry, who really has zero interest in bossing people around. That was kind of fun for us, because we are so used to Ron in season one as the eternal boss. We flip that around, so all of a sudden he is the annoying new guy instead of the boss. It gave us a lot of new stuff to work with.

How did you select Megan Mullally to play the new character?
We came to Megan in a roundabout way, because we knew very early on we were losing Jane Lynch—she was already on Glee; we were just trying keep her for as long as possible. And we knew we didn't want to replace Jane's character—we wanted something new. We spent a long time thinking about what other types of people would do this catering stuff, and one idea was a stage-mother character. And then randomly, when we were actually looking for someone for season two, it just came through the grapevine that Megan was a fan of the show and she was looking into doing something, and it seemed like she would be a perfect fit for this character. We were very surprised. We heard a rumor that she liked the show and chasing that thread down led to having Megan in the cast.

How did you decide that Megan's character would be this very chipper, very awkward person who imposes herself on Casey?
We loved the type of energy that Jane brought to the squad. Jane's character, Constance, had a very up and sunny approach to life that we didn't want to lose in the show. That's one of the things that we were very excited about Megan's character, Lydia: She could bring a different version of positive energy to the team—without which, I think, we would lurch into this uncomfortable darkness.

What do you most want fans to know about the show this season?
We did everything we could! We're very proud about the second season, and we are very eager to keep it going. We mostly want them to watch the show!

Can we get some testimony in the comments about Party Down's virtues from existing fans? Love letters to Adam Scott are also welcome.

Source

[WyldeMan45]

Definitely fits into the good/news bad news category as stated here.

Yesterday offered a development in TV that's the epitome of a good news/bad news situation. The good news: the very funny, versatile, likable Adam Scott is joining the cast of "Parks and Recreation," which is probably my favorite comedy on television right now. The bad news: this means Scott won't be available to be a regular on "Party Down" (one of my favorite comedies from last year) if Starz orders another season after the one set to debut on April 23.

Some thoughts on this - plus a comment from "Party Down" producer Rob Thomas on where this leaves his show - coming up after the jump...

Because "Party Down" is on a cable channel that's really just getting into the scripted TV business and isn't yet throwing around a ton of money, they've had to be creative about how they get actors. So the entire "Party Down" cast signed one-year contracts for the first season, which gave each actor the flexibility to go do something else (i.e., something more lucrative) if an offer came along a year later, rather than being locked in to a below-market contract. That's why the show lost Jane Lynch to "Glee" after the first season, though Lynch will guest star in one episode of season two.

The actors were again on one-year deals for season two. I interviewed Scott and co-star Lizzy Caplan back at press tour, and one of the things that was on both their minds was what they were going to do about pilot season this year. Starz just brought in a new chief executive in former HBO boss Chris Albrecht, and Albrecht hasn't seemed to be in any hurry to renew the show. And that, in turn, left the show's actors in a pickle: do they sit out pilot season and hope Albrecht would renew it down the line - and, therefore, risk not having a steady job of any kind next season - or do they go for another, possibly more secure job, even if it means abandoning a show everybody enjoys making?

Well, Scott clearly, and understandably, made his choice, and one show's loss is another's gain. He seems to make Paul Schneider redundant on "Parks and Rec," as he can do most of the stuff Schneider does, only funnier, but his dry, earthy style should be a really good match for what Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman and company have been doing this season.

And what does this mean for "Party Down"? Again, there's an entire season in the can with Scott as the lead. (I've seen the first five episodes, and they're very funny.) But losing the show's central, point-of-view character seems tough, so I asked Rob Thomas what his options are going forward, should a third season be in the cards:

"Adam will be allowed to do three guest star spots for us," Thomas said. "We can definitely still do the show without Adam, though we're all collectively entering about the third stage of grief over here. We'd much, much prefer to be doing the show with him. Adam hated leaving the show, but they made him an offer he couldn't refuse, and in a world where our 'Party Down' future isn't guaranteed, he understandably felt like he needed to take the offer. We've been told that in order to return for a third season, our second season numbers need to come up from where they were. We're praying that, even with Adam gone, Starz continues with a big marketing campaign for Season 2."

I want to be optimistic, but the way Albrecht has dragged his feet on this - knowing full well that something like this might happen - doesn't fill me with hope. It's an unfortunate fact of Hollywood life that when a new administration takes over a channel or studio, they become invested in pushing their own projects, rather than supporting the stuff that existed before they got there. If "Party Down" were to turn into the cable-sized hit it deserves to be, Albrecht wouldn't get much credit, because it pre-dated his arrival.

So enjoy the season two episodes and hope for the best, but brace for the worst. And, if nothing else, three episodes of Scott in a hypothetical season three would be better than only one of Lynch this year.

Source

[WyldeMan45]

Does Parks & Recreation Casting Mean Party Down Is Ending?

Quick, somebody clone Adam Scott!

In case you haven't heard, the very cute and funny leading man of FX's Party Down (a hit among those who know it) has been cast on Parks and Recreation. Not as a guest star. But as a full-fledged castmember.

"Next week, I'm starting Parks and Recreation as a regular," Adam himself tells us. "I just hope I don't screw it up, because it's one of my favorite TV shows. It's incredible."

So does this mean that Party Down will be no more? Here's what executive producer Rob Thomas (of Veronica Mars fame) tells us, and warning, you fans aren't gonna like it:

"We're very concerned about the fate of Party Down," Thomas tells me. "The network has decided they want to see how we do in April—numbers-wise—before ordering a third season. Our actors are only in one-year deals, and Adam couldn't pass up a great opportunity with no guarantees that we'd get to do more Party Down episodes. The remaining castmembers and the producers remain hopeful that we'll get to do a third season."

A rep for the Starz network tells us: "We're waiting to see the audience reaction on the second season before we make a decision on the a third. Adam is a producer, but his starring in the show is not a deal breaker for us (but he's awesome and we love him)."

Correction: Adam is a producer and the leading man! And Party Down, which returns April 23 for its second season, is one of the best-written comedies currently on the air. And though it survived the loss of Jane Lynch, who went over to that Fox karaoke show (kidding, you know I love me some Glee), it's safe to assume the loss of Adam will be a greater hit for Party Down.

If Party Down does score a third season, Rob says he's hopeful they'd get Adam for three episodes. "Right now, we're grieving the loss of Adam/Henry, but if this is the end, we couldn't have written a better final scene for him."

If you love Party Down, tell a friend. Again, new episodes premiere April 23 on Starz.

[WyldeMan45]

Well this is definitely another nail in the Party Down Coffin..............

'Veronica Mars' alum to star in NBC pilot

"Veronica Mars" alum Ryan Hansen has been tapped to lead the cast of NBC's comedy pilot "Friends With Benefits."

"Benefits" revolves around five twentysomething friends who, until they find "the one," are content to have "friends with benefits."

It centers on Ben (Hansen), an Everyman who, while waiting for Ms. Perfect, enjoys a relationship with Sara (Danneel Harris), a doctor trying to find Mr. Right.

Hansen replaces Patrick J. Adams, originally cast in the role.

[WyldeMan45]

STARZ has been replaying all of season one, in 2 episode increments every Monday and damn had I forgotten how much I enjoyed the show. Not to mention having just revisited Rob Thomas' Veronica Mars 3 seasons, I couldn't believe he's gotten back nearly every single person from Veronica into each episode several players at a time. I cannot wait for season 2, they've been showing a lot of sneak peeks and Guttenberg in them, and that'll be the first time I've seen Guttenberg since Season 2 of Veronica where he played a child molester, crazy! Anyways who else is looking forward to seeing what became of Ron's Soup R' Crackers dream??

[WyldeMan45]

Can 'Party Down' continue with cast near exit?

The sublime, under-watched Starz comedy "Party Down" already lost Jane Lynch last season to Fox's "Glee," now three more key cast members have commitments to other TV projects. Can the show realistically continue?

At the "Party Down" event at the Paley Center last night, Philiana Ng reports that co-creators and executive producers Rob Thomas ("Veronica Mars"), John Enbom and Dan Etheridge were adamant that the show can go on:
Leading man Adam Scott (Henry) recently signed on for NBC's "Parks & Recreation" as an unwelcomed state arbiter, causing many to believe that the upcoming sophomore season may be "Party Down's" last. Also, Ryan Hansen (Kyle) was cast in a NBC comedy pilot "Friends With Benefits" and Lizzy Caplan (Casey) is committed to CBS' "True Love" project.

Could "Party Down" go on with three to four main characters potentially leaving by season's end?

"It's catering. People come and people go," Enbom said. "We never had the money to go, 'You're in a 10-year deal!' "

"We love our cast, but I think it's a show that can survive," Thomas added. "I think in the real world catering is not a career choice for most people so it would make sense that new people would come into the show."

I'm not so sure. Yeah, people leaving a catering company might make sense from a logic standpoint, but that has nothing to do with keeping viewers. Casting is catching lightning in a bottle. Not only does each character need to pop, they need to click with each of the other characters. Viewers get emotionally invested in a character's story and once they're gone, often, so is the audience.

Since it started launching scripted programming, Starz hasn't had much luck with actors. Dennis Hopper, star of the network's first drama, "Crash," is battling cancer. Andy Whitfield, star of the network's second drama, "Spartacus," is also battling cancer. Now the cast of "Party Down," a show that really needs to grow in the ratings, has one foot out the door.

[Hendricks4333]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Well this is definitely another nail in the Party Down Coffin..............

'Veronica Mars' alum to star in NBC pilot

It sad most of the cast is leaving. I think it could survive with some leaving but without Adam Scott I think it doesnt stand a chance.

That chick is hot though, Ill definitely be checking his new show out.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

It sad most of the cast is leaving. I think it could survive with some leaving but without Adam Scott I think it doesnt stand a chance.

That chick is hot though, Ill definitely be checking his new show out.

Adam Scott just started his gig on Parks and Rec this past Thursday, and immediately fit in perfectly so I'm very happy about that. I will check out Ryan's show just because I find him amusing, and I'd assume you're talking about Daneel Harris, being the hot chick? FYI, don't know if you watch Supernatural at all but she just married Jensen Ackles the star of that show, this weekend. And yes, she is a stone cold fox. You should check out the movie 10 Inch Hero, if you'd like to see a lot more of her

[Hendricks4333]

Ill keep that in mind, thanks.

More bad news, Lizzy Caplan got picked for a pilot that may get picked up. So season 3 looks all but dead.

[Tyger]

Season 2 has been added to Netflix streaming so I just got caught up and I'm loving it! I think the first episode was the best so far, very closely followed by Steve Guttenberg's Birthday

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Ill keep that in mind, thanks.

More bad news, Lizzy Caplan got picked for a pilot that may get picked up. So season 3 looks all but dead.

The Lizzy news is pretty old, I posted about it above a few months back. I know for sure that Ryan's show was picked up for mid-season and looks pretty damn great, but I read True Love which starred Lizzy, Minka Kelly and Tyler Labine actually wasn't picked up.

[Tyger]

I think season 2 is even better than season one. I don't see a third season happening (well) at this point though