Iseerphia
All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.
BertMacklin_9
Its a real shame that the very best shows that ever aired on television got canceled so soon. Shows such as 'Arrested Development' and 'Freaks and Geeks.' 'Party Down' is another one of those shows. So smart, funny, innovative, yet, gets yanked off the air because of low ratings. Sad.'Party Down' revolves around a party-catering company. The structure of the show is very simple yet effective. Each episode takes place at a certain event with certain types of people. This gives each eccentric character a chance to interact with all of the party guests in so many awkward, unusual, and flat-out hilarious ways. A major theme of 'Party Down' is young people trying to have breakthroughs and make it into the film industry. They want so badly to become noticed, yet, they work for others every week and have no satisfaction. This is one of the many genius pathos that drive this very thoughtful comedy.As a whole, 'Party Down,' obviously, was very underrated. But something very underrated is the cast of the show. 'Party Down' has one of the very best comedic ensembles I've seen on TV. The main character is Henry, played by Adam Scott. Henry is a very hopeless and apathetic actor who made it somewhat big with a famous catch-phrase on a beer commercial. Now, though, he can't seem to find his breakthrough, so to get by, he works for the Party Down company as a bartender, but has no interest in it at all. Adam Scott is one of the very best young and comedic actors around. He plays the part very subtle and small, making the character really speak to us. He plays the 'straight-man' to all of the eccentric characters, yet he has this relaxed humor that doesn't come off as over-the-top. Scott's performance reminds me a lot of Jason Batmane's in 'Arrested Development.'The supporting characters here are all so interesting and wonderfully weird. There's Casey, a character who's very similar to Henry. She's a comedian trying to strike it big and Lizzy Caplan plays the role very subtle but has a biting delivery as well. Her and Scott's chemistry is something so sweet and honest to watch. Ken Marino plays Ron, a character who's so cringe-worthy but yet so addictive and funny. Ron is the company's leader who we learn used to be into drugs. He becomes clean, and now parades around his coworkers making sure they know just how much of a good person he is. Ron is a good person, but he's so painfully honest and does everything for the best of his team, which takes the character into some hilarious situations. There's Roman played by Martin Starr. Roman is a character who reminds me of Dwight Schrute from 'The Office.' He's very nerdy, intense, but yet kind of driven. Roman is a science-fiction screenwriter hoping to get noticed. He's very eccentric and makes for some very funny moments. There's Kyle, played by Ryan Hansen. Kyle is your typical Hollywood pretty boy actor. An actor who may become famous just because of his long blonde hair and good looks. He thinks he has talent, but is so oblivious to what he really is. Then lastly there's Jane Lynch as Constance and Megan Mullally as Lydia. Both of these actresses and characters are very similar. They are very big comedic performances that offer some scene-stealing moments. These characters are the oldest ones of the group, and play as each young person's mentor. These actresses are obviously two hilarious and very talented women, and both of these characters are so wonderfully weird.'Party Down' has a very quiet, subtle, and smart sense of humor. Its very character-driven, which is something you don't get quiet often. The situations and pathos in each episode are very true and seem so real. 'Party Down' is also filmed in a very interesting way for a comedy as well. Its basically a hand-held camera, but the filming techniques here simple and effective. The directors let each scene roll in a relaxed way so each actor/actress can really let loose with their lines and get really creative with their characters. The complete series, which consists of only 20 episodes, is available on Netflix. If you're into intelligent comedy with real, interesting characters, 'Party Down' is something you should experience.
spindizzy
After the guilty (far too old to be it's intended audience) pleasure of Veronica Mars I stumbled across this series trying to find something else by Rob Thomas ...and what a gem! The contrast between Ron(KEN MARINO)'s touchingly earnest efforts, while his team of caterer's resent every minute of a temporary, crappy job is pitch perfect.Also, eccentric clients (every episode is at different gig) provide some great guest cameos (Steven Weber's is my current favourite). The cringe-worthy situations that develop and basis of characters 'on the edge' of show-business remind me of Ricky Gervais's 'Extras' - but this is FAR funnier. The weakest element so far is the romance but let's see what happens with it. I just ordered the DVD of series 1 too. Bravo all involved!
JF Steele
For any fellow 'Veronica Mars' travelers lost in sea of despair since its unfortunate demise, knowing that such greatness would rarely be achieved again, welcome to your refuge. Rob Thomas has returned (bringing most of the veronica mars cast as well) to bring the masses a witty and commonly overlooked mastery of this comedy of errors. 'Party Down' is about a nuanced group of people working together who have miserably failed in life from becoming the great successes they dreamed of being when they were just starting out. Though most of these people refuse to accept their failure and maintain the last shred of hope that they are indeed winners and the best is yet to come, circumstances always prove otherwise. The only thing preventing this from being incredibly sad is the relationships and bonds they share with one another. This makes the jobs they share together the only way to face the challenges brought on by each new day and each catered event. This series is a truly smart comedy that has you rooting for these people, despite their glaring flaws, all along the way.
Donald Pantry
What was Starz thinking? Why would anyone trying to establish themselves into the world of TV shows rely on Rob Thomas and his unbroken string of badly-written and badly-produced shows that bomb? Surely, the many disasters that Mr. Thomas shepherded (like the two disasters called "Cupid" or the ridiculous 90210 remake) should have given them a hint.As it were, this is another one in a series of bad shows by Rob Thomas: it is poorly written (as usual) and features characters without the slightest trace of reality to them.Of course, it's trying to be "cutting edge" and ends up being too cue for words and has... failed to attract audiences.But that won't stop Starz from ordering more Rob Thomas shows.Apparently failure rules supreme in Hollywood.
