True, this doesn't debut until next week, but a potentially great show arrives on Fridays until late May.

Starz's new comedy has a hell of a pedigree already. For this is Rob Thomas' (the showrunner of one of TV's hallmark series of this decade, Veronica Mars) other project this year besides ABC's Cupid reboot.

Starz, perhaps realizing cable viewers will likely opt for the Battlestar Galactica series finale which airs at the same time, has wisely opted to offer Party Down's premiere episode online where you can see it now. There's even a PC game already where you can download at the software company's website. It will set you back $20.

Why do I have a feeling this will be better than Thomas' remake of Cupid?

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I'm too lazy to look up info on this. When does it come on? Network? Time? Who's in it? Plot?
I wouldn't mind getting into a good new show. I still haven't watched the Pilot of ABC's "Castle."

--Morgan

It's on Starz beginning next Friday at 10:30PM EDT/PDT, and concerns a catering company of a half-dozen Hollywood dreamers stuck working for tips while waiting for their big break. It features Ken Marino (Veronica Mars' Vinnie Van Lowe) as well as another VM alum, Ryan Hansen, Adam Scott (Tell Me You Love Me), Jane Lynch (Role Models, The 40 Year Old Virgin), Martin Starr (Knocked Up) and Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield)

Rob Thomas is the creator/co-exec producer along with John Enbom (who also serves as showrunner), Paul Rudd and Dan Etheridge. Co-executive producers are VM behind the scenes vets Jennifer Gwartz and Danielle Stokdyk. Jennifer Dugan will produce the series. The show will run for 10 episodes and has its season finale in late May.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PaulHan,

Too bad I don't get Starz. This sounds like an awesome show. Lots of people I love involved with it (Marino, Lynch, Scott, Rudd).

Anyone with ON-DEMAND has access to the Premiere episode. I just watched it and found it to be likeable. It took awhile to get use to, but once I did, I liked it. My innitial problem was the concept of the show. Its about a bunch of waiters who are actors without acting jobs. Besides Entourage, I'm not really a big fan of those "A Look Into The World of Hollywood" series. The fact that the show won me over in spite of my dislike for these types of shows is probably a testiment to the series creator, Rob Thomas (the genius behind Veronica Mars). The show definitely has some Emmy potential though. Its nice to see STARZ step up and try to compete with HBO and Showtime. These are the nominations that COULD POSSIBILY come out of this series (based solely on this first episode and in order of likely-hood of happening):

LIKELY
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Comedy Supporting Actress: Jane Lynch (She is hysterical here...well everywhere, but here too and a past Emmy nominee, which should be favorable to her and her chances. Her exposure in all the Judd Apatow films could definitely pay off big time if this series takes off with viewers and garners critical buzz).

Comedy Direction: Fred Savage (Fred Savage has been hustling and directing for a TON of popular shows for years now. His direction in the pilot is pretty impressive and the Emmys love to give directing noms to new series and pilot episodes. If Party Down gets any nominations, it should get noticed here, especially for the overdue Fred Savage).

Comedy Guest Actor: Enrico Colantoni (OMG...Enrico was definitely the best part of this episode and what a departure this was from his role as Sheriff on Veronica Mars. His character hilariously gets drunk at his wife's party and serves up a cussin' storm to all his friends and neighbors. I hope the Emmys can take notice of this brilliant guest turn!).


MAYBE
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Comedy Supporting Actress: Lizzy Caplan (Miss Caplan is also hilarious in this pilot episode and very likeable, as she has been on previous series [CBS's The Class & HBO's True Blood]. She's been overlooked in the past and could get her big break with this role).

Comedy Writing (As the episode progressed, the writing got better, but if this series is to score a nomination for Writing, it won't be with this episode...or at least in my opinion).


NOT LIKELY, BUT WHO KNOWS?
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Comedy Lead Actor: Adam Scott (You will remember him from HBO's Tell Me You Love Me and the Will Ferrell film Step Brothers. He seems to be the main actor in the cast and the quote on quote "normal one" in the group. If he gets the right material, who knows? As far as the first episode goes though, he doesn't do enough to impress me.

Comedy Series (With only 10 episodes, not sure if this could happen. Obviously its WAY TOO EARLY anyway and based on the pilot, it ain't happening. However, the talent involved: Paul Rudd and Rob Thomas as producers, Jane Lynch in the cast, and Fred Savage on direction, could help get the series some recognition. We'll see what happens!)


Final note, by the end of the Pilot, the episode won me over and I will be tuning in to check out the next couple of episodes at the very least. Knowing Rob Thomas, they should be good...I hope!

Pilot Episode Grade: B

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I streamed the premiere episode on Starz' website, fyi. The premiere was most promising, 24fanatic; the only temporary dim spot I thought was that Marino was trying a bit too hard, but at the end of the episode I didn't think that way. Colantoni was sensational and hopefully will break the 30 Rock stranglehold on the guest actor category.

The Hollywood Reporter gave it a very good review, and it's nice to have a show that IMO is the anti-'Entourage'. With Entourage, you have a self-absorbed, narcissistic collection of pr|cks, whereas on Party Down, you care about these cater-waiters. You want them to succeed; you feel for Henry in particular, who's had his taste of stardom, but it didn't last and now he's back where he started. Where his co-workers want to be, he's been there. It's a show I look forward to taking a journey with.

quote:

Originally posted by 24fanatic:
MAYBE
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Comedy Supporting Actress: Lizzy Caplan (Miss Caplan is also hilarious in this pilot episode and very likeable, as she has been on previous series [CBS's The Class & HBO's True Blood]. She's been overlooked in the past and could get her big break with this role).

You wouldn't plug her into lead actress? From what I've been hearing, she's going to be a semi-focal point of the show, if her character's interaction with Henry in the pilot is any indication.

Great news; the pilot episode is now available as a free download on iTunes. Now let's hope Starz greenlights a series subscription on there like they do with Head Case.

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Episode 1: Willow Canyon Homeowners Association Annual Party
Guest star: Enrico Colantoni

Henry Pollard reluctantly returns to Party Down Catering – the job he left eight years earlier when acting stardom came a-callin’. His boss is “New Ron” Donald, a hard-living co-worker turned sober corporate achiever. Along with fellow cater-waiters Casey, Constance, Kyle and Roman, Hollywood dreamers all, they find themselves working a gig where a man, his uptight wife and very libidinous daughter is a recipe for fireworks.

Episode 2: California College Conservative Union Caucus

Before Arnold Schwarzenegger drops by this Party Down-catered affair, Henry reflects on his failures, surrounded by many who believe their best days are ahead. Ron, on the other hand, gets into an argument over whether he should give the Governator Cuban cigars and gets on Constance’s last nerve. Then his night goes up in smoke; literally.

look on Netflix i've noticed they have a lot of STRAZ shows available on their website to view instantly---head cases among other shows is up there or at least was available before it's debut. so check and see if it's available.

Loved the episode last night, and in particular Ken Marino and Jane Lynch; both were improved from last week's opener. Lynch going off on the guests ("Since when is Toronto not a part of the United States of America?!?") and Marino and his attempts to 'distress' another American flag to compensate for the one he f'd up with bleach to begin with. And the Henry-Casey dynamic is taking shape quite nicely.

*** out of 5 stars.

yes the first two episodes are available on netflix, i just checked.

Jane Lynch is so funny. I liked this much better than the pilot. I also really like the show on before it, Head Case. Back to back really funny shows on Starz.

Episode 3: Pepper McMasters Singles Seminar
Guest star: Ed Begley, Jr.

The gang’s next event is a senior citizens singles mixer. For Casey, the speaker’s message has an epic impact on her troubled marriage – and later on, with Henry. Constance’s eventful past catches up with her, and Kyle sees a chance to pay back Roman for his eyebrow-shaving prank.

Episode 4: Investors’ Dinner, Malibu Canyon

Meet Tony Carolla, Party Down-ers; he asks folks to trust him with their money. As they cater his night with a rude group of potential clients, Henry and Casey discover Carolla is taking cues from the Bernie Madoff playbook. Both won’t shed a tear for what’s to come – until one of their own is about to drink that same kool-aid.

The quality continues to take an uptick with last night's good episode. This is a show that allows its whole cast to shine; I'm not sold on Ken Marino yet, but he's getting there. I especially liked the chemistry between Adam Scott and Lizzy Caplan, and how they uncovered the plot to screw the investors over. This is Rob Thomas' better series on television in 2009, as Cupid does not seem long for ABC.

**** out of 5 stars.

This may be a sign of the show's future...or lack thereof beyond this season: PaddyFilm's note about casting for SMG's new HBO pilot.

If it gets picked up, then Adam Scott (Henry Pollard) has him a decision to make as well as the TREE production team behind PD (Rob Thomas, Paul Rudd, John Enbom and Dan Etheridge). It'd be sad to lose Scott if the Gellar HBO thing went to series. But wouldn't Starz have the TV show equivalent of "right of first refusal" and retain Scott for a possible season 2 of Party Down? They're already going to lose Ryan Hansen (who plays Kyle on the show) to the CW's Melrose Place reboot.

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About Ryan Hansen and Adam Scott...why can't they do both series??? I mean, Party Down only consists of ten episode seasons and it doesn't seem very expensive or time-consuming to produce, like most cable series. I can't see production taking more than a couple of weeks per season, which gives its actors at least 11 out of the 12 months of the year to work on other projects.

As for Episode 4, loved it! I especially love how we get at least one, sometimes two, new Veronica Mars alumni in guest starring roles every week (or at least so far!). Also, I like the chemistry between Scott and Caplin and I think Jane Lynch WILL pull out a suprise Emmy nomination this summer for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Every week she just keeps getting funnier and funnier. Love her pig and cow impressions, haha!

Halfway home, and I'm so gonna miss this when the season finale is over with. But it's been a great ride so far.

Episode 5: Sin-Say-Shun Awards Afterparty, Club Milk, North Hollywood

An adult film industry bash has the caterers adequately titillated for kinkiness to follow, but they're in for a surprise at how unsexy that line of work can be. Kyle gives Roman tips on how to meet women, Casey and Henry try to liven up their secret relationship and Ron talks Soup R’Crackers with a porn mogul.