Watch Party Down
- TV-14
- 2009
- 3 Seasons
-
8.2 (35,194)
Party Down is a comedy series that aired on Starz in 2009, starring an ensemble cast headlined by Adam Scott, Jane Lynch, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Lizzy Caplan, Jennifer Coolidge, and Megan Mullally. The show follows a group of aspiring actors and writers who work for a Los Angeles-based catering company while waiting for their big break in show business. The series is centered around the employees of Party Down catering, a company that caters to a variety of events from birthday parties, to weddings, and corporate events. The team consists of a varied group of personalities, all chasing their dreams of becoming successful actors or writers. Each episode follows the team as they navigate their way through different events, dealing with the eccentricities of various guests while trying to keep their catering duties running smoothly. Adam Scott plays Henry Pollard, a former actor whose one successful catchphrase from a beer commercial has left him in a rut. Scott's character is the straight man of the group, the voice of reason in a sea of chaos. His dry wit and grounded sensibilities are the perfect counterbalance to the rest of the cast's more flamboyant personalities. Jane Lynch plays Constance Carmell, an eccentric and high-energy team member who constantly reminds her co-workers that she was a sitcom star in the 80s. Lynch's character is a scene-stealer, bringing an infectious energy to every episode. She is both hilarious and endearing, and her interactions with the rest of the cast always leave viewers wanting more. Ryan Hansen plays Kyle Bradway, a shallow, egotistical actor who constantly brags about his appearance and success. Hansen's character is often the butt of the joke, but his self-absorption and ridiculous antics make him a crowd favorite. His interactions with the other characters are always comedic gold, and his over-the-top enthusiasm for everything he does is infectious. Martin Starr plays Roman DeBeers, a cynical and snarky writer who is constantly dealing with writer's block. Starr's dry delivery and sardonic wit are perfectly showcased in his character, who often spouts off cynical one-liners and critiques of the events they are catering. Lizzy Caplan plays Casey Klein, a struggling comedian and aspiring Hollywood writer. Caplan's character is the most grounded of the group, and her budding romance with Scott's character provides the show with a grounded and relatable arc that keeps viewers invested. Jennifer Coolidge plays Bobbie St. Brown, the company's wealthy and eccentric boss. Coolidge's character is constantly pushing the team to excel and will stop at nothing to make sure her events are the best in the business. Her over-the-top behavior and outrageous demands often drive the team crazy but provide viewers with some of the show's biggest laughs. Megan Mullally plays Lydia Dunfree, a former actress turned caterer who often pops up to remind the team of her past celebrity status. Mullally's character is a scene-stealer, with her outlandish behavior and larger-than-life personality always leaving viewers in stitches. The show's writing is sharp and the ensemble cast has outstanding chemistry. Each episode is a self-contained story, focusing on a different event that the team is catering. However, the underlying themes of chasing your dreams and dealing with failure permeate throughout the show, making it more than just a typical workplace comedy. Overall, Party Down is a hilarious, sharply written comedy with a talented cast that delivers big laughs. While short-lived, the show has maintained a cult following and is often cited as one of the greatest comedies of the 2000s.
