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TV Weekend: Up With Party Down!

By James Poniewozik | @poniewozik | April 23, 2010 | +
Starz

But hey, we’re not all death this weekend here at Tuned In. Tonight, Starz returns its hilarious catering comedy, Party Down, for season two. Gone is Jane Lynch, who because of Glee will only be in one episode this season. Gone, after this season, will be star Adam Scott, who’s joining NBC’s Parks and Recreation. The show’s future is still dicey, so savor it for now, tell your friends and cross your fingers.

What’s still in place: the darkly funny premise, about frustrated actors and screenwriters paying the bills by working the parties, school fundraisers and orgies of the Hollywood elite, deserving and undeserving alike. Also, a top-flight cast, including Lizzy Caplan and Martin Starr (and this season, Megan Mullally, stepping in for Lynch), who make the show’s scripts play like improv. Above all, the show’s ambition to be both raunchily funny and emotionally real to characters who are watching their dreams get older one day at a time.

I could tell you more about it. Or you could watch it yourself; mindful of how many people don’t yet have the channel, Starz has put the first two season 2 episodes (and a couple old ones) online for free. What are you waiting for? Get the party started.

Related Topics: party down, starz, Uncategorized

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  • http://www.simonvinkenoog.nl/beeld/Yogi%20-%20Annelies%20Rigter.jpg yogi

    I finally caught the first season a month ago on netflix on demand. Look forward to watching this season.

  • Paul O’Regan

    Tonight’s episode is also available as a free download from iTunes: here

    Very funny. I love Jimmi Simpson. Looking forward to the Steve Guttenberg episode (I’m outside the US, so Starz.com won’t work for me).

  • chriskw

    I’m glad I was able to get Starz add for free at my dad’s house. Although that promo deal will be ending right around the end of the season.

    I watched all of season 1 in a 24 hour period. So I’m tempted to watch season 2 the same way.

  • Paul O’Regan

    Oops, that link might not work. Try this.

  • http://twitter.com/poniewozik James Poniewozik

    That, or just go to chriskw’s dad’s house. Bring chips!

  • chriskw

    Or like yogi said. If you subscribe to netflix you can watch it on its website.

    BTW. Did James or anyone else follow Spartacus until the end. I didn’t really pay attention at the beginning. But the last three or four episodes were great. It may not be Rome but I found it too be great fun. And I was glad to see that Matt Roush and Mo Ryan agreed with me.

  • http://twitter.com/poniewozik James Poniewozik

    I disliked the first few episodes far too much to stick with it. I kept not liking it after Mo said it was improving. Maybe it improved further after that, but I’m guessing it’s more likely it’s just not for me. TV critic’s gotta do triage.

  • trophychild

    James, did you happen to check out Party Down’s new companion series, Gravity, and if so, what did you think of it?

  • mimsysnark

    Just a couple of nights ago, I watched all of season 1 of Party Down on Netflix. I am so glad I did! I bestow upon it the highest praise I can think of–it’s as good a comedy as Arrested Development! I thought the premiere of season 2 was great, but a little uneven. I’ll chalk it up to a rocky start and keep my fingers crossed that the rest of the season matches the first. Oh, and Jimmi Simpson was so perfect as the rock star tonight, that I really wish they could keep him on as a regular. “Pinching pennies, I never would have thought about that, man. That is f’ing adorable.”

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