SHOW OF THE MO: Party Down

Party DownWhy should you care about a another canceled US sit-com? Well, my friend, the answers are aplenty.

Set in LA, Party Down is about a group of struggling wannabe actors that work as part of a catering team in order to pay their bills. The formula is simple, with each episode being centred around a different event they are working at.

The first reason to care about this show is that it’s creators and writing team include, Rob Thomas (who created critical-darling Veronica Mars) and PAUL FUCKING RUDD (if you don’t know who he is, then we are now enemies).

Secondly this show features a RIDICULOUS amount of familiar faces. Adam Scott of (the genius) Parks & Recreation played the lead character of Henry. Jane Lynch was first series regular Constance before naffing of to steal the show in this little-known musical thing. Lesser-known regulars included Martin Starr (from the also brilliant Freaks & Geeks) and the charming Lizzy Caplan (who has the prestigious honour of being featured in the SQUARE EYED banner, and is also of True Blood fame). And we also got cameos from the likes of Ken Jeong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Bell.

So now you get that a lot of big and reputable names have been attached to this show. However, the main reason to watch this show is is the content. Whilst Party Down is based on a simple formula, this never becomes restricting. We only ever see them at work, but the story still drives forward. While the work is case by case, the story never feels that way. It’s funny, insanely addictive (I watched both series in less than two weeks) and above all it’s charming as fuck.

Comparisons could be made between this show and the aforementioned Parks & Recreation. While this show is more in line with the traditional sit-com format as opposed to the mockumentary style of P&R. Both shows manage an ensemble cast, where every character is treated with care. And as a result you care for each character. Unlike, for example, the US Office which, whilst brilliant, tends to focus on just four people.

If I haven’t convinced you to watch this show yet then I just don’t know what will. The only reason I can think of as to why you would not like this show, is that you just don’t like half-hour, quirky, US sitcoms. In which case you can just sod off.

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Posted on 22nd July 2011 by . This entry was posted in Feature, Review, Show of The Mo and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.