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Line 1: {{Short description\|American ~~television series~~sitcom}} {{Use mdy dates\|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox television Line 36: }} \| producer = {{Plain list\| * [[Fred Savage]] (seasons 1–2) * [[Bryan Gordon]] * Nancy van Doornewaard Line 47: \| network = [[Starz]] \| first_aired = {{Start date\|2009\|3\|20}} \| last_aired = ~~present~~{{End date\|2023\|3\|31}} \| num_seasons = 3 \| num_episodes = 26 Line 55: '''''Party Down''''' is an American [[sitcom]] created and primarily written by John Enbom, [[Rob Thomas (writer)\|Rob Thomas]], Dan Etheridge, and [[Paul Rudd]] that premiered on the [[Starz]] network in the United States on March 20, 2009. The series follows a group of [[catering\|caterers]] in Los Angeles as they hope to make it in Hollywood. After two seasons, Starz canceled ''Party Down'' on June 30, 2010. While the show was warmly received by critics, its [[Nielsen ratings]] were very low. ~~Losing~~ [[Jane Lynch]]'s commitment to ''[[Glee (TV series)\|Glee]]'' as well as [[Adam Scott (actor)\|Adam Scott]]'s commitment to ''[[Parks and Recreation]]'' were believed to be additional factors in the decision to end the series.<ref>{{cite magazine\|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/30/breaking-starz-cancels-party-down-gravity/ \|title=Breaking: Starz cancels 'Party Down' and 'Gravity' \|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] \|date=June 30, 2010 \|access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref> In November 2021, a six-episode revival of the series was ordered by the network.<ref name="Revival">{{cite web \|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/party-down-revival-starz-greenlight-adam-scott-jane-lynch-ken-marino-megan-mullally-returning-lizzy-caplan-out-1234874850/ \|title='Party Down' Revival Gets Starz Greenlight With Six Of Original Series' Seven Stars Returning \|website=Deadline \|first=Nellie \|last=Andreeva \|date=November 16, 2021 \|access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref> The third season premiered on February 24, 2023.,<ref name="RevivalPremiere"/> and was later categorized as a limited series revival.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/shining-vale-canceled-minx-starz-comedy-retreat-1235680977/ \|title=With 'Shining Vale' Canceled & 'Minx' Renewal Unlikely, Starz Signals Comedy Retreat \|website=Deadline \|first=Nellie \|last=Andreeva \|date=December 22, 2023 \|access-date=January 20, 2024}}</ref> ==Premise== Line 81: * [[Ken Jeong]] as Alan Duk, original Party Down CEO who purchases one of Ron's "Soup 'R Crackers", appearing in season 1's "Sin Say Shun Awards After Party" and "Stennheiser-Pong Wedding Reception". Duk was tried and convicted for white collar crimes before season 2. * [[Kristen Bell]] as Uda Bengt, the uptight leader of Valhalla Catering who eventually starts a relationship with Henry after Casey leaves. She appears in season 1's "Stennheiser-Pong Wedding Reception" and season 2's "Party Down Company Picnic". * [[Aviva Baumann\|Aviva Farber]] as Mandy, Ron's girlfriend who appears in season 2's "Jackal Onassis Backstage Party" and "Precious Lights Pre-School Auction". * [[Michael Hitchcock]] as Bolus Lugozshe, the new owner of Party Down, appearing in season 2's "Party Down Company Picnic" and "Constance Carmell Wedding". * [[June Diane Raphael]] as Danielle Lugozshe, daughter of Bolus who begins an affair with Ron and eventually chooses him over her fiancé. She appears in season 2's "Party Down Company Picnic" and "Constance Carmell Wedding". Line 102: ===Revival=== In March 2021, it was reported that a revival as a six-episode limited series was in development at Starz. The originals series creators Enbom, Thomas, Etheridge, and Rudd ~~are~~became involved and Enbom ~~serves~~served as showrunner.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/party-down-revival-in-works-starz-1234706566/\|title='Party Down' Revival In The Works At Starz\|last=White\|first=Peter\|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]\|date=March 4, 2021\|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> In November 2021, Starz officially ordered a six-episode series with Adam Scott, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen and Megan Mullally to return; Lizzy Caplan was reported not to return due to scheduling conflicts. [[Jennifer Garner]], [[Tyrel Jackson Williams]], and [[Zoë Chao]] were cast as series regulars, while [[James Marsden]] was cast in a recurring role.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/party-down-jennifer-garner-tyrel-jackson-williams-zoe-chao-james-marsden-cast-revival-starz-1234922327/ \|title='Party Down': Jennifer Garner, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Zoë Chao & James Marsden Join Revival On Starz \|last=Andreeva \|first=Nellie \|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] \|date=January 31, 2022 \|access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref> Ultimately, Caplan appeared in a cameo in the season finale, as her appearance was always meant to be a surprise.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/party-down-lizzy-caplan-cameo-season-4-1235569310/\|title=Lizzy Caplan on Her Surprise 'Party Down' Cameo and Hopes for Season 4: 'They Would Have to Tie Me to the Train Tracks to Keep Me Away'\|work=Variety\|first=Ethan\|last=Shanfeld\|date=March 31, 2023\|access-date=April 4, 2023}}</ref> The series began production in January 2022<ref name="Revival"/> and filming wrapped in March 2022.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://collider.com/party-down-season-3-image-wraps-filming/ \|title='Party Down' Season 3 Wraps Filming, Celebrates With Cast Image \|last=Leishman \|first=Rachel \|work=Collider \|date=March 7, 2022 \|access-date=March 7, 2022}}</ref> The third season premiered on February 24, 2023.<ref name="RevivalPremiere">{{Cite web\|url=https://tvline.com/2022/12/14/party-down-revival-premiere-date-teaser-starz-season-3-video/\|title=''Party Down'' Revival Gets Premiere Date at Starz — Plus, See (Most of) the Catering Crew Reunite in a New Teaser\|work=TVLine\|first=Dave\|last=Nemetz\|date=December 14, 2022\|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> ==Episodes== Line 344: ===Season 3 (2023)=== {{Episode table \|background=#333333 \|overall= \|season= \|title= \|director= \|writer= \|airdate= ~~\|viewers= \|country=U.S.~~ \|episodes= {{Episode list \|EpisodeNumber = 21 Line 352: \|WrittenBy = John Enbom \|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2023\|2\|24}} ~~\|Viewers =~~ \|ShortSummary = The Party Down team, still led by Ron, is catering an event for Kyle, who is celebrating being cast in the superhero role of "Nitromancer". Roman is still working for Party Down and bitter about Kyle's success. Former Party Down employees Henry, Constance and Lydia attend the event. Lydia is a successful manager for her actress daughter; Constance is still an actor, as well as a playwright, and now widow and heiress; and Henry is a high school English teacher and married with children. Ron reveals to Henry he will be taking over as owner of the company. A news story about Casey causes Roman to mention her success as an actor and that she "made it big" from her role on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. Kyle runs into controversy when a 10-year-old video of his band Karma Rocket performing "My Struggle" surfaces online, which accuses Kyle of being a Nazi because of the lyrics being misconstrued. Henry meets Evie, a film producer who is attending the event with her actor boyfriend Jack Botty ([[James Marsden]]). Ron runs into financial trouble and is $10,000 short of his bid for the company, but is helped by Constance. New Party Down employee Sackson helps Kyle craft an apology video. However, due to the controversy, Kyle loses the role and learns the guitarist ([[Fran Kranz]]) for Karma Rocket leaked the video because Kyle's success led to the downfall of the band. Ron is excited about the future of the company but news breaks about a [[COVID-19 pandemic\|coronavirus outbreak]]. Fourteen months later, Ron, who is living in the Party Down van, gets a call about a possible booking. \|LineColor = 333333 Line 363 ⟶ 362: \|WrittenBy = John Enbom \|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2023\|3\|3}} ~~\|Viewers =~~ \|ShortSummary = Party Down caters a surprise 45th birthday party for Jack Botty. Henry has finalized his divorced from his wife and to help pay the [[alimony]], he has taken a second job working for Party Down again. Kyle is also back at Party Down after losing the role of "Nitromancer". Ron introduces their new chef, Lucy, a food artist, who is more interested in the food evoking emotion than tasting good. Constance, now an investor in Party Down, video chats with the team. The team learn Jack Botty is cheating on his girlfriend Evie when he arrives to the party early with a different woman named Tandy and tells them to keep it a secret. Lydia questions the psychological consequences of being a child actor regarding her daughter Escapade and worries she will be fired. Ron breaks his own rules by taking a shower in the clients home after Henry tells him he smells bad; Ron tells Henry he lost his sense of smell after getting COVID four times. Evie learns from Henry that Jack is cheating. When Ron is talking with Jack, he recognizes the smell of his soap, so Ron re-showers with his own soap. During karaoke, Tandy reveals to everyone about her relationship with Jack. Ron loses his chance at working with Jack after he knows Ron used his shower. Lydia gives Ron an event form for an upcoming party: a prom for her daughter. After casually flirting with each other during the party, Evie gives Henry her number. \|LineColor = 333333 Line 374 ⟶ 372: \|WrittenBy = John Enbom \|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2023\|3\|10}} ~~\|Viewers =~~ \|ShortSummary = Party Down caters an event for [[white supremacists]], unbeknownst to the group at first, because Ron needs the money. The rest of the team expresses their displeasure about working the event. The symposium is led by a man named Stuart ([[Calum Worthy]]) and their main money donor is Dermott ([[Nick Offerman]]). A protest group forms outside the event, which Kyle eventually joins. Kyle gets help from Henry as Kyle has an upcoming audition for an ''[[Othello]]'' adaptation. Dermott compliments Lucy regarding her food, but she feels conflicted with the appreciation. Sackson reveals to Roman that the main demographic of his blog are white supremacist-affiliated groups. Henry and Evie establish a more serious relationship. It's revealed that the protestors are actually part of the white supremacists group in an attempt to create publicity. Stuart tells Ron he won't be able to pay for the event until next month, but Henry puts on a sympathetic acting performance, which leads Stuart to have Demott pay the invoice. \|LineColor = 333333 Line 385 ⟶ 382: \|WrittenBy = Dayo Adesokan \|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2023\|3\|17}} ~~\|Viewers =~~ \|ShortSummary = The team cater a [[luau]] for contest winners for a [[Sting (musician)\|Sting]] concert. Evie hangs out with the team during the event and brings [[psilocybin mushroom]]s, which they all decide to take except Ron who is unaware. Kyle is depressed because he has not received any callbacks for his auditions. Sackson live streams his [[drug trip]]. Roman is suspicious something weird is going on at the event and is pulled away into a tent and it's revealed that the event hosts are actually cops. Lieutenant Sacker ([[Judy Reyes]]) reveals the event is actually a [[sting operation]] for [[deadbeat parent]]s with outstanding child support payments who will be going to jail. While high, Roman gets inspiration to complete his science fiction screenplay. Kyle gets good news and gets a callback for ''[[The Lost Boys (franchise)\|The Lost Boys]]'' adaptation. Evie tells Henry he should seriously get back into acting. \|LineColor = 333333 Line 396 ⟶ 392: \|WrittenBy = John Enbom \|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2023\|3\|24}} ~~\|Viewers =~~ \|ShortSummary = The team caters a prom for Lydia's daughter Escapade ([[Liv Hewson]]) which is also a press event for her upcoming film, ''Proms Away''. Ron is nervous to impress a powerful [[Public relations\|PR]] agent, Sloan, who is attending the event. Constance shows up in person to support Ron. Roman connects with a fellow sci-fi fan named Steph at the event and begins to feel romantic feels for her, but he soon learns she has a boyfriend. However, Steph is a development executive and Roman gets a development deal for his sci-fi idea. Lydia is worried another [[talent manager]], Ted Fine ([[Seth Morris]]), is going to steal Escapade as a client, so Lydia has Sackson spill wine on him, forcing him to leave. However, Escapade reveals to Lydia that she invited Ted as a blind date for her mother. Kyle tries to prove he is still young by having a dance-off with Sackson, but later feels the effects with a sore back. Ron gets food poisoning from eating bad [[shellfish]], so Constance is tasked with impressing Sloan. Constance is successful and gets Sloan's business card. Evie gets a promotion at work and offers a role to Henry for a film franchise shooting in [[Tunisia]]. Lydia fires her daughter as a client because she just wants to be her mom. \|LineColor = 333333 Line 407 ⟶ 402: \|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay\|t=John Enbom & [[Rob Thomas (writer)\|Rob Thomas]]\|s=John Enbom\|tfirst=y}} \|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2023\|3\|31}} ~~\|Viewers =~~ \|ShortSummary = Henry's high school theater class perform a production of ''[['Tis Pity She's a Whore]]''. Evie surprises them with an afterparty hosted by Party Down. The streaming service Roman sold his screenplay to goes bankrupt and Kyle gets the role in the ''Lost Boys'' reboot. Sackson pivots his content creation after one of his videos where he faceplants on an escalator during his dance-off with Kyle goes viral and Lucy has an audition for an upscale restaurant for celebrities. Ron learns from his lawyer that Constance actually owns the majority stake in the company because the forms were filled out wrong. The school's vice principal, Marty Mittman ([[Dan Bakkedahl]]), shuts down the party on school grounds due to them not having any permits. The team then secretly move the party into the library. Kyle discovers he was actually cast in the father role in the reboot, while Roman thinks of new ideas for his next screenplay. Marty finds the new party and instead joins them after wanting the students to like him. However, the principal ([[Jean Villepique]]) shows up and disciplines Henry and Marty. Henry reveals to Evie that he does not want to go to Tunisia for the acting gig and instead wants to stay. Four months later at a press junket the company is catering, Henry runs into Casey ([[Lizzy Caplan]]) and they catch up. \|LineColor = 333333 Line 420 ⟶ 414: In 2014, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' listed the show at #22 in their list of the "26 Best Cult TV Shows Ever" calling it a "smart, drily funny series" and saying, "But the off-beat writing shone brightest in the smaller moments, when the gang was just sitting around a kitchen and bickering to pass the time."<ref>{{cite magazine \|url=https://ew.com/gallery/26-best-cult-tv-shows-ever/#22-party-down \|title=26 Best Cult TV Shows Ever \|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] \|date=March 14, 2014 \|access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref> In 2020, Briana Kranich of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' ranked ''Party Down'' as the second-most underrated TV show of the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Kranich \|first1=Briana \|title=10 Underrated TV Shows Of The Noughties (2000-2009) \|url=https://screenrant.com/underrated-tv-shows-noughties-2000-2009/ \|website=Screen Rant \|date=March 6, 2020 \|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> The third season holds a 95% rating with an average score of 8 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes based on 3942 reviews. The website's critical consensus is, "Returning after a long layoff, ''Party Down'' brings patient fans a third season that's every bit as sharp – and laugh-out-loud funny – as its predecessors."<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/party_down/s03 \|title=Party Down: Season 3 \|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] \|access-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref> On Metacritic, it has a score of 81 based on 2627 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/party-down/season-3 \|title=Party Down: Season 3 \|website=[[Metacritic]] \|access-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref> == References == {{reflist\|30em}} == Further reading == *{{Cite magazine \|last=Siegel \|first=Alan \|date=2023-02-22 \|title=Are We Having Fun Yet?!: The Oral History of 'Party Down' \|url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2023/2/22/23607127/party-down-oral-history \|access-date=2023-10-01 \|website=The Ringer \|language=en}} ==External links== Line 435 ⟶ 432: [[Category:2010 American television series endings]] [[Category:2023 American television series debuts]] [[Category:~~2000s~~2023 American ~~sitcoms~~television series endings]] [[Category:~~2010s~~2000s American single-camera sitcoms]] [[Category:~~2020s~~2010s American single-camera sitcoms]] [[Category:2020s American single-camera sitcoms]] [[Category:2000s American workplace comedy television series]] [[Category:2010s American workplace comedy television series]] [[Category:2020s American workplace comedy television series]] [[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]] [[Category:American English-language television shows]] [[Category:Fictional waiting staff]] [[Category:Starz original programming]]