"Party Down" Renewed for Second Season

[isoS]

Starz's original series "Party Down" is coming back for another season, according to E! Online. (Creator Rob Thomas suggested as much in a recent interview with chicagotribune.com.) If you haven't seen it -- and with almost zero promotion and a home at the farthest reaches of the premium cable galaxy, who could blame you? -- "Party Down" is arguably the best comedy to hit the small screen since "30 Rock." Boasting absurd levels of talent in front of and behind the camera (actors Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Lizzy Caplan and Martin Starr, plus producers Thomas, John Enbom and Paul Rudd), sharp writing, fun guest stars and simple, contained locations, the show is perfectly low-key, engaging and consistently hilarious. And thankfully, Starz has made it as accessible as possible: even if you don't subscribe to the channel, a Netflix account and a computer (or any number of networked set-top boxes) will give you the whole season on demand (many cable providers are offering the same through their on-demand services). Let's hope that continues for season two... Although at this point I would probably pay for Starz just to watch this show. (I shouldn't have said that out loud probably.)

No word yet on when the second season will begin. The first season wraps up May 22 with guest star Kristen Bell.

[BillBrasky]

Here's an article from Variety:

Starz has given a second season pickup to its half-hour laffer "Party Down."
Pay cabler's sibling production/ distribution arm Starz Media will produce another 10 episodes of the single-camera series, which comes from creator Rob Thomas.

Back for season two are stars Ken Marino, Adam Scott (who will now also serve as a producer), Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen and Lizzy Caplan. Jane Lynch is committed to Fox's "Glee" and so far is not signed on for the next round of "Party," but Starz is holding out hope that the actress can return in some capacity.

"Party Down" centers on wannabe Hollywood players making ends meet by working for a catering company. Thomas exec produces with John Enbom, Paul Rudd and Dan Etheridge.

Fred Savage is also back to direct the series, along with Bryan Gordon, and both serve as supervising producers. Marino is also set to helm an episode.

"Party Down" airs its season one finale Friday. Starz programming exec veep Stephan Shelanski said the premium cabler wanted to send a message by renewing the show before its first season wrapped.

"This is an indication of how strongly we see the show," he said. "It's something we're really proud of."

"Party Down" is part of Starz's recent push into the original series arena, which includes the drama "Crash" and comedy "Head Case."

"Party Down" will likely return to production in late summer, with a return airdate sometime in 2010. Shelanski said the cabler is still ironing out its programming for next year, with an eye toward filling the Friday night 10 p.m. slot with originals year-round.

"We feel we're on plan," he said. "We have a continual growth model in place in terms of our original strategy. Hopefully we can accelerate that and bring on more new shows."

[patrick]

I will attest to the greatness of this show. I agree, it is easily the best new show since 30 Rock. Hilarious. Every episode has me actually laughing and not just giggling. Very happy to see it's getting its rightfully deserved second season.

[Darryl]

FYI: Season 1 of Party Down is available for instant viewing on Netflix.

[isoS]

Thank you Captain Obvious! Not being a dick, I just decided to call you that because of your awesome blog.

(just kidding: I called you that because the top post mentions Netflix)

[Darryl]

Net who?

(I think there's a TV pilot in here somewhere: Captain Obvious and The Least Exciting Man in Hollywood.)

[bretkerr]

Thanks for the reccomendation ISOS. I downloaded 4 episodes and it was great - laugh out loud funny. Ron Thomas - who knew? And in one episode Jane Lynch's character even namechecks Sasquatch.

- Bret