Our favorite TV show is over: goodbye Party Down

[isoS]

Deadline.com is reporting that Starz has cancelled the critically-acclaimed but little-seen comedy series "Party Down" after two seasons. What turned out to be the series finale aired last Friday.

In its brief run, Party Down became my favorite comedy show on TV. And yet, I didn't feel much sadness -- and certainly very little surprise -- when I heard this news. After all, Adam Scott had already committed to a role on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" before the second season began, following Jane Lynch's move to "Glee" after the first season. (As well they should have: those are good jobs with more stability than Starz could ever offer.) No one could say they didn't see this coming.

Instead of getting upset, I choose to be thankful. Party Down was a tiny show on a tiny channel watched by a tiny group of people, and it's fairly amazing that it was ever aired at all. Even the tone and style of the show seemed to say, "Hey, enjoy this while you can, but don't get too attached." It felt like a hobby for the people involved in making it, in the best possible way. They got to play, and we got to vicariously enjoy the fun they so obviously had together.

My main hope going forward is that Starz and other cable networks do more small-and-simple series (S&SS™) like this, in which hugely talented writers and actors collaborate on something cheap that gives them the creative freedom to do exactly what they want and express their brand of humor without interference. This felt like a web series in that way, only it was created by true pros who know how to make great television (something you rarely see on the Internet). Of course, I'd like it even more if said talented people were paid better and had a bigger budget to work with, but if you accept (as many on AST do) that your taste is divergent from that of the mainstream, you must also accept that there won't be much money for the projects you will love the most. Let's just be glad that there is some money, and some impetus on the part of creative types and suits to do small, weird and wonderful shows, and that we get to watch them, even if only for a short while.

[dan telfer]

Here here. This show was so fun to watch, and made me want to write for TV even more than I already did, which should not have been possible. Long live Party Down.

[Taul F. Pompkins]

Oi Oi!

[ASR]

I saw this coming for the entirety of Season 2 but it still shocked me when I heard the news. It's not really a surprise, it's just that I fell so madly in love with this show that it's taking me a while to accept the facts.

[beastlybritt]

I guess Ron Swanson won't have his chance to guest star in an episode now

[Weinerslave]

I'm still stunned that Paul Rudd never guested on this show. In an alternate universe, he was Henry Pollard!

[PunditFight]

Lets hope this show goes the way of 'Freaks and Geeks' and everyone from the show blows up.

o wait... Jane Lynch is on Glee. Ummm and as for Martin Starr...

Martin Starr remains the bellweather that the show/movie you're watching is awesome-o

[Phil]

Sad, it was one of my favorite shows.

[sconroy]

My main hope going forward is that Starz and other cable networks do more small-and-simple series (S&SS™) like this, in which hugely talented writers and actors collaborate on something cheap that gives them the creative freedom to do exactly what they want and express their brand of humor without interference.

Please watch Players on Spike TV beginning July 14. They might even show all the episodes this time (last time they showed three, if you remember).

[Jouster]

You know, Ron never did wear that vest.

[willowee2003]

I agree wholeheartedly with this acticle! Party Down was simple in concept, and executed exceptionally. It was consistently funny and original. I would do a little happy dance every time a new episode "dropped" on Netflix. I'll miss that excitement, but honestly, sometimes I'm glad when series have brief, but fullfilling, runs. That way, the format doesn't get stale, and each one of the episodes is a gem.

[Fentmore]

Raises glass.

Anticipates seeing Season 2.

[darrylduffy]

Are we having fun yet???

[Bryan Cook]

I wonder if Adam Scott jumping ship had anything to do with the decision. It sucks that he left to join ANOTHER great show, only to have it become a mid-season replacement. (I am only assuming he didn't already know it was going to be a short season in 2011 for "Parks & Rec.")

Check out "The Vicious Kind" if you need an Adam Scott fix in the meantime. Also stars JK Simmons (he's the asshole film producer who was in seasons 1 and 2 of Party Down if you are unfamiliar.) I was surprised this slipped by me until recently- not sure if it was ever in theaters. I believe it's on Netflix for instant play.

[Trikywu]

I've decided not to continue to blame America for not watching this show (Thanks, Matt. You were right). But on the good side, those "brilliant but canceled" shows sustain a certain type of respect i.e. Arrested Development, Sports Night, Freaks and Geeks. Party Down sits beside some heavy hitters on that mantel.

So, I'm ready to let it go.

[crlygrl]

sniffle

[hugel]

Some very interesting posts are being made about Party Down. While I have a hope that it finds a new home (apparently they'd be able to move the show if they find an interested party) I think like Conan's Tonight Show, this show suffered from the current video landscape. I know a few people with Starz, but for the most part, everyone I know watching this show watched on NetFlix (including myself). While that service is the greatest thing ever in my opinion, it doesn't look like it's metrics were taken into account while reviewing the viewership, and any money coming in must not have made a difference to Starz. So how can a show sustain itself in today's digital landscape, when a majority of users are coming from sources other than their Broadcast source?

http://blog.reed.me/post/758190606/p...eur-accounting

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/articl...ave-party-down

[jmiller]

the fact that it ended with a cliffhanger really upset me

[punkdc]

Watched these on Netflix over the past 3 days and man was I sad I didn't have Starz. While it took a few episodes to hook me I found this to be fantastic.

[CarolineEAnd]

Martin Starr has some really good insight into the cancellation on the latest Jordan, Jesse Go. As a fan of the show and a fan of the podcast I quite enjoyed it. While it's upsetting to know some of the things (Starz will not allow them to take the show to another network) I genuinely trust that these people are smart enough, talented enough, and hard enough workers to do something even better.