In today's column, I review the very funny new Starz comedy series "Party Down," co-created by "Veronica Mars" man Rob Thomas. If you don't get Starz, or are just impatient for tonight's show (what with the cast being populated by plenty of familiar faces from "VM," "Freaks and Geeks" and other things that make you feel good), Starz.com has the first episode available for on-line viewing.What with tonight including the "BSG" series finale, the "Dollhouse" episode that will cure world hunger, and lots of other stuff I need to write about, I don't have time to do a separate review post for the premiere, so discuss it here -- and, for the benefit of people who aren't going to be watching it online, don't put any kind of spoilers (giving away jokes, twists, whatever) until after 11 p.m. You can say, "I watched the streaming version, and I liked/hated it," but no more detail than that, please. Anything I consider borderline gets deleted.
Just FYI, the first two episodes are also available through the Netflix Watch Instantly feature. It seems like each new episode will be made available a week in advance through that.
ReplyDeleteI saw the pilot and it was hit or miss, but I will be sticking around to check at least the next couple of episodes.
Two other things: the pilot also aired several times on DirecTV's channel 101, the same place they showed Friday Night Lights, and this weekend is a free Starz preview on DirecTV as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't have Starz, but as a huge fan of Veronica Mars, I definitely plan to catch the episodes online.
ReplyDeleteI caught a clip of the second episode, the scene with the young conservatives telling the story about the baseball player and barely recognized Jason Dohring(also from VM) with the Donald Trump hair. It looks quite entertaining.
Thanks for the tip, Anon.
ReplyDeleteI watched the pilot online and give it 3 out of 4 starz.
Goodness, it's great to see Bill Haverchuck back on television.
Sounds very promising, but it's going to be tough to watch it knowing that Paul Rudd could've been the lead. Something about that Adam Scott fella (I couldn't have told you his name before just now, but recognize him from numerous movies/shows) rubs me the wrong way -- maybe it's residue from the ickyness of "Tell Me You Love Me."
ReplyDeleteAn unexpected surplus of quality TV comedies this spring. In addition to the usual Office/30Rock double shot (plus Chuck), I've got a whole other slew of favorites and potential winners: Important Things w/ Demetri Martin, U.S. of Tara, Eastbound and Down, the returning Reaper, and now this. Not to mention Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job, and of course the Stewart/Colbert nightlies. Just think: ten years ago, all we had in quality TV comedy was the declining Simpsons, and now...
Thanks for the link. It was quite enjoyable, though I think I had built it up to be more than it was in my head, so I was a bit disappointed. But I will definitely be watching every week. I just hope it really is available on Netflix Watch Instantly the whole season.
ReplyDeleteKen Marino and Jane Lynch's characters are too "Michael Scott."
ReplyDeleteThis show is a Who's Who of Veronica Mars alums -- which is not at all a bad thing. It makes it a bit of an eerie parallel to Neptune, though.
ReplyDeleteWatched the first, loved it, watching the second now!
The very end in the car was supposed to be a reference to the Tell Me You Love Me pilot, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt kind of reminded me of "The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman," which used to air on the Independent Film Channel -- which is where a show like this belongs. I'm not sure why Starz is trying to compete with HBO and Showtime on original programming, given that it's the one pay-cable network that actually has good, relatively recent movies. I wouldn't pay a monthly fee for this show, but I would watch it if it were on a channel I get anyway.
ReplyDeleteI liked it more than I expected. Given that I love the cast, love Rob Thomas, love Rudd, etc., I figured I'd keep my expectations low and it worked. There were enough good laughs and enough weird to keep me interested. Plus, this is the first Adam Scott character that I have *ever* liked. I've never had an issue with him, I've just never warmed to anyone he's played. I like this guy, though.
ReplyDeleteWow, I was ah... completely unimpressed and not laughing at this. Despite the cast, I just could not stay interested. I don't know why I don't like it, but it just seemed really slow and not particularly fresh.
ReplyDeleteI laughed quite a bit, although I feel like as much as I like Jane Lynch, I've seen this character many times, but I enjoyed the mirroring of the quiet desperation at both the party (and their damned mailboxes) and the waiters. Great to see Ryan Hansen, just as dopey as on VM, but still as funny, and Enrico Colantoni--especially the streaking scene, which cracked me up so much I watched it twice. Cute all around.
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