Party Down Season 3 Review: A Flawless Return to Catering Hell
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The post Party Down Season 3 Review: A Flawless Return to Catering Hell appeared first on Consequence.
The Pitch: In 2010, Starz declined to renew Party Down for a third season, despite the massive waves of critical support for the series. But the cult comedy’s reputation has only grown over the years, especially as its original core cast, including Adam Scott, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, and Megan Mullally, have accrued far greater respect and fame. Why not try a revival? Frankly, it’s almost a shock it took this long.
So, 13 years later, the gang is back in bowties, as Ron (Marino) tries to keep the titular catering business going. In the first five episodes provided to critics (out of six this season), there’s a movie star’s birthday party, a symposium for a politically “problematic” group, a radio station-sponsored luau, and a fake prom, all of which bring with them their own original twists and surprises.
The Future Is Now: The most immediate thing to observe about the return of Party Down is how skillfully the show integrates itself into the year 2023: The gig economy, after all, explains both the addition of newcomers as well as the return of characters like Henry (Scott) and Kyle (Hansen), whose own Hollywood careers have faced setbacks. And the writers also fully acknowledge the impact that the pandemic had on companies exactly like Party Down Catering — there is, after all, minimal need for passed apps when people are sheltering in place.
While the show has been effectively updated for today, though, that original magic remains intact, as Ron and his “loyal” team proceed to only occasionally screw up the events they’ve been hired to service. The pathos might be somewhat closer to the surface but the quips are as sharp as ever, with Roman (Starr) and Kyle’s feud reborn in a new context, and Ron’s struggles in the world of small business reaching new pathetic heights. The comedy ranges from highbrow Shakespeare references to the crassest scatalogical moments, but every joke hits just right.
The Guest List: While some returning characters make limited appearances, Casey (Lizzy Caplan)’s absence is explained by her actually becoming a successful actress — which feels apt, as Caplan is of course another cast member whose career has taken off since the original premiere of Party Down. So, joining as series regulars are Tyrel Jackson Williams as Sackson, who’s striving for social media fame, and Zoe Chao as Lucy, a chef with a… unique palate.
Chao’s becoming a star to watch, by the way, after her breakout role in the Apple TV+ comedy The Afterparty — this spring, she not only returns to that show for Season 2 but also makes a notable appearance in the new rom-com Your Place or Mine, and stands out here for the off-kilter burst of energy she brings to the screen; rather than replace Caplan as a new love interest for Henry, she’s just allowed to be a li’l weirdo, and good for her.
Party Down (Starz)
Also playing a big role in the new episodes is Jennifer Garner as a Hollywood producer behind a massive superhero franchise that’s not not reminiscent of the MCU. Garner’s always an engaging performer, but it’s especially fun here to see her digging into a grounded character with real vulnerabilities and a bit of edge. She’s one of many great guest stars who appear this season, including Dan Bakkedahl, Quinta Brunson, Liv Hewson, Fran Kranz, Ki Hong Lee, Lyric Lewis, Bobby Moynihan, Judy Reyes, Calum Worthy, and Nick Offerman (complete with his signature giggle).
As for the returning cast, the reason their careers have gotten exponentially more successful over the years is because of their dang talent. Scott’s Henry remains world-weary yet still sometimes capable of hope, while we get to watch Hansen’s Kyle face head on what it means when the industry turns its back on you. Meanwhile, Starr’s Roman now has “a prestigious vlog” (due to his carpel tunnel), and is resigned to his particular brand of sci-fi remaining never being appreciated in his lifetime. Each character feels like they’ve grown organically over the decade-plus since last we’ve seen them, in ways that make them feel all too real.
The Verdict: Beyond being one of the funnier, sharper, and more daring comedies of the 21st century, Party Down remains one of the few shows that really understands what it means, to try to make it in Hollywood. It does so by front-loading the perspectives of those who tried and failed, whose stories don’t often get heard: For every starlet plucked off a drugstore barstool, there are thousands of aspiring souls who put everything they had into the quest for fame and fortune, and received nothing but rejection.
With that harsh reality embedded in the DNA of the series, the result is one of the more searing and honest takes on the entertainment industry to date. And the new episodes represent the platonic ideal of a series returning after a long absence: The old magic remains intact, but there are fresh new ideas in the mix, a sense of growth and evolution. Ron might be stuck in the same rut as ever, but the ways in which the world has and hasn’t changed are very present. If there’s one complaint to be had, it’s the limited number of episodes — but, fingers crossed, Starz won’t wait 12 years to greenlight a new season this time.
Where to Watch: Party Down Season 3 premieres Friday, February 24th at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms. For cable subscribers, it will debut same day on STARZ at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Trailer:
Party Down Season 3 Review: A Flawless Return to Catering Hell
Liz Shannon Miller
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