Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
TonyCamonte84
I heard good things about this show and decided to give it a try. Sadly it's another show with formulaic characters and unoriginal jokes making it a run-of-the-mill comedy. It gets really cringe-worthy when the jokes are way too obviously set up and are delivered by punchlines no real person would ever utter ever. There were 3 "jokes" in the pilot alone that made me immediately want to turn it off and never watch it again, because I felt they insulted my intelligence just too much. I stuck with it for a lot longer just to see if it would get any better, which it does not, and to be able to write this review. I have yet to laugh a single time watching 'Party Down'…or even smile… If anything it's annoying and a waste of time. I couldn't bear it anymore after 3 episodes. There are hints of wit in the dialogue, but they're few and far between. The simple formula of creating absurd awkward situations that are completely unbelievable comes across as forced, simplistic and insulting to the viewer.
BertMacklin_9
Its a real shame that the very best shows that ever aired on television got canceled so soon. Shows such as 'Arrested Development' and 'Freaks and Geeks.' 'Party Down' is another one of those shows. So smart, funny, innovative, yet, gets yanked off the air because of low ratings. Sad.'Party Down' revolves around a party-catering company. The structure of the show is very simple yet effective. Each episode takes place at a certain event with certain types of people. This gives each eccentric character a chance to interact with all of the party guests in so many awkward, unusual, and flat-out hilarious ways. A major theme of 'Party Down' is young people trying to have breakthroughs and make it into the film industry. They want so badly to become noticed, yet, they work for others every week and have no satisfaction. This is one of the many genius pathos that drive this very thoughtful comedy.As a whole, 'Party Down,' obviously, was very underrated. But something very underrated is the cast of the show. 'Party Down' has one of the very best comedic ensembles I've seen on TV. The main character is Henry, played by Adam Scott. Henry is a very hopeless and apathetic actor who made it somewhat big with a famous catch-phrase on a beer commercial. Now, though, he can't seem to find his breakthrough, so to get by, he works for the Party Down company as a bartender, but has no interest in it at all. Adam Scott is one of the very best young and comedic actors around. He plays the part very subtle and small, making the character really speak to us. He plays the 'straight-man' to all of the eccentric characters, yet he has this relaxed humor that doesn't come off as over-the-top. Scott's performance reminds me a lot of Jason Batmane's in 'Arrested Development.'The supporting characters here are all so interesting and wonderfully weird. There's Casey, a character who's very similar to Henry. She's a comedian trying to strike it big and Lizzy Caplan plays the role very subtle but has a biting delivery as well. Her and Scott's chemistry is something so sweet and honest to watch. Ken Marino plays Ron, a character who's so cringe-worthy but yet so addictive and funny. Ron is the company's leader who we learn used to be into drugs. He becomes clean, and now parades around his coworkers making sure they know just how much of a good person he is. Ron is a good person, but he's so painfully honest and does everything for the best of his team, which takes the character into some hilarious situations. There's Roman played by Martin Starr. Roman is a character who reminds me of Dwight Schrute from 'The Office.' He's very nerdy, intense, but yet kind of driven. Roman is a science-fiction screenwriter hoping to get noticed. He's very eccentric and makes for some very funny moments. There's Kyle, played by Ryan Hansen. Kyle is your typical Hollywood pretty boy actor. An actor who may become famous just because of his long blonde hair and good looks. He thinks he has talent, but is so oblivious to what he really is. Then lastly there's Jane Lynch as Constance and Megan Mullally as Lydia. Both of these actresses and characters are very similar. They are very big comedic performances that offer some scene-stealing moments. These characters are the oldest ones of the group, and play as each young person's mentor. These actresses are obviously two hilarious and very talented women, and both of these characters are so wonderfully weird.'Party Down' has a very quiet, subtle, and smart sense of humor. Its very character-driven, which is something you don't get quiet often. The situations and pathos in each episode are very true and seem so real. 'Party Down' is also filmed in a very interesting way for a comedy as well. Its basically a hand-held camera, but the filming techniques here simple and effective. The directors let each scene roll in a relaxed way so each actor/actress can really let loose with their lines and get really creative with their characters. The complete series, which consists of only 20 episodes, is available on Netflix. If you're into intelligent comedy with real, interesting characters, 'Party Down' is something you should experience.
moselekm
Where to even begin. I stumbled upon this when browsing New TV Comedies on Watch Instantly from Netflix and decided to give it a shot. And I am very glad I did. I have burned through all my TV Comedies forty times over. The Office, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, and all of those. This one easily fights for my number one spot of favorite TV Sitcoms. The show doesn't try any quirky gimmicks (which drove me quickly away from watching too much 30 Rock), or anything over the top. The film is based on a Motley Crew of Caterer's of has-beens or aspiring actors who do the dry waiting job while they wait for their big break.Every character is hilarious and none are annoying. Granted, some will have their episodes where they are the heel, but the writers have a great punishment regiment in each episode which makes you feel like you weren't harassed the entire episode by horrible writing just to create an annoying personality.The show has enough story to sync them all together and to keep you interested in the chronological history of everything, but not so much that it becomes a drama or a sinking point. The comedy is purely adult with minimal if any at all slapstick. It's namely realistic and witty humors launched from all sides with realistic and sideshow situations.Over all this show is great for those like me who have exhausted all the better comedy shows out there and need something new and unique. I have never seen a show like this one or sell it like this.
