Party Down

:

Season 1
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 20, 2009
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    60
    The warning bell is that since the team begins as caricatures, the show could become a string of situation jokes. There's room for growth, though, as they say, and the creators wisely mixed up the cast.
  2. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    50
    Tone--and we're talking cringe humor here--only takes you so far, and those looking for "Mars"-like subtlety should look elsewhere. But those who miss Veronica and company might want to tune in for the reunions alone.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    Party Down can't decide if it wants to be smart-funny or dumb-funny. Maybe if it does, the party will truly begin.
  5. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    40
    A comedy about the ignominy of life as a member of a catering wait staff, Party Down is a great idea inadequately enlivened by desperation.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    40
    There's no shortage of comedy with a semi-improvised flair trafficking in detached irony, but by the end of three catered affairs, I felt every bit as bored and blase about life as Henry.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best TV Season of 2009
68
#68 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
58
#58 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 62
  3. Negative: 2 out of 62
  1. drlowdon
    Apr 9, 2023
    8
    A group of struggling actors work for a Los Angeles catering team whilst waiting for their ‘big break’.

    Like most sit-coms, Party Down took    A group of struggling actors work for a Los Angeles catering team whilst waiting for their ‘big break’.

    Like most sit-coms, Party Down took a couple of episodes to find it’s feet but it soon settled down to become a consistently funny show. With each episode seeing the team working a new event, Party Down is always able to find new comical situations for the talented cast and fantastic guest stars to navigate, and it certainly had potential to last more two seasons.    … Full Review »
  2. heromoder
    May 11, 2015
    9
    Really funny show, this one. Adam Scott and Ken Marino lead the charge in this highly original comedy. Some terrific performances from RyanReally funny show, this one. Adam Scott and Ken Marino lead the charge in this highly original comedy. Some terrific performances from Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr and Lizzy Caplan (almost the entire cast there!) really make this a cult hit.… Full Review »
  3. tkarabet
    Jan 1, 2015
    7
    An interesting yet awkward blend of good characters and cheap humor; potential rests in the main protagonists' interactions with their weeklyAn interesting yet awkward blend of good characters and cheap humor; potential rests in the main protagonists' interactions with their weekly scenarios, which provide interesting commentary, as well as back story. The show's attempts at laughter, with a few exceptions, weigh it down, however. In a sense, a lower Big Bang Theory of imaginative misfits.… Full Review »
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