Party Down

:

Season 2
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 20, 2009
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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Critic Reviews

  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    100
    Though it takes a while to integrate a new character played by Megan Mullally, Season 2 confidently builds on the successes of Season 1, and from about Episode 5 onward, "Party Down" takes is place as one of the most consistently entertaining shows on television.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Archana Ram
    100
    It's the sarcasm (see: Adam Scott), smart dialogue, and refreshing take on the workplace comedy that make the somewhat depressing premise a totally raucous party.
  3. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    100
    Party Down took awhile to jell, but it has hit its stride as one of TV's most finely observed comedies.
  5. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    100
    Even though Party Down features a steady flow of absurd jokes and funny situations, it still offers more of a consistent, realistic, lively story than dramedies like "Weeds," "The United States of Tara" or "Glee."
  6. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    90
    A top-flight cast, including Lizzy Caplan and Martin Starr (and this season, Megan Mullally, stepping in for Lynch), who make the show's scripts play like improv. Above all, the show's ambition to be both raunchily funny and emotionally real to characters who are watching their dreams get older one day at a time.
  7. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    88
    The rest of the original crew is back, in varying degrees of denial, cluelessness, incompetence and narcissism. They have been missed.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Adam Keleman
    88
    The storytelling gifts of writer-producer Rob Thomas, the creator of another under-seen show, Veronica Mars, prove innumerous, as these wholly original, vital characters practically bleed insecurities, coming off as tenderly funny and human.
  9. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    80
    It's at once a simple, R-rated office comedy about a bunch of people who would have nothing to do with each other if they didn't work together, and a pretty wicked satire of the quest for fame at all costs.
  10. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    80
    While things invariably and hilariously go wrong, Party Down’s appeal comes from the interplay of these endearingly delusional wannabes—now including Megan Mullally, replacing the irreplaceable Jane Lynch as a perky single-mom new recruit.
  11. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    75
    The comedy never quite lifts into giddiness, but there are lots of solid, unexpected laughs. And isn't that cause for celebration? [26 Apr 2010, p.40]
    All this critic's reviews
  12. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    60
    Party Down, which is funny, would seem even funnier if it were not so heavily indebted to the funniest TV shows of recent years. It's also problematic that the show is so highly inconsistent.
  13. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    50
    Party Down, about a group of aspiring Hollywood types working as caterers, returns for a second season of stale jokes.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best TV Season of 2010
69
#69 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 67
  3. Negative: 3 out of 67
  1. KundK
    Aug 28, 2010
    9
    Cosmically depressing and absurd, this "Catering for Godot" drips with despair even as you are crying with laughter. "Party Down" makesCosmically depressing and absurd, this "Catering for Godot" drips with despair even as you are crying with laughter. "Party Down" makes "Office" and "Parks & Recreation" settings look like dream workplaces for the shiny happy people.… Full Review »
  2. drlowdon
    Apr 13, 2023
    8
    With Ron having left to run his own business, Henry now finds himself in charge of the Party Down crew, but things don’t run any moreWith Ron having left to run his own business, Henry now finds himself in charge of the Party Down crew, but things don’t run any more smoothly…

    As with it’s first season the sharp writing, excellent cast, and plethora of great guest stars ensures that Party Down remains consistently funny throughout.    … Full Review »
  3. heromoder
    May 11, 2015
    9
    More brilliance from the Party Down crew. Great guest stars too. Can't really fault this show, except that maybe some of the episodes aren'tMore brilliance from the Party Down crew. Great guest stars too. Can't really fault this show, except that maybe some of the episodes aren't as strong as others, but it's so rare, it hardly rates a mention.… Full Review »
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