5 Reasons Why Tonight's Season Finale of Party Down Should Be Its Last
The admirable selflessness of Lizzy Caplan aside, the second season finale of Party Down -- airing tonight on Starz, but already available via Netflix Instant Watch -- could very well be its last episode. Even if Starz's were to pick up Party Down for a third season, how would the show work when Adam Scott -- the ostensible lead -- can only appear in three of the likely 10 episodes because of his new job on Parks and Recreation? That's like having Dexter appear on his eponymous show 30 percent of the time. So, yes: This could be the last episode ever. And guess what? That's probably a good thing. To get you revved up for the season finale, here are five reasons why this should be the end of Party Down.
· It's better to go out sooner rather than later
As Edward Norton says in Fight Club: "On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." In sitcom terms: Party Down could drag out for another season or two, but the laws of diminishing returns state that it would only get worse. Don't believe me? Check out any episode from the second season. And speaking of which...
· The second season was pretty bad
Maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise -- especially based on the level of expectations set by season one -- but season two of Party Down was a giant disappointment. Bad even. And it wasn't just because Megan Mullally replaced Jane Lynch; year two felt like a rudderless ship, drifting along on memories of better times. In an interview with HitFix's Alan Sepinwall, Scott confirmed as much, despite citing the ennui as a good thing:
[W]hen we were shooting the premiere of season two, I said, 'It feels like we're making a sequel.' Especially the way the episode was structured with everyone coming back. It had that sequel feeling. I love that because I love sequels, especially ones that are super-shitty. The first few, it felt like we were making Police Academy 2, but a good version of Police Academy 2. It was fun.
Sorry, Adam: A "good version of Police Academy 2" is still Police Academy 2.
· The talent-rich cast can be spread to other shows
It's already happening with Jane Lynch on Glee and Scott on Parks and Recreation. If Party Down ends, though, that means everyone can get another job. The networks are already pounding on the doors of Caplan and Ryan Hansen, but with no Party Down maybe they'll even look to Martin Starr and -- pleasepleaseplease -- Ken Marino. Instead of all these comedy geniuses being on one show, they can be on many. This is a win for everyone!
· The finale feels like a series finale
Not to spoil anything, but: The events that happen in the Party Down season two finale feel like closure. Or, as much closure as you're every going to get with characters like Ron Donald.
· It means Rob Thomas can concentrate on that Veronica Mars movie
Ha! Just kidding. But if the cancellation of Party Down means that Thomas and his fellow producers can work on a movie version of the Starz series, well then count me as intrigued...
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
The second season of PD was far from bad. I don't know, while I know there are some that didn't enjoy it as much as the first mostly due to the lack of Lynch, the consensus seems to be this season was on par with the last. Without a second season, there would have been no Steve Gute episode, which is one of the best of the series IMO.
How does it feel to know your idol has brought your party down?
Now that people are waking about about Bush and Democrats are going to once again rule in no small part thanks to the help of Bus
What? The second season has been hilarious.
The second season has been a bit uneven, but to call it bad grossly overstate the case. The Guttenberg episode was priceless, as was Ken Marino getting trapped in a coffin while high.
I've enjoyed the second season almost as much as the first, and that seems to be the opinion of most everyone else I've read and heard from.
I love Movieline, but it feels as though you guys have had it out for PD season 2 from the start.
Speaking for only myself: I *loved* the first season of 'Party Down,' to the point where I thought it was as good The Office (Ricky Gervais-edition). But I think the love for the first season has clouded some of the opinion on the second season.
The early episodes were a mess -- it's no wonder that Starz was hyping the Guttenberg episode (putting it online before even episode three and four): That was the first good episode of the season. Then the later episodes, while better, felt derivative of season one. It was like watching a season of 'Party Down' written and performed by an improv group comprised of the biggest 'Party Down' fans this side of the comment section at Movieline.
I've seen the finale and it's very good -- the best episode of the season, in fact. I only wish it was the season premiere and not the season finale. Disappointing.
too much Mountain Dew and Rum?
I have to respectfully disagree. I think the love for the first season tends to cloud some of the opinion of the first season itself.
Season 1 took a few episodes before it really hit its stride, but Caplan and Scott's excellent chemistry carried the show through its weaker spots. The low-budget feel made the show even more endearing to me.
Season 2 started out slow again, but I would argue that episodes 4 (The Funeral) through last week's penultimate episode have been nearly as strong as the best chapters of season 1. At the same time the rest of the cast has grown stronger and has brought even more to the table.
I do agree that the show can't go on without Adam Scott. It's been a great ride, and if he can't do more than 3 episodes of another season then it's time to live and let live.