The pilot episode really does a wonderful job setting the tone for what this show is going to be about: Ken Marino is the typical overachieving boss, Ron Donald. He manages a team from the "Party Down" party and catering service. He and his employees dress in "crisp" white button-downs with bright pink bow ties. It's obvious from the first scene that he tries too hard, but also means well. His employees are struggling Hollywood wanna-bes. Adam Scott plays Henry, who is back from an eight year hiatus, after his one hit wonder acting career floundered. Kyle is an actor looking for his big break. Roman is a screenwriter who writes "hard science fiction". Casey is a burgeoning comedian whose marriage is faltering due to her desire to pursue big auditions. Constance is...well, Jane Lynch working for a party and catering service.
The party they've been hired to put on is being thrown by the Willow Canyon Homeowners Association. While the hosts are obviously having marital troubles and are in no mood to host such a function, the Party Down crew blindly try to lift spirits; not out of sympathy, but because it is their job. Ron is out for a winning comment card. Henry is out to impress Casey, who can't even remember his name, but does remember him as being "that guy from the thing". Constance is just one of those ignorant rays of sunshine who brings optimism where optimism should never be brought. She may know the score between the hosting couple, but she obviously chooses to ignore it and keep a smiling face through it all.
One of the strengths of this show is its realism. While some of the events at the party aren't entirely realistic, the mood of the party drastically shifts as the night progresses, going from a normal, well-to-do Homeowners Association get-together into a total train wreck of alcohol-induced shenanigans and hook-ups. The entertainment is boring, and the drinks are kept to a minimum, which does no favors for the guests or hosts. Henry accidentally inspires Gordon, the male host played here by Enrico Colantoni, to go for his dreams. He in turn jumps naked into the family swimming pool, shouting about "ordinary fucking people" (as Roman notes several times throughout the episode, this is a reference to Repo Man). The feud between man and spouse also becomes apparent when Gordon's wife proclaims, "No one wants to see your penis, Gordon. No one."
Meanwhile Kyle and Roman have a feud of their own as Roman fakes a casting call from a director Kyle just auditioned for. Constance plays along, but probably more for her own personal amusement than to insure Roman's prank succeeds. In the end, Kyle winds up with a shaved eyebrow and a thirst for vengeance.
Casey's husband shows up to the party, fueling the fires of tension growing in their marriage. A break-up is almost inevitable to heighten romantic tension between Casey and Henry, but no break-up takes place this episode. It's funny to me though that at one point in the episode, Casey is leaving forever, and then in the next breath she's sticking around. It kind of points her out as either flaky or very impulsive. Or it's just the writers trying to screw with us. If it is just that, I hereby put these writers on notice, because that is one really weak moment of dialogue in an otherwise flawless episode.
A flawless episode that also happens to be freakin' hilarious. The funniest moment is probably the end, after the credits start to roll, of Henry delivering the one and only moment of glory from his acting career -- a catch phrase from a beer commercial. "Are WE having FUN YET?!" he says in character, as a sexually voracious woman from the party is giving him a *hand* in the front seat of his car. There are many other funny gags, especially those that involve Constance trying to liven the mood. I expect this show's humor is right up my alley, and I think that any working class stiff would probably agree with me. Expect more reviews of Season 1 and Season 2 in the coming weeks as I get time to watch more episodes.
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