Party Down: Sepulveda Basin High School Spring Play Opening Night

April 1, 2023 7:41 AM - Season 3, Episode 6

Henry and the Party Down crew scheme to keep their latest party going all night.

Notes:

Be sure not to miss the mid-credits scene (!!!)

Don't mess with the food service union (they will fuck. your. shit. up.)

posted by mrjohnmuller (11 comments total)

As a former theater nerd (or as we were called in hs NEO rats-our theater was the Nathaniel Ely Orchard Theater AKA NEO) at almost 50 I have so many fond memories of opening night, but parties were reserved for CLOSING night. We always opened on a Wednesday and played through to Sunday. We would have the closing night party and then on zero sleep go and strike the next day. But those parties were epic and I miss them and that energy. I have three friends who teach acting in high school and yeah it's wonderful to hear them talk about it.

So this one really hit me right in the nostalgia.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:30 AM on April 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

I would have liked a longer season - 10 episodes would have been nice. I wonder if they can keep doing this every few years? But without the Arrested Development season 4-5 "because of scheduling difficulties all my scenes are with the other actor's stand-in," please. Jane Lynch looked like she was edited in from a green screen a few times in other episodes.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 11:50 AM on April 1, 2023 [4 favorites]

I liked that Roman really grew as a character this season. I would have loved more eps, but leaving the audience wanting more is always better than overstaying your welcome.
posted by miss-lapin at 1:07 PM on April 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

I would add the only character I still don't feel anything for is the chef. I just have no connection to her. I don't mind her, but I don't like her either.
posted by miss-lapin at 1:11 PM on April 1, 2023

I also wish this season was longer, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out overall. The new cast brought some variety, and most of our established characters got some significant emotional growth. I would love more seasons, but if it's not to be than this felt like a good wrapping up point.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 3:29 PM on April 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

Casey!! Aw I love this show so much, wish this season had been longer and hope it comes back for a fourth season quicker than it took the third one!

Ken Marino Will Do Anything for Comedy [Vulture / Archive]
posted by ellieBOA at 9:19 AM on April 2, 2023 [3 favorites]

I lost my shit when Casey appeared. Her chemistry with Henry remains the emotional nucleus of the show, even with such a tiny cameo this season. Lizzy Caplan gave a nice little interview to Variety about her surprise return.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 9:42 AM on April 2, 2023 [3 favorites]

And glad Ron got his sense of smell back even at the expense of Lucy’s food!
posted by ellieBOA at 10:08 AM on April 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

Ron's reaction to the food service union workers was perfect.
posted by cowlick at 11:09 AM on April 2, 2023 [1 favorite]

I would add the only character I still don't feel anything for is the chef. I just have no connection to her. I don't mind her, but I don't like her either.

I once thought as you do. She grew on me over the course of the season.

And as soon as the mid-credits scene started, I knew who the special guest star would be. Glorious.

At the Fanfare for the first episode this season, I said it was hard to imagine a better re-entry into the show after a decade-plus. Same here; six episodes and not a false step anywhere. If there is a fourth season in time, that would be great. If not, then this was a great bonus.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:57 AM on April 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

Shit Buckets and Stopwatches: The [entire!] Party Down cast reflects on a season that almost didn’t happen. [Vulture / Archive]
posted by ellieBOA at 6:57 AM on April 4, 2023 [1 favorite]