Keywords: sitcom, workplace comedy, ensemble cast

Watch if you like: Parks and Rec, Scrubs, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Jenni’s Rating: A

To all those who have spent years telling me to watch Party Down, all I can say is: you were right and I’m sorry I waited so long.

The comedy follows a cater-waiter team of aspiring actors, writers, and comedians working small-time gigs around Hollywood while they hope for their big break. In the first episode, failed actor Henry Pollard (Adam Scott) returns to the Party Down catering company to help the crew with a suburban homeowners' annual party.

While it is technically a workplace comedy, every episode sees the team catering a new event, meaning we get consistently fresh scenery and, more importantly, a constant stream of fun guest actors. This is perhaps my favorite thing about the series: the veritable “who’s who” of 2010s actors in both the main and featured cast. The core crew includes Lizzy Caplan (Fleishman is in Trouble), Jane Lynch (Glee), Martin Starr (Silicon Valley), and Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars), but if you’re a fan of shows like Veronica Mars, Community, Freaks and Geeks, Gilmore Girls… this list could go on forever, you’re sure to see a familiar face or seven in Party Down.

This series works so well in part because of the sheer surplus of talent, but the writing carries plenty of weight as well. Its humor might remind you a bit of The Office — sharp, sarcastic and wry — and the dialogue is quick and often witty. After 13 long years off the air, season three will premiere on Feb 24, 2023, so now’s your chance to catch up. Don’t be like me; don’t wait a decade to watch Party Down.

Length: 30-min runtime, 2 seasons / 20 episodes

Watch on: Hulu