TheParty Downcast reflects on a season that almost didnt happen.
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And how can a Vulture-orchestrated conversation between the shows principals help?
We would talk about, Its been 13 years, so where do you start?
We had general discussions about possible parties.
After four or five of these Zooms, John went away and came up with everything.
He just took all this chaotic information and crafted the entire thing on his own.
Then it was a matter of scheduling it because everyones super-busy.
and hoping the schedules worked out.
That became difficult at the end there.
Hopefully, should we go back again, well haveeverybodyeverybody.
I was like, Yo, can I put my hat into the ring?
Jane Lynch: Did you say yo?
Chao:I was like, Yo, agent, can we audition?
She was like, Yeah, if youre interested.
Then I was like,Wait, this is a terrible idea to add new people to this show.
Its a perfect ecosystem.
Why eff that up?
But, yeah, Id love a chance to eff it up.
I was staying at an Airbnb in L.A., and the man above me is a personal chef.
I was like, Yo, Kenny
Scott: Thats how Zoe starts all of her conversations.
Chao:Do you have any kitchen utensils that I could use?
When I got the part, he gifted them to me.
Lynch: What was the audition, Zoe?
Chao: It was some version of the shroom script.
Tyrel Jackson Williams: Really?
Marino: So was there somebody there with a timer?
Chao: You want to explain that joke?
Marino: Well talk about it later.
I was like,Okay, so I guess Ill be doing a lot of dancing.
The thing I remember most about the audition process was doing the test with Ryan over Zoom.
Ryan Hansen: We had a blast.
It was obvious that you were the guy, by the way.
Jane, youre coming back after leaving the show for most of season two.
Its not a good look for me anymore.
Scott: It almost didnt happen.
This was right when Omicron started popping up in January of 22.
Everybody was like, Yeah, take a second.
Get used to this.
We do things a very specific way.
Scott: Tyrel and Zoe immediately felt like theyd been with us the entire time.
We really lucked out getting them.
You were so nervous.
And there was no introduction.
Then I introduced myself, and she seemed a little uncertain of whether this was the right place.
So I tried my best to reinforce that it was the right place.
Marino: By immediately making fun of her.
Starr: Thats how we do it.
No, I didnt start with, Hey, you look real nervous.
Lynch: Martin Starr, the goodwill ambassador.
Starr: Well, I do what I can.
I didnt realize that the season had been shot out of order.Marino: Five was the only one.
Marino (to Chao): Your introduction was me shitting in a bucket.
You are the most committed physical actor Ive ever met in my life.
Episode two is where Jennifer Garners character, Evie, starts to play a bigger role.
Adam, what was it like striking up the Henry-Evie relationship?
All you could do is ask, and she said yes pretty quickly.
Her kids were really intoParty Down, so that really helped us out.
We werent really nervous about striking up that relationship.
Sacksons fully aware of the fact.
Hes like, Yeah, I dont know why people want to watch me do things.
And you say, Content.
Shes like, So videos and stuff?
She immediately has complete vitriol and hate.
I didnt see that coming when we started the show, and sometimes I marvel at it now.
Starr: I cant tell, is there a compliment in there?
Marino: That was the compliment.
Its miraculous how Ive become friends with you.
You dont see Roman try in relationships very often.
You felt like the first two seasons and this season were all one thought.
Ken, you directed episode four, KSGY-95 Prizerwinners Luau.
Is this an appropriate time to bring up the timer?Marino: I like to stay on schedule.
Most of my scenes with Zoe in the mushroom episode, we just had scenes together.
You forgot to be patient.
And it would say three minutes and 17 seconds, and then we would go.
Scott: I remember, back in the day, you didnt have an iPhone.
You had an actual stopwatch with
Lynch: A cord.
Scott: that you would carry around.
Ken is the whole time just on.
Chao: Its athletic.
We talked about episode five earlier, but I want to focus on Constances role in it.
When she takes over for Ron, an aggressiveness comes out of her that weve never seen.
Jane, where did you find that?
And all of a sudden I went,I cant do this.
Im not a leader.
I dont think Constance, in her life, does anything very ambitious.
She doesnt push herself out of her comfort zone.
When she has to step up and actually do a job and manage, she goes crazy.
I wanted to let yall know that we have somebody joining the chat.
Hansen: Oh my gosh.
Lynch: Never again.
Caplan: Can I just silently weep throughout this whole thing?
Lynch: Oh, its so good to see you.
Caplan: Its really good to see you.
This counts, right?
This counts as an episode.
We shot it real top secret in New York.
It felt like a fever dream this rushed little taste, but it was really nice.
Ive watched all the episodes.
You new guys, Zoe and Tyrel, are fully elevating it.
How did yall keep it secret?Caplan: Turns out people arent paying super-close attention.
Scott: No one cares.
Its a surprise, and basically promise him that I would take whatever photos he wantedthe next week atFleishman.
And because nobody cares, nobody saw any of the photos anyway.
Scott: I remember we were super-worried about that and then nothing happened.
Caplan: Some things never change about this.
Theres that Instagram account, DeuxMoi something was sent to me about you guys all on a plane together.
It does seem like theres more conversation around the show this time.
What are yall seeing?
Adam, are there conversations happening with John and Rob and Dan and Paul?
Caplan: How can there not be another season?
Everything that youre saying is true: People are paying really close attention to it.
Theres deals you could get Starz for very little money just to watchParty Down.
Scott: I know, I get spam withParty Downon it.
Chao: Ive been so used to seeing that promotional poster of you guys and the confetti.
Lynch: She could totally wear his jeans.
She improvised a lot.
Scott: What was it, They both have brown hair?
Lynch: They both have big heads and little bodies.
Marino: I thought she was wonderful in episode five.
Its nice to see that side of her because shes so funny.
I will rewatch that many, many times.
You did it, guys.
Lynch: We missed you.
Scott: Never again without Lizzy.
Caplan: One of you has to go.
Starr: Its me.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
