What I’m Watching: Party Down

Party Down: Season 2, Episode 5 “Steve Guttenberg’s Birthday” (B+)

Throwing a bash for Steve Guttenberg’s birthday might seem like a recipe for a dull night, especially when the once-popular actor forgot all about the party and didn’t invite any friends. But instead, we get a chance to sit down and get intimate with the Party Down crew when they’re not working (well, with the exception of Ron). It turns out they’re quite an entertaining bunch, mostly behaving as we’d expect, though seeing Henry with his guard down and not being as serious as he’s been lately is a treat. I’ll also posit that Casey in a good mood is just as spectacular as when she’s making fun of Henry or angry about something else. Her efforts to sneak a peek at Henry’s thespian experience were both amusing and heartfelt, and it was simply spectacular to see Henry and Casey actually trying to act. Henry kissing her during their scene and then making out with her again in the hot tub may just have been fleeting moments, but I love where it’s headed. Casey’s delivery of the line “you must miss doing something you’re actually good at” was great, as was Henry’s “you did kind of break my heart.” If this show had any chance at an Emmy nomination (which it doesn’t), I’d highly recommend that both Lizzy Caplan and Adam Scott keep this episode in mind. Ron still working the party even though it’s not actually happening was typically peculiar, and his calling his sponsor, played by Brad William Henke (recently seen on “Lost”), for a plumbing problem rather than drinking one was as ridiculous as ever. I’m thrilled to see that Christopher Mintz-Plasse is able to pull off a role just far enough off from his immortal portrayal of McLovin in “Superbad” as Roman’s cocky screenwriter friend Kent, who spouts expressions like “in one ear, out one ear.” Guttenberg’s performance as himself turned out to be a lot of fun, finally enabling the crew to actually put on a performance of the script. I liked seeing Roman and Kent both get scared and nervous when he suggested that and cast the roles, and Kent nodding along to all of the lines as they were stated was funny. Guttenberg quoting himself was also a riot, mostly because a sardonic Casey called it. Lydia still doesn’t have much to do, much like her predecessor Constance, besides spout lines like “I love nautical stories” and display her inability to take social cues, evidenced by her lone friend who doesn’t seem to particularly care for her. Hopefully she’ll have something fun to do soon, but the rest of the cast is doing just fine as is.