party down

Jane Lynch is knocking the roof off of 'Glee' every week. Adam Scott just debuted alongside Rob Lowe as a most unwelcome state arbiter on 'Parks & Recreation.' Ryan Hansen's comedy pilot 'Friends With Benefits' just got picked up by NBC. Lizzy Caplan is attached to the CBS pilot 'True Love,' though the network hasn't announced its fate yet. But what do these four actors have in common?

They all are, or were, a part of Starz' amazingly under-watched 'Party Down.' Lynch starred in most of the first season, before 'Glee' came knocking. The other three are still part of one of the sharpest ensembles on television. Megan Mullally ('Will & Grace') was brought in this season to try and fill the Lynch-sized hole in the cast.

The real tragedy for the series isn't even that it's being strip-mined for its comedic talent. It's that nobody seems to be watching. The latest episode managed a paltry 113,000 viewers, according to TV by the Numbers, and a whopping 0.1 in the 18-49 demo. Is it because it's on Starz?

This week's show is all about comedy and cooking -- what's not to love? I've got dish on the big 'Community' season finale extravaganza from hilarious star Joel McHale.

I also chat with 'Party Down' funny lady Megan Mullally about the upcoming episode with Steve Guttenberg (playing himself, naturally) and the big return of Jane Lynch's cater waiter character Constance. Then I get a visit from one of the hottest stars of the soon-to-launch Cooking Channel, David Rocco, about his sexy Italian show 'Dolce Vita.'

Want more? E-mail me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com and I'll try to get you answers on the show. -- By Maggie Furlong

You know that lady on 'Party Down' with short hair and pink glasses that just seems to earnest for her own good? That's Megan Mullally as Lydia, a Midwestern mom who moves to Hollywood to pursue her daughter's dreams of stardom and she's the latest edition to the band of misfits on 'Party Down' (Fri., 10PM ET on Starz).

Mullally's seasoned comedic chops are nourished by her co-stars Adam Scott, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr and Ken Marino, whose behind-the-scenes pranks of leaving little gifts behind in trailer toilets feed into the insanity of the show.

The actress who may be best known as the bodacious Karen Walker on 'Will & Grace,' chatted with TV Squad to talk about her new role on one of the most critically-acclaimed, ratings-challenged shows, 'Karen: The Musical,' Children's Hospital' and a sing-off with 'Party Down' alumna Jane Lynch.

What is your role on 'Party Down'?
It's my new favorite show. I'm playing a dorky screwball caterer Lydia in the company called Party Down. [She] is this clueless, bright eyed and bushy tailed woman from the Midwest who comes to Hollywood with her 12 year-old daughter Escapade who is going to be a star. This season we're catering backstage at a def-metal concert and we're catering an orgy. I have a crush on every person in that show including Lizzy Caplan. I would literally make out with any of those people although that would be kind of disgusting because three of them are in their 20s and I'm 51!

If you were a rock star, would you yearn for a normal life? That's the question on 'Party Down' (Fri., 10PM ET on Starz). Fictional rocker "Jackal Onassis" is a Marilyn Manson-style star who has grown tired of the fame, the money and the endless groupies. So he decides to swap lives with one of the hapless 'Party Down' employees.

Watch the video after the jump.

(S2E01) Lydia: "Me and Escapade left him back in Wapato." Casey: "Escapade? That's your ... car?" Lydia: "My daughter, the future star."

It's hard watching 'Party Down' knowing that this show will likely not be back for a third season. But, set aside all the casting news -- virtually all of the cast is committed to new pilots and series star Adam Scott is going to 'Parks and Recreation' -- and 'Party Down' is just as enjoyable as it was last season. The writing remains sharp and quick, while the sardonic wit that makes this show so special continues to flourish.

The season 2 premiere finds the caterers backstage at a concert of the fictional rocker Jackal Onassis (Jimmi Simpson). Henry (Adam Scott) has been promoted to team leader and Ron (Ken Marino) is no longer with the team, but runs into them at the concert. Kyle (Ryan Hansen) and Roman (Martin Starr) are still there, not finding much success in their careers yet.

Here's tonight's lineup of new shows and events (all times Eastern). Check your local TV listings for additional information.

Starts at 7:00
ESPN: '2010 NFL Draft' -- Rounds 2 and 3

8:00 to 9:00
ABC: 'Wife Swap'
The CW: 'Smallville'
NBC: 'Who Do You Think You Are?' -- Two Hours
Cartoon Network: 'Ben 10: Ultimate Alien' and 'Generator Rex'
Disney: 'The Suite Life on Deck'
Nick: 'Big Time Rush' and 'Victorious'

9:00 to 10:00
ABC: 'Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution' -- Season (series?) finale
Animal Planet: 'I Shouldn't Be Alive'
Cartoon Network: 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'
CMT: 'Gator 911' and 'Danger Coast'
Discovery: 'Swamp Loggers'
HBO: 'The Ricky Gervais Show' and 'The Life & Times of Tim'
National Geographic: 'Dog Whisperer'
TeenNick: 'Degrassi: The Next Generation'
TLC: 'Say Yes to the Dress' -- Season premiere. Two 30-minute episodes
SyFy: 'Stargate Universe'

10:00 to 11:00
ABC: '20/20' -- Stories on false accusations
CBS: 'Miami Medical'
BBC America: 'Friday Night With Jonathan Ross' -- Idris Elba; Kiefer Sutherland; Gemma Arterton; performance by Alphabeat
CMT: 'Smoke Jumpers'
HBO: 'Real Time With Bill Maher' -- Journalist Matthew Continetti; security expert Susan Eisenhower; Rep. Alan Grayson; counter-terrorism expert Richard Clarke; activist Dr. Jack Kevorkian
Discovery: 'American Loggers' -- Season finale
E! 'The Soup'
Food Network: 'Private Chefs of Beverly Hills'
SyFy: 'Merlin'
Starz: 'Party Down' and 'Gravity' -- Season and series premieres, respectively
TLC: 'Four Weddings'

After the jump, the late night talk shows.

Yes, Jane Lynch has gone off to more 'Glee'-ful pastures, but thanks to new star Megan Mullally, the second season of Starz' buzzworthy comedy 'Party Down' (premieres April 23, 10PM ET), isn't missing a single drop of the funny.

Mullally, the two-time 'Will & Grace' Emmy winner, joins the Party Down catering crew -- as Lydia Dunfree, a recently-divorced mom who has moved to Los Angeles so her daughter, Escapade, can become the next big kid star. Yes, that's right, Escapade ... sounds like something Mullally's Karen Walker would name her kid.

And speaking of the scene-stealing 'Will & Grace' character, Mullally will also soon bring her iconic TV alter ego to theater stages. 'Karen: The Musical' is currently in development, and Mullally talked to AOL TV about Karen's return to pop culture (and the Karen spin-off series that could have been), her 'Party' days, her gig as the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spokeswoman, guest-starring with hilarious hubby Nick Offerman on 'Parks and Recreation' and which 'Saturday Night Live' star she helped discover.

The party is just beginning for 'Party Down,' the clever comedy about a crew of misfit caterers now entering into it's second season on the Starz Network. Star Adam Scott, as Henry Pollard, is only too happy to dust off his pink bow-tie and keep the party going. Not only has Henry been promoted to team leader of the Party Down catering crew, Scott himself has become one series' producers.

Scott says the catering escapades backstage at a def-metal concert, at an orgy, and Steve Guttenberg's birthday party are even richer with the newest hire of Megan Mullally. Mullally is joining the staff for the departing Jane Lynch, who is now starring in 'Glee.' In an exclusive interview from his kid's gymnastics class, Scott talks about the odd jobs he's had in the food service industry, who supported him with his acting dreams, and what's in store for the new season.

Chances are, you've never seen 'Party Down' (Fri., April 23 at 10PM ET on Starz), the little show that has gotten a lot of buzz. You've probably heard of the comedy show about struggling Hollywood-types getting by as caterers. Maybe you've seen the bus shelter poster of it.

You probably also don't know that the Starz comedy is one of the most witty shows on television. It's topped many "best of" lists -- it was named one of the 10 best shows of 2009 by The American Film Institute -- and attracted tons of Hollywood talent from Megan Mullally to Steve Guttenberg. So, what makes 'Party Down' so special and how does it keep attracting movie and TV stars? Let's break it down.

WHAT
It's a show about a group of people chasing their Hollywood dream -- they also happen to be working as caterers to get by. It's a workplace comedy where the workplace changes every week. One day the gang from Party Down Catering will be working a funeral and the next day it could be a child's birthday party. Each week it's a different party and different guest stars.

More after the jump.

'Glee' is almost back -- let the countdown begin! This week, I preview some of the biggest additions and storylines for the rest of this musical season, including Madonna, Neil Patrick Harris and, yes, the birth of Quinn's baby Drizzle.

I also get tales of TV catering gone awry and dream guest stars from 'Party Down' stars Ken Marino and Lizzy Caplan. If you don't already love the show, they just might convince you to. Then former addict-turned-specialist Kristina Wandzilak from TLC's 'Addicted' takes the show in a more serious direction -- sort of. Apparently she still has one addiction she's embarrassed to admit: 'The Vampire Diaries.' (Hey, join the club!)

Want more? E-mail me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com and I'll try to get you answers on the show. -- By Maggie Furlong

Created by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, 'Freaks and Geeks' is one of those rare television treasures that no one saw or appreciated until it was too late. Okay, that's unfair. Critics, the press and the loyal fans who did find the show on NBC immediately knew that it was something special. Unfortunately, it didn't find wide enough appeal to last beyond its first season.

Ironically, the show's cast of virtual unknowns now reads like an all-star comedy troupe, which is a testament to the brilliant casting that went on behind the scenes of the show. Finding such talented kids, and then coupling them with brilliant writing crafted on of the most revered television shows of all time.

Is there anything that Jane Lynch can't do? The comic actress -- who some people are already declaring is a shoo-in for the Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series for Glee -- has veered into a new venue.

In addition to her television characters, Jane's brilliant performance as Sue Sylvester, her semi-regular shrink role, Dr. Freeman, on Two and a Half Men, Constance on Party Down, she's now doing commercials.

Yes, the latest triumph for La Lynch is a set of XBox 360 commercials that are all about fun.

Oprah schedules her show's premiere week lineup, Megan Mullally joins 'Party Down,' NBC plans a 'Prime Suspect' remake and more of today's top TV headlines.

Now this is some casting news I can get behind. After the disastrous In the Motherhood, Megan Mullally is returning to television-- on a show that's actually funny! Mullally is set to join the cast of the amazing Party Down, a Starz original from Veronica Mars creator, Rob Thomas.

Mullally is replacing Jane Lynch, whose role as Sue Sylvester on Glee has been bumped up from recurring character to series regular. She plays "Lydia Dunfree, who leaves her small town and her failed marriage to help her 13-year-old daughter Escapade achieve her dream of becoming an actress. In addition to working as a cater-waiter for Party Down, Lydia is looking for Mr. Right."

Bravo renews 'The Real Housewives of New York City,' Kathy Griffin will roast Joan Rivers, 'American Idol' wants Paula back and more of today's TV headlines.