Starz takes the ‘Party Down,’ cancels the offbeat comedy

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Even the best of parties need to end sometime.

After two seasons, Starz has pulled the plug on “Party Down.�

The offbeat half-hour comedy about a group of wannabe Hollywood actors and writers working at a small-time catering company in the midst of waiting for their big break, which counted “Veronica Mars� creator Rob Thomas and Paul Rudd among its executive producers, developed a cult following in its run. But ratings for the show, a favorite among critics, had been lackluster.

“After careful consideration, we’ve decided not to continue on with subsequent seasons of ‘Party Down’ and ‘Gravity,’ � Stephan Shelanski, executive vice president of programming for Starz Entertainment, said in a statement. “We’re grateful to everyone involved in the shows, and are proud to have had them on the channel. Starz remains committed to aggressively expanding our original programming lineup.�

“Party Down� had an impressive lineup, with a cast that included Ken Marino (“Reaper�), Ryan Hansen (“Veronica Mars�) and Martin Starr (“Freaks and Geeks�). But losing Adam Scott to “Parks and Recreation� and, before him, Jane Lynch to “Glee� didn’t help the show’s chances.

The news is an added blow for Lizzy Caplan, who backed out of the new CBS sitcom “Mad Love� because of her commitment to “Party Down.�

Starz also canceled newbie “Gravity,� a dramedy about a group of suicide survivors.

-- Yvonne Villarreal

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