SPOILER ALERT: This interview comprises spoilers from the finale of “Party Down,” at the moment airing on Starz and streaming on the Starz app.
The workforce behind “Party Down” have been mendacity by way of their enamel, and for good cause.
All this time, whereas selling the third season of the cater-waiter cult comedy — which returned to Starz 13 years after its preliminary cancellation — the forged and co-creators have fielded questions concerning the absence of Lizzy Caplan, the one authentic star to not seem in Season 3.
“Lizzy was booked all through all the window that we had,” creator and EP John Enbom beforehand instructed Variety. “She was very bummed that she was not in a position to be a part of us. And we had been bummed, too — we actually appreciated working along with her.”
But they had been hiding a trick up their sleeves, as Caplan makes a stunning cameo on the finish of the season’s sixth and remaining episode. “I can’t consider that they had been in a position to hold it a secret,” Caplan marveled concerning the post-credits scene in an interview with Variety. “There aren’t any secrets and techniques as of late!”
In the scene, Henry (Adam Scott) is prepping meals at a Hollywood press junket when in walks Casey (Caplan), who within the time between Seasons 2 and three has grow to be a well-known actor. Casey is out in L.A. to advertise her “horrible” new present, “The Stabilizer,” and, after her likelihood encounter along with her ex-flame, guarantees to hang around with Henry subsequent time she’s on the town, “which shall be very quickly as a result of I’m about to stop this fucking factor.”
Caplan, together with Enbom and co-creator Rob Thomas, spoke with Variety forward of the finale to dish on how they shot the shock cameo in in the future — and to tease how Casey may play into a possible Season 4.
Lizzy, your absence from Season 3 of “Party Down” was broadly publicized. Was your cameo at all times meant to be a shock for followers?
Lizzy Caplan: Yes, it was at all times meant to be a shock. I, too, can’t consider that they had been in a position to hold it a secret. There aren’t any secrets and techniques as of late! And it wasn’t like this Fort Knox vibe on set, the place individuals had been having to lock up their telephones. It was a complete New York crew, and everybody saved their mouths shut! So the cynical facet of me is like, “Well, no one fucking cares!” But the uncynical facet is like, “Aren’t people beneficiant?”
Was it powerful for you to maintain it a secret?
John Enbom: We have been rabid — Adam Scott, I believe, as a lot as anybody — about wanting to maintain this a secret. In each workplace memo, Adam is including, “Let’s not let this get out.” Trying to maintain this a secret has been the topic of dozens of emails, I’d say.
Caplan: It was truly simple for me to maintain it a secret. I simply determined to not inform anyone. I imply, I actually simply instructed my sister 5 minutes in the past. What can be the purpose of telling anyone? What can be the purpose of getting that info? You would need to inform different individuals. So I simply determined to not inform a single soul, and it was surprisingly simple.
How had been you in a position to match this post-credits scene into your schedule? Was it shot in in the future?
Caplan: I used to be in New York — we shot it in in the future. We additionally shot this different scene, which was papparazzi footage of Casey and her new boyfriend. We shot that phase for fairly some time outdoors of Central Park. There had been positively paparazzi catching wind of what was occurring, however nobody mentioned something. Even they saved their mouths shut. The producers had been considering they’d perhaps present that scene originally of the season, exhibiting that Casey is off in New York and with this new man. But that might have ruined the shock. So fortunately they didn’t use any of it. But on reflection it was sort of dangerous to shoot that.
Rob Thomas: Adam had a robust opinion that if individuals noticed contemporary footage of Lizzy in Episode 1, they might be artful sufficient to determine that we shot extra.
In the post-credits scene, it’s actually simply you, Lizzy, with Adam Scott. Were you in a position to reunite with among the different forged whereas on set?
Caplan: No, as a result of we shot it in New York it was only a small splinter unit. Just Adam, Ken [Marino] and our producers flew in. It was this excellent attending to tip my toe again into it, whereas additionally being wildly jealous that that was the one factor I bought to dip.
The “Party Down” superfans are gonna say, “Well, if Lizzy may do that scene, why couldn’t she give us a complete episode?!?”
Caplan: It was all we may do. We actually managed to shoehorn this in. I used to be dedicated to “Fleishman Is in Trouble” in New York, and I used to be greater than keen to journey on off-days to return again to L.A. and make “Party Down” occur. But with COVID, they actually didn’t need anyone touring anyplace. It was heartbreakingly unattainable. So I simply hoped that [the “Party Down” team] ended up making one thing so fantastic that Starz would haven’t any choice however to select it up for a fourth season. I’ve to say, having watched all of the episodes, I totally consider they did their job.
C’mon, Starz! Pick it up for a fourth season.
Would you come to the sequence if it does get renewed?
Caplan: For positive. There isn’t any universe wherein I wouldn’t be within the fourth season of “Party Down.” They must tie me to the prepare tracks to maintain me away. I don’t assume they know something a few renewal.
Have there been talks a few fourth season?
Enbom: No, that comes from the Hope Springs Eternal division.
Thomas: I used to be gonna say the Wishful Thinking division.
Enbom: Before we knew Lizzy wasn’t out there, the primary impulse we had was the thought of Casey and Henry assembly once more for the primary time at Kyle’s get together [in Episode 1 of Season 3]. That was going to be a place to begin for the season, and as soon as that went away, we had been nonetheless craving that second: what it could be like for them to run again into one another. That’s what excited us from the very starting, and we stay enthusiastic about it. So if anybody is listening on the market… Starz…
Season 3 ends on a cliffhanger, with Casey saying she needs to stop her performing gig. How may she match into future “Party Down” episodes?
Caplan: I’m fortunate that I wouldn’t be tasked with attempting to determine the way to deliver Casey again. It’d be tough. But I haven’t seen a lot stuff about an actor who “made it” however feels completely stifled and sad in her job. That can be actually attention-grabbing to place her in a bunch of people who find themselves nonetheless striving in several methods.
Thomas: Henry and Casey might be what we might grasp a Season 4 on. It’s one of many higher comedy romances on TV. We would like to get again to that.
Lizzy, what was it like watching Jennifer Garner step in as Henry’s love curiosity?
Caplan: Surprisingly it was a beautiful viewing expertise. She was so good, so humorous, so charming, so stunning. She — and all the new forged — genuinely elevated the present.
I requested John about this already, however I need to get your take. Do you assume “Party Down” is a cynical present?
Caplan: I believe it’s so unhappy and exquisite however, finally, positively optimistic. That is present enterprise. There aren’t many industries the place you will be deep in your 40s and nonetheless one telephone name away from it occurring for you. In that method, I really feel just like the present can go on and on and on perpetually.
These interviews have been edited and condensed.
