Starz Entertainment, ramping up its original programming, said it plans to air a new comedy, “Party Down,” the first series it has bought from sister company Starz Media.
“Party Down,” about a group of Hollywood wannabes working for a Los Angeles catering firm, was created by Rob Thomas, with John Enbom, Paul Rudd and Dan Etheridge. Ten episodes have been ordered, with the first scheduled to appear in the first quarter.
“We’ll have opportunity for satirical lampooning of whatever subset the party represents as we tell the ongoing stories of our catering crew,” Mr. Thomas said. “If the original British version of ‘The Office’ was a show about people who have given themselves over completely to the rat race, ‘Party Down’ is a show about people who have chased the dream for far too long. We’re particularly interested in mining the comedy of what happens as the dream fades.”
Starz this week launches its original drama “Crash,” based on the Oscar-winning film. It also recently renewed the comedy “Head Case.”
“‘Party Down’ is a new, daringly fresh series that will bring a new style of comedy to Starz,” said Stephan Shelanski, executive VP for programming at Starz Entertainment. “It further fulfills our mission to produce intelligent, contemporary original series that traditional networks cannot offer. We are pleased to work with Rob Thomas, who brings a unique and visionary style to his productions. ‘Party Down’ will be the perfect companion show to our hit comedy series ‘Head Case.’ These two shows will ensure a dependable destination for fresh, out-of-the-norm comedy entertainment.”
Starz Media’s Anchor Bay Entertainment will hold exclusive worldwide home entertainment distribution rights to “Party Down,” while the company’s Worldwide Distribution group will handle international television domestic syndication sales.
Starz Media produces and distributes entertainment for television, for Starz as well as other networks, along with theatrical releases, DVDs and new media programming.