The Veronica Mars team is back together tonight when a new series premieres on the Starz network. Party Down is a sitcom created by Mars' executive producer Rob Thomas. The series follows six wanna-be actors in Hollywood trying to start their careers while working for a catering company. Each episode takes place at a different catered event - a senior singles mixer, a video porn awards after-party, an out of control sweet 16 party.

Lizzy Caplan of Freaks and Geeks leads a great cast but the series also reunites Thomas with Mars cast members Jason Dohring (Logan Eckles,) Ryan Devlin (Mercer Hayes,) Ryan Hansen (Dick Casablancas,) James Jordan (Tim FoyleName

Starz has been beefing up their original series offerings in the past six months since their first effort, Crash, premiered October 17. Another new sitcom, Head Case starring Alexandra Wentworth as a brash psychologist to the stars, is also forthcoming.

While the network is still really unproven, the series pedigree suggests that Party Down could actually be funny and provide a fresh take on the sitcom form. The network is going to need a hit before it's likely to break out as a subscription option. AMC had an advantage when they made a name for themselves with Mad Men because they were already included in a lot of cable lineups. Audiences could take a glance at the series and decide for themselves to see the network in a different light. Starz obviously has a lot riding on the critical response to the show. Not many sitcoms break out in that sense. Will Party Down be an exception?

-Henry Jenkins, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of Starz