SPOILER ALERT: This interview accommodates spoilers from the finale of “Party Down,” presently airing on Starz and streaming on the Starz app.
The staff behind “Get together Down” have been mendacity via their tooth, and for good purpose.
All this time, whereas selling the third season of the cater-waiter cult comedy — which returned to Starz 13 years after its initial cancellation — the solid 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 your complete window that we had,” creator and EP John Enbom beforehand advised Selection. “She was very bummed that she was not capable of be part of us. And we have been bummed, too — we actually favored working together with her.”
However they have been hiding a trick up their sleeves, as Caplan makes a surprising cameo on the finish of the season’s sixth and closing episode. “I can’t consider that they have been capable of hold it a secret,” Caplan marveled concerning the post-credits scene in an interview with Selection. “There aren’t any secrets and techniques nowadays!”
Within 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 develop into a well-known actor. Casey is out in L.A. to advertise her “horrible” new present, “The Stabilizer,” and, after her likelihood encounter together with her ex-flame, guarantees to hang around with Henry subsequent time she’s on the town, “which will probably be very quickly as a result of I’m about to give up this fucking factor.”
Caplan, together with Enbom and co-creator Rob Thomas, spoke with Selection forward of the finale to dish on how they shot the shock cameo in at some point — and to tease how Casey may play into a possible Season 4.
Lizzy, your absence from Season 3 of “Get together Down” was broadly publicized. Was your cameo all the time meant to be a shock for followers?
Lizzy Caplan: Sure, it was all the time meant to be a shock. I, too, can’t consider that they have been capable of hold it a secret. There aren’t any secrets and techniques nowadays! And it wasn’t like this Fort Knox vibe on set, the place individuals have been having to lock up their telephones. It was an entire New York crew, and everybody stored their mouths shut! So the cynical facet of me is like, “Effectively, no one fucking cares!” However the uncynical facet is like, “Aren’t people beneficiant?”
Was it powerful for you to maintain it a secret?
John Enbom: We have now 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.” Making an attempt to maintain this a secret has been the topic of dozens of emails, I’d say.
Caplan: It was really straightforward for me to maintain it a secret. I simply determined to not inform anyone. I imply, I actually simply advised my sister 5 minutes in the past. What could be the purpose of telling anyone? What could be the purpose of getting that info? You’ll need to inform different individuals. So I simply determined to not inform a single soul, and it was surprisingly straightforward.
How have been you capable of match this post-credits scene into your schedule? Was it shot in at some point?
Caplan: I used to be in New York — we shot it in at some point. We additionally shot this different scene, which was papparazzi footage of Casey and her new boyfriend. We shot that section for fairly some time outdoors of Central Park. There have been undoubtedly paparazzi catching wind of what was occurring, however nobody mentioned something. Even they stored their mouths shut. The producers have been considering they’d possibly present that scene originally of the season, displaying that Casey is off in New York and with this new man. However that might have ruined the shock. So fortunately they didn’t use any of it. However on reflection it was form of dangerous to shoot that.
Rob Thomas: Adam had a powerful opinion that if individuals noticed recent footage of Lizzy in Episode 1, they’d be artful sufficient to determine that we shot extra.
Within the post-credits scene, it’s actually simply you, Lizzy, with Adam Scott. Had been you capable of reunite with among the different solid whereas on set?
Caplan: No, as a result of we shot it in New York it was only a small splinter unit. Simply 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 “Get together Down” superfans are gonna say, “Effectively, if Lizzy might do that scene, why couldn’t she give us an entire episode?!?”
Caplan: It was all we might do. We actually managed to shoehorn this in. I used to be dedicated to “Fleishman Is in Bother” in New York, and I used to be greater than keen to journey on off-days to come back again to L.A. and make “Get together Down” occur. However with COVID, they actually didn’t need anyone touring wherever. It was heartbreakingly inconceivable. So I simply hoped that [the “Party Down” team] ended up making one thing so fantastic that Starz would haven’t any possibility however to choose 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! Choose it up for a fourth season.
Would you come back to the collection if it does get renewed?
Caplan: For positive. There isn’t a universe wherein I wouldn’t be within the fourth season of “Get together Down.” They must tie me to the practice 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 Everlasting division.
Thomas: I used to be gonna say the Wishful Pondering division.
Enbom: Earlier than we knew Lizzy wasn’t obtainable, the primary impulse we had was the concept of Casey and Henry assembly once more for the primary time at Kyle’s celebration [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 have been nonetheless craving that second: what it may 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 give up her performing gig. How may she match into future “Get together Down” episodes?
Caplan: I’m fortunate that I wouldn’t be tasked with attempting to determine the right way to carry Casey again. It’d be difficult. However I haven’t seen a lot stuff about an actor who “made it” however feels completely stifled and sad in her job. That might 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 dangle a Season 4 on. It’s one of many higher comedy romances on TV. We’d 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 the entire new solid — genuinely elevated the present.
I requested John about this already, however I need to get your take. Do you assume “Get together Down” is a cynical present?
Caplan: I believe it’s so unhappy and delightful however, finally, undoubtedly optimistic. That’s present enterprise. There aren’t many industries the place you could 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.
