Adam Scott is a familiar face on our screens these days.
He has an ever-growing filmography, but is perhaps best known this side of the Atlantic for his roles as Ben Wyatt in the sitcom Parks And Recreation, Derek Huff in the raunchy comedy Step Brothers and, most recently, Mark S in the Apple TV+ thriller Severance.
But in America it’s the cult sitcom Party Down, where he debuted as the comedic lead in the late 2000s — a show about struggling actors trying to make ends meet working at a Hollywood catering agency, with a cast that boasts the likes of his co-star. Parks And Rec star Megan Mullally, Glee’s Jane Lynch and Spider-Man’s Martin Starr.
It only lasted two seasons in 2009 and 2010 and was eventually canceled by American network Starz due to poor ratings (only 13,000 people watched the season finale, Scott pointed out) – with some speculating Scott’s loss to Parks And Rec on NBC was also a key factor in the decision.
But the show has been resurrected 13 years after its cancellation, with almost the entire cast returning – despite their incredibly busy schedules.
“We couldn’t believe we were actually there,” Scott told Backstage, Sky News’ TV and film podcast, in his only UK interview.
“We would look at each other every day and just be amazed that we were finally doing this.
“One thing I noticed when we were making the first episode, when I looked at the group, the entire cast of Party Down, was how much I missed them, obviously, but also how much I missed these characters.
“I’ve been with people but not with them playing these characters for 13 years, and I really missed them, and it was really fun to see them back in action.”
Scott’s career took off – unlike his character
Scott plays Henry Pollard, who in the original series was a failed actor known only for a beer commercial he had done in previous years, and was working for Party Down for a living.
Now, Henry is a teacher – but he still works at Party Down for some extra cash, despite his steady job.
Scott admitted to Backstage that he was facing fortunes similar to his character’s in 2009.
“Most of us just had nothing but time on our hands and were directly related to these characters, a group of people who are trying to make it big in Hollywood, and success has always been a little out of reach.
“Any life in show business is tough and we were all in the middle of it.”
Fortunately for Scott, his real-life luck has turned, and he works on some of the biggest shows and movies in the world – but he said that despite being busy right now, the character still felt comfortable.
“Henry is still not the most established person in the world – but he’s also older, wiser and more comfortable with himself, which I think is something that comes with age and forty years.”
Megan Mullally and Jane Lynch in Party Down. Photo: Lionsgate+
But what would Scott be doing if his luck didn’t change?
“Man, I don’t know. I just don’t have any backup skills,” he admitted.
“The occupations I’ve had romantic thoughts about over the years are as a political journalist or a music journalist.
“Writing about music I would love to do – when I was a teenager I thought I could do that.
“But being a political journalist and enjoying being on the road with a campaign is something I’ve always wanted to do. But I’m not saying I have any skills in that area.”
Sky political correspondent Adam Scott has something to do with this, don’t you think?
Party Down is streaming on Lionsgate+ – hear our review on this week’s Backstage, Sky News’ TV and film podcast.