Television: A 'Grace'ful save for 'Party Down'

January 17, 2010 at 4:49AM

"Party Down" is getting some saving "Grace." The underappreciated Starz sitcom, which returns for season 2 in April, lost cast member Jane Lynch to Fox sensation "Glee," but has replaced her with Megan Mullally, best known for her Emmy-winning role on "Will & Grace." Lynch will be back for the season finale and cast members at the TV critics press tour Saturday said the scene with the two comic performers is unforgettable.

Not everyone thinks Mullally is a household name. In his introduction to the "Party Down" panel, former Variety editor called her "Morgan."

In other cable news, AMC announced the development of "Black Gold: The Teapot Dome Scandal," a miniseries about how big oil companies rigged the election of President Warren Harding. It's being scripted by Kirk Ellis, an Emmy winner for "John Adams." Starting Feb. 15, AMC will also launch the web-only series "Life Coach," starring "Saturday Night Live" veteran Cheri Oteri in the title role. Guests include Lewis Black, Kathleen Madigan and Mark Linn Baker.

NEAL JUSTIN

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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