Search Party (2016 TV series)
| Search Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | |
| Starring |
|
| Opening theme | "Obedear" by Purity Ring |
| Composer(s) | Brian H. Kim |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
| Location(s) | New York City |
| Cinematography | Jonathan Furmanski |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
JAX Media Quiet and Considerate Productions Semi-Formal Productions. Inc Studio T |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | TBS |
| Original release | November 21, 2016 – present |
| External links | |
| Website |
www |
Search Party is an American dark comedy television series created by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter. TBS picked up the pilot to series in November 2015. All ten episodes are currently available online.[1] On December 13, 2016, TBS renewed the show for a second season, which will premiere on November 19, 2017.[2][3]
Plot
Living in New York City, Dory (Alia Shawkat) comes across a flyer asking for the whereabouts of Chantal Witherbottom (Clare McNulty), whom she recognizes, and decides to make it her life mission to find her. She drags her circle of friends into her investigation including her boyfriend, Drew (John Reynolds) and friends, Elliott (John Early) and Portia (Meredith Hagner), who have a hard time understanding her interest but gradually get deeper involved in the mystery. Through their encounters, they get involved with more shady and eccentric characters. Drew finds himself attracted to the sexy but short-tempered neighbor, April (Phoebe Tyers) in his building, Portia loses her role in the TV Show where she thought she was the star and Elliott is outed as a compulsive liar and narcissist by Julian (Brandon Michael Hall), Dory's ex-boyfriend who is a writer. Dory, meanwhile, meets Chantal's neurotic ex-boyfriend Gavin (Griffin Newman), a flighty real estate woman named Lorraine (Rosie Perez), a weird cult living behind a jewelry store and a private eye named Keith (Ron Livingston), who she has an affair with, all of whom she believes to have a role in Chantal's disappearance.
Cast and characters
Main
- Alia Shawkat as Dory Sief: A lifelong doormat, who is stuck as the personal assistant to a rich housewife, and deeply unfulfilled by her stale relationship. When her college acquaintance Chantal goes missing, she makes it her personal mission to find her—and bring her friends with her.[4]
- John Reynolds as Drew Gardner: A sweet, spoon-fed doofus, who has spent his whole life a little too sheltered, Drew must grow a spine if he wants to help Dory solve the mystery of Chantal's disappearance and save their deteriorating relationship.[4]
- John Early as Elliott Goss: Gay and hipper than thou, Elliott is a self-diagnosed narcissist, who still finds it in his heart to help find Chantal. Adept at manipulating those around him, he is particularly good at detective work.[4]
- Meredith Hagner as Portia Davenport: A flighty, bubbly actress, Portia is swept up in the thrill of helping solve the mystery. Her desperate need for the spotlight makes her excellent at chatting up suspects and getting information – even if by accident.[4]
- Brandon Micheal Hall as Julian: Dory's journalist ex-boyfriend, who speaks the truth no matter who it hurts.
Recurring
- Clare McNulty as Chantal Witherbottom
- Ron Livingston as Keith Powell
- Rosie Perez as Lorraine De Coss
- Phoebe Tyers as April, Dory and Drew's neighbor.
- Christine Ebersole as Mariel Davenport, Portia's mother.
- Jennifer Kim as Agnes Cho
- Christine Taylor as Gail, Dory's wealthy boss.
- Parker Posey as Brick
- Griffin Newman as Gavin, Chantal's ex-boyfriend.
Guest stars
- Judy Gold as Paulette Capuzzi
- Alysia Reiner as Trina
- Kate Berlant as Editor
- Tunde Adebimpe as Edwin
- Linas Phillips as Farley
- Bridey Elliott as Penelope
Production
In June 2015, it was announced Alia Shawkat, John Early, John Reynolds, and Meredith Hagner had all been cast in the pilot, with Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers directing and writing alongside Michael Showalter, Lilly Burns, Tony Hernadez, John Skidmore, Brittany Segal serving as executive producers and producers respectively.[5] In November 2015, TBS ordered the series.[6][7]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Mysterious Disappearance of The Girl No One Knew" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Story by: Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers and Michael Showalter Teleplay by: Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | November 17, 2016 (online) November 21, 2016 (TBS) | 0.465[8] |
| 2 | "The Woman Who Knew Too Much" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Charles Rogers | November 21, 2016 | 0.354[8] |
| 3 | "The Night of One Hundred Candles" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Christina Lee | November 22, 2016 | 0.860[9] |
| 4 | "The Captive Dinner Guest" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Michael Showalter | November 22, 2016 | 0.515[9] |
| 5 | "The Mystery of the Golden Charm" | Ryan McFaul | Anthony King | November 23, 2016 | 0.885[10] |
| 6 | "The Secret of the Sinister Ceremony" | Ryan McFaul | Sarah-Violet Bliss | November 23, 2016 | 0.505[10] |
| 7 | "The Riddle Within the Trash" | Ryan McFaul | Christina Lee | November 24, 2016 | 0.145[11] |
| 8 | "The Return of the Forgotten Phantom" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Anthony King | November 24, 2016 | 0.113[11] |
| 9 | "Password to the Shadows" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Sarah-Violet Bliss | November 25, 2016 | 0.634[12] |
| 10 | "The House of Uncanny Truths" | Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers | Charles Rogers | November 25, 2016 | 0.357[12] |
Reception
The first season of Search Party received positive reviews from television critics. It holds a 100% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Search Party is an engaging, weird, dark, funny mystery elevated by exceptional performances throughout."[13] On Metacritic, the season holds a rating of 81 out of 100, based on 19 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[14]
References
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (July 31, 2016). "TBS to Strip New Comedy ‘Search Party’ Thanksgiving Week, Sets ‘People of Earth’ Premiere – TCA". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (December 13, 2016). "‘People Of Earth’ & ‘Search Party’ Renewed For Season 2 By TBS". Deadline.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (July 27, 2017). "Tracy Morgan's Last O.G., Search Party Season 2 Get TBS Premiere Dates". TVLine. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 Littleton, Cynthia (November 2, 2015). "TBS Gives Series Order to Mystery Comedy 'Search Party'". Variety. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- ↑ Elise Sandberg, Bryn (June 22, 2015). "'Arrested Development' Alum Alia Shawkat to Star in Jax Media Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ↑ TBS press release (November 2, 2015). "TBS Greenlights Mystery Comedy Series 'Search Party'". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (November 2, 2015). "'Search Party' Comedy Starring Alia Shawkat Ordered to Series by TBS as Network Debuts New Logo". Deadline.com.
- 1 2 "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.21.2016". Showbuzz Daily.
- 1 2 "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.22.2016". Showbuzz Daily.
- 1 2 "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.23.2016". Showbuzz Daily.
- 1 2 "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.24.2016". Showbuzz Daily.
- 1 2 "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.25.2016". Showbuzz Daily.
- ↑ "Search Party". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Search Party - Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved November 23, 2016.