Rob Thomas, Starz to 'Party Down'

Original series follows 'Hollywood wannabes'

By DANIEL FRANKEL

In addition to comedy, Starz is also launching its first hourlong drama, 'Crash,' with Dennis Hopper, on Oct. 17.

Starz Entertainment is adding another piece to its growing original programming lineup, ordering 10 episodes of the half-hour comedy series "Party Down" for the first quarter of next year.

The first series originating from the premium channel’s Starz Media sibling, and created and exec produced by Rob Thomas ("Veronica Mars," "Cupid"), show tracks the lives of six "Hollywood wannabes" as they work to get by and pursue their dreams.

John Enbom, Paul Rudd and Dan Etheridge are also listed as exec producers, with Enbom carrying showrunner duties.

According to Stephan Shelanski, exec VP, programming for Starz, "Party Down" will be paired with returning comedy "Head Case" for an hourlong laffer block, most likely bowing in March.

The anticipated launch of Starz’s first hourlong drama, "Crash," is set for Friday. Shelanski said the channel hopes to have season two of that skein, which stars Dennis Hopper, ready by next fall.

"We’ll also be announcing a new hourlong drama in the next few weeks that will premiere in the summer of ’09," he added.