Frumpy Mean Girl to Pretty Partier: Lizzy Caplan

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YOU'VE SEEN LIZZY CAPLAN, even if you don't recognize her right away. The actress has played a string of memorable characters, including Goth outsider Janice in "Mean Girls." Her latest role is struggling comedian Casey in the Starz show "Party Down" (Fri., 10:30 p.m.), a new comedy from "Veronica Mars" creator Rob Thomas about aspiring L.A. actors working as caterers. She shares on-set tales of slinging appetizers and sound bites.

» EXPRESS: "Party Down" is hilarious. Is it as fun to work on as it is to watch?
» CAPLAN: Absolutely. I think you can often tell what a good time people were having while shooting. All the people involved are genuinely funny, and there's a healthy competition on who can be the funniest.

» EXPRESS: Does that mean there was a lot of ad-libbing and trying to make each other laugh during filming?
» CAPLAN: We get a whole script for every episode, but we're totally allowed to go off the book and change things. We have a lot of footage that will probably never be seen of people saying just ridiculous stuff. I hope all that makes it onto the DVD.

» EXPRESS: The result is totally amusing.
» CAPLAN: The inspiration for it was actually the British version of "The Office," and I think you can definitely see similar themes.

» EXPRESS: Your character develops into a bit of a romantic lead after having a fling with her co-caterer Henry.
» CAPLAN: Normally on a TV show, you'd see this slow buildup of romantic characters. And then the question would be: Do they get together? Do they not get together? We've flipped that on its head because we get down to business right away.

» EXPRESS: It's the anti-sitcom treatment.
» CAPLAN: Television couples have a tendency to be really brave, and one person puts themself out there in this really dramatic way. I just don't think that's how it happens in real life. We tried to make sure that none of the moments are overly precious, cutesy or adorable.

» EXPRESS: You're playing the pretty girl. Is that a role that's new for you?
» CAPLAN: It's funny that you think that. I still feel frumpy on "Party Down," and I think that was kind of on purpose. None of us look very glamorous. Over the past few years, I've been playing more love interest-y roles, so I'm getting used to it.

» EXPRESS: Are you a girlie-girl in real life?
» CAPLAN: Not at all. If I have an event, I'll go to a fashion-forward friend's house and borrow her stuff.

» EXPRESS: Did you waitress yourself when you were starting off as an actress?
» CAPLAN: I was a busboy at a couple different restaurants — I never even made it to waitress status. In L.A., it's true that everyone working in restaurants is an actor or writer. You spend a lot of time with funny and talented people who are waiting for their big break. I love that this show explores that.

» EXPRESS: I heard you live next door to Audrina Patridge from "The Hills."
» CAPLAN: I can actually see them setting up to film at her house right now. I wish I had more scoop to tell you. I'm kind of obsessed with that show.

Photo courtesy Greg Gorman