From the all-star team of Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Danny McBride comes a comedy about a former professional baseball pitcher who returns to his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina to be a PE teacher sub. The series received its first order for six episodes and premiered in February 15, 2009, and was quickly renewed for a second season.
On Eastbound and Down, relief pitcher Kenny Powers (McBride) was this close to conquering the Big Leagues until his fading fastball and insufferably personality got in the way. When his baseball flame was snuffed out, he came out to his hometown and bagged a job as a substitute gym teacher. Since then, he has tried to cash in whatever fame he has while plotting his great comeback - "one beer at a time."
Eastbound and Down is the latest project out of Ferrell and McKay's Gary Sanchez Productions, which was also the force behind FunnyOrDie.com. It stars McBride, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes, among other talented comedic acts in Hollywood. The series was shot entirely on location in North Carolina, and from time to time, Ferrell himself makes an appearance as an arrogant local car dealer with great hair.
On the first season finale, Kenny got an offer from the Tampa Bay Rays and was forced to say goodbye to his family and teaching job.
"Eastbound and Down's raucous comedy sparked a loyal and enthusiastic following that grew throughout the season, and we're happy to bring the show back for more innings," says Michael Lombardo, president of HBO's Programming Group and West Coast Operations. "It will be fun to see what happens to Kenny in season two."
The rookie comedy has received generally favorable reviews from the critics, with The New Yorker's Nancy Franklin comparing Kenny Powers to David Brent, the inimitable boss played by Ricky Gervais on the British series
The Office.
- Glenn Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: HBO
(Image courtesy of HBO)