About Eastbound & Down (HBO)

Eastbound & Down is an American sports comedy-drama television series that was first aired on HBO in 2009. The show follows the life of Kenny Powers, a washed-up former Major League Baseball pitcher, who is forced to return to his hometown middle-school in Shelby, North Carolina, as a substitute physical education teacher. The series is a witty blend of humor, nuances of small-town life, and reflections on the struggles of making comebacks.

Making / Production

The series is created by Ben Best, Jody Hill, and Danny McBride. It was produced by several production houses, including Gary Sanchez Productions and Rough House Pictures. The series ran for four seasons and concluded in 2013. The unique script, which combined comedy with the tension of sports drama, made it a hit among audiences.

Actors

• Danny McBride plays the leading character Kenny Powers, whose big personality and irreverent behavior keep the show lively and entertaining.
• Katy Mixon portrayed April Buchanan, Kenny's high-school sweetheart and emotional cornerstone, imparting a softer layer to the show's narrative.
• John Hawkes was known for his role of Dustin Powers, the more responsible older brother to Kenny, bringing a balance to the show's overall dynamic.
• Andrew Daly played Terrence Cutler, the uptight principal of the middle-school where Kenny finds himself teaching.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The baseball team that Kenny Powers played for, 'The Charros', is actually a real-life minor league baseball team in Mexico.
• Many of the outrageous outfits worn by Danny McBride in the series were his own personal clothes.
• The series was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina - not Shelby, as portrayed in the show.

Awards

Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, 'Eastbound & Down' did not win significant television awards, but it solidified its place in pop culture through its unique comedy style and memorable characters.

Quotes

• "I'm not trying to be the best at exercising." - Kenny Powers
• "Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism." - Kenny Powers
• "I play real sports. I'm not trying to be the best at exercising!" - Kenny Powers

• The title track: "Going Down" by Freddie King
• "Love Is the Answer" by Aloe Blacc which was prominently used in several episodes
• "Real American" by Rick Derringer, played during Kenny's comeback game.