Eastbound and Down: The Complete First Season

Reviewed by:
Eric Alt

The Skinny: Former major league pitcher Kenny Powers (Danny McBride) rode his cannon of an arm and gutter of a mouth to fame and fortune in the 90s. Unfortunately, the ride is over, and he finds himself washed up, back in his hometown, and teaching P.E. at the local high school.

The Good: Produced by the team behind The Foot Fist Way and featuring McBride doing what he does best (belligerently stupid redneckery), Eastbound and Down is flat out hilarious. Luckily, this series landed at HBO, which allows the humor to be as crass as it wants to be (and it wants to be). But don't think this is just a series of redneck jokes strung together—there's a real story arc at play, and it works. The Powers character is clearly tailor-made to play to McBride's strengths, and he nails both the highs and the lows.
The Bad: There's not much that doesn't work here, although we wish frequent guest star Will Ferrell would have created something other than his self-obsessed boob from Blades of Glory with a different colored wig. But it's not a make-or-break thing.

Best Extra: Check out the commentary track from series creators Ben Best (Chuck The Truck!), Jody Hill (director of Foot Fist Way and Observe and Report), and McBride, alongside Pineapple Express director David Gordon Green, who helms a few episodes.

Buy, Rent, or Ignore: If you don't have cable, this is a must-check-out one way or another.

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