
What’s ‘Eastbound and Down’ All About?
Kenny Powers was supposed to be baseball’s next big thing, but when he got to the big leagues, his obnoxious personality (and his not-so-fast fastball) became his ticket right back out. He thought he’d mount a comeback, of course ? but for now, he’s plotting his next move from his brother’s couch while working as a substitute gym teacher. As HBO puts it, “Every kid has a great ball player they look up to. Kenny Powers is not that guy.”
Kenny Powers ? played by Danny McBride, sporting an amped-up version of his Pineapple Express mullet ? is the central figure in Eastbound and Down, a new comedy series premiering Sunday on HBO following Flight of the Conchords. The show has a lot of funny folks behind it: It’s produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s production company, the same folks who run Funny or Die. (Ferrell himself makes occasional appearances as a car salesman with a hairdo that puts McBride’s to shame.)
Check out a promo for the show and a related ad starring as Rick Flair-esque Will Ferrell below: