Eastbound & Down

Network: HBO
Episodes: 29 (half-hour)
Seasons: Four

TV show dates: February 15, 2009 — November 17, 2013
Series status: Ended

Performers include: Danny McBride, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes, Andrew Daly, Ben Best, Jennifer Irwin, Steve Little, Ethan Alexander McGee, Bo Mitchell, Sylvia Jefferies, Craig Robinson, Luke Bigham, and Will Ferrell.

TV show description:      
This comedy TV series follows a burned out Major League baseball player who returns to his hometown to teach physical education at his old middle school. While it’s not biographical, show creators do admit to being inspired by John Rocker, a former Major League relief pitcher who played for several different teams.

Kenny Powers’ (Danny McBride) future looked bright when, at age 19, he left Shelby County to become a big-time baseball pitcher. Yet here he is now sleeping on his brother Dustin’s couch after his pitching slowed down and his obnoxious behavior picked up. While he looks for a way to regain what he lost, he’s filling in as a P.E. teacher at his old middle school.

Dustin (John Hawkes) has always been there for his brother when he needed him, and lately he’s been needed him a lot. It’s all wearing a little thin with Kenny insulting Dustin’s wife and not being respectful to their home. Dustin’s wife, Cassie (Jennifer Irwin), tries to be supportive and a good Christian, but really wants Kenny out of her house more than anything else, before he totally destroys her marriage and home. Dustin and Cassie’s son, Dustin Jr., (Alexander Ethan McGee), is tired of Uncle Kenny rooting through his things. Their other son, Wayne (Bo Mitchell), idolizes his uncle even though Kenny always makes fun of his weight issues.

Stevie Janowski (Steve Little) is as close as Kenny is going to get to having a groupie these days. He’s a former classmate who will do anything for his idol. Clegg (Ben Best), Kenny’s buddy from the old days, is still ready to party with him whenever he wants. Tracey (Sylvia Jefferies) is a frequent customer at Clegg’s bar, and likes to spice things up wherever she goes.

Kenny’s old high school sweetheart, April Buchanon (Katy Mixon), is still around as well. She’s now an art teacher and plans on marrying the school principal. She holds a grudge against Kenny for leaving her for the big leagues. Even though principal Terrence Cutler (Andrew Daly) is marrying April, he still has plenty of insecurity and passive-aggressive issues. He needs to marry her before she sees him for who he really is.

What do you think? Do you like the Eastbound & Down TV series? Do you think it should have ended or been renewed for another season?