thereaderwiki.com

Eastbound & Down

  • ️Sun Feb 15 2009

Eastbound & Down is an American sports comedy television series that was broadcast on HBO, and created by Ben Best, Jody Hill and Danny McBride.[2] It stars McBride as Kenny Powers, a former professional baseball pitcher who, after a career downturn in the major leagues, is forced to return to his hometown middle school in Shelby, North Carolina, as a substitute physical education teacher.[3]

Producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay received an order for six episodes for the first season from HBO.[4] The series was produced by Ferrell's production company, Gary Sanchez Productions. The show premiered February 15, 2009.[5] Its second season, consisting of seven episodes, began on September 26, 2010. On October 27, HBO announced it was renewing the show for a third season.[6] At PaleyFest 2011, it was announced that the third season, which premiered on February 19, 2012, would be the last.[7] In July 2012, HBO picked up the comedy series for a fourth season of eight episodes.[8]

On June 6, 2013, HBO announced that the fourth season would be the show's last. The fourth season premiered on September 29, 2013, and ended its run on November 17, 2013.[9]

Years after he turned his back on his hometown, Kenny Powers, a burned-out major league ballplayer who "forced himself into retirement by the depths of his own jerkiness"[10] returns to teach physical education at his old middle school. Still trying to reclaim his fame he starts on a comeback—righting his previous wrongs along the way—only to unwittingly sabotage his own efforts.

While not based on the life of former Major League Baseball relief pitcher John Rocker, the show's creators do cite Rocker's attitude as an inspiration.[11] Former major league pitcher Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams has often been cited as the inspiration for the Powers character,[12] though Williams himself has disavowed any connection. Explaining the tone of the show, McBride has stated that he and his fellow co-creators had intended to "make fun of a South where you could learn an ancient martial art like Taekwondo in a shopping center next to a tanning salon."[13]

Production on the second season of the show began in May 2010. The setting moved to Mexico, with shooting actually occurring in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. The new season brought several changes to the cast, including new faces Michael Peña and Ana de la Reguera, who play the owner of a Mexican baseball team and Kenny's new love interest, respectively. Don Johnson appeared in the role of Kenny's father, whom Kenny and Stevie managed to track down in Mexico. All of the supporting cast from the first season are absent or only make cameo appearances, with the only exception being Steve Little as Stevie Janowski, who follows Kenny to Mexico. Ben Best is not a writer for Season 2 but returns in a small role as Clegg.[38] Adam Scott returns in two episodes as the now cocaine-free baseball executive Pat Anderson.

Actor Deep Roy joined the cast as Aaron, one of Kenny's new Mexican sidekicks.[39] The Mexican baseball team owned by Peña's character Sebastian Cisneros, the Charros, is coached by Roger Hernandez, played by actor Marco Rodriguez. Co-director Jody Hill described the season as "a cross between the films Amores perros and The Bad News Bears". Hill directed four episodes in season two, while David Gordon Green directed three.[40]

Season 2 premiered on September 26, 2010.[41] Vice magazine reported on August 31, 2010 that "it's worthy of the original and is its own different, more somber beast."[40] The writers had considered setting the second season in America; according to McBride, "at one point, we considered opening on a shot of the big sombrero at South of the Border, so you think Kenny's in Mexico. And then he would have said [voice-over tone], 'I went down to the butthole of the Carolinas.' [laughs] We actually thought about setting the entire season in Myrtle Beach instead of in Mexico. I gotta say, the Myrtle Beach idea was pretty brilliant. It would have really been something. Maybe he ends up there next season. [beat] Who knows?"[42]

Season 3 saw Jason Sudeikis join the cast,[43] and the returns of Matthew McConaughey as Texas scout Roy McDaniel, and Will Ferrell who reprised his role as car salesman Ashley Schaeffer.[44] Ike Barinholtz also joined the cast as Ivan, a Russian pitcher who serves as Kenny's competition.[45] The show was filmed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at TicketReturn.com Field and features Kenny as a member of a minor league baseball team called Myrtle Beach Mermen.[46]

Eastbound & Down was met with positive reviews during its run. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season of the show has a rating of 60%, based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The site's consensus reads, "Eastbound & Down might be too profane and obnoxious for some, but its broad humor and irreverent vibe make for some great comic moments."[47] Metacritic gave season 1 a "generally favorable" average score of 62 out of 100, based 16 critics,[48] and seasons 2 and 3 scores of 89[49] and 83 out of 100,[50] respectively, both indicating "universal acclaim". The fourth and final season of the show holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 critics.[51]

  1. ^ Lowry, Brian (February 11, 2020). "Eastbound & Down". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "Eastbound & Down - Cast and Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "New HBO TV series 'Eastbound and Down' unites old friends". StarNewsOnline.com. October 21, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "Talk: Home". HBO. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  5. ^ [1] – HBO – February 2, 2009.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (27 October 2010). "HBO Renews Series 'Bored to Death' And 'Eastbound & Down' –". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  7. ^ Wright, Adam (March 11, 2011). "'Eastbound And Down' to End After Third Season". Tvdonewright.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  8. ^ Levine, Stuart (July 2, 2012). "HBO asks for more 'Eastbound & Down'". Variety. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  9. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 6, 2013). "'Eastbound & Down' Canceled by HBO; Production on Fourth and Final Season Begins". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  10. ^ "Eastbound and Down, A Pitcher's Life After the Third Strike". The New York Times. February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  11. ^ All Things Considered (February 15, 2009). "HBO Debuts 'Eastbound And Down'". NPR. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  12. ^ "5 Real-Life Players Who Inspired 'Eastbound & Down'". Complex.
  13. ^ Friend, T. (June 5, 2017). "Danny McBride's Horror Show". New Yorker. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Chapter 21". Eastbound & Down. Season 3. Episode 8. April 15, 2012. Event occurs at 10:19. Home Box Office. Steven Bernard Janowski, you are hereby relieved of your duties as my assistant.
  15. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 18, 2009). "Updated: NBA All-Star festivities, The Closer, WWE RAW, and Monk lead week, Damages to return despite ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  16. ^ Hibberd, James (March 17, 2009). "Will Ferrell's 'America' spikes HBO's ratings". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 24, 2009). "WWE RAW, Hannah Montana and Northern Lights lead cable show rankings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Gorman, Bill (September 28, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Boardwalk Empire Falls; Rubicon Stays Low + Glades, Mad Men, Kardashians, Dexter & Lots More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 24, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  19. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 5, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Boardwalk Empire Mostly Stable; Rubicon Still Tiny; Mad Men, Kardashians, Dexter & Lots More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 12, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Boardwalk Empire Plunges; Rubicon Up; Mad Men, Kardashians, MLB Playoffs & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 19, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Kardarshians Lead; 'Mad Men' Finale Up; 'Rubicon' Finale Down; 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Sonny with a Chance' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 26, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Kardashians Finale Way Up;Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Swamp People & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  23. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 2, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: The Walking Dead Kills; Boardwalk Empire Steady; + Swamp People, Dexter, Ghost Hunters Live & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  24. ^ Gorman, Bill (November 9, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: The Walking Dead Lives!; Boardwalk Empire Up; + Real Housewives, Hannah Montana, Kendra & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "Walking Dead" Overshadows the Competition". The Futon Critic. February 22, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "NBA All-Star Game" Sneaks Past "The Walking Dead"". The Futon Critic. February 28, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  27. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 6, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Storage Wars,' 'Army Wives,' 'Real Housewives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  28. ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "Walking Dead" Still Unstoppable for AMC". The Futon Critic. March 13, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  29. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 20, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Season Finale Laps the Field + 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'Frozen Planet,' 'Army Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "Mad Men" Leads Viewers, NBA Tops Demos". The Futon Critic. March 28, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  31. ^ Bibel, Sarah (April 10, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Leads + Atlanta 'Housewives,' 'Mad Men,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'Army Wives,' 'The Client List' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  32. ^ Kondolojy, Amanada (April 17, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones,' + 'Real Housewives ATL' 'Mad Men,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'The Client List' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  33. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 1, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Big, 'Talking Bad', 'Homeland', 'Boardwalk Empire','Masters of Sex' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  34. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 8, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' & 'Thursday Night Football: Special Edition' Tie for Lead + 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  35. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 15, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Witches of East End', 'Homeland, 'Boardwalk Empire' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  36. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 29, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Homeland', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Witches of East End' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  37. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 19, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', NASCAR & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  38. ^ "BRING IT ON HOME – The Southern Boys Behind Eastbound & Down Send Kenny Powers' Ass to Mexico – Vice Magazine". Viceland.com. August 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  39. ^ "EB&D IN PR – Viceland Today". Viceland.com. June 21, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  40. ^ a b "Eastbound & Down Season Dos Is Almost Here – Viceland Today". Viceland.com. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  41. ^ "Eastbound and Down Season Two is F*cking In". Tv.gawker.com. June 14, 2010. Archived from the original on July 21, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  42. ^ "BRING IT ON HOME – The Southern Boys Behind Eastbound & Down Send Kenny Powers' Ass to Mexico – Vice Magazine". Viceland.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  43. ^ Sneider, Jeff; Levine, Stuart (July 7, 2011). "Sudeikis set for 'Eastbound & Down'". Variety.
  44. ^ Schillaci, Sophie A. (July 12, 2011). "Matthew McConaughey, Will Ferrell Return for 'Eastbound & Down' Season 3". The Hollywood Reporter.
  45. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 1, 2011). "'Eastbound & Down': 'Mad TV' Alum Takes the Mound (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  46. ^ "Myrtle Beach Mermen".
  47. ^ "Eastbound & Down: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
  48. ^ "Eastbound & Down - Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  49. ^ "Eastbound & Down - Season 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  50. ^ "Eastbound & Down - Season 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  51. ^ "Eastbound & Down: Season 4 - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.