Kenny Powers - Greatest Man Alive

“Eastbound & Down”
HBO
Created by Ben Best, Jody Hill & Danny McBride
Starring Danny McBride
Current Season: 1
Number of Episodes to date: 6
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Last month HBO premiered their newest original comedy series, "Eastbound & Down", starring Danny McBride as a down on his luck ex-MLB pitcher. Despite the lack of huge success for HBO with their new dramas, the past few comedies they have produced have been hits including, "Flight of the Conchords", "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and the Australian import "Summer Heights High". Eastbound & Down is no exception. McBride portrays Kenny Powers, an ex-major league pitcher who has fallen from grace and is desperately trying to reclaim his former life of stardom. Left with no other options, he is forced to move in with his brother and accept a teaching job in his hometown. Regardless of his humbling position, Powers continues to live the life of excess he once had.

McBride is nearly perfect in portraying this cocky, foul-mouthed good ole boy. The character’s lack of self-control and falsified confidence combined with McBride’s dead-pan delivery amount to endless comedic situations. But what makes this series something more than a slap-stick comedy is the how the viewer eventually begins to feel compassion for this verbose, uncontrollable loser Kenny Powers. The supporting cast does a notable job especially Andrew Daly as the carefree principal (who happens to be engaged to Kenny’s former love) and Steve Little as Kenny’s unwanted idolizer. Yet, the show belongs to McBride and in turn, he makes it his own. If you aren’t watching this show yet, start doing it before Kenny Powers declares, “you are f***-ing out”.

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Production Note: The series was green-lit for only 6 episodes in the premiere season. Based on McBride’s impending stardom and the show’s popularity with young adults, I don’t see how HBO can’t bring it back for at least a few more seasons.