Eastbound & Down: Season One (2009)
Earlier this week, I decided it was time to revisit the first season of Eastbound & Down (especially since I had recently purchased it for a mere $9.99 thanks to a sweet Amazon deal). Unsurprisingly, I was reminded of how incredible this show is. Not only is this particular season an utterly flawless debut, its got to be one of the best television shows, period (and I haven't even seen any of the second season).
Obviously, the show is hilarious. But it is so much more than that. The plot and characters are complex, slightly to very awkward, deeply twisted and the funniest since Curb Your Enthusiasm's sixth season, or maybe even Arrested Development. Danny McBride's Kenny Powers is one of the greatest characters no matter what facet of media, let alone in any genre of tv show, in recent memory. Will Ferrell's minor role as Ashley Schaeffer is classic Will Ferrell. Most surprising (in the best way) is Steve Little, who plays the ridiculous, confusing Stevie Janowski, Powers' eventual sidekick. Everyone else is fantastic, and totally worth mentioning, but I'm running out of steam here already.
In case you don't know, Kenny Powers' story is that he is a former MLB relief pitcher who's career went to shit due to his anger issues, racist ramblings and addiction to partying and drugs. He ends up moving in with his brother and sister-in-law and their children and takes a job as a substitute gym teacher at the high school I think he graduated from. This first season showcases Kenny's insanely fluctuating, emotional and intense personality as well as his zany antics at trying to get back to the big leagues and reconnecting with his high school sweetheart, who at this point is engaged to be married to the high school's principle. Rereading all of that, it sounds like the show is just sad, and it is, but McBride makes it all so damn funny.
Eastbound & Down is a comedy of the highest regard, but what really makes it so near perfect is how dark and disturbing the story actually is when you get under all the humor. And, season one's conclusion is definitely one of my absolute favorite season-enders ever. You've probably all seen it, but if you haven't, please get with the program.
2 comments:
Obviously, there are like a thousand highlights to this show to comment on, but I've always wanted to mention to you the scene in the first or second episode where Dustin's blond son/Shrek was lying in bed when Kenny stumbles home drunk and Shrek is watching him through a crack in the door as Kenny fumbles around, and it does this Kubrick/Shining thing with the camera, and Kenny's glaring back at him. I always thought that was hilarious and horrifying a la T & E.
I believe that occurs in the second episode, and of course it has always been one of my favorite moments of the entire season for all the same reasons you mentioned.
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