Eastbound & Down is an American sports comedy television series that was broadcast on HBO, and created by Ben Best, Jody Hill, and Danny McBride. 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. Producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay received an order for six episodes for the first season from HBO. The series was produced by Ferrell's production company, Gary Sanchez Productions. The show premiered February 15, 2009. 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. At PaleyFest 2011, it was announced that the third season, which premiered on February 19, 2012, would be the last. In July 2012, HBO picked up the comedy series for a fourth season of eight episodes. 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. Plot Years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer who "forced himself into retirement by the depths of his own jerkiness" 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. Former major league pitcher Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams has often been cited as the inspiration for the Powers character, 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 Tae Kwon Do in a shopping center next to a tanning salon.” Cast Main cast Danny McBride as Kenny Powers Steve Little as Steven Bernard "Stevie" Janowski Katy Mixon as April Buchanon (seasons 1 & 4, recurring seasons 2–3) John Hawkes as Dustin Powers (season 1, recurring seasons 2–4) Jennifer Irwin as Cassie Powers (season 1, recurring seasons 2–4) Andy Daly as Terrence Cutler (season