Eastbound & Down[1] is an American comedy television series broadcast on HBO, starring Danny McBride as Kenny Powers, a former professional baseball pitcher, who after an up and down career in the major leagues is forced to return to his hometown middle-school in Shelby, North Carolina, as a substitute physical education teacher.[2] Producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay received an order for six episodes for the first season from HBO.[3] The series was produced by Will Ferrell's production company, Gary Sanchez Productions. The show premiered February 15, 2009, at 10:30 p.m.[4] Its second season, consisting of seven episodes, began on September 26, 2010. On October 27, HBO announced they were renewing the show for a third season.[5] At PaleyFest 2011, it was announced that the third season, which premiered on February 19, 2012, would be the last.[6] However, on July 2, 2012, it was announced that HBO had picked up the comedy series for a fourth season, which consisted of eight episodes.[7]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"[9] 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, but ends up messing everything up for himself in the end.

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.[10] Former major league pitcher Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams has often been cited as the inspiration for the Powers character.[11]