 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Eastbound & Down
Common Sense Media says
Washed-up jock is no role model in lackluster adult comedy.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this pay cable comedy's main character is a profane, misogynistic former baseball player who's squandered his money and his talent. Angry and bitter about the direction his life has taken, he tries to soothe his pain with beer and drugs but secretly cries himself to sleep. Expect nonstop swearing (including "f--k" and worse), drinking, and drugs, as well as some nudity and frequent graphic descriptions of sex.
What's the story?
It's really hard to like Kenny Powers (Danny McBride), but he sure does want to be liked. Once a star pitcher, the washed-up ball player has squandered his fortune, been drummed out of the big leagues, and now, in EASTBOUND & DOWN, is slumming it as a middle school gym teacher while crashing with his brother's family. Once accustomed to the trappings of fame, Kenny can barely disguise his contempt for the regular folks he works with -- including his middle class brother -- and he deludes himself by pretending he's still important. The one highlight of his new life is finding that his high school girlfriend April (Katy Mixon) is a coworker at Jefferson Davis Middle School. Kenny continues to delude himself by imagining that she still wants him -- even though she's now engaged to the school principal (Andrew Daly).
Is it any good?
Self-centered, crass, inconsiderate, and extremely profane, Kenny is nothing like the role model he imagines himself to be. And that's the main issue with this sad comedy. It's not entirely clear whether Eastbound & Down is supposed to be a story about Powers' redemption -- or whether his one-note character is the entire joke, because Kenny shows no sign that he may be on any kind of journey of self-discovery.
Meanwhile, he's not particularly fun to watch, and the show's efforts to mine humor from his arrogance and hubris mostly strike out.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about role models. The show makes it clear that Kenny was once a role model; he even has his own line of motivational tapes. Do you think the racist, sexist, and angry former baseball player he is now makes a good role model for anyone? Based on his depiction, do you think he set a good example even at the peak of his career? What makes someone a good role model?
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Kid, 11 years old
February 15, 2011
AGE
What if...
...you couldn't say a sentence without swearing? You get Kenny Powers. From the words of Link: Well, excuuuuse me, dumbo cusser!
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AGE
A great show.
Now Will Wade is not the critic of the bunch. My dad,me, and his friend both watch this show and understand the humor. The story,Kenny Powers, an ex-pitcher goes back to his hometown and moves in with his brother and his wife and also their three childern. Kenny gets a new job as a subsitute teacher for gym class but later becomes the new teacher for gym. Kenny meets again with his old flame from high school and is trying rekindle her love for him even though she is engaged to the school's principal. Kenny has the idea to get back to the top and defeat his old foe from his past of baseball. Eastbown and Down has bad language and there is drug use. Now Will Wade Kenny Powers is not meant to be looked as a role model.....at all. Will if you think that a character like Kenny Powers is looked up as a role model to childern.....THINK. There is a postive message to this show that message is keep trying.
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| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Network: | HBO |
| Cast: | Danny McBride, John Hawkes, Katy Mixon |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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