Videogum Home - designed by Guilherme Rosa

 

March 23, 2009

Eastbound And Down Needs A Fucking Second Season

thumbnail icon: Eastbound And Down Needs A Fucking Second Season

Last night's season and possibly series finale of Eastbound and Down, the Best Fucking Show on Television, was probably the least "funny" episode of the entire show, for two reasons. On the one hand, the first three quarters of the episode in which Kenny thinks that he's going back to the major leagues, stand in direct confrontation with the New York Times critic's suggestion that the show would fall short without a redemptive arc. Just the opposite. This show would fall short because of a redemptive arc. The reward of a renewed career in baseball feels like an overly pat and traditional Hollywood conclusion, and feels disappointing and weak in the face of Eastbound's relentlessly dark reality. Of course, that's not how the show ends. Kenny Powers is not going back to baseball. And this is the second reason that the show wasn't as "funny" last night, although it was just as perfect as always: this is some darkness right here. After the recruiter calls Kenny to tell him that the deal is off, Kenny looks at his family and the woman he stole away, and obviously can't tell them the truth, he's Kenny Fucking Powers, the Bullet-Proof Tiger. His brother says, "You better get going, it's gonna get dark soon," and Kenny says "Yeah, it is gonna get dark," and five minutes later he's ditching April at a gas station. Yikes.

This show needs a second fucking season, you guys.

I'm all for short-run perfection. There's no reason to drive a TV show into the ground with unnecessary episodes. But this show can't possibly be done. We need just one more season, and then we can put this in the museum with the other art. And I'm not just saying that because the season finale ended so inconclusively. I think when this show does end for good, there will be plenty of loose ends that will never be resolved. But if this season ran out the unreality of redemption, going all the way up and through the tragically failed victorious battlefield speech*:

then what is on the other side? If people don't change, and if losers can't win, then let's see what that looks like. I bet it looks super sad and fucking hilarious.

*Not to mention last week's incredible parody of the winning home-run stadium lights blow out at Schaeffer BMW.

Posted by Gabe at 10:30 AM in
Tags:  |  |




21 Comments

you are all my chinks!!!

Posted by: j0shsm1th profile link at 03/23/09 10:51 AM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

I'm fucking in...........to April's big tits! Oh man, somebody please post a screencap of those.

Posted by: Kenny Powers profile link at 03/23/09 11:08 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I saw all but this episode. Wish I could've seen it. Is it online anywhere?

Posted by: mattabramson profile link at 03/23/09 11:22 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I too found Danny McBride's delivery of the "Yeah, it is going to get dark" line impressively poignant. It kind of brought full circle the fact that of course the getting called back to the majors was too good to be true, and only hugely highlighted just how screwed he is after buying that Escala..Denali...buying that watch for April and giving that send off speech at the school...with all that on the table and pulled in an instant, it definitely got dark in a hurry.

It's interesting how easy it is to laugh and appreciate this show for what it is on one level, but it's especially fitting that where as something like Entourage has constantly pulled the redemptive arc, this show subverts the entire idea of celebrity into something a lot more cruel and realistic.

While I can't believe I'm still going on this long about what amounts to a great 30 minutes of entertainment each week, good on everyone who brought this to the masses and if it does or doesn't return (I'm actually leaning towards leaving it right where it ended), I'm glad I've watched.

Posted by: Hit the Switch profile link at 03/23/09 11:23 AM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

Kenny I will always be your chink! I'll be your biggest chink. And don't you ever forget, brothers before whores! I know, she has great jugs, but you will never lack for friendship as long as you've got me. You should come over, I'm going to watch Hunt for Red October on my DVR. Oh! And I heard that if you drink some Theraflu in the middle of the day, you can get a rockin buzz.

Posted by: Steve Janowski profile link at 03/23/09 11:26 AM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

http://i40.tinypic.com/2roqkw7.gif

you're welcome

Posted by: stevie at 03/23/09 11:30 AM  | Reply
Score = 11 Vote up Vote down

You're salt of the earth, Stevie. Thank you very much but I've got one more request if you're making these gifs. The part at Benihanas when Kenny told the chef to hit him with another shrimp and it hit him in the cheek. Please see what you can do.

Posted by: Kenny Powers profile link  in reply to  stevie's comment at 03/23/09 12:01 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Cheerwine!

Posted by: Jeb profile link at 03/23/09 11:37 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Least funny? The one-liners were golden.
"Listen here you beautiful bitch. I am about to fuck you up with some truth.”
“I did not mean to kiss on her pussy, your fiancé.”
“Remember that class where I taught y’all how to make it rain? That’s what I’m going to be doing. Every. Single. Night. Dollar dollar bills, ya'll”
"You know how you all think there are two kinds of lesbians. There's the kind on Cinemax that get it on and are really hot. Then there's the mean kind. Ms. Carol is neither of those"
"Alright you stoic little bastard. In the computer room, little second drawer where I keep my weed. Underneath the handgun there's a stash of porn that’ll put calluses on those little hands of yours."

Posted by: Saida at 03/23/09 12:07 PM  | Reply
Score = 11 Vote up Vote down

"A Gold Card will get you Jonas Brothers tickets. A Black Card will have all three of them sucking your cock within the hour."

Best line of the season.

Posted by: Tucker at 03/23/09 12:36 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

YES!

Posted by: HateGrime profile link  in reply to  Tucker's comment at 03/23/09 2:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

fuck yeah!

Posted by: bryan  in reply to  Tucker's comment at 03/25/09 12:30 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

That shrimp scene was the best.

Posted by: John at 03/23/09 2:47 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

From the Kenny Powers Twitter (official? who knows):

"So that was it, bitches. We've had a great run but don't you think for a shit's second you've seen the fucking last of me."

Another season? I would almost rather they give the same team more money and let them keep making short-form series. Although admittedly I felt more strongly earlier in the season. I like this show too much to see it go.

Posted by: John Ham profile link at 03/23/09 3:03 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

As much as I hate to say this, the show ended and will(and should) never see a second season. Coming back to the hometown would be too depressing and just too hard to find comedic affect(or is it effect? I always get the two confused). The ending for the season seems right on par with the ending for Foot Fist Way, since both had non-Hollywood endings and both will never see a continuation of their storylines. Why is that a bad thing anyway?

Posted by: Patick at 03/23/09 5:37 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Danny McBride is the key, not the show. Get rid of him there is no show, but he'll find somewhere else to do his artistic experiments and we will all be here waiting for the new batch of Danny McBride artwork.

Posted by: Patrick at 03/23/09 5:42 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

You know that those aren't really April's tits. I wanted to see them as much as anybody, but that's a body double for sure. Whenever they cut to tits sans face, it's a double.

Posted by: Jeff at 03/23/09 7:50 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

if they don't do a second season,i will murder true blood,entourage,big love AND real sex.

the balls in your court,HBO.

Posted by: alfred profile link at 03/24/09 2:02 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

this is what is wrong with american entertainment. what we just experienced with this show was a fine, fine miniseries that isn't designed for a long season or a second one at that. it is PERFECT how it ended. there's no point for another season. it would take away from the first one. go back to slobbering over 30 rock.

Posted by: jerrylee at 03/26/09 1:59 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Guys. I just saw two kids raping a 6th grader.

I love you, you're a great girl, but you've got clothes like a fucking dickhead.

xo www.indierocksucks.com

Posted by: Ric Flair profile link at 03/26/09 9:10 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Leave a comment


Staff

  • Founder/Editor-In-Chief: Scott Lapatine
  • Senior Editor: Gabe Delahaye
  • Executive Editor: Amrit Singh

Info

Contact

You Can Make It Up logo
Gabe loves fan fiction. You Can Make It Up features his own personal alternate adventures starring some of our favorite characters.

You Can Make It Up: People Tell Carrie Prejean What An Asshole She Is

Carrie Prejean turned the video camera off, put on some clothes, and stepped out of her house. It was a beautiful day outside. The air smelled like apples, and the late morning light hit the world in just such a...

MORE »

The Hunt For The Worst Movie Of All Time logo
After watching Death Sentence, a terrible movie starring Kevin Bacon as a father in search of vigilante justice directed by Saw's James Wan, Gabe embarked on The Hunt For The Worst Movie of All Time. This is his sad journey.

The Hunt For The Worst Movie Of All Time: In The Land Of The Women

If you are a sassy and sarcastic young man in an American sitcom who represents the sitcom writer's desire that a nerdy Jewish teenager can somehow be the desirable romantic hero in this world, then eventually you will get a...

MORE »

Monsters' Ball logo
This week's five highest rated comments as voted on by you, the lowest rated comment as voted on by you, and the editor's choice.

Monsters' Ball: The Week's Best Comments

I shouldn't even be here right now. I SHOULD BE GETTING INTO MY COSTUME! If I don't hurry, my facepaint won't be dry before I get to the MOONVIE theater, and everyone will be like "hahah, you look like you're...

MORE »

Double Dog logo
Blogging about TV and movies isn't all fun and videogames. Every week, Lindsay or Gabe will be presented with a physical or mental challenge that tests their bravery,patience, and taste.

Double Dog: I Took A TV Bus Tour Alone In A "Just Jack" Tshirt

The Challenge: I had to go on a 3.5 hour bus tour of totally random TV and film locations in New York City. Alone, and wearing a specific ridiculous tshirt. And I had to find someone to take my picture...

MORE »

Videogum Movie Club logo
Let's all go to the movies, and let's all see the same movie, and let's discuss it here.

The Videogum Movie Club: 2012

Uh. OK. Well, first let's address what this movie did well, like the disappointed parents we are (or at least that I am), recognizing that the negative feedback won't be useful or constructive if it isn't preceded by something positive....

MORE »