“Eastbound & Down: Cast & Creators Live at PALEYFEST”

HBO’s irreverent comedy series stars Danny McBride as Kenny Powers, a preening, cruel, deluded ex-star athlete who effortlessly holds the audience’s sympathy and interest as he spirals ever downward, hitting bottom to discover even worse bottoms beneath. This William S. Paley Television Festival live event honors “Eastbound & Down,” the comedy series about a vulgar, egotistical former baseball pitcher who returns to his home town to become a substitute physical education teacher. Lynette Rice (senior writer, Entertainment Weekly) moderates the following panelists: series creator/executive producer/director/writer Jody Hill; executive producer Chris Henchy; series creator/executive producer/writer/cast member Danny McBride (Kenny Powers); and cast members Ana de la Reguera (Vida Guerra), Katy Mixon (April Buchanon), Steve Little (Stevie Janowski), and Michael Pena (Sebastian Cisneros). The panelists touch on such topics as: how McBride’s stint as a substitute teacher served as inspiration for the show; HBO’s trepidation over the show’s vulgar content; and McBride’s attraction to playing “anti-hero” characters. Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics among others: if real people served as the inspiration for the show’s characters; how British comedy serves as an inspiration for the show; and de la Reguera’s thoughts on her character’s musical numbers.