The ratings are in for the season-enders of the HBO Sunday-night comedies Flight of the Conchords and Eastbound & Down, and I’m a little surprised and mighty pleased to see that underdog Eastbound scored the higher ratings (904,000 vs. 678,000). Don’t get me wrong: I admire the droll musical-comics Bret and Jemaine, but I did think this season of Conchords was a bit off. The songs weren’t quite up to last season’s quality, and the plotlines were a tad more predictable.
On the other hand, Eastbound & Down finished with a strong surge of quality. Danny McBride’s down-and-out baseball pitcher Kenny Powers was (ugh, do I really have to write this?: SPOILER ALERT!) called up by the majors again… or so he thought. For a comedy as assiduously profane as Eastbound is, it’s also got a lotta heart. I was genuinely moved when Kenny found out his regained dream was smashed once again, and yet he had to go through the Kenny Powers-patented motions of leaving town in a roar of bravado. I was even more moved by the sad face of April (the wondrous Katy Mixon) when Kenny left her and her suitcase in the dust as he fled from a convenience store in his car.
Last season, Conchords still seemed like a breath of fresh air with its low-key, very welcome gentle humor, and it gained a lot of hip pop-culture cachet. But Eastbound & Down, conceived as nobody’s idea of “cool,” ended up showing us that vulgar comedy can still do lots of sutble things, and few things on TV so far this year have matched McBride’s portrait of a working-class guy trying to make it after imploding.
How about you? Did you watch either of these shows? Do you like the contrasting comedy styles of Conchords and Eastbound, or do you have a clear favorite?
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Eastbound was hilarious and sooooo crude at the same time. I was completely grossed out and fascinated at the same time by so many things (the eyeball was just genious). Several times I actually found the show tugging at my emotions only to have some raunchy “oh my god, did he really say that” quickly follow. I really think that I liked the show and am curious and anxious to see what happens next if theybring it back.
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I think FotC traded places about halfway through the season with Eastbound. Eastbound got better while FotC started to fall off. But either way, I’ve been a fan of the Conchords and I am now a fan of Kenny Powers. Hope to see them both return.
“Eastbound and Down is the greatest telvision show in the history of television in the world”- Ron Benningtion, Ron and Fez noon to three
Katy Mixon – body double?
EB&D was a breath of fresh air in the already stale landscape that defines
‘white-trash’ dramedy…
We can only hope that HBO and their overlords realize they have a potential Trailer Park Boys – American
Style on their hands – “I’m Goin’ Down”…
Eastbound & Down was solid last night. Capped off a quality season. My only complaint about the show was actually Will Ferrell. I love Ferrell and will watch pretty much anything he’s in, but his brand of humor just didn’t fit in on the show all that much.
Love both shows! Can’t wait for the next seasons!
I LOVED Flight of the Conchords last season but have only gotten a few chuckles out of Season 2. I didn’t find any of the songs very catchy and only a few of the storylines worked for me. I hope the boys come back stronger in Season 3
I haven’t seen Eastbound yet but I have to disagree about FoC season being worst than the first. I think both of them were brilliant. Season one had more interesting plots cause they had to write them around already existing songs. So season 2 might be more predictable because it was the other way round but the songs were still super catchy. I think that’s what I like most about them, that at the end of the day they’re brilliant lyrics-songwriters.
I absolutely loved this show & felt the same as others that it was touching & shocking at the same time. They better bring it back!!!!
“Katy Mixon – body double?”
Yep, it was a body double.
Loved East Bound and Down and hope it comes back.
Thought EB & D was hilarious, and all I have to say about Katy Mixon is “they may not be real, but they were SPECTACULAR!!”
The second season of FOTC was awesome same or better than the first, but the season finale was sorta blah.. Don’t judge the whole season the finale. I love Flight and hope they come back for season 3. Eastbound is already my second favorite show and is funny as hell. Bring it on! there is room for all kinds of funny
Please tell me that there will be a second season of Eastbound and Down, 6 episodes was far from enough!
I must admit as much as I love FOTC, I was not as impressed with season 2 as I was with 1. FOTC seemed flat this year. The guys (Jemaine & Brett) just did not appear to be that into it as they were last year. They seemed a little “mechanical” in their parts.
East Bound is the best show I’ve ever seen in my whole life. I gave up on TV entirely for a while. Just stupid show after stupid show or some reality crap. Finally, some geniuses. HILARIOUS. 3 thumbs up.
Eastbound and Down is brilliant. I’ve turned people on to the show and they are flat out dumbfounded. If HBO drops it for good, they can expect a few angry letters. I thought ‘the office’ could be awkward.. this has it beat hands down. Come on, HBO, do the right thing here and keep it coming! Please!
FOTC ended well, the second season started weaker, but after the 3rd episode it started getting very strong again. I loved it and looked forward to watching it.
EB&D, was my new TRUE LOVE!!!, I loved it from the second I saw it. I dreamt about Kenny Powers! Every episode had killer new phrases – an overtly vulgar show with a tender heart and not your typical hero. Genius, subtle comedy. I am wishing for a second season – hopefully HBO knows there is a fan base out here.
Both shows are amazing, but the more episodes I see of Eastbound and Down the more I am wowed! McBridge & Mixon together are great. Go Kenny Go!
Eastbound was mildly funny. But it was also waaay too obnoxious at times, to the point of being unbareable to me. Flight of the Conchords, however, is perfect, and I couldn’t ask for a better show. And the season was certainly on par most of the time with season one! It just goes to show how people will always flock to the obvious choice.
Eastbound and Down-The best thing on HBO since the Sopranos. Entourage has jumped the shark. Concords is a snoozer.
Eastbound and down is amazing. Kinda over the top, but I love it
FOTC is funny at times. I must be honest i dont follow it that well. Danny McBride is my new favorite Hollywooder. EB&D does it for me. “Kenny a lot of people do what you did.” “What make moral decisions?”
FOTC Season 2 was pretty lame after what was a fantastic season 1. Honestly I played computer games most of the time I watched the episodes.
I didn’t even know anything about Eastbound and Down until 3 episodes had already been shown. Well its fantastic. Anyone who plays the “its too vulgar” card is a waste of time. Is someone paying you to say that or is it your way to pump up your morals? Get over it. The show is hilarious and most people in the “real world” swear and say crass things, but in the “real world” most people aren’t nearly as hilarious.
I text messaged a buddy of mine asking if it was a body double also, too funny. Either way, nice rack. So, I too believe this to be the funniest show on TV. I laugh more the second and third time I watch it on demand. When do we know if it made the cut and a second season will be coming?
EastBound and Down is one of the best shows of the season. I’m so disappointed it is over. Can’t wait for a second season.
Eastbound&down best show I’ve seen ever
Conchors ur f~%king out kenny powers ur f~%king in
eastbound and down is one of the best shows i ever seen and i dont watch hbo like that but thisz show had me every sunday getting ready alittle b4 1030 like todayy i just realised the season was over right now after going on google cause i count find the show or the info dam tat sucksz hopes it comes back oh and kennys sidekick is hilariously funny he will do anythng for kenny lolsz much love to all
franklin