The Perfect Replacement For Eastbound & Down Season 5

Glen Powell’s latest TV show, Chad Powers, is the perfect replacement for Danny McBride’s Eastbound and Down season 5. Danny McBride’s best movies and shows include some of the most recognizable comedies of the century, from Tropic Thunder to The Righteous Gemstones. Among his classics is the 2009 sports comedy Eastbound and Down.

The series involves an impressive cast, from Jason Sudeikis to Matthew McConaughey to Will Ferrell, all of whom had recurring roles throughout. Despite the star-studded roster and widespread acclaim, HBO ended Eastbound and Down after four seasons, leaving audiences wanting more, even after several years.

Glen Powell’s Chad Powers Series Is Far More Eastbound & Down Than Ted Lasso

Kenny Powers walking down the school hall as children cheer behind him in Eastbound & Down

Chad Powers has frequently been compared to Ted Lasso, an easy connection given how prominent the Apple TV+ series was. Silly sports comedies with all-star casts aren’t easy to come by, but that doesn’t, however, mean that they’re all the same. Glen Powell’s new show is undoubtedly more similar to Eastbound and Down.

Chad Powers and Eastbound and Down are much more similar, with the new Hulu series evidently drawing from its bullet points. The Danny McBride series followed a professional baseball player whose arrogance led to his own early retirement. This sends the character on a path of redemption as a middle school gym teacher.

Chad Powers Puts Even More Focus On The Sport Itself Than Eastbound & Down

Glen Powell's Chad Powers looking goofily at Steve Zahn's Coach Hudson in Chad Powers — Glen Powell’s Chad Powers looking goofily at Steve Zahn’s Coach Hudson in Chad Powers

This isn’t to say that Ted Lasso was entirely without football (soccer), but the show was much more focused on its characters than the game. Chad Powers is much more about football, with a significant portion of its 30-minute runtimes spent watching the fictional depiction of sports.

For sports fans, Eastbound & Down and Chad Powers are likely to appeal more than something like Ted Lasso. All three shows use effective sports genre clichés to embellish their stories, but the former two are much more focused on the game itself.

Eastbound & Down’s Critical Reception Trajectory Is A Good Sign For Chad Powers

Frankie A. Rodriguez's Danny and Glen Powell's Russ previewing transformation in mirror in Chad Powers — Frankie A. Rodriguez’s Danny and Glen Powell’s Russ previewing transformation in mirror in Chad Powers

Like Chad Powers, Eastbound & Down season 1 didn’t have fantastic reviews from critics. The new series has a 57% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s done slightly better with audiences, holding a 69%. Similarly, Eastbound & Down began with a 60% first season.

However, as the series went on, it became more and more critically acclaimed. The same could end up being true for Chad Powers if it gets more seasons. Given the star power behind the series, this show could carry on and eventually find its stride, becoming a more broadly appealing title.