HBO Renews Eastbound & Down

LOS ANGELES: The comedy series Eastbound & Down has been picked up for a second season by HBO, with production of new episodes set to begin later this year for a 2010 debut. 

The series tells the story of Kenny Powers, who used to be a star pitcher until his self-destructive behavior knocked him out of the major league. The first season saw Powers, played by Danny McBride (Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express), returning home to North Carolina to teach Phys Ed at the middle school he once attended. McBride also serves as an executive producer for Eastbound & Down, alongside Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Chris Henchy, Jody Hill and Ben Best. The six-episode first season wrapped last month on HBO.