In the last episode of the second season, succinctly titled "Chapter 13," Kenny Powers and his weird buddy Stevie Janowski decided to leave Mexico behind them after conquering the Mexican minor leagues and finding love, respectively. Yep, everyone's favorite fast-baller and his goofy sidekick were back in the good US of A and Kenny F. Powers may be on his way back to the bigs. Things are finally starting to look up for the one time all-star and all-time asshole. However, this new signing might put his comeback in jeopardy on Eastbound & Down.
We already reported that Jason Sudeikis was joining the cast for Season 3 and Katey sat down with Danny McBride to talk all things E&B (and his odd sponsorship deal with K-Swiss). Now THR has learned that "Mad TV veteran Ike Barinholtz may have a few curve balls in store on the upcoming third season of HBO's Eastbound & Down." They describe the role, for the sketch comedian and writer, as a star Russian pitcher named Ivan, who Kenny decides to mentor because, well, who wouldn't want a great mentor like Kenny Powers?
Has Kenny Powers found his very own Ivan Drago to stand in the way of his triumphant return to American baseball? I'm kind of reaching here since the character description makes their relationship sound affable but come on, nothing ever stays nice and neat when KP's throwing the heat. The article says that Barinholtz is set for a five-episode appearance which gives them plenty of time to develop a great friendship/rivalry between the Southern American and the Soviet.
Eastbound and Down was created by McBride, Jody Hill, and Ben Best (who plays the coked-out bartender, Clegg) and is often directed by David Gordon Green. It will eventually return to HBO for Season 3 but no date has been set. I guess it'll start back up when Kenny Powers says so.
