Imagine the exhilarating rush of a sports comedy packed with ego, comeback stories, and side-splitting humor – but with a brand-new spin that feels like it was made just for you! If you've ever binge-watched the outrageous antics of Danny McBride's Eastbound & Down, you know the kind of wild ride we're talking about. But here's where it gets controversial: Glen Powell's latest creation, Chad Powers, isn't just a nod to that iconic series – it's shaping up to be the ideal stand-in for the fifth season that never happened.
Glen Powell's new hit on Hulu, Chad Powers, is stepping into the shoes of Danny McBride's Eastbound & Down as the ultimate replacement for what could have been season five. Danny McBride, the comedic genius behind some of the most unforgettable movies and TV shows of recent years – think Tropic Thunder with its hilarious Hollywood satire or The Righteous Gemstones with its eccentric family drama – also gave us the 2009 gem Eastbound & Down. This sports comedy classic boasts a lineup of heavy hitters, including appearances from Jason Sudeikis, Matthew McConaughey, and Will Ferrell, who kept coming back for more episodes. Even with all that talent and heaps of praise from fans, HBO decided to wrap it up after just four seasons, leaving viewers craving more long after it ended. And this is the part most people miss – that lingering hunger for redemption arcs and sports-world absurdity is exactly what Chad Powers aims to satisfy.
While Chad Powers has often been lumped in with Ted Lasso – an easy comparison, given the massive popularity of the Apple TV+ feel-good series – it's crucial to note that not all sports comedies are cut from the same cloth. Silly, star-studded sports stories are rare gems in TV land, but Glen Powell's show dives deeper into the Eastbound & Down vibe than you might expect. For instance, Ted Lasso is all about heartwarming character growth and team spirit, often sidelining the actual game of soccer (or football, depending on where you're from). Chad Powers, on the other hand, leans heavily into the world of Eastbound & Down, borrowing key elements that make it feel like a direct spiritual successor.
Both shows revolve around arrogant athletes forced into humbling life changes. In Eastbound & Down, we follow a talented baseball pro whose massive ego leads to an early retirement, pushing him into a redemption journey as a middle school gym teacher – think teaching awkward kids while grappling with his own failures. Chad Powers echoes this by placing a similar focus on personal growth amidst athletic highs and lows, but with a fresh take that might make you question: Is arrogance in sports always a flaw to overcome, or could it be the secret sauce for unforgettable stories? And here's where it gets controversial – some fans argue that Chad Powers takes this trope further, potentially softening the edges in ways that could alienate purists of the original's edgier humor.
But wait, there's more: Chad Powers amps up the emphasis on the sport itself compared to its predecessor. Eastbound & Down certainly had its baseball moments, but the new Hulu series goes all-in, dedicating a big chunk of its 30-minute episodes to on-screen game action – from tackles to touchdowns in this fictional football world. For beginners dipping their toes into sports comedies, think of it like this: Ted Lasso treats soccer as a backdrop for emotional drama, while Eastbound & Down and Chad Powers make the game the beating heart of the plot, using classic sports clichés (like the underdog comeback or the overconfident star's downfall) to drive the narrative. If you're a die-hard sports enthusiast, these two are far more likely to hook you than Ted Lasso's lighter touch. But is this intense focus on gameplay a strength or a drawback? Could it risk overshadowing the characters, turning a comedy into something more like a sports documentary? That's a debate worth having!
Looking at the reception history, Eastbound & Down's journey is a promising omen for Chad Powers. Much like the new show, which critics rated at a modest 57% on Rotten Tomatoes but audiences loved with a 69%, Eastbound & Down kicked off with a similar lukewarm 60% in its first season. As the series progressed, though, it gained serious critical acclaim, becoming a beloved cult favorite. With a powerhouse cast and promising buzz, Chad Powers could follow the same path – evolving into a broader hit if it secures more seasons. For newcomers to this genre, it's like watching a rough diamond get polished: early seasons might feel uneven, but the payoff in laughs and depth can be incredible. And this is the part most people miss – the potential for growth that mirrors real-life comebacks in sports.
Mark your calendars: Chad Powers drops on September 30, 2025, streaming exclusively on Hulu. It's directed by a talented team including Tony Yacenda, Jake Hudson, and Perry Mattfeld, with Russ Holliday stepping in as a key figure tied to the show's world. If you're ready for a sports comedy that honors Eastbound & Down's legacy while charting its own course, this one's worth the wait.
What do you think – will Chad Powers live up to Eastbound & Down's wild energy, or do you side with the Ted Lasso fans who prefer their sports with a softer edge? And here's a thought-provoking question: In an era of feel-good underdog tales, is there room for more arrogant anti-heroes in comedy? Share your takes in the comments – we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a completely different spin!
