With his drug-addled, mulleted braggadocio, fictitious big-league pitcher Kenny Powers would've been a perfect fit on the early 1980s Pirates but instead is played with vulgar redneck-y hilarity in "Eastbound & Down" ($29.98, HBO Home Video) by Danny McBride of "Pineapple Express" and "Tropic Thunder" fame.

The once-great now down-and-out Powers takes a substitute teaching job at his North Carolina high school and tries to get his mojo back while staying in his brother's guest room. Carnegie Mellon University graduate Katy Mixon plays his love interest, and scene-stealing cameos by Will Ferrell as a flamboyant car dealer and Craig Robinson as Powers' professional nemesis are must-watch episodes.

Bonus features include a hilarious mock commercial for Ferrell's dealership and some terrific outtakes and bloopers that really give viewers a feel for the improvisation process used by the cast to great -- if crude -- comedic effect.

-- Dan Gigler, Post-Gazette staff writer

3 stars = Good
Ratings explained

Ahh, high school.

Popularity? Check. Relationships? Check. Elaborate pranks involving synchronization of watches? Check.

The '90s cult classic "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" returns with the DVD release of the complete first season ($49.99, Shout! Factory).

Nothing is impossible for Parker Lewis (Corin Nemec) and his two best friends, hopeful rocker Mikey Randall and tres-geek sidekick Jerry Steiner, as they slip pass detention, narrowly escape the school bully, and avoid sabotage by Lewis' sworn nemesis: his younger sister.

When high school shows were a dime a dozen, creators Clyde Phillips and Lon Diamond challenged the genre with unique camera angles, narration and cartoon sound effects making it a hit among those looking for something different.

The boxed set features all 26 episodes along with excellent audio commentary from the creators and a retrospective of the show with the cast.

Parker Lewis can't lose, and neither can this collection.

-- Phenola Lawrence, Post-Gazette staff writer