Coming soon, to a boardwalk near you, an HBO crew is set to film scenes for its popular "East Bound & Down" comedy.

Myrtle Beach City Council members unanimously approved a special events permit Tuesday for the network to film here between July 5 and 9.

The show was created by Danny McBride, who stars as Kenny Powers, a former major league baseball pitcher whose bad behavior lands him in dire straits. In season three, which begins in February, Powers will be playing for the Myrtle Beach minor league baseball team, which may or may not be called The Pelicans on the show.

Scott Clackum, a production assistant with HBO and the show, told council members that filming will be done at BB&T Coastal Field, along the boardwalk, on Ocean Boulevard and on the beach. The crew plans to return in August, he said, to shoot more exterior footage, including an aerial view of the whole Grand Strand, eventually zooming in on Kenny Powers on the beach near the new SkyWheel.

He said the boardwalk, in particular, will be a great place to shoot.

"It's such an amazing addition to the city," said Clackum who, like many others with the production, is from North Carolina and has vacationed here for years.

"We are thankful you've chosen Myrtle Beach," Rhodes told Clackum at Tuesday's morning workshop. "This will be some great publicity for us."

All the council members supported the special events permit, and Councilman Wayne Gray, a fan of the show, even asked if he could make a cameo appearance.

The show is produced by comedian and actor Will Farrell, and recurring guest stars include Don Johnson and Matthew McConaughey. Clackum said McConaughey will be in town to film, but he declined to say when or where.

The production company does not wants crowds of onlookers while filming, because of liability and also because onlookers can ruin footage.

Contact LORENA ANDERSON at 444-1722.