Entourage

One of the best new shows in the last few years. Entourage brings the lifestyle of the young and famous in a likable sharply written easy to take in way. The key to this show is the writing, always witty and hard hitting. The writer's don't tame it down, it makes it easy to believe these are real people and gets you connected to the cast quickly. The realism of the series and the great guest stars they get is also a wonderful treat (sara foster, Scarlett Johanson, Jaime Presley, Ali larter to name a few). Ari Gold the super-agent is rapidly becoming one the most recognizable characters on HBO series with his hilarious lines and over the top antics. WATCH THIS SHOW!

This show is absolutely hilarious. The thing that makes the dialogue so great is that it is what a lot of people in the early 20's use. Whomever writes the screenplay for this show ought to win an award. So many movies and TV shows lack what I call "everyday people language". Too many TV shows and Movies have stupid one liners and overall dialogue that just isn't what "real" people say. Its refreshing to watch a show that nails it perfectly. I would pay to see an "Entourage" movie easily. Jermey Piven as "Ari" is incredible. He is exactly what I picture a Hollywood agent to be. He deserves some sort of award for his role. The only thing I hate about the whole show is that it is only a half an hour long and only on once a week. I hope this show goes on for years. The Billy Walsh character is interesting with all of his quirks and superstitions.

Entourage follows and actor (Adrian Grenier) and his three buddies (Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara) as they move from Queens, N. Y. to Hollywood. There they find one of the best and most successful agents in Hollywood in loud mouth Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). It exploits the Hollywood culture in every way. This show is strictly for people who are looking for a fun show. It shows us the life most of us will never know and has a good time doing it. It's the life most of us can only dream of. This really is one of the better shows I've ever seen...it's addicting once you start watching it! If you're looking for show just to show you a good time then give this a try. You won't be disappointed!

I have watched this show at three very different times in my life: when it was airing in the mid 2000s, around when the movie came out in the mid 2010s, and now - mid 2020s.

The first was when I was in college - fresh into young adulthood I was having some fun/crazy times of my own and this show felt like an extension of that - sort of a validation of that feeling of life as a freshly free post-teenager stuck between prepping for the road ahead vs. Not letting go of adolescence. The show was, in part, just an extension of my own experiences at the time and I'm grateful for its companionship.

The second was when I was 6-7 years into my career - a sort of nostalgia and reflection rather than living that vicarious life. Sure, Ari's zings are still funny and the characters are still immensely entertaining, but I felt like my maturity level was leapfrogging the capacity of the show and started to feel like more like a sugary dessert rather than a main course as I binged it for a second time.

Now - 20 years later - this show has aged incredibly poorly. Hopefully it's not just me, but maybe it's just a product of getting older when this show feels like the equivalent of the entertainment value of an old dusty romance paperback written in the '80s but full of what would now be turbo-cancel jokes, extreme hedonism and endless innuendos. None of what the characters go through - as lavish and amazing as it appears - looks remotely appealing to me. Everyone is horny, fake and annoying. If I ever had friends as clingy as Vince's crew at my current age I would shake them faster than a dog taking Frontline for a case of fleas.

But... I choose to rate it high still. Even stranger, I've noticed that HBO has emblazoned "Entourage" with a 20th anniversary subtitle, but with extremely little fanfare. They know the show was huge but they're ashamed to promote any of the characters in today's landscape, while something like The Sopranos has had a bunch of promotion and even a documentary for its 25th just this same year.

Entourage is in many ways a counter-point to The Sopranos - a show (as it relates to the human experience) that gets more relevant to me every time I watch it as I navigate middle adulthood. The symbolism and script is absolutely beautiful and gets better with age, like an old Renaissance painting or vintage bottle of wine. It makes more of an impact to my adult life (probably because I'm bordering on the age of the main characters) than anything else I've watched.

On the flip-side, Entourage is HIGHLY targeted and the window of opportunity for maximum enjoyment is very short to those who watch it - a time capsule that is fun to look at but cringey when peeling back the top layers - the equivalent of a college party with a Natty Light 30 rack on a fraternity porch. Cheap, fun - but not part of my life anymore as I inch closer to the big 4-0.

However - that was an accurate descriptor of my weekends one point. Juxtaposing with the lifestyle - I was never rich, famous or spoiled but this show always makes me think of my times in similar age of the characters of this show and I appreciate those times gone by. Similarly, the show doesn't deserve regret, revision or rehashing. It just "is" - or enjoy it for what it "was".

Entourage follows the great HBO series tradition of sharp cutting edge comedy and, as other HBO shows have been, addictive. The first season was a trial balloon for this very hip, and hip hop, version of life in the fast lane. It succeeded better than HBO envisioned. The second season was a full 15 episodes and now fans are eagerly awaiting Season 3 in June.

The storyline is not new, just well conceived in this fast paced and energetic venue. Vincent Chase, played very well by Adrian Grenier, is the "IT" new actor in Hollywood. Surrounded by his "entourage" including his brother Johnny "Drama" Chase(played by Kevin Dillon), the erstwhile Turtle (played by Jerry Ferrara), and Eric "E" (played by Kevin Connolly. Like most modern day posse's these boys serve specific roles in their support of their guy. Vince is, after all, the meal ticket and these guys know it to varying degrees. "E" has assumed the role of Vince's Manager since he is quick witted, knows people, and has Vince's undying trust. As a former manager of a Sbarro's Restaurant in Queens, NY he has all the qualifications, at least for Vince! Yet "E" is intuitive and handles himself well among the sharks in LA. "Drama" preceded Vince to Hollywood having starred in the 90's TV show Viking Quest. But Johnnie's career never took off and hit the skids a while back but with Vince's help he'll get the chance to show his stuff as a bit player in all of Vince's projects. He also serves as the family cook. Turtle is the ultimate hanger-on. His role is that of "gopher" or a man servant who does all the menial chores around the house. However, toward the end of the second season Turtle begins to spread his wings and shows he may have some real street smarts as well.

Keeping this vehicle moving in the right direction is Ari Gold, Vince's agent, played brilliantly by Jeremy Piven. Ari is a fast talking, on top of the game and industry action agent who has finally found his actor that can catapult him to the top of the agent game. He resents "E" because they have diametrically opposite backgrounds in as much as Ari has an MBA and J.D. from Harvard and has paid his dues while "E" was born in the right neighborhood near Vince. But Ari learns that he can't steamroll "E" as Vince ultimately trusts his best friend more than anyone in the world.

Other characters of note are Shauna, played by Debi Mazur. Shauna is, like Ari, very sarcastic and witty and clearly has a vision as Vince's publicist as to what and how she wishes Vince to be shown in the public. A myriad of Hollywood A,B, and C list people show their faces in cameo's as they interact with Vince and the guys. Romance, ego, opportunity, greed, and family love all play out in the fastest paced half hour ride you'll have in a long time.

HBO is now replaying Season 1 and then Season 2 before premiering the third season and if you have not yet experienced this show you owe it to yourself. See if you don't get hooked by it as well................a quick hint as to one of the hooks that got me...in the first episode the guys are wondering if they're gonna go back to Queen's for their High School reunion. They decide to do so and at the end of the show we see them getting ready to depart for the airport. We see Turtle wearing a Bayside High School letterman jacket and Vince is wearing a hooded sweatshirt with BAYSIDE written across the front. That is where I went to High School so my connection was set.