Israeli version of 'Entourage' successfully adapted
In 1996, 4 20-something Israeli guys sold their Hi-Tech company to AOL (America Online) for an imaginary figure of $412,000,000. The name of their company was ICQ - one of the most famous instant massaging services in the world.
In 2002, HBO bought a 'Leverage' (owned by Mark Walberg & Steven Levinson) idea for a new comedy TV show, describing the lives & fortunes of 4 20-something New York boys living the big life in Hollywood. This show - which became on of the most popular comedy shows in the world today - in known as 'Entourage'.
Based on these two events, two young Israeli TV creators, Assaf Harel & Molly Segev went on and created a TV comedy show which embeds 'Entourage' in spirit, but set it firmly in it's Israeli environment, i.e. - the Hi-Tech industry.
The result is surprisingly entertaining; The characters are well defined, and motivated by different aims, that more the often clash - although the frame work of the show remains around the evolving relationships of the four main characters. It is certainly funny at times; The acting is quite good, and the dialogue is much in the spirit of 'Entourage' itself.
But the real shocker in this story is that the same Mark Walberg & Steven Levinson have bought the rights of this show to be re-produced for USA FOX network, under the title 'Loaded'. This is actually a bit funny, because the Israeli show is based on their own US hit show 'Entourage' in more then one way. It only remains to see how successful the American adaptation of the Israeli adaptation will turn out.
Only 11 episodes were produced in this show. A second season is planned, but no information is yet available while writing this review. 8 out of 10.
In 2002, HBO bought a 'Leverage' (owned by Mark Walberg & Steven Levinson) idea for a new comedy TV show, describing the lives & fortunes of 4 20-something New York boys living the big life in Hollywood. This show - which became on of the most popular comedy shows in the world today - in known as 'Entourage'.
Based on these two events, two young Israeli TV creators, Assaf Harel & Molly Segev went on and created a TV comedy show which embeds 'Entourage' in spirit, but set it firmly in it's Israeli environment, i.e. - the Hi-Tech industry.
The result is surprisingly entertaining; The characters are well defined, and motivated by different aims, that more the often clash - although the frame work of the show remains around the evolving relationships of the four main characters. It is certainly funny at times; The acting is quite good, and the dialogue is much in the spirit of 'Entourage' itself.
But the real shocker in this story is that the same Mark Walberg & Steven Levinson have bought the rights of this show to be re-produced for USA FOX network, under the title 'Loaded'. This is actually a bit funny, because the Israeli show is based on their own US hit show 'Entourage' in more then one way. It only remains to see how successful the American adaptation of the Israeli adaptation will turn out.
Only 11 episodes were produced in this show. A second season is planned, but no information is yet available while writing this review. 8 out of 10.
- David_Alexander_L
- Sep 8, 2007