For eight fulfilling seasons, HBO’s Entourage has not only held the attention of millions of viewers, but has maintained a die hard fan base since the beginning. From a plethora of celebrity guests, relatable, real life situations and witty uncensored banter; this show has been compared to Sex and the City…for dudes.
The show is loosely based on executive producer Mark Wahlberg’s life as a struggling actor, trying to break out of his good vibrations and sagging pants, and have main stream media take him a little more seriously; as a respected actor and not just the leader of the funky bunch. After seven years and numerous Emmy nominations, the show has come to an end, and rumors of a feature film are in the works.
These episodes open with their theme song; a catchy, low-fi enhanced Janes Addiction tune (superhero) that is just as engaging as it is fitting for the opener. Flashing Hollywood lights, rolling credits and the four protagonists driving through LA in a classic American Muscle car sets the scene and emulates their “too cool” attitudes.
The show centers around A-list celebrity Vincent Chase, who is publicly known as not only a talented young actor, but a modern day playboy with an addiction for women and sex. The ongoing joke for eight seasons is that his three friends, who are in Hollywood with him for “moral support” have been riding on his coat tails and basically taking advantage of his newly achieved fame.
Vinny Chase’s brother, dubbed Johnny Drama for his arrogant attitude and instigating behavior is a D-list celebrity, trying like hell to be as critically acclaimed and smooth as his brother. Then, there is Turtle, slightly overweight and a real New York swagger to him, smokes a lot of pot and was given the job of “personal chauffeur” to Vincent Chase. Directly translating to driving Vinny around because this Queens kid didn’t have a drivers license.
Lastly, there is Eric, “E”. The best friend, the right hand man, and the voice of reason. Essentially, the glue who holds everyone together in these times of struggle. Within every show there is some high stress situation involving the careers of Vincent Chase and how he can continue to flourish as a young actor. Which brings us to the most entertaining character of this comedy series; agency director Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven).
Ari’s blood pressure is visibly through the roof, he is racially degrading, sexually explicit, always sweating and downright nasty through majority of the show. In retrospect, without Ari Gold, the show would have an un-fillable void, devout of 75% of the comedic value.
Four single, relatively successful men, living in a big city without any real sense of direction. The main focus’s being money, sex, and popularity in Hollywood. No wonder the Sex and the City comparisons are not few and far between.
However vile, and offensive some of the language and “adult” situations are throughout this show; the demographic targets an equal array of people. Its’ comedic value is abundantly clear, as well as its minimum two celebrity guest star appearances per episode, outstanding catchy and underground soundtrack and its new endorsement deals with Nike. Pat yourselves on the back!
As of September 19, only days after the season finale of the show, The producers divulged that the Entourage movie, will in fact be happening sooner than later. The series ended on a truly positive note as all the characters got back what they had been struggling for. Mended marriages, new jobs, new money and a whole lot of new potential drama is more than enough material to get through two hours of film.
Right now there has only been talk of the Entourage movie, but Wahlberg expresses to IMDB that the wheels are turning and “it better happen”.
Over the course of eight seasons, Entourage has had roughly 25 Emmy nominations, not only for acting but for writing and directing, and Jeremy Piven and Kevin Dillon won awards for their outstanding comedic performances. The show has been critically acclaimed for its realism and character development over the years, displaying relatable situations and personalities.
These are the four kids from Queens you knew growing up in your neighborhood. The kids who have been close since kinder garden; who you played kick ball with in the middle of the street over the summer. The kids whose mothers on Sunday dinner expected you there, sitting at the table with them. The sense of unity and values that is displayed within these four boys is not only refreshing; but its like watching how you and your friends act together.. Only your sitting at home paying $60 a month for HBO, while your fake friends are multi millionaires.
Well done, gentlemen.
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