Entourage Then and Now
This Sunday at 10:30, Entourage begins its final season of a wildly fascinating run. The show captivated the 18-30 crowd with an endless string of attractive women, cars, celebrity appearances and Hollywood parties.
That being said, if someone asked you to tell them what Entourage was really about, could you? Is it about the trials and triumphs of Hollywood actor Vincent Chase? Is it about the journey of self-discovery of Vince’s manager, Eric Murphy? Or, is it about the demands of a Hollywood agent through the lens of the wildly emotional, and wildly entertaining, Ari Gold?
That’s the thing about Entourage: It’s one of the most glamorous shows of all-time. It launched the career of Jeremy Piven, and it allowed Kevin Dillon to overtake his brother Matt for the title of “Most Famous Dillon Brother.” (Seriously, who would have thought that was going to happen? In 2004, this battle was more lopsided than Sly vs. Frank Stallone.) Despite the many accolades, Entourage always seemed like a show that never quite got there. The creators were perfectly happy creating this delightfully shallow half hour of television, and didn’t care to go deeper than they had to go. The angles they explored were too obvious, (movie star gets addicted to cocaine isn’t exactly a stretch) and the show started to feel a bit too familiar to us by seasons 6 and 7.
So what do we make of the first 7 seasons of Entourage? It depends on your expectations. The show 100% delivers on looking at the dynamics of male friendship through the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle. Jeremy Piven has done outstanding work and has the Emmys to show for it. Kevin Dillon seems to be continuing his Johnny Drama character on a CBS sitcom this fall. All of these things have been great for the actors and the show.
As for the fans: just enjoy the final ride. Don’t try to overanalyze it, just enjoy watching Ari go after Bobby Flay while trying to get his wife back. Don’t ask it to be something it’s not, just enjoy Drama and Andrew Dice Clay bungling attempts to pitch their animated series. Don’t expect A-list acting, just enjoy the fun of watching some of our favorite celebrities step into this world.
Here’s hoping Vince’s return to the top this season mirror’s the fate of Entourage. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
See you soon.
The TV Czar
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