June 16, 2005
Me and My People: HBO's Entourage Scopes the High Times of Celebrity Hangers-on
It's not unusual in Hollywood for movie stars, especially those who rocket to stardom while still in their twenties, to bring along some of their buddies for the wild whirlwind of a ride that comes with Hollywood fame and fortune. Hence the celeb's always present posse of friends and hangers on, otherwise known as "the entourage."
Entourage is the aptly titled name of HBO's original cable television show that mines the world of the famous young male actor and his inner circle of buddies. The show, part comedy, part drama ("dramady"?) had a strong enough first season to warrant a second, which had its premiere episode last week.
We had read about Entourage last year in an article about how the show was partly conceived by "Marky" Mark Wahlburg. The actor and former music star is one of the show's producers. In many ways, the program's plot lines are loosely based on Wahlburg's own real-life experiences as he rose rapidly in a few short years from Boston street urchin to hip-pop celebrity and sex symbol. And, of course, Wahlburg is no stranger to travelling with an entrourage.
When we first read about Entrourage, we weren't much intrigued by the prospect of the HBO program, even though the cable movie channel has an amazing track-record for developing great television fare.
But an aggressive and precision-targeted marketing assault in advance of season two may have paid off, at least for the Massive. The promotion resulted in an Entourage DVD of the second season premiere landing in our hands. We watched it and quickly got sucked into its storyline and characters. So much so that we planned to watch the second episode. And after seeing episode two, we are officially hooked.
Ironically, the celebrity friend, Vince (played by Adrian Grenier) around whom the entourage forms in the series Entourage, is the least interesting character. He's handsome, mildly charismatic, confident, cool and used to being the center of attention, but he is also utterly bland. Which is okay, because the focus is really on his friends.
It is the members of the entourage itself who are more deeply drawn and memorable. Eric (Kevin Connolly) is the reliable, smart buddy who serves as Vince's personal manager. He's the linchpin in these four friends' lives as a unit.
"Turtle" (Jerry Ferrara) and "Drama" (Kevin Dillon), Vince's older brother, are the other two members of the posse. Unlike, Vince or Eric, Turtle and Drama are a couple of perpetual screw-ups who would probably have little going for them if it wasn't for their connection to the now-famous Vince. But Turtle and Drama are the show's most colorful characters and add the comic relief that keeps the show light-hearted and real.
The juiciest role, however, is the character Ari, Vince's high-powered talent agent played by Jeremy Piven (Gross Pointe Blank) as a glib, slippery presence, part shmuck, part shark. Piven's character has the best, most memorable lines in the series, and he is reason enough to tune in to Entourage.
Yes, we're now Entourage converts.
Entrourage airs on HBO Sunday at 9:00 PM
Related Links
'Entourage' parties heartier in Season 2 [NY Daily news]
Hang with HBO's 'Entourage,' but forget making a 'Comeback' [SF Chronicle]
'Let's Hug It Out, Bitch' Street Postings Promote HBO's 'Entourage' [Ad Rants]
Posted by Supercore at June 16, 2005 11:03 PM
