September 28th, 2009
12:19 PM ET

E showing some love on Entourage

The sixth season of Entourage is winding down, and its been a wild ride with some interesting peaks and alleys. With 11 episodes down and one to go, the pedal has been firmly placed to the metal.

This week's episode got started with a very "UN-Eric" kind of occurrence: An all-out, wide-open PDA (read: public display of affection) as Vince and Drama walked up.

Kevin Connolly of 'Entourage'

Eric? E? Seriously? No way, it cant be!

Well, it was, and like any event in E's dating life, it just couldn't be that simple either. The lip-locked lady in question turned out to be an old acquaintance of Drama's, and bedlam ensues upon discovery of the goods being previously damaged (in more ways than one). E's look of contempt for Drama, mixed with his genuine concern for his health was both entertaining and profound.

More on this: E's love life continues to be a "young and the restless" series unto itself. Its often loathesome and uncomfortable, yet compelling. Huh? Don't ask me why, but you really never have any idea what will happen next. Maybe that's it.

Meanwhile, as Terrance McQuewick made a return, chalk up yet another standout performance for Jeremy Piven, as the best of Ari is always brought forth when things move furiously around him. In this episode, they did just that.

Another highlight was Jamie-Lynn Sigler's insecurity about leaving Turtle. First of all, the fact that "Med Soprano" is all "verklempt" at the thought of being away from our boy is a Super Bowl victory for every regular guy across this great land of ours. The airport scene was terrific and Turtle's eyes welling up as Jamie Lynn walked away was well done and OK with me. He gets a pass.

Elsewhere, Drama's meltdown and "whatever condition" the doctor diagnosed him with translated in my head to "Johnny Chase is freaking out". I neither cared nor really laughed at all on that one.

Also, has anyone noticed that Vince has a strange sort of streak going? His "gratuitous sex cutaway" count now stands at about four or five this season. While I cannot confirm the approximate number since my DVR is dumped regularly, this matter requires further research.

Now, don't get me wrong, our Entourage fandom was built upon these sorts of "items" being thrown into really good storylines about the crew from Queens in the show's humble beginnings. Nowadays though, it really seems as if Vince has been relegated to less meaningful dialogue for extended stretches.

From what I can see, I guess we'll have to remember that we're being drawn closer to the other characters, and for now – that's all Vince is getting.

Overall, this was an enjoyable episode with great music cues as usual. I could write an entire blog on the fantastic music used in the show. There have been many signature moments through the six seasons, and the tunes chosen are fantastic matches for the mood and delivery of the scenes.

So, its official: I'm excited for next week's finale. However, i seriously doubt it will be another "Ashley-free" version. She's coming back with a vengeance. Mark it down.

Loved, kinda liked, or hated this week's show? Let us know!

September 28th, 2009
12:11 PM ET

Pop Culture Cheat Sheet

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien is expected back at "The Tonight Show" this evening after a head injury on Friday, according to Variety. NBC says he hit his head while performing a stunt, causing Friday's planned show to be replaced by a rerun.

EW.com has the story about "Saturday Night Live" newcomer Jenny Slate's accidental F-bomb about 70 minutes into the season premiere on Saturday.

Her first big sketch used the term "frickin'" a lot, and unfortunately, she slipped up. The look on her face afterward said it all. This is not the first time that the word in question has been used on the show. Other offenders include Paul Shaffer, Charles Rocket and Norm MacDonald.

"The Beautiful Life: TBL" is the first casualty of the new fall season. The CW pulled the plug on the series after two episodes, The Los Angeles Times reports.

The drama, starring Mischa Barton, dealt with the trials and tribulations of young models in New York, and was produced by Ashton Kutcher. Meanwhile, over at A&E, "The Cleaner," starring Benjamin Bratt, has also been canceled, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"American Idol's" Justin Guarini got hitched over the weekend, People reports. The season one runner-up married Reina Capodici, whom he first met in junior high school, on Saturday in Pennsylvania.

September 28th, 2009
11:48 AM ET

Find the good: David Arquette

David Arquette isn't an actor most people associate with serious drama - after all, while "Ready To Rumble," "Eight Legged Freaks," and the "Scream" series have plenty of fans, they're closer to "Shakes the Clown" than Shakespeare.  But the 38-year-old funnyman is deadly serious about fighting hunger.  He's a major volunteer with Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest), which helps feed more than 25 million low-income people in the U.S., including nearly three million seniors... and more than nine million children.

Parents: ever been unsure, even for a day, whether you could feed your children?  You know there are few worse feelings, and I don't need to belabor the point.  But it seemed a good time to highlight the cause, and Arquette's involvement in it.  September is Hunger Action Month, filled with awareness- and money-raising events like Tuesday's "Rock a Little, Feed a Lot" concert in L.A. featuring Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Joel and Benji Madden and others.  And today is Yom Kippur, when many Jews atoning for their sins of the past year abstain from eating - by choice, not because the fridge or cupboard is bare.

It helps to have a personal stake in a cause, and Arquette has said he has memories of lean periods growing up, when eating was an iffy proposition.  Now he's in a position to do something about the problem, and he's walking the walk - working at food banks a couple of days each week, and spreading the word.

September 28th, 2009
11:30 AM ET

True Blood EXCLUSIVE for Marquee Blog readers!

Happy Monday Marquee Blog readers–I've got a treat for you!  Remember my blog posting about last week's HBO EMMY Awards after party? Well, while I was there I caught up with all of your favorite True Blood stars and told them about their devoted Marquee Blog followers. When they heard how excited all of you guys are about the show and about how much you have been reading and commenting about it, they wanted to send you some exclusive video messages– take a look:

Be sure to check back first thing tomorrow for another True Blood Marquee Blog exclusive– Stephen Moyer sent along an exclusive tidbit about the new season for all of his Marquee Blog fans!

September 28th, 2009
08:38 AM ET

'Cloudy' too much for 'Surrogates'

With all the hype of Bruce Willis' 'Surrogates' film, it was not enough to top the animation film 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.' Find out how other flicks did this weekend:


Filed under: movies
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