August 30th, 2010
02:21 PM ET
'Entourage' hits the jackpotIt’s another glorious Monday, “Entourage” fans, but this one feels different. I’m sure you recall that “stunned disgust” I felt after watching Vince in last week’s episode, but it turns out that disgust has a bright side: you only have to experience it once. That’s because after the initial shock, you become numb, and that perfectly describes my feelings about the current foolishness that is Vince Chase on "Entourage” – I’m becoming totally immune to them.
Vince no longer fazes me. Now that my sense are dulled, you shall see no more blogs from me where I ask him to "kick rocks" because he's annoying, or make mention of his fall from grace. As a matter of fact, I’d venture to say I’m actually used to it all now. Hereby and henceforth, no more reactions or speeches out loud to no one in particular when he appears to be as bright as a cave or as sharp as a bowling ball. No more internal monologues spewing disbelief - like this one, for example: "You’re WHAT Vince? In love? With Sasha? Sasha Grey? Seriously? Okay dude, whatever.” Vince's idiocy aside, I actually faced a daunting choice last night: Watch the crew from Queens and their Hollywood adventures and lose out on a 30 minute chunk of the Emmy Awards telecast, or devote my attention to all three hours of the Emmy Awards, featuring my uber-crushes Jane Lynch, January Jones and Mariska Hargitay (in that order). Color me smitten times three, but what to do? Well, you know where my loyalties lie. Thanks to the magic of DVR (one of man's greatest feats ranking somewhere between "space travel,” "the Pyramids" and "iPods"), I was able to watch two-plus Emmy hours, click "record” and then make the switch to see exactly what kind of dumb antics Vince would deliver in this week's show. As a result, I hit the jackpot on all fronts. I saw a phenomenal episode (with plenty of dumb) leading up to the season finale, and to top it off, Jane Lynch snagged an Emmy and another one of my favorite shows, "Modern Family," cleaned up last night! But back to “Entourage.” As good as the show was as a whole, I thought the writing (courtesy of Ally Musika) and the directing (a la Kevin Connolly) was that much better. Both did a great job furthering the "Hate Sasha" cause, and from the opening scene, I was bristling at the sight or mere mention of Vince's porn star girlfriend. That pretty much means someone is doing something right, and Sasha Grey can actually be included. Her acting has been decent in spots, but she's "getting to me" and that means the storyline plucks my nerves like guitar strings. I guess she deserves some credit for the strumming. (Okay fine, I do have one final note to Vince: I know I said a few things earlier about being numb, but....ditch this chick. Your behavior was Mandy Moore-ish at first, but you’re way beyond that now. You’re venturing into "clown" territory, and there's no turning back. Once you become a clown, redemption is difficult. That bit of advice is on the house. Next time, I'll have to charge you.) Elsewhere, Turtle's "Carlos/Cuban conundrum” is thickening. I'm not exactly certain what Carlos' beef is, but it needs to be grilled and eaten – pronto. While I can understand the guardianship of his family's tequila, it begs the question: Can you really arrive at a meeting quoting the "do you have the 5 million dollars" line while having a grumpy "my older brother will sell the company" attitude? Keep it up my friend. That's exactly how companies get bought out by "ba-jllionaire" NBA owners named Mark Cuban. While the show had many bright spots - like the studio's "Johnny's Bananas" pitch and Vince's meeting with Pete Berg - undoubtedly the standout scene was Ari's confrontation with Amanda. But the actual brilliance of this scene doesn’t merely reside in the performances. The true stroke of brilliance lies in the fact that this has been swirling around for about an episode and a half, with Amanda’s unanswered emails/calls and the Blackberry “plant,” and was finally culminated with the sensational showdown. The pair's genuine emotion flowed effortlessly, and seeing Ari Gold crumble under the weight of his own mess was hard to watch. He seems to be misfiring at every turn. Hopefully, this too shall pass. We're officially rolling at great speed into the season finale in two weeks, so stay tuned. Loved, kinda liked or hated the show? Let us know. |
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Entourage is really done. I think the story lines are reaching at this point. And Vince is and has always been an idiot. It was like into episode 3 I could see where the season was headed....and I haven't watched, but reading here that he's now a coke-head proves what I thought was happening was right; the show is just downright predictable. And not in a good way.
They jumped the shark last episode...its over.
I like video news.
Entourage remains a great show. I like the Vince/Sasha saga and I like the fact that Drama and Turtle are getting their own major story lines. Ari Gold is always interesting, but quit it with the "my wife doesn't want me carrying my Blackberry" crap. That plot line was way too old before it was introduced to Entourage.
I disagree, Simply because a good TV show has to have a well balanced of traits. Which means this show definately portrays the ups and downs of its characters. Sure not all tv stars are coke heads and crack fiends, but look how many there are. Is it really that easy to stay from drugs? Vinces character is constantly dealing with issues and so I can see why he turned to Sasha and drugs. Without these problems I dont thik people would be glued to the show at all. Futhermore they cant possibly repeat the the same problems, dynamics, and antagonist in this story, This show has had 7 seasons...ideas are gonaa run out.
Entourage was and has always been amazing, It has captured the hearts, and emotional thrills of its viewers. If people were that dissatisfied with the season, they could have stopped watching several episodes ago… Stop the complaining and embrace it for what the series was, a drama about friends experiencing events of a lifetime… Kiddos to the writers. I’m sure the this season will tie into the theme and ideas for the movie
Also, it's powerful that the picture alone had me endure your writing. No one gives a damn about how much you like DVR, or Jane Lynch. Really, we don't. You think it adds flavor, but it doesn't it just shows that you are unable to fill a page without adding pointless filler. Try sticking to the topic at hand, and maybe someday you'll get paid the kind of money real writers, like the ones you're criticizing, do.
Wahh Wahh Wahh, entourage>you.
I've been on the "Entourage is played out" boat for the past, well, at least 3 seasons. Ever since the protracted Medellin saga, I haven't been able to get into it.
So, I'm surprised to say that I've liked where they've gone the last 2-3 episodes. I've been waiting for Vince to start partying harder and to develop an over-inflated ego. I, for one, am glad he's becoming a huge dick. And if the show wants to end on an interesting note, they won't pull a Brady Bunch and have Vince's problems get solved in the last half hour. I don't think they'll let the characters go their separate ways after next year – because that would make a movie a bit tougher. But, I do hope they let the blowback from Vince's crap permeate all of next season.
Props to Kevin Dillon as always.
I say pull the plug! I am over this season already. Enough is enough with Vince, Sasha, Turtle and Drama. I am losing interest fast and don't know how much longer I can hold on.
I'm actually enjoying this season better than the last one. It's back to good Entourage. It's getting more real, with Vince falling into a bad spiral that this time is really going to threaten his relationship with the boys. Only this time...no one really needs him to get back out of his funk. E is successful. Turtle is a moderately good entrepreneur. He eventually could float without Vince (although not yet). Drama hasn't changed and I think that's good. His type of personality isn't someone who changes.
With a shortened final season next year, the most original ending is to have Vince not be able to come back and all the boys go their separate ways. The shelf life for actor's being on the A-List isn't that long. Vince most likely has flamed out.
you do realize your giving advice to a fictional character right? Vinny Chase is not a person who can listen to what you have to say. His decisions and life path are determined by the writers. And if those writers take your advice, they would resolve the drama in the character's life and make him a bore that he always was. The writers want you to hate him right now, they want you to want to shake the crap out of him.
The only two things that keep me tuning in every sunday are Johnny Drama and Ari....by far the the most intriguing characters on the show, and probably the only entertaining ones. Kevin Dillon is so underappareciated on this show.
I've always found Entourage an interesting series in that I find the main caracter is the least interesting of them all. This season has just put too much focus on Vince's dumb storyline. I miss Ari and Lloyd's wit then together and Drama always cracks me up.
Am I missing something or are the writers running out of original ideas and just regurgitating the same plotlines from past seasons.... (Vince's fall from grace albiet from a different vice/cause). And what's with the jump episodes? Could the writers not think up enough new stories to fill an entire season? The show's 30 minutes for god's sake. I feel like I'm watching a past season with a few new people. All the characters are getting on my last damn nerve, especially Drama and that little leach Turtle, and I'm not sure how many times they can play the "Vince's career is resuscitated from near death" card. I really think this ought to be Entrouage's last season. Better to end on a good note then have no viewers and then canceled because of it..
Am I really the only one enjoying this season? This season has had so much more drama and realism that entourage has lacked in the past. Vince's drug habit is a true to life issue that people, movies stars or not, have to deal with. The fact that they're taking the show in a new direction with true to life drama means a lot to me. It's fun to see Vinny and the boys living the sweet life, but its a nice break to see the reality of what comes with real relationships and the true stresses these stars have in their lives. I was getting sick of entourage and its occasionally absurd strorylines, such as the issue with the director on Flamejumpers two seasons ago. That was just ridiculous a 200M Hollywood blockbuster wouldnt be shut down cause of an issue between a director and actor. Last season had no plot advancement and no drama, this season is much better for the simple fact that they are introducing a level of "real life drama" to this usually fairy tale of a series. Sorry you all aren't enjoying it as much as me. I also love the storyline with Ari and am getting tired of Turtle's tequila escapades and Drams's idiocy. It's also nice to see Eric taking the reigns and trying to help Vinny save his career and telling Phil to back off.
Am I the only one who would love to see "johnnys bananas" on HBO or cartoon network???
I'm hanging in there but just barely. I've found little redeaming about this season.
VINCE is retarded!!! Seriosuly.. I can easily see him thoring his career away!!! and Turtle Is retarded also.. he needs to realize that they do not want him involvied, UGH!! I was so mad at last nights show~!!
My fav part of the whole episode was when ari fliped out!!
I am rapidly loosing interest in the show. I think it's jumped the shark and they should shoot this horse since it has not one, but two broken legs. Don't even bother with the shortened 2011 season. Based on the previews, I am looking forward to Boardwalk Empire as my Entourage replacement.
I agree – since there are actors out there that are doing well, without falling victim to the drug-induced Hollywood life, I don't think it was necessary to have Vince become a coke-head. The show was much better when his issues were his performances, or bad directors, or possible stalkers. This season is the worst so far, and that even includes last season- which was bad too. If the season finale doesn't rope me in, I think this might be the last Entourage season for me. Still hope it does well, I'm just not a fan of the new direction. Oh yeah- award for worst Entourage casting ever: Scott Caan. He was only good as Tweeter, and hasn't been good in anything since.
Never liked the Sasha Gray addition. She should stick to gang-bang DVDs.
We grew to be warm and fuzzy with these guys over the last 7 seasons. Like fun cousins who we got to visit every weekend. Life in Hollywood took over each of them in different ways. E finally finding a great love and his own way sans Vince as his only client, Johnny struggling with C-list status, Turtle under-achieving over and over, Vince running out of girls to bang and becoming bored to the point of drug abuse, and Ari finally getting payback for ignoring his family.
Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.