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Entourage: The Final Season

By Gina L. Caliboso

Ahh, it’s summer. And, for this single (and always looking) gal, it’s quiet. Yes, RSR fans, I’m not exactly spending all my Friday and Saturday nights alone. I’ve actually gone out on a date or two and had a lovely time. In fact, this upcoming Saturday, I do believe there is a UFC fight and I will be watching, a glass of Stella in front of me accompanied by chicken tenders. But since I have managed to go out on occasion, Sunday night is becoming my catch a breath night. The past two weekends I have added another DVR timer. I am dutifully watching the final season of HBO’s “Entourage.”

I can recall when I first decided to watch the series. I had thought that the character Eric Murphy, played by Kevin Connolly was really cute. He still is. I also decided to watch it because Mark Wahlberg had a hand in its creation. And, as the episodes and seasons may have overindulged in the glitzy star filled life of fictional Vincent Chase with not so famous brother Johnny Drama, hanger on Turtle, and best friend, yet ambitious Eric, I enjoyed watching how these boys got along so well.

Call it the male “Sex and the City” but I don’t know too many men in my circle that will ever admit they ever watched one episode without making a face in reference to Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte. By contrast, women will happily admit they watch “Entourage” as much as we readily admit we watch the reality based shows such as “Say Yes to the Dress,” “Hoarders,” or even “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” But “Entourage,” much like my beloved “Sex and the City” made clear that friendship can get you through a lot. With the exception of Vincent and Johnny Chase as brothers, both shows keyed in that friendships are the closest thing we have to family sometimes.

Friendships often get tested. In the case of “Entourage,” there was always a line divided whenever Vincent’s personal behavior prima donna attitude would affect his judgment about career choices and behavior. He often irritated me because his head above the clouds, I know I’m good looking attitude, never fully evolved. Meanwhile, the three closest to him would be reluctant to be honest because they were afraid of hurting his feelings. In steps my favorite character to keep the realities of the entertainment business – Emmy award winning Jeremy Piven as the brash, loud, always cursing Ari Gold. Happily assisted by his former assistant now agent, Lloyd. The writing for “Entourage” keeps a solid story line. However, the racial slurs and gay-bashing by Ari leave my eyes popping out and at the same time laughing. The character Ari Gold uses the best excuse for his no holding back behavior – he’s an agent.

So, there it is, the lovable, cast of “Entourage” – the boys as I call them. And they all remain extremely loyal to one another. There are recent additions to the cast. Enter Scott Caan as agent Scott Lavin. I prefer Caan as Danno in “Hawaii Five-O.” There is also eccentric writer and director Billy Walsh. As if the show needed more coulda-been testosterone, Andrew Dice Clay enters into the mix.
The first episode of this season began with Vincent’s return from rehab. Eric is no longer engaged to Sloan. Johnny protects Vincent by attempting to throw a ‘dry’ party. Turtle is pining away for his absent girlfriend Alex. Finally, Billy comes through with a party bus filled with women from NA, AA, and SA (Sexual Addiction). Meanwhile, Ari is separated from Mrs. Ari and he discovers that she is seeing someone. He goes to Vincent’s party for a drink. True to form, however, all the boys are keeping quiet on Vincent’s return from rehab, unable to tell him that his film idea stinks and that each and every one of them are hardly free from the vices of drinking and marijuana. The episode ends with the house being set on fire from a joint smoked by Turtle.

This past Sunday, the episode resulted in Vincent putting together a script for a mining movie starring his brother Johnny. Eric sleeps with Sloan. Billy decides to read Vincent’s script and likes it. Turtle now has a job and still waits for a call from Alex. In another mishap, Ari mistakenly believes a waiter to be dating his wife and instead it turns out to be someone else. Andrew Dice Clay decides to ensure his best interests are being taken care of since he and Johnny’s animated cartoon may be a hit. So, in the span of two episodes of the final season, I’m hooked. I consider myself to be drama-free. So, it’s now confirmed. Men have drama too.

Since I have my timer all set up, it’ll definitely be a sweet farewell to a show that celebrates bromances and men “hugging it out.” The show has always been entertaining. But stay tuned. I hear there’s a movie already in the works.

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