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Entourage (TV series)
Entourage is an Emmy Award-winning HBO original series created by Doug Ellin that chronicles the rise of Vincent Chase ? a young A-list movie star ? and his childhood friends from Queens, New York City as they navigate the unfamiliar terrain of Hollywood, California. Doug Ellin, Mark Wahlberg, and Stephen Levinson serve as the show's executive producers, and the show's premise is loosely based on Wahlberg's experiences as an up-and-coming movie star.[1][2] In Canada, The Movie Network airs the series day-and-date with HBO in the U.S.
DevelopmentAccording to Mark Wahlberg, Entourage was initially conceived when his assistant asked to film him and his friends, calling them "hilarious".[3] Other reports credit Eric Weinstein, a long-time friend of Wahlberg's, with the idea of filming the successful actor's group of friends.[4][5] In order to be more satirical of the Hollywood lifestyle, a fictional approach was chosen rather than a straight documentary.[4] Vincent Chase, the show's main character, was envisioned to be more similar to Wahlberg, but it was decided that some of his and his friends' activities (particularly some elements of their criminal past) would not work well on television.[3] A lighter approach was subsequently decided on.[3] According to Donnie Carroll however, who was the inspiration for the Turtle character, the idea for a show involving an actor and his friends had come from him.[6] It had originated as a book idea, centered around Carroll's own life and his experiences with Wahlberg, entitled `From the 'Hood to Hollywood, A Soldier's Story'.[6] Cast and characters
The cast of Entourage. From left to right: Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Dillon. Entourage revolves around Vincent Chase (Adrien Grenier), a young, up and coming actor who eventually becomes an A-list star. His experiences are loosely based on those of Mark Wahlberg, who is also executive producer on the show.[7][8] His best friend and manager is Eric Murphy (Kevin Connolly).[9] "E", as his friends call him, is based on Wahlberg's friend and executive producer Eric Weinstein [6] He's also been reported to be inspired by Stephen Levinson, Wahlberg's manager.[4] Vincent's older brother Johnny "Drama" Chase is played by Kevin Dillon and he is also Vince's personal chef and trainer. Johnny is a C-list actor, who was in the fictional show Viking Quest during his younger days. His role in the new fictional hit show "Five Towns" has begun to resurrect his fame and career. This character is based on Johnny "Drama" Alves (cousin of Mark Wahlberg), whom Donnie Wahlberg had hired to keep his younger brother out of trouble.[7][6][2] Rounding out the entourage of friends is Turtle (Jerry Ferrara), who is another of Vince's old friends from childhood. Turtle's official role is as Vince's driver and assistant, though his value as such is often brought into question. This character is based on Mark Wahlberg's former "gofer" Donnie Carroll aka "Donkey".[7][6][10][2] Carroll auditioned for the role, but the Boston-native was turned down when it was decided the actors would have to be New Yorkers.[6] Jeremy Piven plays Ari Gold, Vince's abrasive but lovable agent. The role has led to several nominations and Emmy Awards for Piven. Ari is based on Wahlberg's real-life agent Ari Emanuel.[5][6][9] Previously recurring, Mrs. Ari Gold (Perrey Reeves) Mrs. Ari Gold became a regular in season four. She was a soap actress who left her career in her prime at the age of 25 to start a family. Debi Mazar appears as Vince's loyal, yet hot tempered publicist Shauna Roberts. Shauna is a recurring guest star in season 1 and a star in seasons 2 & 3 and a recurring guest star in 4. Lloyd (Rex Lee) is Ari's much maligned assistant. An openly gay Chinese American, his ethnicity and sexual orientation often help in fueling Ari's venomous barbs. Despite his sharp tongue, Ari sometimes shows a deep caring for Lloyd because he knows he cannot function without him. Appearing as Billy Walsh, an egotistical independent film director/artist who directed Vince in "Queens Boulevard" and "Medellin" is Rhys Coiro. In season four, Vince agreed to another Walsh-directed film, "Silo". Recurring charactersEntourage features many recurring characters. Sometimes these characters are played by celebrities such as Malcolm McDowell as Terrance McQuewick and Martin Landau as Bob Ryan, while other celebrities appear as themselves such as Mandy Moore and Gary Busey. Guests and cameosEntourage typically has at least one celebrity guest per episode. Their appearances range from short cameos (such as the ones by Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Chuck Liddell, Larry David and Kanye West) to minor supporting roles (such as Anna Faris, Mandy Moore, Seth Green and James Cameron). Plot synopsisFirst seasonThe first season of Entourage chronicles Vincent Chase's climbing of the celebrity ladder after his first successful movie. At the front of the first few episodes is the conflict between Vince's best friend "E" and his agent Ari, who are both working to get the best for Vince, but often differ of opinion on how to accomplish that. Vince's next project is decided halfway through the season: "Queens Boulevard". Signed on is indie director Billy Walsh, who comes into immediate conflict with E. These are put aside and the season ends with the start of production on "Queens Boulevard", with E formally becoming Vince's manager. Running subplots are Turtle's laziness and quest for marijuana, Drama's attempt to follow in his younger brother's footsteps, E dating Ari's assistant Emily (Samaire Armstrong) and Vince's multiple and varied girlfriends. Second seasonThe second season revolves around Vince's proposed role in the movie adaptation of Aquaman as the titular hero. Ari's inability to close the contract however leads to trouble, but Vince manages to convince the film's director James Cameron he's right for the part. New problems arise, however, when the role of the leading lady goes to Mandy Moore, Vince's ex for whom he still has feelings, but who is engaged to be married. Mandy and Vince resume their romance after Mandy's engagement shows signs of problems, but she eventually returns to her boyfriend and resigns from the Aquaman project. Initially devastated, Vince finds the will to go on with the movie in the end. However, Ari has his own problems in the form of his boss and partner Terrance McQuiwick (Malcolm McDowell), who is trying to steal Vince away from him. Near the end of the season, their conflict reaches a head and Ari is fired from the agency. E, meanwhile, starts to date Sloan (Emmanuelle Chriqui), McQuiwick's daughter. Meanwhile, Drama continues to try and become a star, even considering getting his calves augmented. He is eventually dropped by his agent after Vince decides to stick with Ari after his firing from the agency. Drama is told "you were a package deal". Drama retaliates by taking his agent's plasma TV from his office. Also, Turtle starts a career of his own, as manager of rapper Saigon. Third season, part 1
An advertisement promoting "Aquaman"'s box office success appeared in Variety on June 19, 2006, to coincide with episodes from Entourages third season. Ari meanwhile has to juggle his new, failing, business with keeping Vince happy. Even though Ari manages to set up a successful new agency with the help of Barbara Miller (Beverly D'Angelo), it leads him to neglect his star client. E's relationship with Sloan comes into question when E has a threesome with her and her friend Tori, to whom E is extremely attracted. Tensions rise further when E is confronted with Sloan's stalker Seth Green. Near the end of the season, Drama finally lands his big break as he's signed on to the new series "Five Towns". Turtle's career as a music manager ends unceremoniously when Turtle is bought out by Saigon's original manager. In the season finale, Ari is fired as Vince's agent when his abrasive methods lead to him being unable to secure a film about punk rock band The Ramones. Third season, part 2The second part of the third season focuses almost entirely on Vince and Ari and the troubles surrounding "Medellin". Attempting to get Vince back, Ari convinces him that he can secure the film after all. Vince's new agent, Amanda (Carla Gugino) tries to steer Vince towards a different film, but he ends up refusing. To compound their problems, they admit to a mutual attraction and develop a relationship. When "Medellin" once again slips Vince's grasp, he questions Amanda's motives. After proving her innocence, she drops him as both client and boyfriend. With the help of Ari, who is once again hired, Vince and E finally secure their dream project when they buy the rights to the film themselves. Billy Walsh is signed on as the director with E giving his first shot at producer. In the continuation of the previous part's subplot, Drama star rises and "Five Towns" becomes a hit. At the end of the season, Vince (along with Turtle), broke after buying "Medellin", moves in with Drama, the new star. E proceeds to move in with Sloan. Fourth season
Adrian Grenier as Vincent Chase, playing Pablo Escobar in the fictional film "Medellin". When the trailer to the film leaks, a deal can be brokered to sign Vince to a new film, but as a caveat, E and Billy Walsh must be involved too, but they can't stand each other. Vince and Walsh agree to the project while E decides to remain on the sidelines. Ari meanwhile deals with various subplots, such as the relationship troubles of his assistant Lloyd, his inability to get his son accepted to the school he wants and employee troubles at his firm. E similarly deals with problems as he tries to set up his own business, his relationship with Sloan has finally ended. He manages to sign Anna Faris, but his feelings for her interfere and leads to him being fired. Drama and Turtle feature throughout the season in various subplots that are unconnected to the main plot and features such things as acquiring marijuana and furry fetishes. In the season finale, the entourage travel to Cannes to promote Medellin and sign a distribution deal. When the film bombs with the Cannes audience though, they are forced to accept producer Harvey Weingard's deal of one dollar for the movie (who they earlier rebuffed). Upcoming seasonProduction on Season 5 began in April 2008[11] with 12 episodes to be initially produced. However, Producer Ellin said that if HBO decides to order more at the last minute, then they are up for it.[12] Season 5 planned to satirize the writers' strike but has been scrapped as Ellin feels that most people are over the whole debacle and would prefer to deal with different material. Due to the writers' strike, Season 5 will premiere on September 7, 2008 instead of June.[12] Season five will also premiere in Canada on the same day on The Movie Network. Among the story lines for the fifth season will be the return of Domenick Lombardozzi, the actor who plays Dom.[12] Ellin wrote him in intending for Dom to be a permanent fixture of the entourage.[12] Unfortunately, he didn?t anticipate the audience?s negative reaction to the character, which ultimately led to Lombardozzi?s early exit.[12] Ellin has a personal goal to bring Dom back, but this time with a storyline viewers can empathize with. Giving him terminal cancer is one idea that was considered. It is also rumored that rapper Saigon will return to the series in Season 5. Also Emmanuelle Chriqui will be reprising her role as Sloan for one episode this season. [13] It has been confirmed by various news outlets that Rapper Bow Wow will play Eric's newest client: Charlie, a young, up-and-coming comedian trying to get a break. [12] Ellin says he has four more seasons of material in reserve, implying that Entourage will probably run through season eight.[12] T.I. is also expected to make a guest appearance in the fifth season. Among the other celebrities appearing on the show are Jamie-Lynn Sigler who will be playing herself and a potential love interest for one of the boys in a 3 episode arc.[14] TV Guide reports that appearing as themselves will be Mark Wahlberg, Tony Bennett, Los Angeles Lakers' stars Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza, golfer Phil Mickelson, and actor Eric Roberts. Other guests confirmed include Lukas Haas and Giovanni Ribisi (as screenwriters), Fran Drescher and Kevin Pollak (as a Beverly Hills couple).[15] Martin Landau is also set to reprise his role as Bob Ryan. Season Five also promises Johnny Drama a hit show, a break-up and a daytime meltdown on "The View".[16] The scene, taped outside of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, includes The View co-hosts Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Whoopi Goldberg. [16] The season begins on Sunday, September 7th at 10 pm. EpisodesThe first episode was simply titled "Entourage" and aired on July 18, 2004, and has since produced 4 seasons with 54 episodes. HBO started the fifth season with the first episode having airred September 7, 2008. Themes and characteristicsMale friendshipA recurring theme in Entourage is the strength of friendship and its importance over work. Doug Ellin, series creator stated in an interview with The Independent: "Entourage works because it's about male friendship. The Hollywood setting is entertaining but it's really about the relationship between these guys."[17] Ellin repeated this sentiment in an interview with USA Today stating that "Ultimately, the show's theme is friendship and family. The characters may have the bling, but they're grounded guys who look out for each other. That's the backbone of the show. If it was just about fantasy lifestyles, it wouldn't be relatable."[18] This theme has led to comparisons to another HBO-produced show Sex and the City, which four female friends in New York.[17][18] This view was supported by Jeremy Piven, who plays the talent agent Ari: "If it was just a show about wish fulfillment and guys getting (sex) because their best friend was famous, it wouldn't be that interesting."[18] Harvard psychology professor Dan Gilbert similarly noted the strength of the show and of friendship: "We watch characters like these and say we wish we still had friends like them, friends who knew you before you had money, fame or glory."[18] To strengthen the bond between the actors, only actors with ties to New York were chosen.[6][17][18] Hollywood lifestyleEpisodes of Entourage focus, beside the friendship between the four main characters, on their lifestyle in Hollywood. Specifically, the various parties and movie premieres they visit as well as the advantages and disadvantages of being, or being connected to, a star on a person's social status. To lend credence to the show's situations and locations, most episodes of Entourage will feature at least one celebrity guest star. ReceptionCritical receptionEntourage has received mostly positive reviews from critics. Television ratingsAwards and nominations
Entourage has won the following awards:
ReferencesNotesExternal links
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