What happened to Entourage? It’s been a treat this season seeing the talented Adrian Grenier (pictured) actually get to act as Vincent’s star fades and the gang goes bankrupt—but watching the rest of the show go down in flames around him is torture. Instead of using Vince’s career drama as an excuse for, well, more drama, the show’s creative team has been piling on the stupid. Eric took on two new doofy, and vaguely offensive, redneck clients (guest stars Giovanni Ribisi and Lukas Haas). Johnny broke down live on The View. Turtle remained useless. And Ari feuded some more with nemesis Adam Davies. Their shockingly ridiculous car race through suburban L.A. was nearly the last straw for me. And I didn’t even blink when one sent the other a steaming bag of feces.
Then came last night’s self-discovery-themed episode, in which the boys (plus Eric Roberts) took a mushroom-fueled desert road trip so Vince could decide whether to headline Benji or fight for a supporting role in Smoke Jumpers. The hi-jinks? Unfunny. The philosophizing? Terrible. The episode? Just plain cringe-worthy.
Now, in no way do I want the show to go back to just being a boob-laden, LaLa Land lark. But as it heads into season six (HBO announced the show’s renewal this morning), I need it to change for the better, or else I might jump ship. How about you? Am I alone in thinking the show has taken a turn for the worse? And if you ran HBO, how would you fix Entourage?
More on HBO and ‘Entourage’:
Lynette Rice dishes on HBO’s bid for ratings
Gallery: From The O.C. to Entourage, 15 TV shows where the music’s a costar
Backstage at the Emmys with Jeremy Piven
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Last night’s episode wasn’t very good (did they mention why Ari and Eric Roberts don’t get along…I missed it the reference). I think the show suffered a bit in quality when Larry Charles left as producer to do movie projects. This season, I have enjoyed the Ari-Vince scene where Ari set Vince straight about his career and what he needs to do to make a comeback.
Ari and Adam Davies were the ones racing through LA not Josh Weinstein
Agreed with Perry Lucas.
IMHO, the show draws from the experiences of Mark Wahlberg and his buddies, right? So I’d love to see what Wahlberg did after his box office dud (the Truth about Charlie) and how he recuperated with a popcorn flick (The Italian Job). Is that what Benji is supposed to be like? The popcorn fare Disney movie that saved Wahlberg’s career after a dud?
You are so right, it was Adam Davies not Josh Weinstein. Changed! Thanks.
The only thing I am loving right now is Rex Lee. Everything else is merely ok. Let’s hope it improves because I used to love this show.
I used to look forward to this show, but now I’m becoming indifferent to it. Piven is always fun to watch but he’s getting way to many anger-fueled diatribes and after a while it all gets old. The writing lacks the playfulness it once had and it seems like women keep getting exiled into being shrews, whores or bimbos. It would be nice if SOME of the boys started maturing as that’s a journey worth watching–especially how one of them has to deal with the teen-age mentality around them. I don’t think Ari needs a conscience as no one in the agent realm does…but it would be nice if he did something other than uttering the f-word every five seconds.
I have to disagree, mostly. Last night’s ep was the funniest in an long time. Of course the philosophizing was terrible! When people are stoned out of their gourds, they think they are sooo deep, man…when in reality they are spouting gibberish. E’s reaction to the shrooms was hysterical. I liked seeing Ari out of control and vulnerable, even if it was drug induced. And just because E’s new clients love guns, that doesn’t make them rednecks-at least, they didn’t come off as redneck-y to me. The only things I would like to see are Drama not continuously making an idiot of himself, and Turtle needs to have some purpose.
I have to disagree, mostly. Last night’s ep was the funniest in an long time. Of course the philosophizing was terrible! When people are stoned out of their gourds, they think they are sooo deep, man…when in reality they are spouting gibberish. E’s reaction to the shrooms was hysterical. I liked seeing Ari out of control and vulnerable, even if it was drug induced. And just because E’s new clients love guns, that doesn’t make them rednecks-at least, they didn’t come off as redneck-y to me. The only things I would like to see are Drama not continuously making an idiot of himself, and Turtle needs to have some purpose.
i thought this was one of the funniest episodes in years… i even liked E who i usually cant stand… has he always been so hairy, though???
I disagree almost entirely with your assessment of the show. It has become a lot more interesting since Vince’s career took a turn for the worse. Additionally, I like the supporting character’s story arcs. Eric Robert’s being the go to guy for shrooms was genius.
my hope in the show was renewed after the first two episodes of the season in which they made Vince–finally!–likeable by making him actively want to be a star. He cared for once. And the dynamics worked really well; there was more dialogue than usual and the show felt fresher, smarter. Last night, however, felt like it was written by a frat dude fan they brought in from a kegger. It was stupid, unfunny, nonsensical, and when the episode ended, we were in the exact same spot we were in at the end of the previous episode.
This season has not been this great and last nights episode was one of the worst ever. And you could predict Mrs. Ari was going to show up and find a bunch of naked gay men. Ha. Didn’t see that coming.
I actually thought last night’s ep was the funniest all season! Loved “ER” with the shrooms and Turtle caring more about finding Arnold than Ari. I would love to see Vince do Benji and eat some crow. That’s not going to happen, though. He’s going to do Smoke Jumpers, and good for him.
This is the most overrated show going (ok, next to “Gossip Girl”). Take away Jeremy Piven and its almost unwatchable.
last nights episode was just terrible. the most pointless one yet. they better fix it fast or season 6 won’t be watched by anyone.
I have been telling people how bad Entourage has been for over 2 years. Nothing happens on this show. Usually a story sets up for something to happen. Not Entourage. It should not be classified as a comedy because there are no laughs in the show. Ari and Drama are so repetitive. E and Turtle whine all the time. Adrian Grenier is a terrible actor. Put my Entourage on HBO if you want real laughs.
I didn’t it was that bad. But I would like some real story lines…Vincent needs to take control of his life.
I agree with Solsbury. Ari (piven) keeps the show going.
I’ve sampled this show a time or two, just trying to see why so many people loved it. It was neither funny nor dramatic. It was just 30 minutes of filmed material, and it did not capture my interest at all.
I agree, the show is downhill this year and last night’s episode in particular was the worst in a very long time. I’m not creative enough to know how to “fix” this show, but I am critical enough to know that right now, it stinks!
I became totally TURNED OFF by Adrian Grenier when he started hanging around Paris Hilton. That is why I stopped watching. He’s tainted with the skank.
Entourage is starting to get back to its roots, last nights episode was hilarious, so many great one liners that make this show a classic. I have a feeling that Entourage will finish this season strong.
Recycled plot lines are making me want to leave. Also last night you could see from a million miles away that Mrs. Ari was going to come home to all the gays.
Those of you who have not watched the show since the first season then you wouldn’t like the show because you have no idea what you are watching. Why would you want to hate on a show that is actually being real. If you have watched from season one you would see that Vince is growing for the procrastinating playboy to an actor who refuses to do some terrible movie just because it pays. Go back and watch again from season one.
I’m going to agree with MCM, Paige, and Hooper X. Last night’s episode was hysterical and the highlight of the season so far, especially E’s facial expressions and shrugs while unable to speak. While I’d prefer a storyline with Vince doing his penance on ‘Benji’ only to become a teen heartthrob again, it seems like he’s really determined to be a serious actor. I did find Drama’s jealous/weepy long distance relationship tedious; glad that’s over.
Easy – dump everyone but Ari and Lloyd and call it The Agency. Focus on their interactions with other clients and have Vince and Drama show up every couple of episodes if necessary.
I’ve been waiting for EW to write about this. As an Entourage fan from the beginning it pains me to see the show continually getting worse. And next week they’re bringing back Dom? Isn’t he universally hated?
well, I must say that I thought this article/ season review was pretty harsh… I mean, this season is taking the show in a completely new direction which I think is exciting progress… new storylines, new ideas, more laughs. I will admit this season has been weak in it’s first few episodes, but I think it’s getting back on track now. Last night’s episode was a step in the right direction and I’m nowhere near ready to give up on Entourage. I still find it refreshing and hilarious… Who’s with me??
I’ve found this season really disappointing. I guess I’m a sucker for a fairy-tale ending, but I thought we’d come back this season to a revived Medellin. Instead it seems like the writers are just winging it from show to show.
They all need to die in a jet crash… or have two jump out and survive with major burns… I bet the ratings would be huge for soemthing like that. Oh, and have Drama beat someone up right before the crash… the golf club sceen was awesome.