Entourage: The Complete First Season (2005, UMD)

I spend way too much money every month on cable with digital and internet so HBO is one of those luxuries that comes once in a blue moon when I move and get it for free/cheap when I have to sign-up for new service.

Entourage is a show that many of my friends talk about and as descriptive as they are, the idea of loser friends following a famous star leeching off of them was just not something I thought would be interesting. Yet week after week whenever this show comes on, I see a bunch of my friends on IM drop whatever they were doing to watch this show. Now I know why!

I watched this out of curiosity on New Years Eve. We had some friends come in from out of town and feeling rather lazy, we decided to catch the Entourage marathon that was on HBO. The show is about the concept of "entourages", friends of celebrities who reap the benefit of the luxurious lifestyle without having to work for it (except to keep the actor from being lonely). That this show was produced by "Marky" Mark Wahlberg, who is particularly known for his entourage, lends great realism and credibility to this series.

The first episode was pretty cool, though I must admit we caught the first season in mid-turn when I originally caught the marathon. I think after about one or two episodes, I was hooked! What I don't understand is why the true stars of this show play second fiddle to the main guy (Adrian Grenier, playing an up-and-coming actor who can't make decisions on his own). Kevin Connolly is the star of this show, playing best friend Eric, who manages Vincent Chase's career and other choices, even though he doesn't have any experience in Hollywood or any personal connections to it, other than being the high school buddy who gives up his personal goals to follow his famous friend to Hollywood.

Jerry Ferrara as the wise-cracking friend Turtle reminds me of many sidekicks who tag along in life to their star buddies. He offers much of the humor with his comments delivered with a Brooklyn-style accent (although they are from Queens). He has a loyal guard dog vibe, all too willing to accept left over scraps of women Vincent no longer wants or never wanted. I think mirroring real life, this role was based off of Marky Mark's real life friend who was nick-named Monkey. (Google it)

Kevin Dillon plays the older brother of Vincent with a waning acting career of his own. It's an ironic role, as he looks and sounds familiar to his own famous brother Matt Dillon. However, I find his character a bit much, particularly that he's a hanger-on, expecting his brother's popularity to help his own career out of the B-list of actors. Then again, I guess this really isn't that far off from the truth... (Hayley Duff / Hilary Duff)

The biggest joy to watch is Jeremy Piven, who often plays the loyal sidekick in many films ("The Family Man", "Serendipity"). He simply shines here, as a sleazy agent with a wandering eye. He doesn't like the fact that to get through to his client Vincent, sometimes he has to talk to Eric, the manager. One funny thing I've noticed about the actor / agent differences is that while they both show up at all the parties and public appearances, the clients always have fun while the agent always have to keep the work-mentality, which kind of sucks.

What really lends a realism to this show are the cameos (Jessica Alba, Mandy Moore) and sly references to famous people or the use of invented celebrities to wink at the real ones (such as the female singer with the hots for Vincent even though she made a very public vow of chastity until marriage--shades of Jessica Simpson/Britney Spears). Even Mark Wahlberg has a cameo. There are a few surprises by other celebrities.

I only wish the first season had more than 8 half hour episodes. Hopefully they can maintain a longer season for however long this series is meant to last. It's a worthwhile look inside an interesting Hollywood phenomenon and it makes me really want to be "rich and famous" myself so I can spend most of my time hanging out with my friends in style.