HBO's Entourage a Diamond in the Rough

In our beautiful country entertainment is a major business. When we take an even more narrow approach to entertainment we got television. With reality television exploding onto the spot and the new chance game shows thriving, television has really started to decline. I, myself cannot stomach another reality show such as Survivor or another Deal or No Deal knock-off game show. Even though movies are still striving and in some aspects becoming better, television seems to have slipped. There are still the old reruns of the greats and very few new good television shows.

Through all the propaganda and bologna with the reality television there is a not-so-new, but very good HBO series that will be entering its fourth season come this April. Some people may have heard of the series but others may have not heard of or are skeptical of viewing it.

The series that I speak of is Entourage. This series takes the viewers on a roller coaster ride through the movie industry. It is loosely based upon Mark Walberg's life. There are five main characters in the series; the main character being Vincent Chase, his best friend from high school Eric, Vincent's brother Johnny, and good high school friend Turtle; and oh yeah, Vincent's fast and smooth talking agent Ari Gold.

These actors have such great screen chemistry. Even though not many of the actors are huge, minus Jeremy Piven, the series seems to be full of superb acting. The script is also written in a superb fashion and brings a first time viewer immediately into the life that these guys live.

The basic premise of the series is that Vincent is an up and coming actor that hires a super-agent Ari Gold to represent him. Vincent is not making this rise by his lonesome though; he has brought his friends along. Vincent turns his best friend Eric into his manager at one point and allows his brother Johnny and friend Turtle to ride his coat tails to fame. If you've ever dreamed of being famous, the viewer gets the chance to taste fame through Vincent's life.

While in Hollywood, these guys get to experience the glamour and the low points. As far as glamour is concerned, one whole episode is dedicated to the boys dropping in on a party at the Play Boy mansion. I don't know if you've been to the mansion, but I hadn't and this gave me a small chance to see how everything plays out at Hef's parties. In another episode these guys are going to a party at Jessica Alba's home. The excitement seems to never cease for them. There are also lows, like when Vincent gets stuck on one woman and drags the guys into his depressing relationship.

I would compare this series to Sex in the City, but for guys. These guys are constantly "living the dream." They are either partying, engaging in intimate relationships with women, or smoking drugs on the couch while playing video games. The characters are so dynamic, and hey, who are we kidding, the series is based on a true story.

After watching one episode, you will be hooked. I did not discover this "diamond in the rough" until well into the second season. Since then I have purchased the two seasons that are out on DVD and have watched the third one as well. The problem with this series is the fact that you cannot help but watch the old episodes again and again. With the fourth season waiting to bounce into gear, I think it would be in everyone's best interest to grab their things and join the entourage.