After watching tonight's Entourage, I felt blue.  All of our main characters : Vince (Adrian Grenier), Eric Murphy (Kevin Connolly) and Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) are at crossroads in their career.  Said crossroads represent more than just a paycheck however.

Vincent is finding out that he may not be the actor he thought he was in prior seasons.  Now that he is in a serious movie, he finds that his screens and lines are being taken away bit by bit by a director who is looking to make a great film.  In the last episode, we thought he was crazy.  Now we are finding out that that is just not the case.  So, Vince continues the trend that has taken him through this season- one of self-doubt and, ultimately, growth.   Will this be a really tough road for him?  Absolutely.  But, in the end, he should end up a much more talented actor and a better man.

Ari Gold is fighting for a friend and for his place in the world.  Funny that I wrote a piece last week about how the women of Entourage are truly in charge.  Ari himself said this more than once on the show tonight.  Did he try and take back some of this power from Barbara (in a scene that I know the college boys will find funny, but did not hold the same punch for me as the same bit Ari pulled on Josh Weinstein a few weeks ago)?  Yes.  But, Barbara still had to agree to let Andrew Klein in, even if it was at Ari's risk. 

What of Eric Murphy?  Tonight found him chasing Seth Green around in what turned out to be a fool's game.  Seth never intended to be in Charlie's (Bow Wow) pilot.   Truly, it seemed the only thing Seth wanted was another shot at Sloan (Emmanuelle Chriqui).    Interestingly, it looks like he might have miscalculated, because, by playing his game, he may have brought Eric and Sloan one step closer to getting back together. 

In regards to Eric and Sloan :  it always bothered me that Sloan was so bothered by how Eric was always running off to do something for Vince.  After all, Vince is his job.  Tonight, she made two jabs that lead me to believe that her character is not able to take Eric's job seriously.  The first was when she said that her boyfriend worked.  As if to say Eric did not work.  The other was when Eric was leaving and mentioned that he was up at Big Bear where Vince was filming a movie.  Sloan made a comment like "of course", as if to say that "of course" Eric would be with Vince.  Well, he is his personal manager ,isn't he? Where else would he be?  During there relationship, Eric never ran off for a night out on the town with the guys or to hang at the pool.  There was always business that took him away.  Although there seemed to be potential for Eric and Sloan to get back together tonight, it also seemed that she still doesn't get his job.  And, if she truly loved him, why would a 9 month absence (6 months in Columbia and 3 in Italy) make a difference?  Men and Women are going overseas to Iraq and the Middle East and their loved ones wait a lot longer than that, don't they?  

So, I know I digress away from the 27 minute show tonight, but these are things that have been out there for a while, and seeing Sloan and Eric together tonight brought it to the surface.  These two will never move forward until she takes his job seriously and he gets over his jealousy of Seth Green.   And, that makes me kind of blue.

Five episodes and a Jeremy Piven Emmy later, another season of a popular HBO series has been renewed quickly. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Entourage has been given a sixth season by HBO. The renewal comes a few weeks after Jeremy Piven's third straight Emmy win and after just five episodes of this season.

"Entourage is that rare phenomenon in TV: a smart, sharp comedy series that continues to evolve," said HBO's West Coast president Michael Lombardo.

Series creator Doug Ellin was grateful that HBO was, "allowing the show to grow and mature."

"I never imagined when we started that we would make it to six seasons," Ellin added.

Production on the sixth season is slated to begin in early 2009 with a summer launch.

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This does not come as a surprise to true Entourage fans, who know that Doug Ellin has an 8-9 season story arc planned.

With Jeremy Piven doing 20 weeks of "Speed the Plow" on Broadway, he should be joining Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara in production in late February 2009.

Season 5 of Entourage is Hot and Fire Sale continues to demonstrate this point.

Unlike last week's filler episode, this week was all about moving on.  

Vincent Chase, our leading man, finds out that he doesn't sell anymore.  Offered a role in Benji, by the end of the episode Vince not only agrees to 2nd lead in Smoke Jumpers, he also grows more than a little.  This is never more evident than when he tells Eric to do what he has to in regards to his clients and their script.  Season 3 Vincent would have guilted E into getting the script back for him.  Season 5 Vince has learned to be humble and generous. 

As for Vincent's Entourage:

Brother Johnny pours out his heart on The View.  Something tells me this moment of weakness will pay off in many ways.  Not only will it make him more appealing to women, the fair Jacqueline may just respond once the daytime talk show airs overseas in France.

Best bud Eric is learning to play the game, as Amanda so specificially points out.  This is more evident at the end of the episode, when he is suprised by an extremely lucrative counter offer. On a personal note, it was extremely nice to see Kevin Connolly get a lot of air time on this episode.  It is great to see him play off someone besides Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold for a change.  If we didn't know that Carla Gugino was only signed on for 3 episodes, it would be interesting to see what would come of the Amanda/E interactions.  Its nice to see someone appreciate his skills, rather than belittle him all the time like Ari likes to do.  Hopefully, she will make it back for Season 6. 

Poor Turtle was just along for the ride on this one, there to play off Debi Mazur's Shauna.  The best is yet to come for him this season.

So, the million dollar (with 3 mil riding) question:  Who will play the lead in Smoke Jumpers if Vincent Chase is playing the brother?  Will it be former competitors Jake Gyllenhaal or Russell Crowe?  Will Ed Norton sign on after all?  Or, will Vince get his groove and his leading man status back?

None of this matters.  What truly matters is I care!  Unlike the Medellin storyline, which became stale and frustrating all at the same time, I want to tune in again next week to see how these guys continue to grow and change.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

And, that's HOT!


- lainiek

The new Season of Entourage, which began on Sunday, September 7, 2008, has had the sharpest writing since Season 3A.  This year, the show has shaken things up and is now poking fun at the previously charmed life of movie star Vincent Chase.  This resonates true in a town that mocked once golden child Britney Spears for over a year.  As Brit makes her comeback in 2008,  Vince is sure to make it back to the top of his game in Hollywood by Season 6.  Looking forward to the cast of Entourage back on the red carpet at the 2009 Emmys.  With writing like it has been so far this year, the all elusive Emmy just well may be theirs next year!

lainiek

Entertainment Tonight reporter Mary Hart, actor Adrian Grenier, actor Jerry Ferrara, Entertainment Tonight reporter Mark Steines, actress Perry Reeves, actor Kevin Connolly and actor Kevin Dillon attend the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the NOKIA Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
60th Primetime Emmy Awards - Entertainment Tonight Arrivals Platform

Perry Reeves, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Adrian Grenier formed a fine looking Entourage on the Red Carpet at the 60th Annual Emmy Awards, Sunday, September 21, 2008.

 

 

http://television.aol.com/emmys/photos/celebrity-red-carpet-arrivals

Red Carpet Grand Opening of SUSHI SAMBA, Friday, 09.19.08

 


Description: What a fun celeb filled night at the elegant new destination; Sushi Samba. Located in the Palazzo hotel, this new venue sure has a bright future. It seems Sushi Samba wants to make a huge impact by bringing some of today\'s hottest stars. The cast of Entourage walked the orange carpet sans Jeremy Piven, all were looking as great as ever. The stars first ate dinner, and then danced teh night away in Sushi Samba\'s nightlife lounge, SugarCane. It was a great event.
Who's Who: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Kevin Connolly, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Jerry  Ferrara of Entourage, Mickey Avalon, Rachel Hunter, Mickey Avalon
Photographer: Al Powers
Venue: SushiSamba • 3327 Las Vegas Blvd. South • Las Vegas, NV 89109


 


 







 




 








http://www.spyonvegas.com/index.php?query=galleries/recent/view/photo/127790/1377

Kevin Connolly and Jerry Ferrara fielded questions about Season 5 of Entourage on the red carpet at the Grand
Opening of Sushi Samba at the Palazzo in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, September 19, 2008.

 

 

 

Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly and Kevin Dillon pose for pics on the red carpet at Sushi Samba in Vegas!

Like the pic, things are slightly askew for the Entourage crew in Season 5!




Together, the men of Entourage will put things right again.

Emmanuelle Chriqui joined her male co-stars on the red carpet.  She will also appear in one episode of Season 5.  The Eric/Sloan saga will continue thru Season 8.

 

Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Connolly took advantage of the Grand Opening to catch up.  Could they be talking about the Yankees? 

Photos:  Scott Doctor / Splash News

HBO's "Entourage" Cast Members, Mickey Avalon, DJ Marcello and More Join the Celebração WHAT:   this celebration  pra caramba! (Brazilian expression for "absolutely amazing.") SUSHISAMBA strip grand opening took place Friday, Sept. 19 inside The Shoppes at The Palazzo. The event began with an incredible parade of performers featuring traditional geishas, sexy samba dancers and vivaciously loud taiko drummers who will reflect SUSHISAMBA's blending of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cultures. When the performance concluded, fans met cast members from HBO's hit show, "Entourage" as well as popular rap artist, Mickey Avalon on SUSHISAMBA's special not red, but "orange carpet." DJ Marcello spun for guests inside the party with a style inspired by drums and bass, house and electronic music that is both Brazilian and American. WHO: SUSHISAMBA offers inventive fare uniting bold Brazilian flavors, precise Japanese technique and exquisite Peruvian culinary traditions on one plate, as well as one of the largest sake and wine collections in Las Vegas. Sexy SUGARCANE transcends nightlife into an art form. Adjacent to SUSHISAMBA, SUGARCANE is drama and decadence spiked with interactive entertainment and an "anything goes" attitude.

More details and pics to follow..................

The TV graveyard is full of cancelled series about the inner workings of show business, yet Entourage thrives. The Washington Post called you and the other boys from Queens "deplorable unpardonable, shameful - and why can't you and I be just like them?" What makes this show work when others have failed?
It's the friendship thing between guys. People across the country may not get Hollywood's inner workings, but they do understand how guys relate to one another. Often some dude on the street will shout out that his buddies call him the Drama or E of their group. Entourage can be a guilty pleasure; it's easy to watch.

If viewers like the characters, would they also like the guys who play them? How much is TV imitating life?
There's a lot of ballbusting. Fuhgedaboudit. We all dish it out. In real life Jeremy Piven is that fast-talking guy - get into a verbal battle with him and you'll go down in flames, guaranteed. That whole life-imitating-art thing is trickiest for Adrian Grenier. He's an actor playing an actor, so people often want him to be Vince, but he's not. He's Adrian. Kevin Dillon's a sick lunatic for golf, always talking smack and practicing his swings. Jerry Ferrara is the least like his character - he's a supersmart dude who is not a stoner slacker. Personally, I wouldn't stand for some of the abuse E, my character, takes from Ari, played by Jeremy. We're all slightly darker versions of our characters.

You're Vince's wingman on the show, ans you're really good at it. What about off camera?
Adrian and I are good wingmen for each other. When we were shooting the Cannes episode, we wrapped work one day and just took off in our wardrobe. We knew we would be in shit if anything happened to the clothes, because we have to wear them for the next day's shoot. We took off anyway. It was Cannes, and guys got to do what guys got to do. We had to monitor each other's drinks and make sure no one spilled any red wine, or worse.

What makes a good wingman?
Every single guy need an ace wingman. He's indispensable and independent, somebody you can trust to go with to a bar or club. He's got to be on equal ground with you in a social situation, carry his own weight, talk to girls, and be able to look after himself. I also have myself covered with bicoastal wingmen.

If we're to believe TMZ, you're on the town every night. What is your typical evening like?
Cocktails and dinner first, then I'm like everyone else; I go to clubs and chase girls. The best thing about LA is they throw you out at two AM, so you can wake up the next day, feel like a human being and get to work with less damage. Back East, you're out having a good time, you blink, and it's four in the morning. No good comes between two and four.

For a long time you and Nicky Hilton were a couple. What happens when you see her now?
Here's what I always respected about Nicky. Before Entourage I was living in a one-bedroom apartment - a broke kid from Long Island - and we got together when I had nothing to offer her. We're still friends, and we still hang in the same circles. But the paparazzi aren't hanging out in front of my house anymore. When I was dating Nicky one thing i said was, "Nothing's worse than being chased by paparazzi who aren't trying to take a picture of you."

Does a hit TV show make your dating life easier?
It can be both easier and more complicated. I met an attorney about my age, and I was thinking, Okay, this girl is hot. We were out for dinner, and almost the first words out of her mouth were, "I haven't seen your show. I hope that's not a problem." Then over dinner she called me Eric three times. The first time I thought I was hearing things. The second time she definitely called me Eric. The third time I had to set her straight: "Oh, by the way, my name's Kevin." I showed her my license. "So you've never seen the show? I play a character named Eric on Entourage, which is an odd coincidence." It was a weird way for her to start a date. It was a disaster.

You're using your Entourage cash to create the perfect bachelor pad. If MTV's Cribs dropped by, what would we see?
My father would be turning over in his grave if he saw me obsessing over fabrics. But it's my first place, and I love being involved. First, I'm a big sports guy, so I've got the big couch, and nothing makes me happier than to come home, plop myself down and watch the Yankees on the biggest HDTV I can get on that wall. Then I have a nice little bar, classy, with high stools, so I've got the guy hangout done right.

We're guessing your life has changed since your childhood on Long Island.
I had a painfully normal life. My mother was a waitress, and my father was a truck driver. He was an iron man who never called in sick and gave me my work ethic. My brother, Tim, a local detective who has done tons of suspect interrogations, told me he learned you get more with honey than you do with vinegar. I try to apply that in Hollywood. Swearing and screaming may work for Ari Gold, but it doesn't always work for others.

Rocky V, your first movie, was nominated for a Razzie Award for worst picture in 1991. Do you have any regrets about appearing in a famous flop?
When I was growing up, Rocky movies were it, and when I got that role it was the greatest day of my young life. I was doing scenes with Rocky, the ultimate working-class hero. Sly was a big star by then, our great action hero, and even though people may diss the movie, it left one special impression on me. Hey, we weren't running to art-house theaters to see indie movies out in Medford. You went to see Rocky, Rambo, and Die Hard.

You're directed a short film, Whatever We Do, that stars such heavyweights as Robert Downey Jr. and Tim Roth. Was it scary to work with actors of that caliber?
They made me want to quit acting. I'm serious. With Tim and Robert I was rendered speechless by how talented they were. It just came out of them naturally. I went home depressed, thinking, Wow, maybe I should just throw in the towel.

You skipped college, moved to LA and lived with a bunch of underemployed actors. But not all of them were underemployed for long.
We had our own fraternity, doing our fair share of a whole lot of nothing, hanging in our actors' flophouse in the Valley with the same actor guys I hang out with now: Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lukas Haas and Ethan Suplee. We lived on cheap pizza and pasta - a house of out-of-work actors trying to take care of one another. Leo was the first in our group to pop - more like explode - with an Oscar nomination at 19. Just when I thought life couldn't get any weirder, I walked into Tobey's trailer and he was wearing the Spidey suit.

Was it discouraging when they made it and you didn't?
Everybody here is chasing the same nickel. My career wasn't so fast-rising - I'm 34, and I've been acting for 28 years. The thing is, you get to a point where you don't know how to do anything else. But every time I was getting to the end of my rope, I got a little taste to keep me going. When the Entourage pilot happened, you would never have anticipated in a billion years it would become what it has. So it was like, Okay, cool, it keeps the ball rolling, and you make a little money to carry you through till the next job.

Rejection can't be fun. How did you deal with it?
Rejection was my middle name for many years. It still is. Unless you're Brad Pitt or Matt Damon they always want somebody else. Even those guys will tell you they've been through it. It's humbling. Some people get lucky. I know a million great actors - guys who are 10 times the actor I am - who just don't get breaks.

No one on TV endures more short jokes than you. Just how tall are you?The Ari Gold character has some great lines, like "Tell Drama he's on the top of my list of things to do today, along with inserting needles in my cock." Why do people love to hate Art?
He reflects our inner Ari. People like to think they have that somewhere inside - a bite-your-head-off kind of thing they can release at any point. That's what I feel about the big producers like Ron Meyer, Jerry Bruckheimer and Brian Grazer, guys who can do a movie about whatever they want. Awesome. I'd love to release my inner big-shot producer, wield that power one day, play with the cinematic big toys and blow something up.

Tell us the truth: How often do you guys clash on the set?
We spend massive amounts of time together during the season. Sometimes it's 10 hours a day in a car - Adrian and Jerry in the front, Kevin and I in the backseat - staring at one another while being driven around LA on a flat bed. Like brothers, you sometimes get pissed. When someone's having a bad day, you just back the fuck off. But when the show's over, we all go do our thing. Kevin is married with a baby and has a house in Malibu. Jerry goes back to New York. I dream about chasing that hundred-million-dollar movie to direct.

Nonactor A-list celebrities have been guests on the show. How well do they act?
Kanye West is a massive personality, but there he was hanging out, soft-spoken, down-to-earth. I was impressed to see Kanye step out of his comfort zone, work on his lines and act. It's amazing to see big names - like James Cameron, who directed the biggest movie ever - come on because they're fans of the show. M. Night Shyamalan, one of the coolest directors around, was just excited to be there. It's funny: All the directors seem to be happy to be on a set and not directing.

How much of Entourage is based on real-life Hollywood stories?
A lot of plotlines are loosely based on Hollywood mythology you hear about. Martin Landau played a classic old-time producer, like Bob Evans, who is part of that mythology. Our producer had a film teacher who always said, "Is that something you might be interested in?" Landau said that, and it has become an oft-quoted line from Entourage. It's also interesting how the show has created this life off the set for us that is now feeding back into the show - like using two of my real-life pals, Lukas and Ethan, guys I've worked with before who are now going to be my clients on Entourage.

At the end of last season the Entourage troupe is in the financial crapper, downgrading from a multimillion-dollar mansion to living out of Drama's condo. It's all good in this season, right?
We're back from Cannes, dealing with the Medellin movie being unsuccessful and how that impacts Vince's career and our lives. But then there's a switch: Vince is broke, but with E's expanding personal management business the tide has turned. There's money coming in, and now I'm starting to write the checks. But the guys are sticking together, and Vince will be back.

As I watched the 2nd episode of Season 5 of Entourage, I had to laugh at how many famous names and faces graced this episode.  As Ari, Eric and Vincent discussed the potential new projects for Vincent, the names Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg were thrown at us.  Interesting that Tobey and Leo are Kevin Connolly's real life good friends, and that Mark Wahlberg appeared as himself later in the episode.  What more, Kevin's other good pal Lukas Haas made an appearance later on, along with Giovanni Ribisi, as aspiring screenwriters.  Did I mention this episode was only 27 minutes long?





Later in the episode, Entourage was graced with the presense of a real living legend, Tony Bennett.  Along with Justine Chapman (as played by Leighton Meester), he was on board to make a music video.  This rang very true, as Mr.Bennett has done duets with many of today's contemporary artists.



In actuality, the entire episode rang true.  Each character stayed true to themselves.  Eric continues to try to break away and make a name for himself and he did this by going once again outside of the circle.  By trying to sell Amanda (as played by Carla Gugino) on representing the new screenwriters he found, he is trying to prove himself as an independent successful member of Hollywood.  Ari has gotten even crueler towards E since Medellin tanked, and he feels that he needs to redeem himself.  It is truly too bad that he is taking the full wrap, since Vince and Billy Walsh were really to blame for the poor delivery of the script.  But, even so, E will continue to beat himself up until he makes it better for his best friend.




Vincent once again is going after things he is being told he cannot have.  Although it seems like he is not playing the game, the game is really the same for him.  By Ari telling him not to work, he wants to work.  By Justine telling him she does not want a relationship, he wants one.  Vince's ego can't handle not being Number #1. 



Drama takes things over the top again and overreacts when he can't get Jacqueline on the phone.  Has he ruined his relationship? Most likely.  Will he learn from this and rope his emotions in going forward?  HELLO! Do you thing he is called Drama for nothing?

Interestingly, the character that has changed the most is Turtle.  Was he still interested in getting lucky?  Yes.  The difference is that now he is succeeding.  There is an air of confidence around him now.  He isn't hiding under hats and baggy clothes anymore.  Why?  I'm sure the answer will be revealed before the end of season 5.






Interesting things we found out tonight.  Amanda's last name is Daniels (my maiden name).  Jacqueline had a jealous ex-boyfriend (guess she's attracted to the over the top types).  Ari doesn't think Vince can act (wow). 





Tonight's episode left me wanting more in a way last week's did not.  I am left caring about what will happen next.  Entourage is really back and I'm on the edge of my seat enjoying the ride!



ps- Is it me or is Shia  Labeouf this season's inside joke?  How ironic that Adrian Grenier and he should cross paths in the gossip rags in real life this year too!

 Entourage Air Jets from Queens to Vegas
 

Mark LaMonica takes to the Red Carpet to interview the cast of Entourage at their Season 5 Premiere Party at the Ziegfeld Theater. Catch questions you will not find at Extra or ET. LaMonica asks questions about filming in NY, hockey, football and real estate. Just one New Yorker to another....



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From The Insider:

The stars of "Entourage" hit the town to premiere the fifth season of their hit HBO series -- airing Sept. 7 -- and "The Insider" was there to get the show scoop from Adrian Grenier(Vince), Jeremy Piven (Ari), Kevin Connolly (Eric) and Kevin Dillon (Drama).

"To me it's the best season yet," enthused Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeremy. "It's about real things and it's truthful and I think season five is the best one."

"I think it's going to be a new experience for the audience," added Adrian. "You're going to see things you haven't seen before."

Watch our video to get the guys' impressions of Michael Phelps (who cameos), plus reactions from season five guest stars Jamie Lynn-Sigler ("The Sopranos") and Leighton Meester ("Gossip Girl").

Video at the Link:


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http://www.theinsider.com/news/1164034_New_Video_Entourage_Stars_Talk_Season_Five_at_Premiere