Why do we like Entourage?

Unless you're living under a rock, you know that the last and final season of Entourage premiered Sunday. I don't subscribe to HBO, so I couldn't watch it immediately, but saw it yesterday. As the series is coming to a close, it gets me to thinking why I/everyone loves this show. I've been thinking about the storyline - what has really even happened? When did you watch it and go "Wow, that was awesome!" or "This show is so good." I only came up with the episodes at the end of season 6. And maybe that's just because the show sucked so much for 4 and 5, so seeing any good stuff out of the show felt great.

But for real, I was trying to put together what exactly happened over 7 seasons. You could narrow it down to Vince and his success. But is the story really good? When was it good? Season 1 was the only time it was really worth anything. The focus was an emerging superstar taking his friends (and old decaying brother) to Hollywood with him for the ride.

After Season 1, there were expectations. There actually had to be a story that could continue the show. They had to out-do the previous season. And it continues to grow and make everything the previous season seem insignificant. But doing something "better" will make it less realistic/fun. It turned into just a gimmick. Everyone was mad that the Entourage was always succeeding no matter what, so then the writers had Vince take a downturn. Then he came back. Now he's a drug addict. The ride of up and down can only be done so many times before people lose interest.

So what about it was so captivating that we all need to watch it still? I think it's just to see where it ends. We've invested seven seasons into it, hoping for it to recapture the magic of the first season. Every now and then it does. Most times it doesn't. The thing that keeps it worthwhile is Ari and Drama jokes.

If you had to pick your favorite episode, what would it be? I don't think there's one that really stands out, which could mean two things: Every episode is great and flows together (like most great shows), or there isn't a single most memorable episode where you get excited when you see it on reruns.

I can think of funny moments. Ari with the paintball gun comes to mind. But I couldn't tell you what episode was really my favorite from season 2-7. That's sad. I've been thinking about rewatching it, but I just don't see any point. I think it's partially because I'm becoming a "tv snob" and enjoying the drama's more than the comedy's/dramedy's (I really can't stand that we made that a word. The English language breaks down more and more every day) and expect Entourage to be on the same language as The Wire and Breaking Bad. It isn't. It's not meant to be.

End of the day, Entourage is a fun show. That's it. Enjoy it. It's not great television, there's no amazing story arc that's going to make people go "damn, that's great." People will smile and enjoy the 25 minutes from it. That's really it. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Most of America doesn't want a show that makes them think too much. Let's hug it out.

Entourage Season 7 Finale

I'm sorry I'm behind. Having a real job is exhausting. Trying to keep a social life is even more exhausting. I still love you, I promise.

I personally was thrilled with the Entourage finale. The season was kind of eh, but the finale validated the downturn. Because they already had everything fall apart, but it was magically fixed for a feel-good end. That was how the show was supposed to go. Everything feels good.

But this time it went bad, real bad. The biggest problem isn't Vince becoming addicted to drugs and is out of control; it's that he's turning his back on his friends - especially when he's there for them. The point of the show is the friendship. They're losing that. It's far more serious than it's ever been. Medellin was just a terrible movie. Turning your back on your friends and going on a downward spiral is far worse - something you can't just "get out of".

I immediately thought about the celebrities you hear about who have these crashes - Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears come to mind - who go crazy and reach a breaking point (jail, DUI, shaving your head, among other things) and are making a desperate cry for help. That's Vinny right now. That's what the whole season has been. Really when you think about it, it's been building to this point since the season 5 freefall when Vince loses control and actually did fire Eric. I think we forgot that it happened because everything was fixed 6 minutes later. Season 6 was nice, but it was clearly temporary.

Even with Ari - the once powerful agent who was an ass at work and the hero at home, his worlds have collided, and now everything COULD fall apart.

It's the celebrity lifestyle going to the head of these people - they don't stay the same. The only one that's really the same is Drama - and isn't that a relief.

You get the feeling that going into a short season 8 and with a predicted movie coming, the ship will right itself before the ultimate end, but Doug Ellin's created enough drama to keep people interested. The friendship will stay true, but there's still a little bit more to come until then.

Entourage's Tequila is Real

I know, I know, more TV talk? I swear I do other things, but do you really want to hear about my golf scores? Or how many laps I swam today in the pool? I thought so.

So if you've been watching this season of Entourage you're aware of Tequila Avion, the tequila that Turtle's (brutal) girl/love interest hooked up him with and that Vince seems to be supporting and relying on too much.

On my bus to New York last weekend I saw an ad for "Tequila Avion" on a New Jersey billboard, I wasn't sure what was going on. Entourage has taken out ads promoting their fake movies, blurring the line between reality and entertainment - something I love about the show.

I tweeted my concern about if this Tequila Avion was real, and in fact it is. It just recently launched, but their history has nothing to do with the history given on the show.

My first reaction was what a terrible portrayal of their product, creating this made up story line and being one of the reasons Vince's career seems to be in a downward spiral. I personally believe the Tequila has some kind of addictive ingredient (read: cocaine) that makes Vince able to drink it for 16 straight hours a day, drive drunk, show up drunk to his meeting with Stan Lee, etc. Do you want your product to be known as the tequila that causes the potential end of Vince and the boys? (even though it will end soon anyway)

Then I realized that most people aren't such flaming fans as me. Someone like me would say I wouldn't drink it because it was the end of Vince. Most normal people would say "OH THAT'S THE TEQUILA FROM ENTOURAGE? LET'S GET IT!!!" I'm pretty strange. I used to avoid New York because that's where the Yankees were, and I hated the Yankees. I've calmed down a bit, and should be in New York soon, but I still don't like the Yankees.

So when you think about it like that, what a great, (and free) platform to launch your new product. Entourage is still a popular show, regardless of how terrible the storylines have been this season, or last season, or the season before, or season four. The show is like a walking advertisement for the Tequila Avion. What an amazing launch for a new product.

My Day as Eric Murphy

If you know me you know I'm a huge Entourage fan. I could probably quote every episode and narrow everything down to the specific detail. As most guys do, they talk about who their Entourage would be if we had a Vinny Chase in our friendship. I'm always picked to be E. I don't mind that. E's got a lot going for him. He may not be the superstar but he does his own thing setting up his own business and doing well for himself. We have two minor differences. I'm really tall, and don't have a Sloan in my life. Yet. (I'm also not a pizza boy. Yet. I graduate in two weeks people.)

So yesterday, I felt like Eric. I woke up early and got media passes to the Flyers/Bruins game (Go Flyers!) and then met up with a few friends on Newbury Street, then later to go out to a club (sorta) after a surprise birthday party, while sneaking on a party bus. If I could spend every day with that much fun, I think I would actually be Eric.

The thing with Entourage is that it's a lifestyle, one given on privilege because Vinny's got the looks and the acting skills (sorta) to get "the" lifestyle. Go to party's, hang out with gorgeous girls (I'm a little behind on that one) and really enjoy yourself.

This post is kind of weird. I don't mean for it to be a "I'm having much better time than you are" thing, because everyone's definition of a good time varies. It was just a great day (until this water situation - more on that later. It's just a commentary to get my things together and get "that" job (and maybe have the right friend) to have an amazing life where you're doing fun stuff. I don't necessarily want to be spoiled, but I want to enjoy everything I do. Work, play, even the BS. Enjoy it all. There should be no point where I feel like I have to be a "slave" to make money or I'm out on the street. It should be fun. Who wants to come with!?