Inspired by executive producer Mark Wahlbergs early days tearing up Hollywood with his high-school pals, and co-starring an actual veteran of Leonardo DiCaprios posse, Entourages not-so-lofty aim is to show the world just how much fun it is to be young, rich and famous in Tinseltown. If ever a TV series should have ended up as vacuous, self-indulgent trash, its this one. How the hell, then, did it wind up being one of the most entertaining shows on the box?
The answer, pure and simple, is charm. While most insider looks at Hollywood are frosty satires, Entourage isnt afraid to let you like even love its characters. The four main players have largely unearned wealth and lifestyles, but theyre also hilarious, with street smarts and their own distinct foibles. Vince Chase (Adrian Grenier) is the newly minted A-lister at the centre of it all, but in what might be a sly dig on the part of the shows creatives, hes also a bit blander than his mates. Far more fun are the deluded Johnny Drama, Vinces less famous brother (played by Kevin Dillon, Matts less famous brother); Eric (Kevin Connolly, DiCaprios buddy), Vinces best friend and manager; and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara), the rap-loving goofball who might be the wisest of the bunch.
This first season hurtles through Vinces early days as a famous face, seeing the guys face a bad review in Variety and decide whether to commit to a Die Hard In Disneyland project that Colin Farrells eyeing. The Hollywood inside-jokes come thick and fast, many delivered by self-spoofing stars (the Gary Busey episode, Busey And The Beach, is a doozy, while Val Kilmer rocks out as the ultimate stoner).
But the number-one reason to watch isnt the stream of celebrity cameos its an actor whos struggled along for the past 20 years. Jeremy Piven, whos always turned out high-quality, low-quantity roles and was previously best known for being John Cusacks best mate in Grosse Pointe Blank, is mesmerising as Ari, Vinces shark-like but impossible-to-hate agent, hurling perfectly crafted put-downs as if hes having the time of his life. The vibe is contagious.
