Entourage

Entourage

Introduction

The show, which normally airs between the months of May and August, has now been officially pushed back until the fall of this year. ( Swanson 2007) The commercially viable and critically acclaimed show was set to begin its fifth season in June of this year but the lack of time for the screenwriters to prepare has all but forced the network to delay production. As a result of the Writer's Strike, many shows have been pushed back or delayed until the 2008-09 season. One of the impeded shows of this strike is HBO's Entourage (2004-Present).

Consequences of the Strike

There are many shows that have felt the brunt of this strike. Most notably, 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland, has( Swanson 2007) been pushed back till January of 2009 by Fox. Some shows have been placed on hiatus and some have even been cancelled outright. So, why make such a big deal about the delay of Entourage?

Entourage is About Something More

Entourage, on the outset, is about the life of a Hollywood A-list actor, Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), his manager and best friend, Eric (Kevin Connolly), Vince's older D-list actor brother, Johnny 'Drama' Chase (Kevin Dillon) and Vince's driver, Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) and their relationship with the celebrity lifestyle. ( Swanson 2007) However, on a deeper level, the show is about the set circle of these four individuals and their loyalty to one another. Hollywood is renowned for its reputation as a self-absorbed, self-righteous land. It wallows in the excess it creates. The show unflinchingly depicts these pratfalls but is careful to never allow it to overwhelm the true nature of what this show is about; friendship and camaraderie are far more valuable then the superficialities of money and power.

Discussion

Entourage revolves around Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier). His best friend and manager is Eric Murphy (Kevin Connolly). "E", as his friends call him, is based on Wahlberg's friend and executive producer Eric Weinstein. He's also been reported to be inspired by Stephen Levinson, Wahlberg's manager( Swanson 2007).

Vincent's older brother Johnny "Drama" Chase (Kevin Dillon), is also Vince's personal chef and trainer and bodyguard. Johnny is a D-list actor who was in the fictional show Viking Quest during his younger days. His role in the new fictional hit show Five Towns has begun to resurrect his fame and career( Swanson 2007). This character is based on Johnny "Drama" Alves (cousin of Mark Wahlberg), whom Donnie Wahlberg had hired to keep his younger brother out of trouble.

Rounding out the entourage of friends is Salvatore, known as "Turtle" (Jerry Ferrara), who is another of Vince's old friends from childhood. Turtle's official role is as Vince's driver and assistant, though his value as such is often brought into question. This character is based on Mark Wahlberg's former "gofer" Donnie Carroll aka "Donkey". Carroll auditioned for the role, but the Boston-native was turned down when it was decided the actors would have to be New Yorkers. Carroll died on December 18, 2005 after an asthma ...