Seems to be a fairly popular topic of conversation these days (well, something along those lines). From newspapers to magazines to websites, a lot of viewers and critics are questioning whether or not the boys of summer have it anymore.
In fact, we even had an internal debate about it this week, here at CliqueClack. I’m not sure the transcripts will ever be released, as we spent an inordinate amount of time on Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots – don’t ask – but we certainly got down and dirty with things.
I will share with you what I had to say, as it pertains directly to my opinion on the matter: I think Entourage is fantastic.
I’ve read a lot of stuff about how it’s going downhill, how they’re losing focus, and I just think that the problem people might be having is that they’ve retained their focus, laser-like, apparently to a fault. The show is about a fraternity, and while each character evolves individually, the group, at its core, will, and should, always remain the same.
I think each and every season has gotten better, and I love the fact that every character is being allowed more room to grow, outward from the center, but always tethered back to home. It has always been, and continues to be, one of the best comedies on television today.
Now, that of course got us into a debate on the difficulty categorizing shows like Entourage, but that’s beside the point. The point is, what is it that you naysayers think should be happening with our boys?
Should Eric and Drama not have found moderate success? Should Turtle stop complaining that he hasn’t? Should Vince always win, or Ari always be altruistic in the end? Should Lloyd forever be an assistant? What is it that’s happening that isn’t meant to, in your eyes? What’s missing that should be there?
I think the show is extremely true to life, insofar as it’s about four kids who hit the lottery on one guy’s number. The dynamics wouldn’t ever change, because it’s not his success: it’s theirs. Anyone who intellectually understands why NBA players come with entourages should get that.
And, therefore, the comedy of the show isn’t meant to really evolve, either. These guys will always be adolescents, because that’s how old they were when they got to yell “bingo!” Just look at Drama for your test case: the guy’s got to be in, or nearing, his forties, right? Does he seem to be playing on a maturity level beyond that of Turtle?
Maybe we shouldn’t be expecting quite so much from a show that’s already proven it’s got what it takes. Are you sure you really think it’s fallen off, or is it simply missing the impossibly high standards you’re setting for it based on past performance?
Personally, I find it exceeding the bar time and again. So, how’s Entourage doing for you?
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Aug 04, 2009 @ 17:22 EST5EDT
I just started watching the show, I’m on the second season now and I think that I like it but I’m not sure yet. The characters really are not likeable except for maybe Johnny Drama and Eric. Vince is a douchebag but Ari does make me laugh though he is despicable. Can someone tell me if they rest of them at least become more human and likeable?
I’m on record of loving Ari and quite frankly can see an entire show about his affairs. He gets more and more likable – the other fellas, I’m losing some interest in.
*POST AUTHOR*
But why? It’s one thing when people don’t like them from the start, but what’s making you lose interest in them? I’m curious, not giving you a hard time. ;)
Maybe the reason I’m breaking up with them is me, not them…? Maybe they were good for a laugh and a roll in the hay (metaphorically speaking) and now I’m getting bored with them and want a real man (like Ari) who loves and is loyal to his wife and children and exhibits more than two dimensional thinking.
Maybe I’m tired of them being boys. All their early on charm is wearing off.
I will continue to watch. I’m waiting for a life changing event. I think it may come from E’s scary girlfriend. We’ll see ;)
For me, the best way I can describe why the show’s no lnger jiving with me is that I don’t care. I’m not sure I ever cared about these guys.
Entourage started out sort of like The Beverly Hillbillies. These guys from Queens “strike it rich” and are transplanted into a place they’re new to. It was about their new experiences there and the fun they had finding it all out. I never cared about how they evolved or grew up. Entourage was always about “imagine if…” to me — imagine if a friend of mine hit it big and asked me to join him in L.A. when I was in my early 20’s. Grow up? I don’t care to see that!
I get that these guys should grow up, and that’s where this show enters a territory it just should never have gotten to. If they’re supposed to grow up and stop showing me the fantasy, it’s time to end. And since they’re apparently not ending for at least yet another season beyond this one, I might just have to hang it up myself.
*POST AUTHOR*
To bsgfan2003 and Keith – I think you’ve both totally nailed the problem that people have been having with the show: namely, everybody’s waiting for them to grow … but they shouldn’t. At least, I don’t think they should, or else there’d be no more entourage, which isn’t something that any of them want, nor is it true to that life (see Mark Wahlberg in the pilot).
I imagine you groaned when Eric decided to pack up his office at the end of the latest episode, but I was kind of glad that he finally realized that Vince is what it’s all about, not a fancy desk. Yes, I think he should continue pursuing other clients, but stay Vince-centralized, both mentally and geographically. See Drama for an example: with his own career and home, he’s still always there. It would damage his character to not be.
I think everyone definitely has the right to fall out of love with a show, but I’m not sure if we can question a show for being what it should be, or for staying true to what it was and not evolving; they’re kind of just being true to themselves, no?
Brace yourself Aryeh: you are spot on. I can’t add anything to what you said I totally agree. These guys don’t need to grow.
But then again – if you look at the current developments on the show, don’t you think they are, by their own standards, all growing? Ari was the guy who everybody thought was the adulterer – now he has to reign in his partner. Drama finally manages not to rely on his Entourage too much. Turtle is going back to school (all the while being spoiled by his friends but what the hey) – even Drama lowered himself to actually asking Turtle for something. I think I remember a Drama who’d never be man enough to do that. And E? He managed to get rid of Sloan and actually take advice from his much younger GF and dropped his company and commit to her, something he never managed to do in the past. And even if this is just a way to show Sloan that he’s a big boy now who cares? Of course the show will manage to portray the breakup of him and Ashley as something he’s totally innocent of (yet, if looked at from the female perspective, he’d be the absolute uber-jerk but that’s not the show we’re watching here).
I think the problem is that people still wait for these guys to morph into people who take responsibility for something. Anything.
But again – that’s not the show you’re watching. It’s actually the most exact portrayal of the male jerk I know. This (it seems) is the kind of guy (or guys) women tend to end up with, and they expect them to grow.
Not going to happen.
*POST AUTHOR*
I have no words ;)
I think that 100% goes to what I said, that “every character is being allowed more room to grow, outward from the center, but always tethered back to home.” They clearly are evolving (as you elucidated), but they won’t (and shouldn’t) mature as independent adults who can fully stand on their own two feet. I love that the show has kept that honest.
As always Entourage is great viewing although i head that Josh Rogan was not too happy about the comments on him in the second episode!
*POST AUTHOR*
That’s the word. ;) See the conversation we’ve been having about it on the site:
https://www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/07/21/where-does-entourages-turtle-get-off-dissing-seth-rogen/