Showing posts with label Entourage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entourage. Show all posts

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Piven says 'Entourage' has a timeline, Turtle immediately begins looking for work

Though my better half couldn’t make it today, thus forcing you, the lovely reader, to have a pretty me-heavy week’s work of writing, I will spare you a World Cup post…until Monday. As for now, I present you with the first Thursday without a sign of summer since 1996.

Hey, “Entourage” kicks off its new season Sunday. Are you interested? Didn’t think so.

But Jeremy Piven was on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" last night. Did you catch it? Knew he was on, but didn’t give it much thought (Still can’t get over the fact that he wears a toupee). Knowing my love for Ari Gold, my roommate turned it on and suggested I come see. Begrudgingly, I sat through the final segment. And I only say begrudgingly because Jay Leno annoys me. A lot. Like, a lot, a lot.

Anyways, buried in all of this was a nugget of news I was unaware of. Season eight of “Entourage” will be the series’ last. I was…stunned.

Yes, the plot is irrelevant and predictable, and yes, many fans jumped the shark years ago. But what makes this ominous to me is the fact that the show has been able to gain a core audience of viewers that simply like the show for what it is. Maybe some people have run away, but it’s surprising to find the amount of people who haven’t completely given up on the show, admitting to rely on its odd sense of charm to get them through the last few seasons.

Even more interesting? Piven also flippantly mentioned the notion of a possible “Entourage” movie once it’s all said and done. And….boom goes the dynamite.

“Sex And The City” became a massive hit in theaters. In fact, some may argue the show held more of a grip on popular culture after it was cancelled, thrown into syndication and subsequently made a movie out of. Hey, fabulous ladies. What do you think a counterpart to a show like “Sex And The City” would be for men? That’s right, friends: The bro-happy story of five dudes doing dude things in Hollywood. Add that to the fact that the show is already in syndication (on the most dude-happy network of them all, “Spike), and what you have is a recipe for a possible saturation of all things “Entourage” within the next few years.

Does the show have the legs to pull something like that off? Really, really doubt it. But does the show still hold a substantial crowd’s interest even though most people have already dismissed it seasons ago? Yes. What does that add up to? I’m not really sure, though I’m awfully curious to find out.

In the meantime, check out the trailer for this upcoming season….

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Signs of Summer: Better Than Anticipated Television

Today we pay homage to summer television.

But wait, isn’t SUMMER television eternally linked to BAD television? Historically, maybe - but not in twenty-ten my friends, no way no how. Summer T.V. is slowly but surely catching up to its more popular and attractive elder siblings Fall and Winter T.V.

Despite the countless evening hours I’ve spent working on my summer glow, I for one choose to make a little time for my good friends NBC and HBO. I’ll even make some room for my pals FX, Food Network, ABC and AMC occasionally.

Here is my official “I’d prefer not to miss, so I’ll DVR just in case” summer viewing catalog, present and near-future.

"Last Comic Standing" (NBC)

A couple episodes in and I’m already hooked this year. Expect a full post on this season in the near future. Until then, I leave you with this: Craig Robinson has been really funny as the host, the comics seem extra amusing this year compared to past years and the judges have been pretty spot on (and Greg Giraldo has been really funny too). This is a can’t miss for me.

"True Blood" (HBO)

Ask me how cliché it is to like this show? Now ask me if I care. I love this show even more now more than I did in the beginning, mainly because the first couple episodes were too close to soft-core porn for the writers to focus on character development and plot line… glad they solved that problem. Now I’m immersed in the complex relationships between Sookie and Bill, Sookie and Eric, Eric and the Queen, Sam and his estranged family, Tara and LaFayette, Tara and her mom, Tara and Sookie, Jason and Andy, Andy and his cousin, Andy’s cousin and the ignorantly racist redhead waitress, Jessica and Bill, Jessica and Hoyt, Hoyt and “Vampire Bill”… Need I say more? Oh, and there’s that whole vampire thing going on too, which is pretty cool. Get into this, please. Then lets talk.

"America’s Got Talent" (NBC)

All right, I’m not nearly as hot on this show as I am the previous two, but it has its funny, dramatic and occasionally goosebump-inducing moments (see Subway Soul Singer for example). I like the judges more so than, say, the American Idol judges, and Nick Cannon is OK as the host. But there’s very little that’s great about it. And the crowd REALLY annoys me at times. One note to the producers though: if you bring back Mariah Carey for a ridiculous, pointless, half-assed performance of another awful song this year, we’re through.

"Entourage" (HBO)
As my esteemed colleague pointed out the other day, Entourage in its day was freakin’ awesome, and still today, it’s worth a watch on a warm Sunday night (starting June 27). What’s going to happen with E and his girl? Can Vince stay on top all season? Is Drama going to have a real stress-induced heart attack this year? On a negative note though, could Lloyd become more of the walking, talking stereotype the writers have typecast him into? I loved his character when he left us wanting more. Now he (and Drama and maybe Ari to an extent) have become caricatures of themselves. Hopefully the game is stepped back up this season. I think it will.

I’m pretty interested in that new show on NBC "Persons Unknown," but both episodes are in my DVR right now and I haven’t had a chance to try them on yet.

Man, I’m really into NBC and HBO right now, ay? Honestly I’m not on their payroll… Anyways, here are a few more shows I plan on checking out this summer, on neither of the aforementioned channels:

"Hot in Cleveland" (TV Land) - Looks pretty mediocre, but I’ll check out anything with Betty White in it right now.

"The Gates" (ABC) - This will either be PRETTY good or REALLY bad. It’s ABC’s attempt at cashing in on the whole vampire thing.

"Louie" (FX) - I am a Louis C.K. fan; I said it. I liked his show on HBO, I like his stand-up and I loved him in Parks and Recreation. I hope this show is good and I hope that more people can get into his brand of humor.



"Mad Men" (AMC) - It doesn’t start until July but I always tell myself I’m going to get into this show… then I never do. I put the first season in my Netflix queue, so that’s a start, right?

"Next Food Network Star" (Food Network) - This show gave us Guy Fieri, and I love him. Maybe I’ll check this show out, although I’m not a big fan of the Food Network competition programs.

That’s all for now - one more Sign of Summer on Tuesday. Until then, keep it real, keep it funky and Ride Ride Ride with us at 4 o’clock. xoxoxo

Monday, June 14, 2010

HBO is better than your favorite network

Spent some time with the latest season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” this weekend. You know – the season featuring the “Seinfeld” cast reuniting in a way that had every critic use words like “brilliant” and “well-done” to describe it. And they were right. Only around half way through it, and I can say that it’s a pretty smart way of going about it. Definitely worth checking out.

Anyways, it got me thinking about HBO. Just now finding “Dexter” and already being a hardcore fan of “Californication,” I can now confidently say that Showtime is on the network’s heels (especially considering the notion that arguably the best shows to ever grace the HBO screens are currently over and done with). While HBO may be on top for now, it’s certainly seeing some stiff competition from all ends when you include the excellent programming from networks like AMC or FX that take the HBO format and twist it enough to be acceptable on basic cable while not losing the edge and intelligence that shows from pay-for-service television have typically offered.

Seeing “Curb” made me ponder the best shows HBO have produced. Naturally, because we love you, the incredibly insightful reader, I thought I’d post what I consider to be the best three shows HBO has seen. Before doing that, though, it must be pointed out that I have never seen any more than a few minutes of “The Sopranos” and “True Blood,” both shows that have universally been praised by just about everyone who watches television. Other shows I’ve always meant to sit down with though never found the time: “In Treatment,” “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” (hey, it’s got Jill Scott), and “Big Love.” So yes, consider the following and abridged (i.e. ignorant) version of the list, but a list nonetheless. And lists are always so much fun, aren’t they? So feel free to disagree, complain that I know nothing and be utterly dismissive of any opinion I decide to share. Besides, the appeal of lists lies only within the people who are willing to debate them. So without anymore ramblings…

3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
Could have easily been replaced with “Flight Of The Conchords,” but considering the latter had a mere two seasons, it just didn’t feel right. “Curb” is admittedly put over the edge because of this latest season, but that doesn’t mean seasons one through six weren’t any good. It’s like “Seinfeld” for grown-ups, really. The cursing helps and while I’ll be the first to admit the plot lines get a bit grating and predictable after a while, it’s still pretty neat to see the celebrities come on as themselves, willing to say and do just about anything. Plus, Larry David seems like a nice guy to root for. Especially when you happen to be as neurotic and petty as he portrays himself in the show. Come on, now. Tell me this isn’t great…



2. Entourage
Hey, it’s back in two weeks! Yes, yes, I know most anyone who has watched it has completely jumped the shark by now. But if you can accept the show for what it is – a sometimes-charming analysis on relationships – you can find the light appeal within each episode. Sure, Johnny Drama has become a bit of a caricature of himself, and Vinny Chase seems to be getting more and more like a pomp-filled, bubbling idiot, but if you can’t root for Eric and Sloan, then I don’t even know why you bother watching television all together. You can’t think this show will go much longer than the next couple seasons, but in it’s hay-day, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better dude-show that translated well to those who aren’t dudes. Besides, the first season’s finale really was greater-than-awesome television. Don’t remember? Check it out…



1. The Wire

Remember this? Oh, those were the days, before we had any comments, followers or connection to the outside world. Part of the reason why I am so reluctant to finally sit with “The Sopranos” is because of my love for "The Wire" and everybody’s insistence that while both shows are great, “The Sopranos” is a bit better, though in the same vein. The storylines intersect like city roads impossible to navigate. It’s gritty. It’s obscene. It’s funny. And most importantly, it’s universally decided that it depicts inner-city life better than any other show in the history of TV. Plus, it kind of spawned “Treme,” which, had it been around for longer than one season, may have made its own way on this list itself. It’s the smartest show to ever make its way on to a television screen, and by my calculations, the second best show ever on any network. For those who agree, you may want to check out the below clip…

Monday, April 12, 2010

...For The Ride Home: Conan on TBS, Big Ben is a free man and R.I.P. Proof

In honor of Tina Fey on "Saturday Night Live," her movie finishing No. 1 at the box office over the weekend and her reportedly filming the season finale of "30 Rock" last week, we offer you the wonderful woman with ...her husband. Yep. That's him. Strange, isn't it? You'd think it's time for an upgrade but hey, her loyalty does not go unnoticed. At least by this particular blog. Wanted to offer up her "Weekend Update" appearance, but can't find the video anywhere. Know what else we can't find? "Treme." Anyone have any idea where we can find this online? Any links would be greatly appreciated. Showed up last night to see if anyone wanted to take up the offer on a conversation or two and thus, saw nothing. It was like being stood up on a date. A virtual date. Did anyone see it? Disappointing? Good? Better than expected? This is what the comments section is for, friends. In any case, onward and upward to week three.

Speaking of "Saturday Night Live," Mark Sanchez left the after-party with six women. To all the women in the hizzie: Is he really that dreamy? (TMZ)

Speaking of quarterbacks: Big Ben got off (hehe). "We are not condoning Mr. Roethlisberger's actions that night. But we do not prosecute morals. We prosecute crimes." (ESPN)

Roger Waters is bringing "The Wall" to the states. (Billboard)

For fans of "Entourage." (Funny Or Die)

This got brought up last week, but it's an awfully good question, and the more stories that are written about this topic, the more interesting it gets: Why isn't there another Bill Simmons? (National Sports Journalism Center)

Four years ago yesterday, Proof died. (XXL)

The Masters could have brought in TV's highest golf ratings ever? (USA Today)

Conan on TBS isn't going to work. Expect a post on that sometime in the near future. As for now, read about how it all came together. (New York Times)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The difference between beautiful and beee-uutiful

The most beautiful woman to ever appear in a movie was Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast At Tiffany's." Period. How's that for a grand statement?

It's true, though. Look at her. The blond streak in her hair. The outlandish outfits. The way she holds herself with a never-ending sense of grace. A posture featuring swagger that even Jay-Z could be jealous of. Hell. She even makes smoking look adorable.

That statement, while extraordinary and epic, is accompanied by an even-more persistent question, a question that sometimes goes incredibly overlooked when focusing on today's women in Hollywood. That question? Are the most jaw-dropping leading ladies of yesteryear more jaw-dropping than the jaw-dropping leading ladies of today?

Consider the following:

No. 1 on the list of AskMen's women for 2010 is Emmanuelle Chriqui, or Dahila from the "oh-my-God-they-really-made-this-movie-it's-that-bad "You Don't Mess With The Zohan." You know. E's girl from "Entourage." Sure, you're great as Sloan, sweetheart, but your biggest success came from a show on HBO. The same HBO that brings such high-brow material as the "Real Sex" programs. Premiere.com listed Mila Kunis as its No. 1 most beautiful woman in Hollywood. Wait. The same Mila Kunis who holds the voice as the famously unpretty Meg from "Family Guy." Or was it the same Mila Kunis who runs away with...Jason Segel at the end of such an intelligent, high class flick as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall?"



Pause. Now think.

Would you have ever seen Ingrid Bergman appear on a cable television show based strictly around what it's like to be a bunch of dudes who are rich, successful and famous in L.A.?



How about Mary Astor? Would she go on a late night talk show to champion how much she loves to play video games online while pushing her latest film recreating...a comic book?

(Around the 4:00 mark)


Sure it would be ignorant, if not irresponsible, to refuse to look at the change in culture when considering such things. But that's what makes those beautiful women of yesteryear more beautiful than any possible leading lady of today. It isn't Ingrid's sparkling eyes, or Audrey's perfect smile. It's their mystique. It's their innocence. It's their confidence. It's their natural, somewhat sincere, un-medically enhanced facial features. It's their collective sense of beauty that has constantly been the subject of chase for each and every female film star of the last three-plus decades.

Besides, how beneficial would it have honestly been if we had video of Elizabeth Taylor stumbling out of a club on a Tuesday night to find TMZ cameras catching her every stumbling step, anyways?

- TU