Entourage (American TV series)

Entourage is an American satirical comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004, and ended on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons. The series was created and largely written by Doug Ellin, and chronicles the acting career of Vincent Chase, a young A-list movie star, and his childhood friends from Queens, New York City, as they attempt to further their nascent careers in Los Angeles. The show's principal cast initially consisted of Kevin Connolly as Eric Murphy, Adrian Grenier as Chase, Kevin Dillon as Johnny "Drama" Chase, Jerry Ferrara as Turtle, and Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold. In later seasons, Debi Mazar, Perrey Reeves, Rex Lee, Rhys Coiro, Gary Cole, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Scott Caan were upgraded to the main cast.

Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson served as Entourages executive producers, and its premise is loosely based on Wahlberg's experiences as an up-and-coming film star. The show is noted for its themes of male friendship and the Hollywood lifestyle, as well as its numerous celebrity guest appearances, with at least one usually appearing each episode.

During its run, Entourage received generally positive reviews from critics, apart from the last season receiving a mixed reception. The show received numerous awards and nominations throughout its run, including three straight Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series wins for Piven from 2006 to 2008, alongside the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2007. Dillon and Connolly also received acting nominations.

An Entourage film, with most of the main cast returning, was released on June 3, 2015, serving as a sequel to the series. The film received negative reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment.

Development

According to Mark Wahlberg, Entourage was initially conceived when his assistant asked if he could film Wahlberg and his friends, calling them "hilarious." Other reports credit Eric Weinstein, a long-time friend of Wahlberg, with the idea of filming the actor's group of friends. However, according to Donnie Carroll, who was the inspiration for the Turtle character, the idea for a show involving an actor and his friends had come from him. It had originated as a book idea, centered on Carroll's own life and his experiences with Wahlberg, titled From the 'Hood to Hollywood, A Soldier's Story. His best friend and manager is Eric Murphy (Kevin Connolly). "E", as his friends call him, is based on Mark Wahlberg's friend and associate producer Eric Weinstein. Carroll auditioned for the role, but the Boston native was turned down when it was decided the actors would have to be New Yorkers.

In September 2012, it was confirmed that Ellin had completed the script and that it would take place six months after the end of the series. In January 2013, the film was officially green-lit, and it was confirmed that Ellin would direct it and Warner Bros. would distribute. However, by September 2013, amid reports that there had been significant delays in production and contract issues with the film's cast, Ellin stated the film was "less and less likely every day." In October 2013, the cast reached a deal, confirming the film would move forward. Principal photography began on February 19, 2014, and the film stars Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Jeremy Piven, Rex Lee, Debi Mazar, Perrey Reeves, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rhys Coiro, and new characters played by Billy Bob Thornton and Haley Joel Osment. The film was released on June 3, 2015, to critical and commercial disappointment.

Themes and characteristics

Male friendship

A recurring theme in Entourage is the strength of male camaraderie and its importance over work. Series creator Doug Ellin stated, "Entourage works because it's about male friendship. The Hollywood setting is entertaining but it's really about the relationship between these guys." He later added that, "Ultimately, the show's theme is friendship and family. The characters may have the bling, but they're grounded guys who look out for each other. That's the backbone of the show. If it was just about fantasy lifestyles, it wouldn't be relatable."

This view was supported by Jeremy Piven, who plays the talent agent, Ari: "If it was just a show about wish fulfillment and guys getting (sex) because their best friend was famous, it wouldn't be that interesting." 73/100 for season 3, 70/100 for season 5, 61/100 for season 7, and 62/100 for season 8. The Wall Street Journal commented on the writing, saying it "is almost always smart, sharp and funny." Season 7, while still gaining generally favorable reviews, had a much more mixed reception than the earlier seasons because "it all feels maybe a little too familiar."

Awards and nominations

thumb|Doug Ellin at the 68th Annual [[Peabody Awards for Entourage]]

The series was nominated for 26 Primetime Emmy Awards, with six wins, in categories such as acting, directing, writing and for Outstanding Comedy Series. Jeremy Piven was nominated four consecutive times for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, winning the award three times in a row in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Kevin Dillon received three consecutive nominations in 2007, 2008, and 2009, for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. The series was nominated in 2007, 2008, and 2009 for Outstanding Comedy Series. It also received six directing nominations and one writing nomination.

It was nominated for 14 Golden Globe Awards, with Piven and the series being nominated every year. Piven won the Supporting Actor award in 2008. Dillon received a nomination in the Supporting Actor category alongside Piven in 2008, while Kevin Connolly was nominated alongside Piven in 2009.

It was nominated for six Screen Actors Guild Awards–Piven independently and the ensemble cast, four Directors Guild of America Awards, four Producers Guild of America Awards–winning in 2006, and four Writers Guild of America Awards. It also won a Peabody Award in 2008 "for its picaresque and pointed take on Tinsel Town."

Home media

All eight seasons have been released on DVD; with the third season being released in two parts. The sixth, seventh, and eighth seasons have also been released on Blu-ray Disc. A complete series collection, containing all the seasons, and special features from the individual season releases, has been released on both DVD and Blu-ray on November 6, 2012.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"

!rowspan="2"|Season!!colspan="3"|Release dates!!rowspan="2"|Episodes!!rowspan="2"|Bonus features

!|Region 1 !! Region 2 !! Region 4

| style="text-align:center; width:60px;"|1|| style="text-align:center; width:95px;"|May 10, 2005|| style="text-align:center; width:115px;"|October 30, 2006|| style="text-align:center; width:110px;"|September 6, 2006|| style="text-align:center;"|8||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin and executive producer Larry Charles on "Entourage (Pilot)", "Busey and the Beach" and "New York"; Behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew

| style="text-align:center;"|2|| style="text-align:center;"|June 6, 2006|| style="text-align:center;"|February 26, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|September 6, 2006|| style="text-align:center;"|14||The Mark Wahlberg Sessions – Wahlberg talks to the cast and crew about the series

| style="text-align:center;"|3: Part 1|| style="text-align:center;"|April 3, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|November 26, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|March 7, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|12||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin and actors Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara on "One Day in the Valley", "Vegas Baby, Vegas" and "Sorry, Ari"; "Vegas Baby, Vegas" featurette – behind-the-scenes with cast and crew on location in Vegas

| style="text-align:center;"|3: Part 2|| style="text-align:center;"|October 2, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|April 7, 2008|| style="text-align:center;"|November 6, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|8||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin, and actors Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara on "Manic Monday", "The Resurrection" and "Adios Amigos"; Museum of Television & Radio Panel Discussion with the Cast; Behind-the-Scenes look at the Season Finale

| style="text-align:center;"|4|| style="text-align:center;"|August 26, 2008|| style="text-align:center;"|October 6, 2008|| style="text-align:center;"|November 5, 2008|| style="text-align:center;"|12||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin, and actors Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara on "Welcome to the Jungle", "The Day Fuckers" and "The Cannes Kids"; Meet the Newest Member of Entourage! – a short featurette on Doug Ellin's son, Lucas (who plays Ari's son); The Making of Medellin; Medellin Trailer; U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Panel with the cast and crew

| style="text-align:center;"|5|| style="text-align:center;"|June 30, 2009|| style="text-align:center;"|September 14, 2009|| style="text-align:center;"|September 1, 2009|| style="text-align:center;"|12||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin, producer Ally Musika, and actors Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly and Jerry Ferrara on "Tree Trippers", "Play'n with Fire" and "Return to Queens Blvd."; The Celebrity Factor – behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew

| style="text-align:center;"|6|| style="text-align:center;"|June 22, 2010|| style="text-align:center;"|September 6, 2010|| style="text-align:center;"|July 20, 2010|| style="text-align:center;"|12||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin, executive producer Ally Musika, and actors Jeremy Piven, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Bob Saget on "No More Drama", "Scared Straight" and "Give a Little Bit"; "Life at the Top" – A look at the making of Season 6 featuring interviews with cast and crew; "A Day at the Speedway" – Behind-the-scenes with the Entourage cast and crew as they race Ferraris at the Auto Club Speedway; ONEXONE PSA (directed by Matt Damon)

| style="text-align:center;"|7|| style="text-align:center;"|July 12, 2011|| style="text-align:center;"|September 12, 2011|| style="text-align:center;"|July 13, 2011|| style="text-align:center;"|10||Commentary by creator Doug Ellin, executive producer Ally Musika, and actors Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara and Jeremy Piven on "Hair", "Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "Lose Yourself"; "Inside the Hollywood Highlife" — behind-the-scenes of season seven with interviews with cast and crew; "The Shades of Sasha Grey" – an inside look into the world of adult film star Sasha Grey

| style="text-align:center;"|8|| style="text-align:center;"|June 12, 2012|| style="text-align:center;"|June 11, 2012|| style="text-align:center;"|June 13, 2012|| style="text-align:center;"|8||"Hollywood Sunset: Farewell Tribute to Entourage"

Syndication

Entourage is syndicated, often broadcast on HBO, and is also carried in full through HBO Max and HBO's depreciated streaming services; two cuts were created, the original aired by HBO, and a syndicated cut with nudity, sexual content and profanity removed, which is aired in some countries as the default cut to meet local mores.

In the United States, the series was syndicated on local stations and WGN America beginning September 13, 2010, but was only carried for one season, due to low ratings. The series was also syndicated by Spike TV in an attempt to improve their late night ratings. Spike quickly reduced, then ended the contract to carry the series, also due to low ratings; the series often drew lower numbers than much older library or syndicated content, and even the paid programming that followed episodes of the show overnights.

Promotional material

Dillon and Ferrara appeared as their Entourage personalities in a set of commercials for the video game Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. In the commercials, the guys are valets during the day, and racers (Turtle) and interceptors (Drama) at night.

Nike SB collaborated with creator Doug Ellin to commemorate the final season with an Entourage-branded version of their Nike SB shoes, which was featured on the series. However, these shoes are exclusively for the families of the cast and crew.

As a way to promote the Entourage film, a memoir/self-help book titled The Gold Standard: Rules to Rule By written in the style of character Ari Gold was released on May 12, 2015.