Why do I watch Entourage?

Here's my problem. when you turn on HBO to watch television, you expect a higher class of show. Comedically, Entourage IS that higher class of show. It's still very entertaining despite what I'm about to say. But as far as the storylines go, I'm not sure the fans who're watching the show as loyally as I am realize the hornswaggle that's being played upon them.

As massively entertaining as the show is, and with all the little windows it purports to provide into the world of a budding mega star... it doesn't. There's no conflict. There's nothing that goes wrong for more than a half-hour's worth of television -- and that sort of watered down sitcom-writer thinking is not what HBO has promised me. The longest-running conflict, Vince's Mandy Moore obsession, lasted two episodes or so.

Case in point, last week's beginnings of conflict between Eric and Vince over their feelings about fictional would-be blockbuster Medellin, into which they've put all of their cash. Eric, in a fit of panic, takes every step he can think of to get the movie fixed and, supposedly, save Vince's career. He even goes groveling to Harvey Weinstein. Vince, who liked the flick, doesn't even care. He's off partying with Dennis Hopper.

Now, this could be the beginnings of a big split between the two. Vince dumps Eric as a manager and Eric goes on to run a studio in a perfectly Superman/Lex Luthor storyline that would be compelling and still have that basis for entertaining comedy that the show has a stranglehold on.

Turns out it's not. Everything's OK now, since the movie's been accepted into the Cannes film festival. Conflict resolved. Everything's OK for another week, until one of the kids forgets to do their homework and has to be at school in an hour. Wait... that's Full House.

Show me a scandal in the tabloids -- some intern on set claiming Vince did something to her. Show me one of the guys getting arrested for something. Show me the movie ACTUALLY bombing. Give me a reason to worry about your characters.

I don't care how great it is to be a successful star. Basing a fictional show on that merely puts it on the level of reality shows like Girls Next Door and Hey Paula. Why waste writers on something like that?

More Drama, please...

Wanted to briefly touch on this week's Entourage. A lot is made about the lack of development of stories/plots and characters on that show -- and that's a good point. But I think the producers understand that, and the complete lack of conflict and character development it purposeful to put together a fun show based on the (debatable) image that celebrity life is A-OK.

So, since it's there just for fun, I can relish in yet another Drama-centric episode -- Johnny's flipping out because his show's premiering and the reviewers aren't very kind. Drama episodes are always the best (I point you to the calf implant bit from last year). What made him such a complete psycho, we'll probably never know, but isn't it great to see him flip on a TV writer only to end up running away with his tail between his legs?

I only wish my writing invoked that kind of reaction.

Anyway, it will stand as classic that he packed up and drove to the Grand Canyon to sulk about his failure (only to be redeeemed by the masses, who are great at taking a critcally panned show and making it viable). There may be some great comedy on that show, but Drama's responsible for the greatest of it.

(Side note: Can anyone tell me why both Entourage and Sopranos ended with a character screaming at the desert this week? Odd.)

Let's hug it out!

More of Vince and the gang without waiting until next year!!! From Zap2it:

HBO has been known to let the better part of two years pass between seasons of its original series. That will emphatically not be the case with Entourage this summer.

The show's current season is scheduled to come to an end June 3. It will then be off the air for all of 14 days before a new season kicks off on June 17, where it will anchor a Sunday lineup that also features two new shows, David Milch's drama John From Cincinnati and another comedy, Flight of the Conchords.

HBO has also set a premiere date for the second season of Big Love, which will migrate to Monday nights starting June 11.

The short turnaround for Entourage owes to the fact that the current episodes are part of the show's third season, which was broken up into two parts, the first 12 airing last summer and the remaining eight saved for this run. The episodes starting June 17 are part of the series' fourth season.

In a post-Sopranos world, it makes sense to choose Entourage as your anchor lead-in. Not that I need for a reason to check out a new HBO show, but Entourage is the most entertaining show the network has.

Busy Matt wrap

So I'm a little behind on my work here -- it's been a busy few weeks. Here're a few notes on shows that need to be noted...

Drive: The show is already getting better and I promise you you'll like it if you're into mindless action flicks or shows. But, sheesh, the over the top writing stinks, doesn't it? Incidentally, it would make a great video game (preferably developed on the same engine as Grand Theft Auto).

Entourage: Without Ari, this show would be useless. Don't take that criticism the wrong way, I'm a big fan of the show. But it needs that punch to it that Drama and Turtle's goofiness and Eric and Vince's annoying indecisiveness don't provide. Much more actual plot and character development would be necessary if Ari hadn't gone bonkers and chased his shrink onto a golf course this week.

Sopranos: As Entertainment Weekly pointed out a few weeks ago, David Chase doesn't consider his creation a morality tale, and he's not concerned with what fans say about the show or about wrapping things up cleanly. Well, he certainly stepped up the violence in the first three episodes (something fans have been screaming about); he's given more characters some closure this week with Junior finally giving in to his failing health and Paulie earning a pass for his indiscretions thanks to a sentimental and arguably weak Tony. Unlike the first two episodes though, the bad guys didn't "get what they deserved." It's becoming more and more foggy as to what may or may not happen at the end of this whole thing.

30 Rock: Alec Baldwin is funny. Okay, scratch that... Alec Baldwin is EXTREMELY funny. Who cares if he yelled at his brat daughter? (More seriously, it's sad that this show doesn't get viewers... and that it's done for the season this Thursday.)

I'm still catching up on some other shows so I'll probably drop another wrap on you this evening (read: 3 a.m. tomorrow).

They COULD fly...

You'd think after two seasons Vince, Eric, Turtle, Drama and, most importantly, Ari, would have grown up a little bit. But that would have taken away from the brilliance of Entourage.

Back after a much shorter hiatus than most other HBO shows ever have, the biggest complaint anyone can have about the show is its brevity. But in a longer format it would just get tired (Robot Chicken has the same issue -- it's at its best when it hits and runs, leaving everyone wanting more).

The newest episode plays half cleverly/half hacky on the "break-up" angle between Ari and Vince, with friendly bad advice and hang-up phone calls. Jeremy Piven again continues to steal the show with his genius portrayal of Ari Gold, and Turtle and Drama provide the needed entertainment that the drab Vince and Eric lack. It's too bad the show is centered on the pair, because they continue to be the most boring parts of the show.

My only hope is that the show finds more direction this year, moving on from just party planning and Vince vs. Ari vs. Eric. The little glimpses of Hollywood stardom aside, the show still runs the risk of getting too wrapped up in its own gimmick and joining its characters in their Peter Pan complex.