To me, "Entourage" got right back on track.

Not a totally hilarious episode, but they cut back on the Klein-Ari arguing, threw in the subplot with Lloyd, and decided not to drag that terrible "Vince's stalker" plot any longer. One of the better episodes of the season so far, if not the best.

Last episode was legitimately good. The guys were all together again and Ari was really funny.

I wonder if I am the only person in the world who can't stand this show? I don't mean to start a flame war, but I honestly find this show repugnant.

The characters are all the worst kind of people I can imagine. Shallow, materialistic assholes who's sole obsession is fame, money, cars and hot women. I find the show insulting in the way it represents both men and women. I only saw the first half of the first season and then couldn't stand it... maybe they all turn into good people after this?

I don't mind watching unlikable characters in film or TV, but the show clearly wants me to like these characters and create a bond with them. No thanks.

You have me for company. I'll add that I find Jeremy Piven extremely annoying. That said, I like loads of stuff that other people hate so all power to the fans of this show.

Yeah I heave no problem with people being fans of the show... at least it's better than reality TV.

That's the point of the show. It's to show really what an ugly business Hollywood is and how these characters fill their lives with materialistic things all the time to blind them from the harsh reality that will hit each of them at some point in their lives.

Vince had that happen to him once he made a dud, and he realized everything he once took for granted wasn't so anymore. Granted, he's gone right back to his old habits after Scorsese saved him, but that's the point of the show. Obviously not everyone in Hollywood is a total jerk or two-faced loser, but there is definitely a large portion, at least the parts of the business Vince and the boys are associated with, that will do anything to better themselves, and that's all they care about.

As far as Jeremy Piven goes, he's what has made the show watchable for me during this rather offputting season (last episode disappointed me, there's been only two good episodes out of 11 so far, not good). His character is so incredibly selfish, it's like a worse version of Michael Scott from "The Office". But you come to love him just because he's so hilarious in his mannerisms and temper-tantrums, as well as his one liners (just like Michael Scott from "The Office").

I think the best actor right behind Piven on the show is Kevin Dillon, whose portrayal of a shallow, easily depressed has-been is one of the better comedic performances in a TV show. It's a shame he hasn't won an Emmy for his performance yet.

That said, the best seasons of "Entourage" are Seasons 2 (when James Cameron makes an appearance in a couple of episodes), and you could make a case for Season 3. I'll still watch the show because, a.) The episodes are only 20-25 minutes, so if it's a crappy episode, I never feel like I invested too much of my time into it in the first place, and b.) It does at times give you a good look into the business side of Hollywood and how movies and television shows are created.

Seasons 1 and 2 were definitely the best. The best episode of them all however was probably "The Jungle", which opened season 4.

I liked the finale. The Matt Damon/Bono/LeBron stuff was funny and any episode with Emmanuelle Chriqui automatically goes up a couple of levels.

Agreed.

The second half of this season was much better than the first half. I'd still say this was the weakest of the seasons...what exactly happened that was substantial besides Vince booking the Darabont movie? I knew the E and Sloan thing was going to happen, it had to, the writers of "Entourage" don't really leave things on a down-note as far as the season goes (with one of the only exceptions being Vince's flop at the box office). That said, I am looking forward to Season 7. For some reason I still enjoy watching the show, even thought it has deteriorated considerably since the Season 2-3 days.

Yes there were a few good episodes in the second half of the season, but IMHO easily the worst season this show has had.

Over this past weekend I watched, thanks to Netflix, the first three episodes of the first season of this show.

And all I can say is this: THANK GOD SOMEONE IS OUT THERE PROMOTING HOLLYWOOD! What the world needs now, now more than ever, is a celebration of Hollywood and the Los Angeles lifestyle.

But seriously: the difference between this show and Sex and the City is the dominating presence of external reproductive organs. So, you know, count me the hell out for any and all future episodes. Jeremy Piven does a nice job and Kevin Dillon is reasonably good but, for the love of butter, this show was vacuous from the get-go.

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Not long ago I heard someone say that television, specifically cable television's original programming, was easily surpassing the quality of movies available. While this could be true I'm fairly sure that Entourage wasn't factored into that opinion. There's something hideous about celebrating Los Angeles and some of the high-end craziness therein.

We should call Heff and start a club.

Heff should sue me for writing the exact same thing as he. Truth be toldishing: I figured that most of the people on this board (or at least this particular thread) would unload into Entourage as repulsive. Surprise! But it's obviously got something that appeals to reasonable people.

My guess? Tits. And copious amounts of "fuck" and variations thereon.

Plus that Kevin Connolly guy (Eric) just seems like such a little wimp. That's not a complaint about the show but about that little wimp Kevin Connolly. I just wanted to wring his little wimpy neck.

*takes heroic dose of amitriptyline*

I mean Kevin Connolly seems like a sweet guy. Boy next door kinda fella -- he's not Queens tough but I'd love to have him as a neighbor. And I'd also love to hug Heff. And the world.

*falls asleep*

I'll still watch this show over another overrated cable show that seemingly everyone loves - that being Weeds. Sure, Mary Louise Parker is fine for an older lady but come on, its abundance of stereotypes and forced satire is way to much to stomach, in addition to how they treat her character.

As flawed as Entourage is, to call is repulsive is a bit too extreme, because as I've said before, it periodically gives you a good look into the business side of how television shows and movies are made. If directors like James Cameron and Frank Darabont decided to make appearances, as well as actors like the great Dennis Hopper and Maury Chaykin decided to associate themselves with it - then it can't be all bad, can it? With that said, I doubt I'll be watching season seven after further review - there are way to many shows that I want to check out first before I watch another season of Entourage.

*Note to self: Mentioning Michael Finley doesn't bring Dan back, but insulting Entourage does*

Man, that's true, very sad fact. Me = Fail.

Awww, come on. You're still DanDaMan. I for one think it's super cool that you're sticking up for your show. Really, I mean it.

I'll go to bat with Dan on this one. I enjoy Entourage in much the same way I enjoy Froot Loops cereal: it's not very nutricious and on the whole is probably pretty bad for me, but it's tasty and it turns the milk weird colors.

Yes, the characters are vapid. Yes, their "troubles" don't really compare to those of the average American. Yes, they are all pretty much wastes of space. But idle hands can lead to some pretty humorous situations. And because it's on HBO, you get the added bonus of "realistic" dialog (with the cussing) and flashes of nudity here and there.

Also like the "inside" views into how Hollywood works. The Gary Cole plot of the last season I could do without, but the Martin Landau character from a couple of seasons ago was pretty good. "Is that something you'd be interested in?"