Entourage

(S04E11) "Ninety-seven minutes, E." - Drama

It just keeps getting better. Like everyone else, I've complained here and there about some of the mediocre episodes that have aired this summer. However, it's hard to stay angry when we get one like this. It was perfect really. Hands down, one of the best written episodes of Entourage -- spanning all four seasons. Think about it. When was the last episode that flawlessly integrated every character into the action as well as guest spots from Kanye West, Sydney Pollack, and Anna Faris?

(S04E10) "I like being E." - Turtle

Back to the season. This episode did what we like to call "advance the plot." Remember the plot? This show had one at one point, and as much as I've enjoyed the past few episodes exploring E's choices, I'm glad we finally got back to what the show is all about: Vince's career. Another cool factor? Eric had nothing to do with it this time around. As many folks predicted in last week's poll, right out of the gate E seemed to be focusing his energy on Anna and putting Vince on the back-burner. Doubt very much that'll last too long.

Although it seems like John from Cincinnati is dead, another HBO summer season show lives on. Variety reports that Home Box Office has picked up a second season of the musical comedy Flight of the Conchords.

The quirky hit is popular among young viewers, an elusive demographic for the premium cable channel. In addition to Conchords, HBO has given the thumbs-up to a fifth season of Entourage.

(S04E09) "Looks like someone found some fresh meat at the market." - Drama

Once again, another episode that didn't really have anything major going on. It was good though. It had some funny story lines and kept up with this trend of character development. We got tons this time around from Eric, Mrs. Ari, Vince, and Drama. Overall, the show is really establishing itself as more than just the story of Vince. It's broadening out in all directions, and even though I'm looking forward to the culmination of the season at Cannes, I'm looking forward to where everyone else ends up too.

I swear I tried to come up with a creative title for this post, but sometimes simplicity is best. We had to wait almost a year for the concluding half of Entourage's third season. It kept getting put off again and again, and I think it was because HBO wanted to keep it in line with the return of The Sopranos. Whatever. My point is that you'd think with all the re-scheduling, that the DVD set would hit the shelves quicker. No dice.

The set for season three, part two won't be in stores until October 2. Besides having to wait that long, you'd at least expect it to cost a little less, right? After all, it was only 8 episodes just like the first season. Wrong again. Expect to pay the same price that the longer seasons go for. Around thirty bucks. I wish I could say something exciting about some great special feature to make it seem like a worthwhile deal, but as with the other sets, I'm sure there will only be a few audio commentaries. I'm complaining, but of course I'm going to buy it. Part of me just wishes they had released the whole third season as one giant set and added a few featurettes or cast interviews. Something extra would have been nice.

[Thanks to reader Cam for the tip!]

(S04E08) "So... you've come to acquire my newly acquired desk." - Gary Busey

I'm starting to get the impression that the goal of this season of Entourage wasn't to create some huge season long story. Most of the season four episodes have been one-shots, with little connection to an over arching plot. Instead we've gotten boatloads of character development and this was no exception. Eric is going legit (finally) and it proves to be harder than he thought since it seems the only person in Hollywood who knows him is Vince. That story, while great, pales in comparison to the return of Gary Busey though. I guess Turtle's previous prediction of Gary "flying off the planet" didn't quite pan out.

(S04E07) "More like a smile I'd like to service." - Turtle

I'm not sure what they were thinking with this episode. It's not that it was bad. I thought it was great - some funny moments and some loose ends tied up. It was sort of like the Vegas episode. Looking at the big picture, it doesn't have much impact on the season but it still provided a nice departure from everything else that's going on. I guess it just goes to show that Entourage can pull off something like this more than once.

(S04E06) "Listen, mind if I use your private shitter? I just gotta piss but the one in the hallway stank like a refugee boat." - Walsh

Hmm... not so much. I've been enjoying this season immensely thus far, but something about this episode just didn't work for me. It's not that it was bad, but it just didn't feel right. There was so much going on and none of it really tied together. All the good episodes of Entourage have A and B plots that usually collide at the end. None of that here. What did I like? More Lloyd. What didn't I like? Everything else.

As many readers and commenters have pointed out, for the biggest part of today, the official Medellin website was plagued with bugs. Most notably, the inability to stream the trailer without having some crazy HBO password. Perhaps this was due to high site traffic because it worked fine for me at the crack of dawn this morning. Regardless, and I'm not sure for how long now, but the site is back up and running smoothly. So for those of you that missed the trailer following last night's episode of Entourage, here's your chance to see what's being heralded as the second coming of Scarface. Too bad it's not real. Additionally, there's a bunch of photos from the film as well as an interview with Vince. I don't think it's related to the interview he did with Elvis Mitchell in the episode, but it's still a fun read. Apparently all Vince ate to bulk up for the role was Drama's spaghetti carbonara. Looks like it worked.

(S04E05) "Yo, pretty dope lid you're sportin' there hombre. Where'd you get it?" - Drama

Doug Ellin and Co. does it again. I think Entourage is finally returning to the level of quality we had been use to. Granted I've been enjoying this season right along, but this episode was spectacular from all accounts. It just flowed very smoothly, had some classic Ari and Drama lines, had E get in a fight, and even guest-starred the very funny Bob Balaban. Sounds like a winner to me.

Let me take a look at my trusty calendar. Okay, tomorrow I take the kids to the doctor. On Thursday I get that bikini wax. Friday? Well, I do the same think as I do every Friday -- try to take over the world (Snarf!). Now, for next week . . .

Sweet Niblets! Next week (July 19th, to be exact) they announce the nominees for the 59th Emmy awards to honor achievements for what has gone on previously rather than what is going on now. Which is opposite of the Golden Globes or the SAG awards, which honor achievements that are going on both presently and in the past. Wait, let me read that again . . . yep, that makes sense!

So, in preparation for the television wonk's biggest night of the year I have asked the humongous staff over here at TV Squad to give me a hand in picking out who will be the likely nominees and winners in the Best Actor/Actress/Drama/Comedy categories. Of course, your opinions may differ. But, hey, what fun would it be if we picked the same things you did?

Maybe I'm off base here, but this seems weird to me. I've heard of individual celebrities starting their own clothing lines, but never an apparel line based on an entire show. Well... HBO's Entourage has got one now.

Back in March, before the premiere of season three's second half, Adriano Goldschmied (never heard of them... sounds expensive) launched an entire line based on the popular show. As you would expect, there was a giant party and people walked away with gift bags that were probably more expensive than my life.

If you feel like dishing out $70, there are some pretty cool tee-shirts featuring Viking Quest and the Ari Gold instant classic "Let's Hug It Out Bitch." Personally, I'm content sticking with the $5.99 special from The Gap clearance rack.

(S04E04) "I need my hands washed baby bro and you are the soap." - Drama

Leave it to Johnny to take the simplest of clichés and turn it into something that sounds wildly inappropriate. That seemed to be the theme for this episode though because everything was a little crazy. From a war veteran film producer dead set on ripping someone's eyeballs out to a bag full of multi-colored dildos, we got a taste of everything in "Sorry, Harvey."

(S04E03) "Yeah, it was real cozy listening to you snore all night Turtle. And please... tell me I didn't catch you whacking it at four AM?" - Eric

The thought of Turtle tugging it while I'm right next to him repulses me. I can't say that I blame E, but I guess that's what you have to expect when you're living in tight quarters with Drama. As many folks predicted, Drama's condo (which he technically couldn't afford) has become home to the gang... because Vince can't afford anything. Medellin needs to get some positive buzz and as Vince and Ari have realized, that's not going to happen with Eric running around saying the film sucks. The whole ordeal has created this pseudo-fight between Vince and E and so far, I think it's one of the best story lines the show has had.

(S04E02) "They had an after-party at the hotel. Anthony Michael Hall pissed off the balcony and we got thrown out." - Eric

This show continues to impress me. After last week's stellar "documentary" episode, we returned to the regular format but still maintained this ridiculously entertaining blend of humor and drama that the show has achieved. It was good to begin with and now it's even better. Stories are layered, characters are becoming far more developed, and there's still plenty of room for Turtle to get sorority girls to whip out their boobs. We're only two episodes into the fourth season, but if this keeps up, it's gonna be the best one yet. Much like Vinnie Chase's career, Entourage appears to be hitting its stride.