rhys coiro

As if you haven't heard it enough from all of us here at TV Squad, one of the best perks by far of the TV critic biz is getting to see episodes before they air. DVD screeners are always pouring into the TV Squad HQ for just about everything - usually all the shows nobody wants to, or ever will, watch.

But when one of the big ones comes in the mail, it's always exciting. Especially since the networks typically go all out when it comes to the press kits for those trademark shows. These are always more than just a DVD. Sometimes the extra bonuses are good and sometimes they're bad - I still have no use for my incredibly dull Prison Break pocket knife.

Even still, whether the press kits are loaded with junk or not, it's a thrill to open them up. Last week, I found an interesting package on my doorstep. Take a look after the jump for pictures of what I found inside.

It's been a long time coming, but 24 is finally coming back. After a mediocre sixth season, followed by endless news about the re-invigorated season seven, it all got pushed aside. Kiefer Sutherland went to jail. Production was delayed. Oh right... and don't forget the WGA Strike. I hear that played a role, too.

FOX has announced that as with seasons past, 24 will return with a two-night, four-hour premiere on Sunday, January 11th, and Monday, January 12th. Plus, there's the two-hour movie Redemption airing later this month on Sunday, November 23rd. That's a lot of 24 to look forward to.

If you aren't excited yet, wait'll you see what Jack does to Tony "the clock wasn't silent" Almeida in the latest trailer for Day 7.

In mid-April, we reported that the '24' producers were studying potential story lines for the seventh season of the FOX hit series, one featuring Quebec's separatists. About two weeks later, it was confirmed that Jack would go through his next action-packed awful day in a different scenery. In early July, we learned that writers had planned to have the action set in Africa and the U.S. but that the network sent them back to the drawing board because that story line would be too expensive. Eventually, official spoilers started to leak and FOX announced the names of actors joining the show (more after the jump).

But yesterday, FOX sent out a press release so juicy that it had some people pinch themselves to make sure they weren't dreaming!

Spoilers after the jump!

(S04E12) "In France, I'm a Viking god." - Drama

Medellin. We've been talking about it all season. We've seen clips, a ridiculously good trailer for the film, and even a "making of" documentary. Despite all the positive hype, we've only had one question: what if it sucks? Well guess what? It sucks... a lot. Amidst a frantic and hyper crowd at Cannes, Medellin's screening worked like a sedative. Only Billy and Vince seemed to be enjoying the film as if they were in on some joke. It even garnered a few "boos." To be honest, it felt anti-climactic to me if only because this was exactly what I've been expecting. This was the only logical outcome. Everything always comes up roses for this crew. They needed a reality check and this proved to be the perfect vehicle for it.

(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.

(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.

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."