Just five episodes into Entourage's long-awaited fifth season, and HBO has already pulled the trigger on a sixth. This morning the pay cable network announced that a sixth season of the popular comedy is in the works with a summer 2009 premiere planned.
So far, season five has seen Vince and the gang head into a downward spiral as he tries to rejuvenate his career in the wake of his last poorly received film, Medellin.
Even though I've seen plenty of positive reviews of the new season (I even gave it one), I still have a bit of an issue with HBO renewing the show. It's not that I disagree with a renewal, but I'm not so sure the timing is right.
After last night's episode with the mess over the 'shrooms and Eric Roberts, I can honestly say that I've changed my tune a little about this season. It's a bit all over the place, not to mention... well... a little boring. There haven't been any really big "whoa!" moments so far.
That's my number one problem with this renewal, because I'm sure there are some of those moments in store over the remaining seven season-five episodes. Why not save the renewal news for when there's some really positive buzz about the show following a big episode? Right now, after talking with some friends and trying to gauge a general consensus over the news, the initial impression seems to be something along the lines of, "They renewed Entourage? But it sucks right now." See?
Of course, Entourage doesn't "suck" right now, but it sure isn't living up to what we're used to. While I realize that Jeremy Piven taking home a third consecutive Emmy is big news, that's still not enough to bolster the hoopla that comes along with a show renewal. In effect, this turns season five into a waiting game as everyone is just going to be pining for that "whoa!" moment that'll justify sticking around for season six. Hopefully HBO knows something we don't, because if season five does lack a big game-changer, then this renewal's pre-mature announcement just became a non-story.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-06-2008 @ 1:43PM
Tega said...
How about some reviews? There hasn't been one since the 2nd episode. WTF?
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10-06-2008 @ 2:29PM
MarcDom7 said...
TVSquad changed its episode recap hierarchy. It's no secret.
10-13-2008 @ 2:51PM
Cdubb said...
I awaited the new season with a lot of anticipation only to be disapointed. The new season does not compare to the past. I will have to say though, the first episode in mexico was the start that I was looking forward to. The typical feelings of getting lost in the excitement of the show were there.. After waiting another week so anxiously, the 30 minute episode that I revolve my week around let me down.. And then again. I am still a huge fan and look forward to the weeks coming but if HBO keeps it up, my reviews will cease to be anything but positive and would personally reflect my feelings to boycot the show.
Entourage fans love the show with true passion and shouldn't be dragged through the dirt. I find it insulting to have to wait a full week for a 30 minute show that only turns out to be a piece of garbage. At the rate the show is going I hope HBO made this last season count...
10-06-2008 @ 1:44PM
Michel Arouca said...
Dude, what the hell u'r talking about? I'm loving this season and so every one i know!! Last night episode was great...this could be the best season so far.
http://www.seriemaniacos.com.br
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10-06-2008 @ 2:29PM
Enrique said...
I remember when I used to read tvsquad.com for reviews... now I check out tvguide.com - they're not as good or as opinionated, more recaps than reviews, but it's better than nothing. Here's the Entourage one:
http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TV-Show-Blog/Entourage/800045348
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10-06-2008 @ 3:04PM
Riley Freeman said...
last nights episode was terribe. i feel like i wasted haf an hour of my life. they better step it up quickly. im glad it got renewed cuz the show does have a lot to offer but they neeeeeeeed to stop with these crap that was last and this season has been pretty boring too
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10-06-2008 @ 3:05PM
viper5dn said...
Don't be daft, yesterday night's episode was great. Perhaps your dig on it was that it didn't advance the story line too much, but for me that is OK-- I'm just along for the ride. So far, Entourage hasn't dissapointed-- the ride has be great so far. Perhaps you should review the shows and actually tell us readers why you thought the episode wasn't up to par before you issue a blanket statement, perhaps that is too much work for the new "revamped and evolutionized" TV Squad. Though, as a student of biology, the in my opinion, the new TV Squad is hardly and evolutionary step, but rather a failed mutation that if not corrected puts you directly on the path to extinction.
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10-06-2008 @ 4:05PM
Riley Freeman said...
My review on the show you pretty much said it. It did not advance the storyline.
The hallucination acting was so so nothing spectacular.
Where the hell did Eric Roberts disappear to?
He needed to get high to decide what film to do? If thats how he makes his decision no wonder his career is in the dumps. Didnt he say 2 episodes ago he was going to start taking things serious and and doing all the things he never had to before. This is how you decide which movie to pick.
The dog movie sounded dumb to me and I'm not an actor. The smart thing would be to at least go and TRY to get into the firefighter movie even if the aquaman dude hates him. I would have gone in asking for the lead and negotiated my way down to the brother. That way the studio boss would think he tricked me into going for the brother when thats what Vince wanted anyway.
I understand it's a TV show but come on. U have to at least TRY before doing stupidness like this. This episode was just a waste. Especially with the fact we have had to wait longer for this season to start and it has been kind of stale. last year was way better in my opinion.
10-06-2008 @ 3:37PM
heinlein said...
While I still feel that this season on a whole has been pretty good, so was the last episode really boring. It just felt as an excuse to do shaky filming in the desert to psychedelic music, a la Natural Born Killers.
Was there ever a real question as to whether they would get a sixth season or not? HBO is in a bit of slump and Entourage is one of their strongest shows.
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10-06-2008 @ 4:01PM
GL said...
Last night's episode was great and the season has been good so far. I'm sure HBO had reason for the timing of the renewal announcement.
Perhaps they have know they want that news out there before something happens in a later episode that has people speculating that 5 will be the last season. Either way, it isn't a big gaffe to do it now.
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10-06-2008 @ 5:11PM
InfoMofo said...
Yeah, because HBO has so many other eggs in its basket...
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10-06-2008 @ 5:32PM
Veronica said...
I agree, the timing couldn't be more inappropriate. While wasting 30 minutes of my life watching last nights episode, I started wondering if the show had anything else interesting to say.
But I guess I agree with the poster who said that it's not like HBO has anything else big going for it right now...
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10-06-2008 @ 8:59PM
StillBash said...
I don't get it.
Entourage has had this kind of episode in _every_ season. Stuff that just looks goofy.
If they'd do 22 epsides every season I wouldn't mind that. I was a bit annoyed with yesterday's episode too, but I think this is criticizing an overall great show while it's still producing great stuff.
I guess the problem here is that there is no progress and people think that this is bad already. But seriously - Entourage ALWAYS had these episodes that don't progress the overall storyline. And LOTS of them. And they were ALL kind of boring except back then they were still something new and we all took it for what it was - another episode of a great show. Now we are starting to get bored with it. Fine.
But compare this to shows like "Scrubs", which was awesome in its first three to four seasons and then... I mean what would have been a good situation to renew Scrubs? I guess, like, never.
I won't have any criticism of Entourage! This show is still going strong. It's funny. Go write something about "Worst Week". Which is just god awful TV.
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10-07-2008 @ 8:03AM
Brian Dorrans said...
Anyone who has ever taken shrooms could understand that episode, or where it is trying to take the show. it was a new look and experience for both viewers and the stars of the show. it was boring in some spots, but just to see Ari Gold on hallucinogens was amazing. It gave you a look into all the characters minds and souls. I feel that entourage has nothing but great episodes to end off the season...and more importantly...who gives a fuck what a critic on "tv squad" thinks. the dude has never probably never even tasted a beer and is 30 years old and still lives with his mother or just paid off his first condo; hence the TV SQUAD.
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10-07-2008 @ 11:50AM
Michelle said...
I had to agree with (most of) Brian's comment. Theses guys have always been all about partying it up and drugs and women. That's part of their groove together. And for anyone who may have had the chance to partake in a "trip" like this in the past, I hope you would agree, I thought they did an awesome job of portraying it. I thought this episode brought back a lot of things that I love about Entourage. It was HILARIOUS. And it did advance the plot. Now they know what they are going after. Smoke Jumpers. I laughed out loud in this episode more than I have for a while. Between "Confusious say..." and "I thought I pulled my cock off." I was nearly rolling on the floor. Go Entourage. Keep up the good work.
10-09-2008 @ 7:27AM
Adam said...
Almost every series on HBO has this kind of episode. Check out my review - http://arigold.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/episode-5-tree-trippers-review/ if your interested.
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10-11-2008 @ 12:51PM
Ron said...
this season rocks, and it's had it's 'whoa' moment, when Vince was looking out to the fireman......gave me chills!!!
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11-17-2008 @ 10:14AM
Ethan Blankenship said...
The show is great. Even though people feel like nothing happened there is always reason. For example they do this to built for an up coming episode. This season is great and I am excited for the next. And I'm hoping things get better for Vince. Also if they do it would be interesting in how they will do this.
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