TVSquad

Like anything, watching television can be a habit. There are certain shows that you tune into on a regular basis because they make you feel safe, comfortable and give you that feeling of stability that may or may not surround the rest of your life. Because of that it can be difficult to latch on to a new show to watch. There's that uncertainty, that fear that you won't get used to the plot or the characters or the general feel for the show.

This is particularly true in my case since I watch a certain set of shows each week for review. However, this season I have decided to expand my television horizons a bit and search for some new programs to get involved with. By new programs I don't mean shows premiering this season, but programs that have been on the air for a while that I have never sen before of have glanced at from time to time. So, without further pontification, here are five shows that I'm now tuning into.

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.

The name Jordan Belfi might not mean much to you, but if you watch Entourage, you absolutely know Adam Davies. And, if Belfi's done his job right, you probably really hate the guy.

As the best-dressed nemesis on TV, Davies is the super-agent foil to most of Ari Gold's (Jeremy Piven) plans and schemes. And in a particularly conniving episode (airing Sun., Sept. 21 at 10PM), the Davies/Gold smack down reaches new heights. Or lows, depending on how you see it.

Belfi talked to us about his character's underhanded ways, his most devoted fans and why watching Gordon Ramsay vomit means must-see-TV in his house.

(S05E02) "No indies E! Think of it like the Holocaust - never again!" - Ari

Ever since the beginning of Entourage, I've been waiting for this episode. As much as I love Vince, it's been a long time coming for his "I'll do whatever the hell I want" mentality to finally come full circle and bite him in the ass. His career is in the toilet, Ari even admitted that his worth as an actor "remains to be seen," and E is officially taking his own career more seriously. If Vince wants a comeback, then it's going to be up to him and I love that it's been set up that way. Up until now, his failures have been a direct result partly because of his reliance on Eric and partly because of his own laissez-faire, "what will be will be" attitude. If he screws it all up now, it's his own fault.

Bored at work? Looking for something to do? Ever wish you could be as cool as Johnny Drama's iconic sci-fi role, Tarvold the viking? Now you can! In promotion for the new season of Entourage (it premiered last night), HBO has launched an online game following the exploits of Tarvold and his quest to save his wife Anora from his arch-enemy Thorfinn Skull-Splitter.

Throughout Entourage's run, Drama has made numerous references to Viking Quest, his cult hit sci-fi series that ran for only one season. The show went on to become huge in France, and while attending Cannes, Drama met his current girlfriend Jacqueline.

This is actually a pretty cool promotion. The website boasts the availability of a DVD box set of the series (it's bogus) and there's all sorts of info about the show. As for the game, it's worth wasting a few minutes playing (there's only two levels), but don't expect anything mind-blowing. Think Golden Axe with only one player. Overall though, this certainly deserves a resounding "Victory!"

(S05E01) "Our next film is Medellin - the ultra-violent story of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar starring Vincent Chase in a fat-suit in bad make-up that makes him look like the love child of Jiminy Glick and a case of Twinkies." - Richard Roeper

Ouch. It's been six months since Cannes, Medellin is getting a straight-to-DVD release, and people are still talking about it. One of the worst films of the year. I can't say that I'm surprised. Considering how last season ended and what we've come to expect from Entourage, this felt less like a season premiere and more like just another episode. Vincent Chase can only stay down and out hidden in Mexico for so long before the allure of his almost dead career came calling.

Annie posted earlier today about Michael Phelps' upcoming hosting duties on Saturday Night Live. The Olympic swimming champ isn't wasting any time capitalizing on his stardom, because now he's also landed a cameo on HBO's Entourage.

According to the World Entertainment News Network, the eight-time gold medal winner will appear as himself in an upcoming episode of the buddy-series, which begins its fifth season on Sept. 7.

Phelps certainly must have some good people working with him, because in addition to hosting SNL, he'll be among the presenters at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7.

Last season on Entourage, when Vincent Chase decided to put his own money into Medellin it was a major risk and he knew it. He was rolling the dice on his career, taking a leap of faith by choosing to do a controversial biography of a vicious Colombian drug lord. In Spanish. Directed by a hot-headed genius/madman named Billy Walsh.

Vinney was playing with dynamite. It wasn't good for Vincent's career, but it was great for Entourage. Failure is always funnier than success, isn't it?

Well, as bad as viewers thought Medellin seemed to be based on the brief scenes we saw last season, in the September 7th premiere on HBO, the media weighs in. At the Movies' critics Michael Phillips and Richard Roeper filmed a fictional review of Medellin to be shown in season premiere of Entourage, and it's not good. In fact, if they were stilling using the thumb-o-meter, Medellin would get two big thumbs-down.

The writing partners behind Legally Blonde, Ella Enchanted, and The House Bunny, opening in theaters tomorrow, have inked a deal with ABC Studios for a series about something they're familiar with -- them.

Screenwriters Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith have sold a script about their crazy creative process, which, apparently, involves plenty of champagne and therapy, according to an L.A. Times column about the pair. ABC Studios took notice of the column and approached the duo about spinning a show out of it.

Now ABC Studios has the script and is developing a series about what it calls "their friendship, partnership, and (mis)adventures in Hollywood," reports The Hollywood Reporter. If it's a go, Lutz and Smith will pen the pilot and stay on as consulting producers.

The summer has been filled with Entourage casting news, hasn't it? Every few weeks it seems like there's another announcement about a celebrity guest star. But this latest bit of news should have long-time fans fired up. Executive producer Mark Wahlberg is making his second cameo appearance on Entourage's upcoming season.

Wahlberg's last Entourage cameo occurred during the show's pilot, when he briefly crossed paths with Vince and the guys. This time around, Wahlberg said that he'd have a scene with Jeremy Piven. I'm already picturing Lloyd drooling in the background.

The fifth season of Entourage returns in just a little more than a month on September 7th, and HBO has been running a short promo for a few weeks now. Don't get too excited though. For a season that's going to feature appearances by Jeffrey Tambor, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Bennett, Phil Mickelson, Fran Drescher, and Bow Wow (there's even more that I'm not listing), you'd hope for a small taste of that in the promos. Nope. Business as usual - parties, cars, girls, and lots of Drama. Don't take that as me not being excited though. I read that this season is going to feature a Johnny Drama melt-down on The View. That right there is reason enough to tune it. Video is after the jump.

It's coming. The table is set, the players are on the field, the sails are raised, and the pretty maids are all in a row. Of course, I speak of the 2008-09 television schedule. In just a few short weeks viewers will be able to dine on a number of favorite and new dishes that are being served by the networks as well as the increasing number of cable channels who are delving into original programming.

While other fall seasons have come and gone with nary a whimper, this season may be different. Due to the prolonged Writers Strike many shows ended their seasons quite early. Programs like Life, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, and Heroes haven't aired original episodes since the end of 2007. Heck, there hasn't been a new episode of The Shield since June of last year! So, the beginning of the 2008-09 season will be a second chance for some of these shows, particularly the ones that premiered last season, to show their worth to fans and the networks.

Don't get him wrong; Jon Cryer is thrilled to be nominated for an Emmy again. This is his third nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series as Alan Harper, the sad sack, divorced brother of Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men. In 2006 and 2007, he lost to Jeremy Piven, Ari Gold on Entourage, and Jon Cryer is ticked off: "Laugh all you want, [he] is my nemesis. He's a force of nature."

If it's not Piven -- again! -- Jon has another nemesis lined up: "I think this time Neil Patrick Harris (Barney on How I Met Your Mother) will win."

Cryer is good natured about his chances and not seriously miffed. He's planning to bring his new wife, entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner. "When we heard the news, she was thrilled for a moment, then filled with dread as she started to worry about what she'll wear. But she'll be there with me -- or I'll be very lonely."

Jeffrey Tambor, aka Arrested Development's beloved George Bluth, is the
latest star to sign up for a guest stint on the HBO comedy Entourage. Tambor joins Sopranos star Jaime-Lynn Sigler and Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester on the guest star roster for Entourage's fifth season, premiering in September.

While both Sigler and Meester are set to play possible love interests for everyone's favorite semi-successful actor Vince Chase (Adrian Grenier), Tambor will be throwing a wrench into their plans for love when Vince suddenly discovers his propensity for older bald dudes. Okay, that's not true at all. Fact is, there's no word on what role Tambor will be playing, or if he'll be playing himself. Regardless, it's Jeffrey Tambor, so it will be awesome.

Since producers probably won't use my love interest idea (although I am totally copyrighting that right now, just in case) what are your opinions on Tambor's role? Should he be a studio exec? Mentor? Rival for Jaime-Lynn Sigler's affection? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler is returning to HBO. The actress is set to guest star on the upcoming season of Entourage, playing the challenging role of actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Entourage has had a lot of celebrities appear as themselves over the years, ranging from significant (Mandy Moore as Vince's ex) to unremarkable (Kanye West). Fortunately, Sigler will get some significant screen time; her stint will last three episodes.

Details about Sigler's role are available after the jump. Between this news and the return of Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester, season five of Entourage is starting to look pretty darn good.