Grid Effect

Typically, cameo heavy episodes seem to serve as a distraction for lazy writing, and the end of this episode was a little too flamboyant, leading my friend to ask, “Is Entourage jumping the shark?” It certainly seemed like one of those unfortunate watershed moments, but this series has always relied on sensationalism (it is about hollywood), so while having Johnny Drama get in a UFC ring with Chuck Liddell is definitely off beat, it’s not unfathomable.

I actually preferred this episode, much more in fact, than last weeks snoozefest between Vince and Amanda, and Ari’s bout with a concsious. This week, we at least had a healthy dosage of Drama, who’s face while watching one of Liddell’s UFC matches was priceless. Even if it was completely implausible that anyone (even someone as arrogant as Drama) would pre-emptively assume any and every unorthodox situation would be a stunt for a hidden camera television show (even if he knew it was coming), it set up about ten minutes of Kevin Dillon face time, who’s story arcs are always top notch.

The Ari story line was somewhat inconsequential but entertaining none the less, and that’s all I watch this show for: a few laughs. I’ll have to admit, I was expecting more from Ari Lange, instead he essentially played the reformed straight man who struck it rich with stamps.com and simply provided material for Ari. The entire thing was fairly shallow and probably fairly indicative of a hollywood induced lifestyle. Initially, Mrs. Ari resents Ari’s old fraternity brother for all his unwelcomed colorful advances and obnoxious banter. Then upon discovering he’s worth $45 mil, suddenly the unwelcomed advances are flattering and the obnoxious banter is charming.

Also, a Harvard graduate is relegated to working at a Hooters? Nevermind that this requires suspending disbelief enough to agree that Artie Lange is an Ivy leaguer, but the fact he went there in the first place somewhat mandates that he can maintain a job better than Hooters. Those Harvard degrees, even with grade inflation and all, they still come at a premium.

Ari’s reluctance to accept his friends unexpected success was unsurprising, but it was conveyed so awkwardly. First of all, wouldn’t he have potentially heard about the guys fortune? It’s not something your everyman pays attention to, but over a decade later and Ari had no idea that a presumably good friend from college is an internet multi-millionaire, seems unlikely. And the way Artie announced his financial status (as an explanation for his attractive wife) seemed a bit delayed. Wouldn’t he be eager to announce to his new found fortune to his college mentor? Even if it was off-kilter, listening to Jeremy Piven mock his friends monoslavic diction was worth the uneven execution.

In the episodes main storyline, Eric did the first agreeable thing he’s done all season…he hung up on Amanda after her admission that she “liked Vince”. To be honest, this arc is killing the series. She just isn’t interesting, and she’s certainly not amusing (she takes herself far too seriously for that), has she been credited with one decent joke in the past four episodes?

The meeting between Eric, Vince and Amanda was interesting, but Amanda added nothing to it other than being the agent/girl in question. I liked the look Eric and Vince shared during the obviously rehearsed speech from Vince and Amanda. Eric’s face read, “how could you sleep with your agent? fucking idiot”, and Vince’s face responded, “Fuck you pal, look at her. And besides, how many agents are there in this town? You know Gugino’s only contracted for a couple more episodes so this is obviously short term. You self-righteous fuck.”

If nothing else we need Ari back with Vince so he has Eric as a whipping boy again. The series was much funnier in those days.