Entourage: Let's Blog It Out

By Mark La Monica

The race between Turtle and Johnny Drama to see who could get to lunch with Ari Gold first is easily one of the funniest scenes of Season Three.

It began in the kitchen with Drama calling "shotgun" for the meeting, and continued when Turtle disregarded the call and said first one to get there for the sit-down talks first. Drama pulled up to the restaurant first, but Turtle got in the restaurant first by snatching the valet receipt, tripping and doing a ninja roll to get back up. (Impressive agility for the shorter, thicker Turtle, by the way.)

This amusing scene highlighted one of the greatest life games reserved for males: Shotgun.

The rules of Shotgun are simple and complex, which basically mimics males in general and may explain why women have problems understanding men. He who calls "shotgun" first gets to ride up front in the passenger seat while the rest of the crew gets to eat their knees and slowly develop hip dysplasia sitting in the back seat. Not to mention, once you arrive at your destination, everyone outside knows exactly who the second-class citizens are.

"Shotgun" is also one of those things that transcends life. It applies to just about every endeavor. Examples: Racing home when everyone has to use the bathroom, that new girl in the office, a dual purpose meeting with a top Hollywood agent. The list is endless.

More importantly, shotgun is respected, understood and indisputable. When asked why your pal got the date with the new girl in school before you did, saying "Well, he called shotgun" is a perfectly good explanation. No one can argue it.

Rules differ within each group of friends. Some claim you have to be outside for "shotgun" to apply. Others play "the car must be in sight" as the decisive factor. Others just go with the first one to call it gets it. There is no governing body to lay forth the official rules. The only thing that matters is what rules your group has sanctioned.

I've been involved in some crazy games of shotgun. I've seen people with long arms stick their hands out the door in front of someone else and yell "Shotgun!" I've seen friends of mine climb out windows a minute early and yell "Shotgun!" I've seen friends lock their friends inside a house just so they can ride in the passenger seat. All of which is completely acceptable behavior when the stakes are so high.

And we've all been involved with disputed calls. Those are some crazy arguments. I know people who didn't talk to each other for two days after arguing over shotgun. Completely ridiculous, isn't it? Yes. Completely understandable, isn't it? Yes.

Which is what makes the Turtle-Drama shotgun race that much more fun. We've all been there.

Drama called "shotgun" for the meeting with Ari, the meeting that was already arranged for Turtle. Vince's response when Turtle complained was, "Turtle, he called shotgun."

It made perfect sense.