Entourage: Let's Blog It Out

By Mark La Monica

This week's show had more cameos than a "Word Up" karaoke contest.

Artie Lange's turn as Scottie, Ari's friend from college, didn't seem to make much sense in the grand scheme of the show other than to show Ari in a more personal light.

Chuck Liddell, the UFC champion, was hilarious.

But Pauly Shore has to go. His career "got got" about 12 years ago. Why people find him amusing is beyond comprehension. His act was lame when he was popular. His act, which hasn't changed since people chilled with the weasel, is even lamer now.

In an episode that won't make the series' top 10, Shore gave us all a reason to get back those 30 minutes of space on our DVRs and TiVos. Liddell should have popped Shore in the grill three times and then made him tap out.

Shore has made three cameos on the show, including getting thrown out of the Playboy Mansion and sitting in Drama's agent's office at the end of Season 2. He's received more than enough free face time on "Entourage."

The majority of cameos on the series involve the person doing the cameo making fun of themselves to some degree. With Shore, you almost get the feeling he thinks these bit parts will help get him a steady gig elsewhere and return to the spotlight.

Celebrity Deathmatch should feature a Pauly Shore vs. Dom match to decide the worst side character in the show's run.

If Kevin Dillon wasn't already the real-life Johnny Drama, then Pauly Shore would be. Only one problem with that: Pauly Shore is painfully not funny.

By Mark La Monica

It took four episodes but Johnny Drama finally jumped into the race for the Season 3.5 Big Knish Award for most Best Printable Lines.

He ripped off about a dozen or so great lines in the Chuck Liddell parking lot encounter, but he capped it off with an ultimate gem when he got back to the house.

In one of his patented "Falling Down" hypochondriac meltdowns, Drama tells the guys: "I got a lifetime of looking over my shoulder to look forward to. I'm like Henry Hill."

Best Printable Line Standings
(through four weeks)
E 2
Drama 1
Sloan 1
Ari 0
Vince 0
Turtle 0

By Mark La Monica

For the entire run of "Entourage," Johnny Drama has been clamoring to restart his once almost-successful career.

Every movie or commercial Vince got, Drama begged for a part. He even found his way onto Kimmel when Vince did a spot on the talk show. Whatever he Drama do to pull off some face time and make some scratch and get back in the game.

It's been the best running joke on the show.

With this is mind, did you happen to notice the small uptick of excitement in Drama's face when, after bashing Pauly Shore, Turtle tells Drama that Shore wants him to be in his new hidden-camera TV show?

That bit of subtlety earned Week 4 Writer Props.

By Mark La Monica

In the offseason of television series, actors often find other projects to occupy their time, fatten the wallets and satisfy creative urges.

In between seasons of "Entourage," Kevin Connolly has been directing his first feature film entitled "Gardener of Eden." The film stars Lukas Haas and Erika Christensen, with a small role by played by Jerry Ferrara, aka Turtle.

We scored a sit-down with Connolly hours before the movie made its world premiere Thursday night at the Tribeca Film Festival.

By Mark La Monica

Hokies friend Lloyd launched a text message in my direction at 10:25 p.m. Sunday night, or right about the time agent Amanda, played by Carla Gugino, offered up her wonderfully delightful body up to Vince Chase on "Entourage."

The message was simple and similar to the ones I get all the time: "I want to be Vincent Chase."

I sent the only response necessary: "We all do."

It's such a standard reply that I have it saved it in my cell phone as a quick text. It's quite the time-saver.

It would seem that Amanda, Vince's new agent, doesn't like sexual tension in her workplace. Plus, the quite-hot brunette is in the throes of a power struggle with Ari Gold for Vince's attention and business. So, she decides to offer Vince something no other agent in the game can: the opportunity to, um, do things with her. (Damn you, Best Printable Line guidelines!)

Right about at that moment, a collective "I hate my life" was heard all over Man Town, U.S.A.

Let us get this straight: The woman in charge of shaping Vince's movie career wants to eliminate any future issues between the two by engaging in a whole bunch of unattached and exquisite sexual encounters, and she tells him this without hesitation after he says she's cute?

I want to be Vincent Chase!

The dream of a sugarmommy has lived in the male brain for quite some time. Forget the stereotype of rich, powerful men playing the rich, powerful role for the ladies. We here at "Entourage, the blog" believe wholeheartedly in equality.

Give us a sugarmommy any day. An assertive, powerful woman who can support herself (and us) more than comfortably and is secure enough to overtly go after a dude she works for.

I would vacuum the house every day. Tend to the vegetable garden. Water the lavenders every other day. Whatever. Mr. Mom? Please! Michael Keaton wouldn't hold a candle to a sugar-mommied Entourage, the blog writer.

Not even Tom Cruise when he comes back to New York from Jamaica in "Cocktail" would come close.

Sugarmommies are dreamy. Alluring. Coveted. Hot.

(Hang on while I go check my thesauras.)

Enchanting. Captivating. Magnetizing. Enticing. Charismatic. Bewitching.

And so far away from happening to us regular fellas.

Damn, I want to be Vincent Chase.

By Mark La Monica

Vince and E just got railed on by their new agent, Amanda, about the "Glimpses" project she presented them in the Season 3.5 opener.

Rehashing the scene outside as they talked to Drama and Turtle, E came through with this week's Best Printable Line.

Since E and Vince are going to reread the script for "Glimpses," Turtle says he and Drama are going to head to the Dodgers game.

E wasn't having any of that.

"Just for that, I'm getting four copies," E said. "You guys can read some Edith Warton, too. Let us know what the retards of America think."

Season 3.5 Best Printable Line Standings
(through three weeks)
E 2
Sloan 1
Ari 0
Drama 0
Turtle 0
Lloyd 0

By Mark La Monica

Ari Gold lost his mojo for most of this episode. Suddenly, his abrasive, brutal (yet endearing) charm returned quicker than Drama's celebrity spotlight.

Once he confessed his emotional problems over the Vince breakup to his therapist, he snapped back into place, stormed back into his agency and very publicly fired an agent.

Fueled up from that energy, Ari walks out of the conference room and sees an overweight girl in the office walking the hallways eating a candy bar and blurts out to her, "Skip it, GInny."

Harsh and punishing to the girl's soul.

It was a classic Ari Gold moment destined for his highlight reel on the Ari Gold Experience DVD, and the recipient of this week's Writer Props.

By Mark La Monica

This one is just pure brilliance. Props to Web friend Cocoa, who earned instant Friend of the blog status upon receipt of this link.

I won't even waste yours or my time explaining what this is. Just click this freakin' link and enjoy.

P.S. That link pops off into a new window so you can do what it tells you to do and then easily return here to post your results.

P.P.S. I'm E, who are you?

By Mark La Monica

Props to the people responsible for 1,357 votes in our first-ever "You pick the BPL" feature after Episode 2 of this season.

The poll results are in, and at this point "Entourage, the blog" is calling the Best Printable Line vote in favor of Sloan. In a race featuring five contenders, Sloan won a 52.2 percent majority vote with her dig on her boyfriend E.

In Episode 2, Sloan tries to convince E that they should go on vacation alone, not with Vince and a lady friend. E doesn't think that's possible. Sloan says, "You're a little Vince's boy."

The complete final results:

Season 3.5 Best Printable Line Standings
(through two weeks)
E 1
Sloan 1
Ari 0
Drama 0
Turtle 0
Vince 0
Lloyd 0

By Mark La Monica

Television shows that strike a direct chord with their target audiences soar in the popularity contest of network and the less official but more crucial word-of-mouth ratings.

"Entourage" did that in its first season. It has become the quintessential "Oh my God, that's me and my crew minus the money and access" show for males 18-34 (or 45, for those in the Johnny Drama demographic), just as "Sex and the City" was for women.

Every now and again, I see something on the show and become convinced that Doug Ellin and the show's other creative people have been secretly filming and recording the things I do and say. Or maybe it was just something in the water in Merrick, the town we both called home, back in the 1980s.

This latest occurence, not surprisingly, involved Drama, Turtle and the dog park.

By Mark La Monica

For those who didn't thoroughly enjoy last week's season premiere, here's hoping you thoroughly lost your mind at all the bombs dropped in Episode 2: "Dog Day Afternoon."

And for those of you who missed Friday's Big BPL announcement, here's a refresher course. It's the readers' turn to choose the Best Printable Line. We're putting up a few nominees and you've got until 11:59 p.m. Monday night to cast your vote. Vote once, vote multiple times. Tell your friends. We'll announce the winner Tuesday morning.

Nominee 1: Sloan
Sloan is trying to convince E that they should go on vacation alone, not with Vince and a lady friend. E doesn't think that's possible when Sloan says, "You're a little Vince's boy."

Nominee 2: Turtle
Drama and Turtle arrive at the dog park in order to scam on the ladies. Once they arrive and see the talent, Turtle blurts out, "All these years I've been wondering where girls hide during the day."

Nominee 3: Ari Gold
The ultra non-PC Ari is walking through a gay club and is clearly uncomfortable. As he tries to navigate his way through the shirtless flesh on the dance floor with the music blaring, he mumbles, "Coming through. All right. Civilian. No touching."

Nominee 4: Ari Gold
Ari goes to the club in an attempt to save Lloyd from the grasp of Jay Lester, the client that Ari went after by exploiting Lloyd's sexual preference. Lester is ready to take Lloyd home, but Ari won't allow it. Lester then says he won't sign with Ari. He's OK with that and tells Lester, "We may be whores in our agency, but we ain't pimps."

Nominee 5: Johnny Drama
Turtle played the Steve Nash to Johnny Drama's Amare Stoudamire on this one. The two were lamenting another failed afternoon delight as Turtle defends his decision to yell back at the girl he was fooling around with. "I can't take a girl over Arnold, Drama, he's like a brother in arms," Turtle said. Drama responded, "Yeah, well is that brother gonna help you with them blue balls?"

By Mark La Monica

We saw glimpses of the human side of Ari Gold last season. In this episode, we got a full-frontal view of a decent human being inside Ari Gold's expensive suits.

Driving with Mrs. Ari, Mr. Ari experienced a gut-check moment about pimping out Lloyd to help sign a TV writer named Jay Lester.

Obviously bothered by it, he tells his wife that he sold his soul today. He flips on the radio to help create a diversion to his thoughts.

Here comes the script touch and subtletly that embodies our new Writer Props acknowledgement. The song that just so happened to be playing on the radio? "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer.

You could almost hear the show's writers and producers clapping and screaming when they came up the song choice during a brainstorming session.

It was the perfect song choice to enhance the 180 in Ari's emotions.

tagged: entourage

By Mark La Monica

Here's my turn to thank all the loyal readers of "Entourage, the blog." (By the way, that number counts out five digts to the left of the decimal point, which is both crazy, humbling and cool.)

For Week 2 of Season 3.5, I proudly turn over the Best Printable Line contest to you, the fans of the show and this blog. Well, sort of.

This Sunday, for the first time in the two years of "Entourage, the blog," readers will determine what the BPL will be. That's right, people. You can effect history. Rock the vote!

On Sunday night around 11 p.m. or so, we'll announce the nominees for this week's Best Printable Line. Not sure how many nominees we'll have. That all depends on Doug Ellin and the writers.

You will then have until midnight Monday to cast your vote.

Vote once. Vote twice. Vote as many times as you want. Email your friends in the other dorm and tell them to vote. Call your parents and tell them to get in on the BPL madness. Send out bulletins on MySpace.

BPL fever, catch it!

We will close the poll on Monday night and then announce the winner Tuesday morning.

This is just our little way of saying thanks to the people that make this blog a must-read on Monday mornings.

Victory!

By Mark La Monica

In keeping with the notion of character and plot evolution, a topic eluded to often in this space, "Entourage, the blog" is pleased to announce a new weekly feature for Season 3.5.

It's called Writer Props.

This is where we highlight subtle touches in the show that stand out for their hilarity in the face of subtlety.

For example, in the first episode, the light being out of Johnny Drama's billboard was the perfect touch to wrap up that story arc. It also happened to be absolutely fantastic and perfectly scripted for the character.

So look for this new feature each Monday morning in addition to the Best Printable Line and weekly column based off something from the show.

By Mark La Monica

A common complaint about "The Sopranos" the past few seasons is that nothing ever happens on the show anymore, aside from the occasional 30 seconds for a whacking.

Well, here's one thing that did happen: it gave quite a boost to the ratings for "Entourage."

Last Sunday's Season 3.5 premiere for Entourage received a 7.8 rating / 11 share. Translation: 3.8 million people watched the show during its initial airing Sunday at 10 p.m. on HBO, the mothership of its multiplex network.

The Season 3 premiere, which did not have "The Sopranos" or any other significant HBO property as a lead-in, did a 6.0 rating / 8 share, or roughly 2.7 million viewers.

An HBO source did point out that these numbers reflect only the initial airing and do not include repeat airings later in the week across their other channels or HBO on Demand.

What does all of this mean? Entourage isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

By Mark La Monica

Just a little something to help hold you over until the next episode this Sunday. Click the pic below to see photos from the Season 3.5 premiere party at The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood.

Entourage Season 3.5 premiere party photos

By Mark La Monica

My wildest birthday party consisted of Mama La Monica trying to figure out how to make me a Pac Man-shaped cake when I turned 10.

OK, there were a few wilder ones once vodka-cran and rum-and-coke became legitimate replacements for record holders and NERF footballs as birthday gifts.

However, I doubt anyone reading this blog has ever had their birthday bash on a huge boat with more than 800 invited guests. And corporate sponsorship! (If you have, shoot me an email because I've got a few side projects we should discuss.) Then again, perhaps the Entourage boys are fans of this Internet nook and cyber-cranny.

If the Las Vegas episode from Season 3 didn't make you want to call in sick to work on Monday morning from the pool at the Hard Rock, then this episode will make you wish your birthday was around the corner and your crew had some juice.

Imagine you had a high five-digit budget to throw your friend (and best financial asset) a sick birthday party. You'd need to cash in three sick days and a personal day just to recover from the afterparty. Then again, with a Victoria Secret-sponsored birthday party on a beautiful luxury yacht with the beautiful Alessandra Ambrosio on one arm, do you really need an afterparty?

People, this is possible. To some degree. The beautiful people are up to you, but the other stuff is doable.

Take a lesson from Turtle. Alcohol companies will donate plenty of bottles for parties. All you need is the right phone number and the right pitch. Of course, Turtle can just say "Yeah, my boy, A-list movie star Vincent Chase will be photographed drinking your [insert preferred type of booze here] at his birthday party which will be loaded with plenty of young, hot people in the Hollywood industry that set the trends for young regular people all across the country."

We Z-list people may not have that luxury, but the free swag is there for the taking. We're not dressing up in a bright-colored suit with question marks all over it to prove it to you, but you can find free stuff for your next big bash if you know where and how to look.

Seriously. Google some PR companies. They love to give out clients' free product more than we cringe at paying ATM fees.

Gift bags aren't hard to create. Call a company that thrives on reaching the young people with some disposable cash. Say the right things and they'll force your local UPS or DHL person to buy a new pair of workshoes. Start with magazines and cosmetic companies. Take a look at small clothing boutiques. Can't hurt to try, right?

Bottled water is another great avenue to drive down for your party. It's a competitive world. Make the call. It's worth a shot.

Cartier won't throw wristwear with diamonds in them at you for a small gathering at the local dive bar. But you might be able to get free T-shirts out of Billy Bob's Pizza and Rib Road House. You never know. Again, it's worth a call.

It all depends on what you believe you can do.

Thing big. Think small. Huh?

Cast as wide a net as possible and hope to reel one in. Aim high, but have a Plan B, C, D and E.

This good life doesn't have to just be for celebrities in Hollywood or New York City. You can get a taste.

Just be sure to invite me. I'll bring the Pac Man cake.

P.S. Plenty more thoughts on Episode 1 below.
P.P.S. Check back here on Friday for a BPL big announcement.

By Mark La Monica

As I live into my 30s and reminisce more and more about the good ol' days with college friends, it grows more obvious that nothing lasts forever. Same goes for television.

The sad reality is that there can only be a handful of seasons left for "Entourage."

But, dang, the series in Season 3.5 is still going strong and showing no sign of slowing down. In fact, it can only grow its audience now that the longest hour of the week, the 60 minutes leading up to the first airing Sunday nights at 10 p.m., is filled with what is known in some circles as "The Sopranos." In this circle, it's known as "that pesky little pregame workout."

Ari Gold is still a conniving wiseass and brilliantly funny. Vince is still care-free. Turtle is still hustling. Drama is still Drama. And Sloan still makes me mad for being so ridiculously beautiful.

The start to Season 3.5 had everything we've grown to expect, along with a few new wrinkles. Vince's new agent, Amanda, played by Carla Gugino, seems tough and tender. She's the antithesis of Ari as an agent, but can scratch and claw just like him.

Ari is on the outside looking in. That's a new dynamic. It was almost too painful watching the awkward (but perfectly acted) scenes between him and Vince in the first episode.

Drama's got his own show, "Five Towns." It remains to be seen how he'll screw it up, but the guess here is that the 18-34 population in Cedarhurst, Hewlet, Inwood, Lawrence, and Woodmere will double in three months. (Non-Long Islanders and New Yorkers can read about the Five Towns.)

The first episode of the new season (OK, technically, it's part of Season 3, but a seven-month hiatus makes it feel new) has to handle setting up new storylines while maintaining the continuity of the previous seasons. It's not an easy task. But this opener move the series forward while looking back just enough.

P.S. Check back here on Friday for a BPL big announcement.

By Mark La Monica

After three seasons and two Big Knish Awards, it's easy to default to Johnny Drama for Best Printable Line. In fact, it's almost surprising when he doesn't take home the weekly BPL honor.

He's sort of like Tiger Woods at a major golf event. The standard is set so high that when he doesn't win, you immediately wonder what went wrong. It's not that another golfer won, but Tiger lost.

Although Drama hit some great shots, E sunk the putt on 18 to win the first BPL of Season 3.5. Of course, It was a zinger at Drama.

Quick refresher: We're a family Web site and I need the steady paycheck, so Best Printable Line is just that: the best line from the show that is reprintable. Of course, the lines with cursing are often more repeatable and reusable in life, they are not reprintable.

The entire episode, Drama was all about the billboard advertising the Ed Burns pilot that became a new show on NBC (in the show, not in real life . . . yet.)

As Vince is preparing to make a wish before blowing out the candles at his birthday bash, Drama suggests Vince include him in his wish.

E steps in and shoots out: "What do you want him to wish for Drama, that someone recognizes you?"

Season 3.5 Best Printable Line Standings (thru one episode):
E 1
Ari 0
Drama 0
Turtle 0
Vince 0

P.S. Be sure to check back here this Friday for a BPL big announcement.

By Mark La Monica

We pause to praise the writers for their appreciation to detail. The light being out over Drama's billboard near the end of the episode was the perfect touch to the Johnny Drama story arc for the first episode of Season 3.5.

Well done.

entourage

By Mark La Monica

I've been avoiding reading most stories about the new season of "Entourage" for fear of ruining my Sunday nights. I also turned down a DVD of the first five episodes, but that's another story.

Speaking of stories, "Entourage" is getting plenty of them from all around. Its new programming position, right after "The Sopranos," has done wonders for expanded media coverage. It also shouldn't do anything but boost ratings.

For those of you who wish to read more about Season 3.5, here's a list of links to recent stories in the news. Warning: Some of these may ruin surprises, some may not. I don't know. Proceed cautiously.

• Newsday: Friends getting too familiar
• AP: It's all about location on 'Entourage'
• Mercury News: Show returns to amuse hip audience
• USA Today: 'Entourage' men hug it out in manly way
• Montreal Gazette: A girl among the guys
• Newsday: 'Entourage' ready for its big break

By Mark La Monica

You can't blog it out and not throw props and kudos to the readers who help make this little area of our beloved Internet so successful and enjoyable.

So, thanks to blog reader GZ for this DVR/TiVo advance tip: The cast of "Entourage" makes its first trip to Ellen DeGeneres' morning talk show this Friday in preparation for the Season 3.5 premiere on Sunday night.

Check your local listings for the time and channel. In the meantime, watch a little video fun put together by the folks at "Ellen."

By Mark La Monica

Once again, we're back with another shoutout to a blog reader.

In the Season 2 Best Printable Line category, Entourage, the blog gave th BPL award for Episode 14 to Pauly Shore for his zinger to Drama, "What are you, a cast member on the ‘Surreal Life?"

Upon further review, at the pointing out of blog reader "The Lightweight Pen-Stealing ----face," our judges have ruled that entry ineligible. Turns our Shore actually cursed in that line, and that's a no-no in the BPL by-laws (minus the opening episode of Season 3 when we thought we could get by with using the -- dash in certain instances; a panel was convened and they ruled against that notion.)

So, we watched Episode 14 from Season 2 and, not surprisingly, Drama takes the BPL.

Drama, Turtle and E are waiting in the SUV outside James Cameron's office as Vince talks with the director. E is considering taking a job offer with Terrence, the agent who had just fired Ari Gold. Drama and Turtle decide that E is going to take the job.

Then, in classic Drama angst, he says, "I could already see his future. He's going to move in with Sloan, drive her daddy's Bentley and join a country club that restricts us."

For the sake of posterity and accuracy, we have updated previous entries in Entourage, the blog to reflect this change.

Thanks again to "The Lightweight Pen-Stealing ----face" for keeping us in check. Although, technically, we shouldn't even repeat that name, but in the name of the Big Knish Award, we'll do it this one time.

Revised Season 2 Best Printable Line Final Standings
Drama 6.5
Ari Gold 3
E 2.5
Turtle 1
Vince 1

By Mark La Monica

Manny's dream in "Scarface" was to have a line of jeans with his name written across the girls' patoots. A noble dream, despite Tony Montana's thoughts.

Well, once again the boys of Entourage are living the dream.

A few weeks ago, the denim clothing brand AG Adriano Goldschmied debuted the new AG for Entourage collection. AG partnered with HBO to help further the lifestyle image surrounding the show.

Plans call for the star from the Entourage logo to be incorporated somehow in the designs of each article of the men's and women's clothing line. The AG for Entourage collection will include denim jeans, twills, T-shirts, jackets, woven tops and leather belts.

"Since you can't be them, the least you can do is dress like them," said Alissa Friedman, a PR/marketing manager for AG.

Fair point.

Every Monday, a good portion of the 18-34-year-old men in this country hate themselves for the lives they lead. Just think how much better your days could be when you're strutting around town in a "Viking Quest" or "Medellin" T-shirt.

The collection should be available this Spring/Summer in AG retail stores and upscale department stores.

By Mark La Monica

While Johnny Drama was already crowned with Season 2 Big Knish Award for most Best Printable Lines, we here at Entourage, the blog, thought it would be fun to go back and recap all of Season 2 and see if Drama still won the title or if we'd have to put an asterisk in the record book.

See, this blog began midway through Season 2, but thanks to a steady paycheck and the advent of TV on DVD, we can exist in a world where every episode of "Entourage" exists in perpituity for the masses.

And here we go with the complete edition of Season 2 Best Printable Lines:

Episode 1: The Boys are Back in Town

The guys return from New York and head to Ari Gold's office where they are greeted by his new assistant, Lloyd, a gay Asian.

When the guys ask about Lloyd, Ari delivers a typical Ari Gold response: "He's cute, and he fills two quotas."

Episode 2: My Maserati Does 185

E just cheated on his girlfriend, Kristen, with a Perfect 10 model. The guys then go to a jewelry store so E can buy an apology necklace. They're praising E for his work with the hot girl, played by Holly Valance, when Drama drops this gem:

"Kristen's cute in that 'I want to marry so I can divorce you someday' kind of way, but that girl last night, she could start wars."

Episode 3: Aquamansion

Despite the Johnny Drama-Ralph Macchio hilarity in this episode, E takes the BPL title this week when the guys are shopping for pajamas for a Playboy Mansion party.

Turtle gives the dialogue a quality start when he says to Vince, "You can go to the Mansion in Underoos and still get laid, Vince."

E closes it out Mariano Rivera-style with this lights-out verbal cutter to Turtle: "Yeah, and you can go wrapped in bearer bonds and still not get laid."

Episode 4: An Offer Refused

Drama has been lamenting his inferior calves for two episodes when he finally goes to a plastic surgeon. The doctor implies that bodily imperfections are often based on genetics. Drama fires back: "I was a double victim. We used to say about Pops, 'No child support, no calves.'"

Episode 5: Neighbors

It was tempting to praise Ari Gold for his "You look like Michelle Kwan in drag" zinger to his assistant Lloyd. But, that is pretty much par for the course with Ari, and given the basis of the show (guys mooching off their star friend), we went with Vince for the BPL.

Vince is having money problems and he's the only one who doesn't know it as the guys all sit for lunch. The check comes and Turtle and Drama both offer to pay. Drama also said he didn't need the new calves and Turtle says he doesn't need the new plasma TV. Surprised by the attempted givebacks, Vince blurts out "You guys haven't paid for anything since '95. What's going on here? Am I getting Punk'd?"

Episode 6: Chinatown

Vince needs work. Ari finds him a commercial for the Chinese equivalent of Red Bull. Vince balks. Ari tries to convince him to do it because the director is very talented, clinching the BPL with this quip: "Tarantino has already decided he's the next guy he wants to steal from."

Episode 7: The Sundance Kids

This one may be a bit regional, but Drama left us no choice but to defer to our Northeast roots here at Entourage, the blog.

When the guys land in Utah for the Sundance Film Festival, they're talking about hitting the slopesfor some skiing and snowboarding. After some back-and-forth banter, Drama seals the deal with "If you can ski Hunter Mountain, you can ski anywhere."

Episode 8: Oh, Mandy

Clearly, Jerry Ferrara spoke to the script writers before they sat down and crafted this episode because Turtle took the gold, silver and bronze medals this time around. Even though it only counts as one point in the standings, we'll list the three gems in ascending order:

Bronze medal: When first seeing their new digs (Jessica Alba's house in Malibu with an outdoor pool), Turtle yells out "This is like Far Rockaway minus the crackwhores."

Silver medal: When trying to explain how much Vince's head was screwed up after the Mandy Moore breakup, Turtle tells E, "He made a mix tape!"

And the gold medal . . . and the BPL for the week: Drama is having a classic meltdown on the PCH when a surfer dude gets out of his car to call out Drama. Turtle, trying to reign in Drama, says, "Why we picking a fight with Point Break?"