The Last of a Dying Breed

Summer 2011 marks a period of solace and intrigue for fans of Home Box Office comedy programming. Those who are even relatively in tune with TV know that this season (8 if you’re counting at home) marks the finale for “Entourage”. Additionally, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, another HBO stall wort enters its eighth and potentially final run through as well. With the clock ticking down on both of these shows, I have a few thoughts about both.
Did you know that “Entourage” and “Curb” are HBO’s longest running scripted programs? That’s crazy to think about. With the immense amount of turnover that TV sees these days (especially on HBO), these two shows have been defining sit-coms for the past decade and have made an indelible impact on the current state of pop culture. Let’s take a look at both. First Curb.

Larry David has changed television forever. First with “Seinfeld” and now with “Curb”, his cringe-worthy comedic style has proven an influence over dozens of other shows as well on the people who use the phrase “pretty, pretty good” everyday.

While we’re not sure if David will decide to make season 8 of his show its last, what we do know for certain is that we will have 80 episodes of pure gold to look back on and enjoy. It’s hard to identify which season was “Curb’s” best. Each has nuanced characters and plot lines that anyone could make an argument for. As the show has grown though, David has begun to revel in his role as a social assassin rather than just play it down. This season shows that in spades.

Fans may not realize it, but Larry’s separation with his onscreen wife (played by the still hot Cheryl Hines) coincided with his divorce off camera. The loss of Cheryl in season 8 is noted thus far. She grounded him a bit and actually played one of TV’s best straight (wo)men.What I do love though is the continued ridiculousness of Larry’s housemate and friend Leon (played by the absurdly funny JB Smoove) and the evolution of TV’s best deadpan Marty Funkhouser (Bob Einstein). If this doesn’t put you on the floor, then I don’t know what will. Through three episodes, season 8 has had it’s moments, most notably last week with the episode “Palestinian Chicken” . As Larry and co. shift to New York I see no reason why this won’t turn out to be his best season yet. NYC is his bread and butter, and I for one can’t wait to see what happens next. LOL so far Larry, LOL.

Onto the next one.

So here we are.  The boys from Queens are finally closing up shop. It’s been seven years since “Entourage” debuted to relatively little fanfare I might add. Since then though, the show has a adopted an immense following of frat boys, young adults, and even a large group of female viewers.

I constantly hear people complaining about how the show isn’t as good as it used to be. The jokes aren’t as clever. Drama’s one liners aren’t as catchy. Turtle is skinny and isn’t smoking enough weed. E is gayer than ever. Vince sucks more than uisual. Ari is soft. You know what? All those things are true. Get over it. It’s pointless to drive on about what “Entourage” once was and where it is now. We know that it’s taken it’s fall from grace, but  instead of nagging about it just enjoy the show for what it is, because that is one thing that has never changed.

“Entourage” is and always will be 28-30 minutes of mindless entertainment. It will transport you to a world that you can only dream of. Give you gorgeous women to ogle at while you and your crew chat it up about how one day that’s going to be you guys. (Or girls, I’m telling you, tons of chicks watch Entourage). At the end of the day we can all relate to “Entourage” because it’s a show built on the foundations of great friendships. The relationships on the show are tested all the time, just like the ones in our lives. Girls pull guys away from their foundation (Sasha Grey/Mandy Moore) in real life as well. The show is imminently identifiable. That’s its gift. Even if we don’t know what it’s like to live the Hollywood lifestyle, we all know what it’s like to have best friends. That’s something “Entourage” is and always will be good for, getting the group together for some bud heavy long necks and shooting the shit. Never lose site of that. The show is an escape and a reality check. Treat it accordingly, and you won’t be disappointed.