The TV series Entourage originally aired from 2004 to 2011, following a young actor from Queens, New York (Vincent Chase, played by Adrian Grenier) as he navigates the ups and downs of the entertainment industry in Hollywood.
The show, which also featured Jamie Foxx, Kevin Dillon, Paul Higgins, and Piven himself (as standout character Ari Gold), received critical acclaim for its witty writing, humor, and portrayal of the glamorous and often chaotic lifestyle of Hollywood. However, after a successful run of eight seasons (and three Emmy nominations), Entourage ended.
Now, Jeremy Piven has hinted at the idea of bringing back a reboot of the comedy series. But is this a real possibility, or has Entourage been tainted forever by its characters’ inappropriate behavior?
Why Did Entourage End? The Sexual Harassment Issue
A few days before the HBO series closed the curtain on Entourage, the cast actually said it wasn’t really their choice to end it. Kevin Conolly, in fact, explained they had been ‘canceled’. Amid the “#meToo” reckoning, certain aspects of the show can be seen today as some sort of relic of the past.
For starters, the cast consists of six straight and white people. What’s more, there are plenty of homophobic remarks, misogynistic behavior, and the r-word. All of these things are relatively common in products from the early 2000s, but one stands out: Sexual misconduct. For example, when Eric (Kevin Connolly) protests because he has to fire his assistant after having sex with her, Ari Gold suggests he instead harasses her until she quits.
Although these moments are intended as satire, their depiction of a culture where sexual assault allegations have become rampant can still be seen as problematic – especially since women accused Piven of sexual misconduct, too, in at least three opportunities. So much so that it’s reported John Cusack and Piven stopped being friends due to them.
So, Is Entourage Coming Back?
Alongside Jeremy Piven, Mark Wahlberg (who had the series’ first significant cameo as a supporting actor) was also an executive producer of Entourage. That’s why Piven has said that if Wahlberg can find the time to help with a reboot, he would be more than open to the idea. The show’s creator, Doug Ellin, has also expressed interest in bringing the New York City show back.
According to Jeremy Piven, Wahlberg is the missing piece for a comeback. All he needs to do now is carve out some time and step up to the plate!
About Jeremy Piven
Although Jeremy Piven, born July 26, 1965) is best known for his role as Ari Gold in Entourage, the actor and producer has had an extensive career in film and television. He appeared in numerous successful films, including “Say Anything…” (1989), “Grosse Pointe Blank” (1997), “Serendipity” (2001), and “Old School” (2003). He has played super-agent Adam Fiedler in the new movie “Keeping Up With The Steins”, as well as Harry Selfridge in “Mr. Selfridge”, a series about the popular London department store Selfridge’s.
