Seeing Ourselves in 'Entourage'
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For my generation of young Americans, the HBO hit series “Entourage” has become a cultural phenomenon worthy of our praise. In the future, when people reminisce about our generation, “Entourage” will undoubtedly be an essential window into the way we were.
With all the (deserved) hype surrounding the beginning of the fifth season this month, I can’t help but ask: Why is this Emmy-award-winning show so universally popular? The answer, I believe, is because it depicts everything that is young and American.
“Entourage” is saturated with pop culture references to an almost ridiculous degree. It creates a new genre — part reality, part drama, part comedy. Whether it’s Vince dating Mandy Moore, E managing Anna Faris, or both competing with “Spider-Man’s” box office numbers, the show is unusually current and modern. It seems like it is happening in real-time. Using brand names is the norm; referring to real Hollywood gossip is commonplace. Perhaps my generation is obsessed with “Entourage” because “Entourage” is obsessed with my generation. It is as if we are looking in a mirror, and “Entourage,” in art form, is reflecting back to us the 21st-century culture we created. The newest trends, music and slang appear in the episodes almost as soon as they are established. The trend-setting status has been achieved.
“Entourage” reflects more than just culture; the show depicts some distinctly American political ideals. The premise of the show, the rags-to-riches story, is appealing to our subconscious patriotism. America is the land of opportunity, and this middle-class group of friends from Queens are catapulted into the Hollywood high life thanks to Vince’s acting career.
This is what America is supposed to be. They climbed the socio-economic ladder to success. Because of their history, they aren’t tainted — yet — by the Hollywood life; they have merged their down-to-earth, laid-back upbringing with their newfound cash and connections. They are living the American dream. This is why we keep watching. Everybody has envisioned themselves living the “Entourage” life, casting three friends to play the supporting parts.
We are also envious because with their monetary success, they have been able to live a lavish lifestyle devoid of basic annoyances and headache. Herein lies the third and most significant reason why we love “Entourage”: It represents the admirable American ideal of the pursuit of happiness.
Guarded next to life and liberty, the pursuit of happiness is such an overlooked yet awesome right we have. Once again, “Entourage” is inherently American. The premise is so appealing because the characters appear to enjoy themselves as they persistently pursue happiness.
At Georgetown, those two philosophy requirements normally require students to read, at some point, Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics.” He speaks here and elsewhere of eudaimonia, that ultimate aim of humans, the point at which pure happiness is attained for a sake in itself. This is the goal of our species; we are in a constant pursuit of happiness. If this is the nature of humans, then those who have the most fulfilling lives are those who are the happiest.
This is not to say the characters from “Entourage” have achieved ultimate happiness, but they have gone a lot further than the majority of dissatisfied Americans. Because of their success, they are able to live a life full of leisure, luxury and relaxation. Is this not what every young American wants? The good life — the life in which you can remain young forever. They live in a multi-million dollar house, enjoy endless amenities, dine with entertainment executives, date models and actresses and still have cash to throw around. While these perks may seem superficial, it shows something deeper: The crew is able to do what they want and avoid what they don’t want. Thus, their lives of constant partying, jet-setting and excess is a model of following one’s dreams.
A reviewer from The New York Times aptly described the show as “an exhilarating challenge to the immune system, one that leaves you more awake, more amused and even a little more alive.” In other words, watching “Entourage” is enriching. It reminds us of the importance of America and the importance of being happy.
I, like “Entourage,” constantly encourage people to enjoy themselves fully. I will forever be a supporter of the carefree, leisure-filled lifestyle. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue his or her own version of happiness, whatever that may be. While “Entourage” is essentially defined by my generation, perhaps, we could benefit, in turn, by letting “Entourage’s” example define us a little. In doing so, I invite you to join me as I follow their lead and embark on an endless pursuit of happiness. It’s easier than you think, for happiness is only a state of mind.
Dean Lieberman is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service. He can be reached at lieberman@thehoya.com. RAVING ABOUT MY GENERATION appears every other Tuesday.
Sep 23 2008 at 2:38 p.m.
You are the first person I've heard that still likes Entourage. Though many of us liked the punchy lines, boozy lifestyles, and celebrity cameos when the show debuted a few years back, the show has become nothing more than a series of tired nods to a few painfully formulaic sitcom tropes.
Sep 23 2008 at 4:40 p.m.
This column is tongue-in-cheek, right?
Sep 23 2008 at 6:01 p.m.
This is a joke right? "The premise of the show, the rags-to-riches story, is appealing to our subconscious patriotism."
Our subconscious patriotism is manifested by endless partying, womanizing and illicit substances? Something tells me the ‘rags to riches’ doesn't really apply to people who have made it in Hollywood. I'm not gonna go into the details but, I think the average Hoya should be smart enough to realize there is a difference between working hard and moving up and being another pretty face in hollywood.
Additionally, I think this show encourages a life style of materialism, which, while enviable is inherently void of sustenance and ultimately self destructive.
Sep 24 2008 at 3:33 a.m.
"Rags to riches" may not be the proper phrase to describe the characters on Entourage, but maybe that's because they've spawned a new American dream that doesn't necessitate "hard work." Ours is a generation that yearns for instant gratification, and Entourage simply caters to our needs. Judging by the popularity of this show, the average young adult recognizes the difference between hard work and being a pretty face, and chooses being a pretty face. Working diligently to climb the social ladder is not the American Dream of this generation- we want to take a magic carpet to the top. Gone are the days where we glorify the earnest young man who makes his own fortune. We would rather have it handed to us- is that so surprising? Who would turn down the materialistic Hollywood lifestyle for a 9 to 5 job and a heart condition? At the end of the day, everyone is just trying to live comfortably- our generation is just looking for the shortcut.
Sep 24 2008 at 3:44 a.m.
Why so serious? While you are correct that this is not the most serious column, that was part of the point. Some Hoyas focus too much on working hard and neglect the ever-important playing hard. I pity those who are too focused on the humorless aspects of life; a truly happy life requires the countering of somberness with ecstatic exhilaration.
Entourage models this elusive balance reserved for the most well-rounded. I understand that the partying and (alleged) materialism is not everyone’s notion of fun. However, the fact remains that Entourage is a cultural phenomenon which reflects on us, for a reason. I believe this reason is because it encourages us all to pursue our happiness, however one chooses, in the midst of the seriousness you are so unfortunately confined to.
Sep 24 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
Is this really the best you can do Dean?
"Entourage is a cultural phenomenon which reflects on us, for a reason. I believe this reason is because it encourages us all to pursue our happiness, however one chooses"
Read that three times...slowly.
Note to Hoya: If you continue to publish this kind of useless commentary...at least find someone who can write.
Also..
"...watching “Entourage” is enriching. It reminds us of the importance of America and the importance of being happy."
Dean....please!
Sep 24 2008 at 3:41 p.m.
This article will become nothing short of a timeless classic. Yes, our generation does not support hard-work; rather, diligence is a virtue of those who are desperate (or at least did not have anything handed to them). This is the way of the American lifestyle and the way it will be forever.
Perhaps I am being a bit too general. To clarify, I recognize that some Hoyas have nobler pursuits.
However, my construction and syntax are flawless, as are Dean's, and the unidentified writer of the pervious comment should retract his statement about the author's writing (in)ability. YOU are condescending and only witty enough to insult someone with a specious, banal claim.
Re-read this: "Guarded next to life and liberty, the pursuit of happiness is such an overlooked yet awesome right we have."
-Dean's juxtaposition of exquisite language with a contemporary adjective reveals with masterful writing skill.
Sep 24 2008 at 4:08 p.m.
Every man, no matter how scholarly or above it all he considers himself to be, dreams of living the Entourage dream. Enjoying one's life with close friends in an exciting atmosphere with lots of money and women around is a hard thing to claim as evil. While there are certainly people who find there "eudaimonia" elsewhere, those who describe entourage as inherently void of sustenance have simply accepted the fact that they will never achieve this dream and as such have settled for their stress-filled, workaholic lives. It is precisely for this reason that we need this type of commentary to remind you socially-depraved Hoyas out there the importance of actually enjoying your life and having fun every once in a while, the main premise of Entourage. To those of you that say the show depicts a materialistic, self-destructive lifestyle. No shit. It is a show about Hollywood, the most materialistic place on the planet. As educated Georgetown students you would think we would be able to see beyond this party-filled shell meant for the masses and grasp what the show is actually trying to portray. The show is about friendship, loving your life, and staying true to who you are no matter what others ask of you. One of Vince's lines comes to mind here, "I came from nothing, and as much as I love all the toys Ari, I don't need them." This ideal is expressed at least three to five times an episode by different characters. Vince and the boys enjoy every minute of their lives while maintaining relatively altruistic values in the face of an industry that does everything to destroy that. We should be so lucky if this is the phenomena that defines our generation.
Sep 24 2008 at 4:13 p.m.
bonerjames - could you please provide substantive critiques? pithy exclamations are cute and all, but you fail to provide anything of note.
the article, like most columns, is meant to provoke. dean presents a well reasoned argument which you may disagree with, but the discussion isn't furthered by your sarcasm.
Sep 24 2008 at 5:58 p.m.
My goodness, let the boy write. He is entitled to his own opinion, which is not necessarily the views of all. Dean is to be commended that he can express such views in "The Hoya" so back off.
Sep 24 2008 at 7:45 p.m.
To those who complain about the quality of writing or ideas presented in The Hoya, please remember that you have a standing invitation to submit Viewpoint pieces whenever you choose. If you don't like what you're reading, write something better.
Sep 24 2008 at 9:19 p.m.
Entourage was alright when it started, but over the years anyone who's been watching has noticed that Jeremy Piven is the only person capable of acting on the show. Adrian Grenier is a horrible actor playing a horrible actor. Kevin Dillon is humorous, but appears to be hamming it up most of the time. Kevin Connolly and Jerry Ferrara give little to the show. All in all, the show is craptacular. It is in no way a reflection of "our generation" unless we want to be remembered as vapid idiots who stumbled into success lacking talent, peaked in our mid to late 20s, and eventually found out that we are spectacularly mediocre. That said, I still watch it and enjoy it, but I do not feel that is represents our generation any more than the original Casino Royale represents James Bond movies.
Sep 24 2008 at 10:30 p.m.
Sounds to me as if there are definitely some Hoyas who take themselves way too seriously, which is the point of Dean's opionion piece. Lighten up!
Sep 25 2008 at 3:31 a.m.
Almost 800 words on "Entourage"? Seriously, the Hoya could do much better with its column inches, especially in the Opinion section. As a young alumna, I certainly worked hard at Georgetown- writing a thesis, graduating with honors, getting a consulting job - but I also found a ton of time to do 99 Days, be involved on campus, and drink myself silly in various European locations while abroad. The Georgetown I graduated from embraced all of this - and always was a font of intellectual curiosity and debate about meaningful issues. This week has had a plethora of topics much more worthy of discussion then "Entourage" - from the financial sector meltdown, to the UN General Assembly, to the Presidential election, and most importantly, how it all of these things will affect students.
Sure, I watched my share of Entourage, Sex and the City, Lost, etc. in college. But that doesn't mean that I want to read about how awesome a show that has clearly jumped the shark is, and how it applies to "my" generation (yeah, I'm not THAT old). I'm not going to get into the writing, the debate over the American dream, or whether Jeremy Piven really deserved that Emmy.
It's not worth my time. It's not worth the Hoya's time either.
Sep 25 2008 at 4:01 p.m.
I believe you're critique misunderstands the purpose of my column. The whole premise of "Raving About My Generation" is to call attention to the culture of the college-aged generation and reflect on it; not to reiterate the sensationalist news wires. Because most of the news we read is political, I planned this column to be a break away from the extraordinary in order to discuss the ordinary. The ordinary, daily-life culture is too-often forgotten, yet provides a window into how we think, which, in turn, influences the topics you suggest I write about: the presidential election, financial crisis, etc.