entourage

I feel that this show, like a great soup or broth, requires a constant mix of just the right ingredients. Initially you had four guys and Vince's agent. Can we just discuss the balance of this show?

I feel that this show, like a great soup or broth, requires a constant mix of just the right ingredients. Initially you had four guys and Vince's agent. Problem was, Vince as volatile element somehow became a black hole that sucked the energy out of the show. So they turned him into the glue, which freed Drama up to chew some serious scenery. Then there was that one season where we were getting to know WAY too much about Ari's life, which screwed up the show's delicate balance. Mrs. Ari can be a dependable occasional player, but the producers wisely backed off all the domestic drama with the daughter.

But I really felt that the subplot involving Billy (the crazy director) and "Medellin" was the time the show was really at the top of its game. Having Billy around as a foil for Eric really brought the ingredients to a boil, and the filming of Vince's "Apocalypse Now" was a brilliant high-stakes gamble whose payoff in Cannes only opened things up further.

Which is why last season, even though it picked up the pace somewhat in the end, felt like a bit of a comedown. Energy and balance-wise, it felt more like the first two seasons than the last few. I just hope Billy comes back for some serious battles with Harvey Scissorhands.