Entourage

CHICAGO – There was a time when I actually considered how great the “Entourage” complete series set would be one day. In the show’s prime, this comedy about the intersection of friendship and fame was brilliant. Carried by stellar performances from Jeremy Piven and Kevin Dillon, the great years of this show nearly justify the purchase of “Entourage: The Complete Series.” Just ignore how drastically the program went downhill in later years.

CHICAGO – Edward Burns is a recognizable character actor, having introduced himself to audiences in the mid-1990s with “The Brothers McMullen.” He also is a veteran filmmaker, having written and directed that film, “She’s The One,” “Sidewalks of New York” and the recent “Newlyweds.”

CHICAGO – Malcolm McDowell will probably be best remembered for his rebellious breakout as a young star, with his one-of-a-kind performances in “If…,” “A Clockwork Orange” and “O Lucky Man!,” but the distinct character actor has been working ever since.

CHICAGO – In the heat of HBO summer broadcasting, currently in seasons of “True Blood” “Entourage” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the network has announced some important dates coming this fall. Most importantly, the hit crime drama “Boardwalk Empire” is set to make its season two debut on Sunday September 25.

CHICAGO – Brian Tallerico guests on Bill Moller’s show on WGN-AM 720 Radio in Chicago on July 23rd, 2011 to talk about recently-premiered and upcoming programs including “Entourage,” “Same Name,” “Breaking Bad,” “Zen,” and “Web Therapy.”

CHICAGO – I remember when “Entourage” first took off back in 2004 wondering how Doug Ellin and his talented cast could possibly keep this concept fresh for the length of a series. Wouldn’t we get tired of watching Vinnie Chase (Adrian Grenier) try to make it big? Or worse, would these guys turn into the preening celebrities that the show at least somewhat skewered at the start?

CHICAGO – Brian Tallerico, content director and TV critic for HollywoodChicago.com, will appear on Bill Moller’s program this Saturday on WGN Radio 720 AM in Chicago. The show plays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every weekend. What are your favorite shows this season?

CHICAGO – While we all eagerly await the return of our favorite shows and wonder if the networks can top last season’s remarkable freshman class, there are a number of programs currently airing that are definitely worth considering when the heat index breaks 100 or you don’t want to risk another summer thunderstorm.

CHICAGO – Male prostitute Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane) and his pimp Tanya Skagle (Jane Adams) are back in the second season premiere of “Hung,” a show that improved drastically over its first year (check out our Blu-ray review here) and seems primed for continued growth in its sophomore outing. Shows like “Hung” often fine-tune their characters and themes between the first and second year and this unusual comedy is primed for breakout success.

CHICAGO – How does one of the trendiest shows on television stay hot in its seventh season? It’s a question that the writers of “Entourage” must answer as cable’s beloved bad boys return tonight for another season of celebrity cameos and insider drama.