What Shows Are Like Entourage?
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Entourage follows four people enjoying the infamous Hollywood lifestyle. Vince is a promising actor dealing with his newfound fame with the help of his two best friends and a half-brother. The show is said to be inspired by Hollywood actor, Mark Walberg’s own ascent in the film industry. He not only produced this comedy series but also guest-starred in it.
Every new movie that we watch makes us want to become an actor, but behind all the fame and fortune, there’s a whole lot of mess you have to deal with. We all know about Hollywood’s multiple scandals, and Entourage presents these problems by mixing a little bit of humor to lighten the subject matter. Mark Walberg himself has a grey past involving violent criminal charges, but he managed to turn his life around and become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Apart from the success story, the show also portrays the importance of friends who always have your back no matter the circumstances. Once you’re famous, there are very few people you can trust, since they’ll either change their personalities to impress you or take advantage of you. Throughout the show, we see four friends taking care of each other while having the best time of their lives. They appear inseparable, and anyone who dares to create friction between the group eventually fails.
The show ended in 2011 after 8 seasons of showcasing the reality of Hollywood and all the craziness that ensues behind the camera. Now that you’re finished, here’s a list of similar shows like Entourage to capture your imagination.
1. Curb Your Enthusiasm
Larry Davide, the co-creator of Seinfeld, came out with this new comedy series. He plays a dramatized version of himself while dealing with everyday situations in the most bizarre ways. Even the smallest inconveniences will make him lose it, ultimately ruining his entire day. He unapologetically speaks his mind and doesn’t care about hurting someone’s feelings. Larry David’s character on the show might seem rude at times, but at least he stays true to himself.
This HBO production has already aired for nine seasons and a trailer for the 10th was recently released. Many celebrities make guest appearances on the show; some of them include Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk, Ben Stiller, Michael J. Fox, Ricky Gervais, and many more. The older someone gets, the more jaded they become as a result of their harsh life experiences. Most people change themselves to be accepted by others, but Curb Your Enthusiasm dares to challenge these social norms. So start watching right away and maybe you’ll learn to accept your real persona as well.
2. How to Make It in America
The land of the free and the home of the brave still attracts a lot of people from other countries. America gives hope to millions who want to achieve their dreams, but it’s not that easy, just ask Ben and Cam. The pair have tried every trick in the book but the “American Dream” always seems to slip through their fingers. Their latest business venture involves selling leather jackets and retro jeans but it’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong. Nothing is as easy as it sounds, is it? There might be countless opportunities, but if you can’t cash in on it, it’ll just go to someone else who can.
This HBO special only made two seasons before ending in 2011. It hides the sad reality of barely being able to survive in a country behind a little bit of humor. America might be the greatest country in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s a perfect utopia. Embark on a journey with these two lads as they try to make a living in a highly competitive world.
If you’re looking for shows like Entourage, How to Make it in America should be your best bet.
3. Californication
Some people consider Hank Moody as a charming individual while others see him as an alcoholic loner. Both these deductions are right depending on the day you meet him. In Californication, this famous author does the best he can to raise his daughter and gives her the freedom to make personal decisions. This angers the other parents who believe his easy-going nature will affect the other children. David Duchovny of The X-Files fame portrays a much more complicated character of Mr. Moody this time.
People often tell you to follow your dreams, but what if they’re wrong? Maybe doing something in exchange for money, no matter how much you love it, will eventually make you miserable. Our protagonist believes he’s a one-hit-wonder, and so, hasn’t come out with more books. With all these intricacies and complications, Californication stars a depressed character with a cynical outlook on life trying to raise a child with his remaining bits of compassion.
4. Unscripted
Another HBO show on the list, Unscripted follows the lives of three struggling actors trying to make it big in Hollywood. As the title suggests, most of the scenes and dialogues are improvised, which gives a sense of authenticity to the show. Even the scenarios are influenced by the real-life experiences of the cast and creators. Popular actor George Clooney not only produced the show but also directed some episodes, showcasing his abilities behind the camera as well.
The show features cameos from a lot of actors such as Brad Pit, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Shia LaBeouf, Keanu Reeves, and many more. For every actor who becomes a success in the film industry, there’s a thousand who never get to see their dreams turning into reality. If you’re not ready to handle rejections and face failures, Hollywood may not be your cup of tea. Hard work and patience are necessary, but being at the right place at the right time is perhaps the most crucial thing. Unscripted only has 10 episodes from the maiden season and it hasn’t been renewed ever since it aired in 2005.
Start watching this underrated series so more fans can unite. Those looking for a show like Entourage would love what Unscripted brings to the table.
5. Hung
Hung tells a realistic story about a man’s inability to achieve his ambitions. Yet another HBO production, this comedy series revolves around a man who lost everything, even the hope for a better future. Ray Decker used to be popular when he was an athletic teenager, but as time passed, his life hit rock bottom. After attending a self-help class, he decides to quite literally “sell himself” for some quick cash. A male prostitute may sound unappealing, but when your entire life is falling right in front of you, this last resort doesn’t seem like a very bad idea. Yes, being a basketball coach at a high school may seem like a safe option when you have kids to take care of, but for how long can someone sell their soul to earn a living?
Haven’t you ever wondered what happens to all those people who don’t make it to the top of their creative or athletic careers? Well, spoiler alert – they usually compromise and opt for a 9-5 desk job, hating themselves and everyone else for the rest of their lives. They will take any chances available to redeem themselves and that’s exactly what Hung tries to communicate. The show ended in 2011 after three hilarious seasons, so get ready to laugh your heart out as an individual does everything in his power to escape the soul-sucking system.
6. Ballers
This show is the brainchild of Stephen Levinson, the man who produced Entourage. Other than him, fellow Entourage producer, Mark Walberg, and the show’s protagonist, Dwayne Johnson, are also co-producers. We can all agree that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson improves every project he’s a part of. In this American series, he plays a former football superstar turned financial manager. After years of being a success himself, he now assists old players and promising future athletes by helping them manage finances. But when you’ve almost literally been in the shoes of an athlete who’s going through these phases, you can’t help but go beyond your pay grade to teach them valuable life lessons.
The lead character has made enough money to last him several lifetimes but its only paper once you’re dead. Legacy is the only way to be remembered long after you’re gone. However, creating that immortal image is very challenging. The show has 5 seasons with no talks for the 6th. It seems as if Dwayne is not going to return to the show, which explains its sudden cancellation.
7. Extras
Ricky Gervais is best known for creating both the U.K. and U.S. versions of The Office. The stand-up comedian released Extras in 2005 and portrays the lead character, Andy Millman. He quits his day job to become an actor, but things don’t go as expected. After not being able to land any significant roles, the individual gets frustrated and rethinks his decision.
Hollywood is an unforgiving land that doesn’t care about your dreams unless you can prove yourself worthy. Most people give up halfway due to relentless criticisms, but that’s just the way the system works – a reality this show portrays very well. Whenever Ricky Gervais teams up with Stephen Merchant, you can expect great writing and raunchy jokes. Some people may find it offensive, but if you can get past all the PC (politically correct) filters, you’ll definitely have a great time. This British sitcom ended in 2007 after two hilarious seasons, so it won’t take you that long to finish.
Did I miss out on any other shows like Entourage? Let me know in the comments section.