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| Cast of Entourage |
Movie Entertainment
September 2009
Judith Klassen
Two shows that take place under the same sun prove that people who don’t have real problems can be fascinating to watch. Other than unavoidable issues like death, disease, or their kids taking up crystal meth, what do folks with healthy disposable incomes really have to worry about? Despite (or because of) their luxury homes, fleets of vehicles, and endless playtime, Californication and Entourage keep us coming back for more.
Our ever-shorter attention spans may be part of the reason we love to follow the lightweight adventures of pay TV’s perpetual boys. We have an increasing appetite for bite-sized banality that we can stuff into our over-fed brains, and basically, Vince is the Twitter of television characters: we subscribe to find out if he’s washed his hair, picked up a waitress, or gotten around to reading that script. Another thing the Entourage boys share with their older, not-wiser Californication counterpart, Hank Moody (David Duchovny), is an unwillingness to man-up in the relationship department. While Californication is ostensibly about Hank’s struggle to be with the mother of his child, he gorges on women like a starving man at a food court, wanting to taste all the over-processed flavours—ignoring the salt and MSG until he wakes up bloated and vaguely remorseful.
Both shows highlight the rumoured growing divide between men and women. Focusing on those dudes who want to remain Peter Pan, and the women who fall for them—and then wish Peter Pan would pack up his toys and go live with his daddy.
Californication and Entourage might make us cringe occasionally, or throw things at the TV, but, hey—they’re both as addictive as Szechuan Chinese food, and we’ll be sure to order another season of both.
Californication season 2 is now playing on TMN and MC, and both nets On Demand. Californation season 3 airs on September 27th. Entourage season 5 is now playing on HBO Canada.
Judith Klassen is a Toronto writer. Visit Jude’s Website here