Entourage: Let's Blog It Out

By Mark La Monica

After the second episode of Season 4, I wrote about Ari Gold, the father. I asked readers their thoughts about his actions as a parent.

While the incoming emails didn't exactly force the network that hosts my email to shut down (what did I expect, really? I mean, a blog about "Entourage" isn't exactly the same as Parents & Children Magazine), I'd like to share two of the more enjoyable emails.

Blog reader Lisa T summed it up perfectly, I think:

Dear Mark,

Anything less than taking a bullet for one’s child is unacceptable.

Lisa

Well said, Lisa.

Blog reader Phil M. wrote:

although i am not a parent, i would love to show a little ari in myself when i am - he shows everything a parent needs - love (at times) - ruthlessness - quick thinking - intelligence - and most of all hes like a chamelieon (didnt spell it right) because somehow in any situation ari makes himself look like the hero - quote from last episode "Im gonna save the day again honey" i mean if the guy wasnt a superhero- why would he have a batphone? - hahah anyway i believe ari is a wonderful father - and Mrs. Ari is smokin hot.

Right on all counts, Phil.

Anyway, I got some inside information that says in an upcoming episode, Ari combines his two loves: Slimy, smarmy agency underhandedness and family life. So, we can always revisit the parenting angle again later on.

By Mark La Monica

In real life, Mrs. Ari is known as Perrey Reeves. In "Entourage" life, Mrs. Ari is known only as Mrs. Ari.

When he's not calling her "the wife," even Ari Gold calls her Mrs. Ari.

But what is her first name on the show? We have no clue. Same thing with Turtle.

This week, we ask our loyal and brand new "Entourage, the blog" readers to vote on a first name for Mrs. Ari. In a few weeks, we'll do the same with Turtle.

In the meantime, we'll send the final results to Doug Ellin's people. No guarantees he or they will read it, but we'll send the email anyway. You never know in this crazy world what can happen.

To me, Mrs. Ari strikes me as a Melissa. Maybe a Janet. Perhaps even a Julie or an Allison. Emily is an option, too. How about Barbara? Toni? Melinda? Jenn? Stephanie? Jamie? Roni?

So many options. Here's your chance to vote for Mrs. Ari's first name. You've got until midnight Tuesday July 3 to vote. We'll post the results at noon on July 4, just before we head out to the beach and barbecues.

If you think there's a better name, use the comments link for write-in candidates.

July 3 Note: Poll is now closed. Winner will be announced at noon July 4.

By Mark La Monica

Walken needed more cowbell. La Monica needs more Billy Walsh.

It's a fair request. The "Entourage" creators and writers haven't done much with his character in the past, so there's plenty there to develop. There's a reason they brought him back in Seasons 3 and 4.

That reason is because he's hilarious. At a time when the Drama comedy schtick is slowly becoming stagnant (it's sad to admit that), Billy Walsh is that new kid in school with the weird accent. You can't help but want to talk to him just to hear him speak.

Walsh's disdain for E is kinda funny. Even funnier is his commitment to that hatred every episode he's in. Gotta admire that type of dedication. And as he continues to go mad with the post-production work on "Medellin," Walsh maintains that anger toward "Suit."

I had decided to dress as Spanish-speaking army man Johnny Drama for Halloween this year. Then, Walsh imported a streetwalker from Colombia. Pure brilliance, for the character, that is. And that solidified me growing my hair out by October 31 so I can go as Billy Walsh. (Think about it: It's a license to curse and disrespect anyone in your way. Ah ha!)

We can all sympathize with Walsh right now, which makes his character that much more appealing. Who among us hasn't had a monster project at work or in school to complete quickly and felt the pressure coming from all sides? It's a fact of life.

Heck, my freshman year in college, I had five finals in six days. By the fourth day, I could have sworn Wicket the Ewok from "Return of the Jedi" was sitting next to me in the library as I studied.

In keeping with the study metaphor, let's recap briefly:

More Billy Walsh!

Of course, there's that little matter of Wally Balls, just in case you needed more ammunition to love Billy Walsh.

More this week:
Thursday: Pick Mrs. Ari's first name
Friday: Ari Gold Parenting 101

By Mark La Monica

I have not yet experienced the joy of fatherhood, which is more the fault of the ladies who I talk to not wanting to talk to me. Such is life. Their loss.

However, I was thoroughly intrigued by the quagmire Ari Gold found himself in for this episode. He and Mrs. Ari (who is dangerously gorgeous, by the way) were trying to get their son, Jonah, into Briar Country Day School.

The lengths at which Ari went to to pull some strings were lengthy, from blackmailing his dentist buddy by mentioning his cumare to spitting off his monetary contributions to the headmaster of the school and offering to give more.

I imagine all the fathers and mothers out there reading this right now are saying to themselves, "That's exactly what I would have done."

I, too, am saying that although I don't have the luxury of looking at a photo of my son in a Little League uniform while saying that. Yet, I want to believe I would do exactly what Ari Gold did, which was whatever's necessary for my children. (However, I can confirm I would also have pulled my other child out of that same school. That's just good business.)

My question here is for all the parents out there. How far would you go for your children?

E-mail me your comments at mark.lamonica@newsday.com and this Friday, we'll post your responses.

OK, so maybe parenting is slightly unexpected for this space, but that's the beauty of this episode: Character development. The Turtle-Drama party planning isn't new. Funny, but not new. The storylines with Mr. and Mrs. Ari are new. And good.

Here's a brief parental history on "Entourage:"
- Mama Chase, terrified of flying, got on a plane to L.A. for the "Aquaman" premiere in Season 3.
- Ari doted on his daughter at her bat mitzvah in Season 2.
- Terrance offered a job to his daughter's boyfriend, E, in Season 2.
- Turtle's mom wore an adidas jumpsuit on the tarmac in Season 3.

(OK, that last one had nothing to do with the theme of this column, but it's still funny a year later.)

Coming this week
Tuesday: We need more Billy Walsh
Thursday: Pick Mrs. Ari's first name
Friday: Your parental responses

By Mark La Monica

Now that Ari and Vince are back together, the show has regained its proper continuity. It also has Ari Gold back as Ari Gold, with brilliant one-liners and brutal treatment of other people.

Ari took home the Best Printable Line this week, his first since Episode 8 of Season 3. (That's a 13-week absence for those counting). He earned it early with his "It's the 'Gigli' effect," but that's not what won the BPL. Although, comparing Vincent Chase to Ben Lopez, er, Garner, er, Affleck is hilarious in its own right.

Rather, Ari Gold wears the BPL crown for his work in the meeting at Briar Country Day School. He and Mrs. Ari were talking with a woman who suggested their son, Jonah, wouldn't get accepted into the school because he hit another kid with a ruler who supposedly stole his Power Ranger.

"I teach my son never to let people to just take things from him," Ari said. "It's my Israeli blood."

Stunning work.

Season 4 Best Printable Line Standings
Ari Gold 1
Turtle 1
Drama 0
E 0
Vince 0
Billy Walsh 0

By Mark La Monica

Billy Walsh brings home a street walker from Colombia.

I'm not sure anything else needs to be written to explain why that gets this week's Writer Props.

A moment with Rhys Coiro, aka Billy Walsh, aka Wally Balls. He might be as crazy in real life as he is on screen.

We only had time for one question. We asked two.

We're not quite sure why the Karate Kid was at the New York premiere of "Entourage." Then again, who cares why. What matters is he was there and we wouldn't let him walk by without saying hi. (P.S. Props to Lindsey for hooking that up.)

He's Johnny Drama, but for a few moments, we let him be Kevin Dillon.

Kevin Connolly, friend of the blog, was kind enough to indulge us and be interviewed in character. Here's the full clip.