Entourage: Let's Blog It Out

Blogger compadre Verne turned me on to this little nugget from E!: Smoking hot Jamie-Lynn Sigler has a three-episode arc on "Entourage" this coming season.

Early reports have the pride of Jericho (the Long Island town, not the defunct TV show) playing herself and a potential love interest on the show.

Now comes the fun: Guessing the plot line.

I have no inside information on this (at least not yet), so I'm just taking a shot in the dark and letting my mind roll with it. I suggest you do the same in the comments field.

I'm guessing her storyline is intertwined somehow with the New York episode. It's too obvious for her to get with Vince, and given her image as anything but a Hollywood floozy, E seems like the logical choice.

However, that's almost too obvious. Consider Doug Ellin's history here. Most guest spots somehow make fun of themselves one way or another. So, the guess here is that Turtle will visit the "Meadow Lands" in some sort of late-night rendezvous at the W Hotel or The Surf Lodge in Montauk.

Again, it's a crazy scenario but anything is possible. Let's hear what you got.

(AP Photo)

Thanks to Blog reader "entourage fan" for posting this link to a Kevin Connolly interview. In the interview, E mentions that Entourage is doing a New York episode.

Finally, the boys are coming home and it's about damn time!

Any chance they read my script idea from two seasons ago about a New York homecoming episode? I doubt it highly, but it's fun to dream the dream.

With "Sex and the City" raking in big bucks at the box office, the topic of conversation for me and a few other friends over a recent breakfast at Chateau Marmont centered on HBO's next movie.

Would "SATC" open the doors for "The Sopranos," "Entourage" and other hit HBO series to go on the big screen?

Mark Wahlberg, in a recent interview with MovieFone.com, hints that there's a movie or two in Entourage's future.

Will it ever happen? Who knows. But I do know I'll be Fandangoing my tickets weeks in advance.

* Time to pre-order Entourage Season 4 on DVD. HBO will start shipping Aug. 26, just in time to get everyone hyped up for Season 5 which will start a few weeks after that.

* This is a week old -- hey, I was on vacation in Hawaii and Vegas -- but in case you hadn't heard, Bow Wow has a recurring role as a stand-up comic in season five.

* According to GoErie.com, pro golfer Phil Mickelson has a guest spot in an upcoming episode of "Entourage." Consider that "Entourage" guest stars tend to make fun of themselves (OK, so the writers and producers make them do it). Then consider that Mickelson is notorious for collapsing in big moments of major tournaments. Oh, this has the makings for some hilarious television.

* Our fave, Emmanuelle Chriqui, breaks down working with the "Entourage" actors in this little interview.

* Thank you, GQ! Peep the latest issue of the men's style magazine on newsstands this week for a smokin' hot photo shoot with smokin' hot Emmanuelle Chriqui. Regular Entourage blog readers know about our special affinity for Sloan, and we're begging for a return arc on the show. Please!

In the meantime, here's a funny little story about our favorite Emmanuelle courtesy of the Daily News. If that doesn't make you want to move to Malibu, or start a new career as a photographer, nothing will.

After reading that, head over to GQ.com for more photos. And then peep your head below for the video, compliments of my new favorite magazine Web site.

* Adrian Grenier and his Reckless Productions company joins forces with investment group J. Loar Inc.

* Though we haven't heard an official word from HBO, Kevin Connolly suggests in comments to the New York Post that "Entourage" will indeed be back in 2009 for a sixth season.

If that headline confuses you, let me explain.

"Entourage" recently has been filming scenes for Season 5 in Hawaii. According to Pacific Coast News, Hawaii is doubling as Mexico for the purposes of the episode's plot. Pacific Coast News also has a bunch of photos from the set.

Forgive me for asking this, but was it really easier for a show situated in Southern California to go to Hawaii to replicate Mexico instead of just going a few miles south to the actual Mexico?

I'm probably just a bit upset for three reasons:

1) Pure jealousy
2) Mad they didn't shoot in Hawaii in late May when I'll be out there.
3) Does this mean the show's one traveling episode per season won't be in New York this time around?

Season 5 of "Entourage" is indeed in production as I blog, which means these hot stove reports will soon be replaced with things about the new episodes.

* The new season of Entourage is scheduled to start Sept. 28.

* Adrian Grenier wins the Blue Sky Award for Environmental Activism

* Doug Ellin suggests that Dom will return for a few episodes and that Entourage could last eight seasons.

* An enterprising lad compares the characters on "Entourage" to the top teams in NCAA hoops this season.

It's been a few minutes since I checked in with a hot stove report. Sorry for that. Been crazy busy with things, plus most of the news is just gossipy stuff about Adrian Grenier growing a beard. (Sorry, but we don't care about that stuff here.)

* HBO and YouTube are in cohoots to set up a YouTube channel for "Entourage" and other HBO programming. Now we won't have to worry (too much) about copyright issues. There's no specific Entourage playlist as of the time I posted this at http://youtube.com/hbo but there quite a few clips. Enjoy.

* Anybody catch crazy Gary Busey on the Oscar red carpet last night? I think he's suffering from emotional discombobulation.

* Many conflicting reports out there, but quite a few suggest that Entourage will return in the Fall. Will try to nail this down soon.

* Remember Emily, Ari's assistant from Season 1? Well, the actress who played her, Samaire Armstrong, is in the recording studio working with producer Dave Hillis of Starlodge Entertainment on a new album. Thanks to Blog reader Anonymous for the scoop and link.

By Mark La Monica

Our weekly/somewhat frequent update on the happenings with the cast of our favorite TV show:

* Drama's finest moment ever -- at the Grand Canyon -- was written specifically to get Kevin Dillon some awards. Turns out others are cashing in, too. David Nutter was nominated for a Director's Guild Award for Comedy series, based on that episode.

* Who will win the Golden Globe for Supporting Actor on Sunday night: Jeremy Piven or Kevin Dillon? We simply won't entertain the notion that the other nominees stand a chance. We're pulling for Drama, just to spread the love around the cast.

* I love the permeation of "Entourage" into other worlds. Check this one out from some animal section of this Web site. Makes no sense, but I'm all for stretching metaphors and anecdotes.

* "Entourage" scored a No. 11 placement on the San Francisco Chronicle's list of the best in television for 2007.

* Emmanuelle Chriqui gets some love from Slate.com (and us) for her work with Baron Davis on IFC's Framed series.

* Will the writers' strike spell the end of "Entourage?" Adrian Grenier wonders.

* It's not all about the environment for Adrian Grenier. He helps feed the homeless, too.

* Uh oh, maybe my brilliant script idea from 2006 involving Vince and Lindsay Lohan could take hold!

By Mark La Monica

Kevin Connolly returned home to Long Island to join with Mike Bossy and the Islanders in helping out local kids for the holidays.

Intrepid videographer friend Bobby was on the scene to do some video (8 a.m. was just way too early for me). As a thanks to Bobby, give a click to his new boxing blog, The Neutral Corner.

By Mark La Monica

* For all my Arizona readers -- or for anyone moving to or traveling to the Scottsdale area next year -- Cox Cable is about to hook you up with video-on-demand. That means Turtle in a bunny suit anytime you want.

* Jeremy Piven loved his bar mitzvah suit but not his mullet.

* Lauren London, Rufus' daughter and the girl who nearly tricked Turtle into giving up his first name, is reportedly engaged to Lil Wayne, for those who care about that stuff.

* Ari Emanuel, the inspiration behind Ari Gold, was No. 4 on Entertainment Weekly's smartest people in Hollywood list.

By Mark La Monica

So maybe we are just a few days late here with the weekly Entourage hot stove report, but Thursday was Thanksgiving, so we accept and admit no blame in the delay.

Now that we're back on course, let's burn up the hot stove!

* Ordinarily, TMZ video of celebs leaving restaurants are pointless, stupid and woefully unnecessary. However, our boy Kevin Connolly made one worth watching . . . and not for doing something scandalous. Watch the entire 1:26 video and you'll see.

* Rufus' daughter, Lauren London, gets her star turn in "This Christmas."

* The movie version of "Tony and Tina's Wedding," which includes Adrian Grenier in its cast, opens this week in a limited release. Check your local listings.

* Saigon, who has gotten more pub from his scenes in "Entourage" than from his music, is pulling a Ma$e and a Jay-Z and quitting the rap game. And, per the rules of rappers quitting, his new album "Greatest Story Never Told" will be in stores soon.

* For all you "Entouragers" in the Baltimore area, E is in town with Scarlett Jo and Jennifer Connolly, among others, filming scenes for the upcoming film "He's Just Not That Into You." The Baltimore media outlets have been all aflutter that these big celebs have come to their town.

* The UK is beginning to feel our pain here in the States. Take this quote from Inthenews.co.uk, which tells its Brit readership that there's a new release of "Entourage" on DVD:

And the first part of the third season of HBO's fantastic Entourage begins its DVD release this week (can't they just release the whole series in one go?)

Welcome to our world, England. Now you can have David Beckham back. We'll keep Posh, though.

By Mark La Monica

You know how we do every Thursday. Time for the Entourage hot stove report. (Note: We're off next Thursday for Thanksgiving, as should you. No hot stove report until all the Stove Top stuffing is gone.)

* Look for Jeremy Piven to appear in AARP's new campaign for U.S. healthcare and financial security.

* "Entourage" scored a Producer's Guild Award nomination for episodic TV comedy. It's got some tough comp: "Extras" (HBO), "The Office" (NBC), "30 Rock" (NBC) and "Ugly Betty" (ABC).

* Johnny Drama, er, Kevin Dillon, is set to play Lisa Kudrow's husband in "Hotel for Dogs," a family film based on a children's book about two orphaned teenagers who secretly house nine stray dogs in an abandoned hotel. I wonder if Arnold will be one of those canines.

* Adrian Grenier scored the No. 12 spot on this year's People Magazine "Sexiest Men Alive" list.

* Just as he did for Kristin, E bought some jewels for Julianne Hough, for those of you care about that kinda thing.

* Our favorite Emmanuelle Chriqui co-hosts an exclusive screening of Reebok's "Framed" with Baron Davis on the 19th at Tribeca Cinemas.

* Eight-minute clips of "Entourage" on your phone? It could happen soon. HBO Mobile has something going on to make your train rides that more tolerable.

* First is was Jeff Johnson. Now it's Johnny Drama. This getting by on name recognition is something we all need to try to inflate our bank accounts.

* "Pierce Brosnan has the Spanish roof." And Johnny Drama talks golf at Badgolfer.com.

* Is Kevin Connolly dating Julianne Hough? Who knows? Who cares? Let everyone have their fun in life.

* Entourage is big in England nowadays, and Vodkat is sponsoring it.

* Word around town is that "Entourage" has been known to throw some shin-digs at Clockwork in Manhattan.

* Escobar season has returned. Is a real "Medellin" going to be made?

By Mark La Monica

Sorry, folks, but this week's edition of the 2007 Entourage Hot Stove has been unplugged. Turns out, we're having some boiler issues in the Blog It Out offices. Plus, with the price of oil at the moment, it's best to repair the issue instead of burning up the office and the money.

Translation: I'm swamped with a big ski project for work (uh oh, here comes a Funkmaster Flex "Buy my CD! Buy my CD!" shameless plug: this ski project launches Sunday at newsday.com.ski), so I don't have the time to compile the Hot Stove Report this week.

In the meantime, I assure you four things:

1) The Entourage book is en route, I'm told by the good people at Simon & Schuster, so we should have a book review posted by Tuesday's nationwide release.

2) During the entire length of this ski project, I've been randomly saying to people, "This looks a lot bigger than the one at Big Bear."

3) During the entire length of this ski project, I've been randomly saying to people, "If you can ski Hunter, you can ski anywhere."

4) The Hot Stove heats up next week with a special double issue.

See you on the slopes. In the meantime, Happy Halloween. I'm going as a fan on Sloan, so basically my costume is the same as any other day.

By Mark La Monica

"Entourage" is being written now (or at least discussed being written) and will be filmed in the coming months. Of course, we'll have to wait until next summer to actually see the episodes.

"Entourage, the blog," however, keeps blogging it out in the offseason. Frequent readers of this little Internet nook will recall last year's "Entourage Hot Stove reports."

Well, they're back. Every Thursday afternoon, we'll update you with the career happenings of the actors on the show. If there's news, we'll throw it on the hot stove. If not, we'll make some up. Just kidding.

* Ari teaches Mrs. Ari how to handle the paparazzi. Quite amusing little post from TMZ. Hopefully the video will download for you.

* Fashion Week in Los Angeles is in full swing and Perrey Reeves has been on hand, spotted in the front row at Gregory Parkinson and at the opening of a Jenni Kayne boutique, whatever that means.

* Drama only has 8 points on Fafarazzi.com. I don't know what the heck that means but it seems to me he should have more.

* Jeremy Piven makes a special appearance on the "American Hustle" DVD from Katt Williams, to be released Nov. 20.

By Mark La Monica

A few months ago, Adrian Grenier, the real-life Vinny Chase, got some online flack (which is probably the most potent and least believable type of flack) for palling around with Paris Hilton.

Some of those pesky online folks didn't believe it was for his documentary about paparazzi and celebrity culture in the States. Some did.

More importantly, who cares?

Of course, the fact that people on the gossip sites and shows wrote and talked about it speaks perfectly to Grenier's documentary topic.

Here's a good story about Grenier and his documentary from an Australian magazine.

By Mark La Monica

The good people of HBO are making it slightly easier on your wallet, at least for today.

Today (Tuesday, Oct. 23) from noon-4 p.m., it's 20 percent off whatever you want in the HBO store.

I suggest the MGA T-shirt.

By Mark La Monica

Props to Jeremy Piven for winning another Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. No props to the sportsbook at Mandalay Bay for not letting me bet on the Emmy Awards.

That cost me $50. Of course, it also prevented me from losing $50 on Best Comedy, seeing how "30 Rock" bested "Entourage" and others for that award. (Note: "30 Rock" is a fantastic show. Alec Baldwin is ridiculous. Tina Fey is hot. What else do you need?)

I had no doubt in Piven winning, even with the deserved inclusion of Kevin Dillon as a first-time nominee this year. I was all set to drop some coin on Piven, then go into full-on Ari Gold mode upon collection of my winnings. I never even got the chance. Lloooooooooooyd!

What kind of world do we live in where you can't bet on the Emmy Awards? I mean, really. Sure, it's the Emmys, not the Oscars. But at least we're talking primetime Emmys, not those awful daytime Emmys.

Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, they say. I say, whatever isn't allowed to happen in Vegas gets written about here.

(P.S. As to why this didn't get written about here until a week after the Emmys, well, my Vegas Vacation didn't start until Emmy Sunday and didn't end until much later in the week.)

Adrian Grenier performs with his band The Honey Brothers at The Pool at Harrah's
in on Labor Day Weekend. (AP Photo/Harrah/Dima Gavrysh)

By Mark La Monica

Late last week, we posted our video interview with Kevin Connolly at Tribeca Film Festival discussing "Gardener of Eden," the first feature film he directed. (If you missed it, click here to watch.)

This week, we've got the outtakes for your viewing pleasure. Actually, it's just one outtake, but it's pretty funny. Listen closely to the background and you'll hear two or three loud noises, which elicits a response from Connolly.

It's a pretty funny scene from a genuinely nice guy.

By Mark La Monica

In the offseason of television series, actors often find other projects to occupy their time, fatten the wallets and satisfy creative urges.

In between seasons of "Entourage," Kevin Connolly has been directing his first feature film entitled "Gardener of Eden." The film stars Lukas Haas and Erika Christensen, with a small role by played by Jerry Ferrara, aka Turtle.

We scored a sit-down with Connolly hours before the movie made its world premiere Thursday night at the Tribeca Film Festival.

By Mark La Monica

I thought Jeremy Piven's monologue on "Saturday Night Live" was quite amusing. The wigs he wore throughout the show were even better.

Tough call as to which was better though: His wig of '80s sleezeball curls on the MacGruber skits or his '80s combover as a music exec in the Blizzard Man skit with Common.

Other than that, the show was average. Clearly not Piven's fault. He nailed all the skits written for him, especially the Jim Nantz bit. That was classic.

But the skits were average at best this past week on SNL.

Still wondering why there were no spoofs of "Entourage" on this episode. Typically, SNL writes skits where the guest host can mock himself. No such luck this week. After the show, I asked myself "Where was Ari?"

It was quite disappointing, especially since April 8 seems so far away. The only remedy? Cue up the "Busey and the Beach" episode and watch Ari Gold at his finest when he hammers Josh Weinstein at the beach house.

By Mark La Monica

Just a friendly little note to inform the good people loyal to "Entourage, the blog" that Jeremy Piven, aka Ari Gold, will be hosting Saturday Night Live this coming week.

Set your DVRs now because there's no way this SNL episode on Jan. 20, 2007, won't be hilarious.

Given the nature of "SNL" and its track record with guest hosts, there's likely to be a skit or two based on Entourage and Piven's character, slick-talking agent Ari Gold. And seeing how the rest of the Entourage cast is from New York, there's a 50-percent chance we'll see a guest spot or two.

For those of us who can't wait until Season 3.5 on April 8, this is the next best thing to hold us over until then.

In the meantime, root for Piven to bring home the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor on Monday. Then, watch SNL on Saturday and return here Monday for our thoughts on the show.

By Mark La Monica

No witty lede this time around, just straight news and information:

"Entourage" will return to HBO with Season 3.5 on Sunday, April 8, 2007. It will follow "The Sopranos" which is in its final season.

Circle the date on your calendar. Program it into your BlackBerry. Type it into your Outlook calendar. Stick a Post-it note on your forehead.

Do what you gotta do, but for the love of Pete, don't be anywhere aside from in front of a television on April 8, 2007.

Victory!

I saw the story on the AP wire and figured I'd share with my loyal readers. This story implies there is a bit of tiff going on between Jeremy Piven and John Cusack. Enjoy the read, compliments of the AP:

Jeremy Piven played second banana to his friend John Cusack until his recent breakthrough in HBO’s “Entourage,” winning an Emmy Award last year for his role as sharklike agent Ari Gold.

Now Piven and Cusack, who studied acting at Chicago’s Piven Theatre Workshop, which was run by Piven’s parents, appear to be on the outs, or so Piven suggests in an interview in the February issue of Best Life magazine, on newsstands Friday.

“No comment. I mean, you could fill in the blank, I bet,” the 41-year-old actor says when asked how Cusack has handled Piven’s recent success.

Piven played supporting roles to Cusack in films such as “Say Anything,” “Gross Pointe Blank” and “Runaway Jury” before getting his big break on “Entourage.”

“... I was always proud of him, and I was always in his corner,” Piven says of the 40-year-old Cusack. “Always.”
The Associated Press was attempting Tuesday to reach a representative for Cusack, who stars in “Grace Is Gone,” which will be shown at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, later this month.

Piven, who co-stars with Ben Affleck in the upcoming film “Smokin’ Aces,” a Universal Studios release, says he values loyalty.

“It just says so much about a person if he has space for other people’s success,” he says. “I have always been so proud of my friends’ success. I own that proudly because I come by it naturally. I was raised on that spirit of collaboration. ... You start getting into trouble in life when you start comparing and contrasting your life to anyone else’s. You don’t win when you do that.”

By Mark La Monica

I told someone in Chicago the other day that I was a producer. My friend backed me up and said the name of the movie was "Queens Boulevard." The not-in-the-know bartender said "Cool."

I then added that I was going to the Palm Springs Film Festival and hoping to win the blue ribbon. Ah, where would we be without "Entourage?" What did we do with our time before Johnny Drama entered our world?

As you ponder those life questions, time for the hot stove:

* Ari Gold continues to be loved by all, including those people who like to vote on nominations. For the third straight year, Jeremy Pivenwas nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV series or mini-series. Piven should win in an "Aquaman" landslide. If not, throw your television sets in the street because it's all bullshtein.

* "Entourage" was also nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Television Series -- Comedy or Musical. This is the first award nomination for the show in this type of category, so it's hard to predict how it will play out. Entourage is up against "The Office," "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty" and "Weeds." Given all the hype behind "Ugly Betty" this season, they're likely the favorite heading into Jan. 15.

* Ari Gold's catchphrase of "Let's hug it out" made its way on to the back page of Newsday on Dec. 20, 2006, although slightly modified. Have a look. The hot stove is definitely burning up now!

* Once again proving he's far from Vincent Chase in real life, Adrian Grenier co-hosted a charity event in Manhattan that was part of a non-profit initiative to help build fresh water wells in Africa.

* According to the gossip page in the Daily News, Grenier was among the people taking part in a sleep-over under the great whale at the Museum of Natural History after the premiere of Ben Stiller's movie inspired a 100 or so stout-hearted kids to spend a "Night at the Museum" Sunday night.

By Mark La Monica

Flipping through the channels on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend during a break in the Jets-Texans game, I came across "A Walk to Remember" on TBS. It's no longer possible to see that movie -- or even see a mention of the movie -- without laughing about "the incident" between Mandy Moore and Vincent Chase.

But, it did spark the desire to drop Volume 5 of the Entourage hot stove report.

* Adrian Grenier's band, The Honey Brothers, played at the Borgata the night after Thanksgiving. He then hosted the after-party at the Atlantic City casino's new club, mur.mur. Would've been nice to know that before I just wrote it.

* Watch The Honey Brothers' video for Some Of Them Are Nice Days. Grenier's mustache is classic.

Visit their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/thehoneybrothers.

* Season 3 just debuted in Australia this past weekend. If you don't have HBO On Demand, perhaps you could vacation in Australia some time soon to catch up on any episodes you may have missed. Did you know Ari Gold is Australian for tsetse fly?

* The boys of "Entourage" co-hosted the 2nd annual Comedy Cares Celebrity Poker Tournament at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas on Nov. 18. Peep the pix.

* I think Ari-killer agent Adam Davies spent part of his offseason doing a commercial for Kay Jewelers. I'm not sure yet and their Web site doesn't give much detail, but it really did look like him in the commercial. More details later on that one. Davies, if you're reading this, since you screwed Drama out of representation at the end of Season Two, the least you could do is chime in here to confirm or deny this rumor.

By Mark La Monica

Think fans of this show aren't starting to long for new episodes? Even Boss friend Lil Jon can't stop sending me info for the next Entourage Hot Stove report.

It's getting out of hand, this offseason, but we're back with Hot Stove No. 4:

* Hinder is now my favorite band of all time. Not because of their music but rather because of their video for "Lips of an Angel." The angel in that video is Emmanuelle Chriqui, aka E's girlfriend Sloan. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time more than three minutes, you know my feelings toward Ms. Chriqui. If you've seen the video, or any photo of her, you know my feelings are pretty much on point. We'll forgive the lead singer of Hinder falling into the worst video cliche ever -- singing into a phone -- if it brings up more clips of Chriqui. Speaking of clips, watch Hinder's video for "Lips of an Angel" video.

* Beau Garrett, aka Fiona the vegetarian who slept with Vince non-stop for an episode or two, was in the November issue of GQ. It was just one of those one-page "Here's this hot chick in skimpy clothes with a few quotes from her" things, but she is a pretty hot chick . . . and the clothes covering her patoot were quite skimpy.

* This one is a few months past due, but I never watched "Shark" on CBS until last week. The show includes Sarah Carter, better known to "Entourage" fans as Cassie, the girl who voluntarily -- more impressively, without money exchanging hands -- had a threesome with Turtle and Drama in the Sundance episodes. Oh yeah, "Shark" is a pretty good show, too.

* After watching the E! True Hollywood Story on Jack Nicholson, I'm thinking Vincent Chase's has a bit of Jack in him. Just a bit. If this is an obvious observation that you've all made already, my apologies for not seeing it earlier. But, I didn't know too much about Jack until this show. Of course, Jack's golf club to the windshield incident was pure Drama. Keep an eye on E! for its next airing. (Hint: It won't be on until Saturday Nov. 25 at the earliest, based on their Web site's schedule.)

* Kevin Connolly's uncle, Pat, was struck by a van in Bay Shore last month. (Read the story here) He's reportedly doing OK, with no major injuries and no broken bones. Raise a glass and toast to his good health. I've chatted with him before for a story. He's a good man.

* I hung out on Queens Boulevard two weekends ago and had trouble not laughing about it.

* Some punk was driving a little too close to my rear bumper the other day. I channeled my inner Drama and yelled out to him, "Why do you find it necessary to drive UP my ass?" He kept driving. Clearly, he's not a fan of the show. Or maybe he is and knew he'd get his windshield smashed.

By Mark La Monica

The hot stove is heating up and we're still three months or so away from Season 3.5 of "Entourage."

Levittown friend 0-2-2 has been taking his cheap shots at me via IM of late, questioning the need for an "Entourage" offseason report. I repeatedly tell him to shut up, since this is the best show on television and I feel the need to treat my readers to some "Entourage" information when possible.

So here we go with Hot Stove Report No. 3:

* Medellin is going to happen! Javier Bardem is set to star in "Killing Pablo," the movie about notorious Colombian druglord Pablo Escobar. According to the Oct. 27 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Paramount just put the project into turnaround.

* Blog favorite Emmanuelle Chriqui was listed as No. 14 on the Young, Hot Hollywood list in the November issue of Maxim. Always nice to see her get some pub. Even nicer to see pix! Emmanuelle, you're still No. 1 on our list and that's all that counts.

* If you want more Chriqui, keep an eye on your local movie listings for the release of "After Sex." She's co-starring with Bai Ling (another "Entourage" cameo girl), Zoe Saldana and Taryn Manning in the edgy comedy that uses sex as a background to examine intimacy and vulnerability. Fellas, I know what you're thinking but I doubt it.

By Mark La Monica

Inspired by a comment from blog reader Billy D and an IM from Levittown friend 0-2-2, we're back with another hot stove report to cure your jonesing for "Entourage" stuff.

* At the end of September, "Entourage" made its way onto ESPN SportsCenter when anchor Scott Van Pelt dropped a "Victory" chant and properly footnoted Johnny Drama. Outstanding.

* On Monday Night Football, Tony Kornheiser was raving about Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. He remarked about his charming good looks and ability to grow beard stubble on an hourly basis. "He looks like the guy from 'Entourage.' Vinny Chase." Gotta love the pilgrimage "Entourage" references has made from the water cooler to the office meeting to CNBC to MNF.

* People Magazine confirmed that Nicky Hilton and Kevin Connolly are no longer a couple. No snarky quips here. Breakups suck. Just ask Vince.

* According to TVTattle.com, "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin is working on his next show for HBO. It's pitched as a comedy about life on Wall Street. It explores the question of "What if the Entourage guys grew up?" Sounds like "Boiler Room, The Series." Could be good.

* For those of you without HBO On Demand, earlier episodes have been airing in one-hour blocks on various HBO channels. Check your cable guide and set the TiVos and DVRs. Or just go buy the DVDs.

By Mark La Monica

We're still in a world where there are no new episodes of "Entourage" each Sunday. Quite depressing, indeed. Seriously, how many more times can we listen to the analysis of Captain Obvious on Sunday Night Football?

But in the Entourage offseason, we still have some things worth noting. Here's the hot stove report so far:

* This is old, but just in case you didn't hear it already, "Entourage" has been picked up for a fourth season. That's a dozen more episodes, at least. Victory!

* Also, Season 3.5 is scheduled to air along with the final eight episodes of "The Sopranos" in early 2007.

* Johnny Drama, uh, excuse me, Kevin Dillon, is hosting an "Entourage" party on Thursday, Sept. 28, at Mirage nightclub in Westbury, Long Island. Dust off that viking helmet and have some fun, people.

* Constance Zimmer, the actress who plays the deliciously bitchy but good-hearted Hollywood executive Dana Gordon, carried on that tradition in the season premiere of "Boston Legal" last night on ABC.

* Emmanuelle Chriqui seems to be showing up everywhere lately. Of course, who in their right mind would complain about that?

That's it for now. More to come when things happen. In the meantime, only about four or five more months to wait for new episodes.

By Mark La Monica

Last night hurt. As I was picking up some dinner at All-American, I checked the time: 9:15 p.m., my cell phone reported.

First reaction: Damn, only 45 minutes til "Entourage" starts. I better hurry because I don't think I set the DVR to record.

Four seconds passed.

Second reaction: S-bomb! The season finale was last week.

Another four seconds passed.

Third reaction: Well what the heck am I supposed to do with my Sunday nights now? This smells.

As if Labor Day Weekend isn't already one of the most depressing holidays, I need this? It's bad enough summer is over and a carefree attitude in September is be considered laziness. Now, you're telling me I can't watch new episodes of "Entourage" anymore. That is a double-double I care not to order.

At least next Sunday, there will be some football to watch on Sunday night, but then we have to deal with Al "I know everything" MIchaels and John "Captain Obvious" Madden. Life is unfair. Then again, it's not like I lost three movie roles in the span of one season.

What am I supposed to do now, read?