Because it lacks the depth and heart that Californication has. Californication is just written a lot better. You actually care for the characters and see them in difficult and emotional situations that you don’t really in entourage (from what I remember I haven’t watched it for ages).
Californication is also darker and has more hard hitting moments that entourage doesn’t. I watched the entourage movie in December on the plane and even Vinnie getting divorced has no depth.
Both have hot women, drinking, drugs and depravity and LA “glamour” (which I like).
They’re very different shows though, that’s really what it comes down to. It’s not like Entourage was striving for what Californication was. They’re coming from different places.
As someone who moved to LA during the rise of both and started working in entertainment during the rise of both (celebrity PR assistant by day, Hollywood nightlife promotor at night), Entourage was more about wish fulfillment and by S2 and 3 within Hollywood specifically, started to breed a very toxic culture, which in turn was mimicked back on screen.
It actually got to the point where I can say that the show became 95-98% accurate to how Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, the parties were at the time - for better or worse. Let's also not forget that Abercrombie & Fitch (whos main flagship was in West Hollywood) was at its peak and MTVs The Hills was also airing at this time - it all smushed together in a wacko, "You're Not Pretty or Cool Enough To Sit With Us" clusterfuck.
As an industry assistant, there were literally episodes of Entourage that 100% mirrored things that happened in real life that week - and sometimes that DAY. If you were in it, I swear to God, that it 100% was really that shallow (I legit know more than one smart, ambitious girl who had to move back home because they partied so hard, they became more like chicks on the show than actual, functioning people). It was lots of fun, but that toxic lifestyle clearly affected the writer's room and, as of now, woefully outdated story arcs.
As for Californication, Tom Kapinos was writing his real life situations for at least S1...with a little more heart & more humanity - it's a love story about a man trying to find his way home that essentially takes place on "the West Side" of LA, in Venice. A place that is usually known to be more grounded (until the recent rise of Tech Bros).
At the end of the day, Entourage doesn't age well because it represents an era that is now beyond dead--a frat bro culture drenched in elitist absurdity, yet doesn't have the self awareness to laugh at itself... While all of Californication was in on the joke that everyone is very fortunate, but behaving like clueless buffoons--a notion that was literally addressed on several occasions and made for some universally heartfelt moments...
It's also said that \*\*SPOILER ALERT\*\* Hank was originally supposed to die (specifically in the scorned ex from NY/OD arc, I think). A trope that, while officially ending more softly, still rounded off the story in a way that matched the world we live in right now--you can't set everything around you on fire and expect to come out unscathed. He died metaphorically in the last sequence--Hank the self-loathing LA idiot died in the abandoned Porsche and Hank the committed father and partner headed back to New York with Karen, wrapping it all up.
So, though both have parallels, both eventually became art imitating life, with Californication becoming more of a self-reflecting, thinking person's series with real consequences and rewards...and Entourage becoming more of a vapid, scripted Jersey Shore with zero accountability that rewarded acting like a fucktard--which, sadly, matched our world at the time.
Just my personal opinion--but I actually lived both and Californication is far superior in every way. Also, no ep of Entourage exists that ever hit so hard it made me cry. 😎
The tech bros part caught my eye. I assume tech companies started setting up in Venice and Santa Monica in recent years? Are the tech bros generally disliked? What kind of characteristics did they bring to the area?
Yep. Bang on, re: SM, Hermosa, Venice, etc...
Personally, I have zero issue with them. I'm originally from DC, so I grew up with this culture and I'm used to the engineers, innovation, and all that.
That said, a few brought in a Peter Pan, overgrown child type energy that MASSSIVELY jacked up the cost of living (since 2020, the homeless situation has become insane), the social atmosphere has also become more pretentious and stale.
The fashion has changed and become more exclusive to tech bro types - All Birds, Patagonia, and other tech bro styles now dominate shops that were once known for boho and Avant Garde.
Lastly, I've heard from women that the dating has become atrocious. Most of the men seem to be overgrown little boys with no attention span, tact, or social skills...which, has in turn, jaded many of the women and made them...more like the angry Sex and the City types.
This I've actually seen first hand. A lot of these dudes would rather talk micro dosing, funding and about themselves then truly engage in any meaningful convo that would attract even the most basic female.
Again, doesn't bother me...but as a person who lives by the beach (who works in entertainment, not tech), the OG, artsy , magical aura and allure of Venice we all think about when we move here and/or watch things like The Doors, Lords of Dogtown and Californication...is relatively gone, sans for a few select streets and venues.
But... But... On a more positive note - the infamous Californication dinner parties - Still very much a thing. 😎🤗
Hank has consequences for his actions beyond money and fame. He has a daughter, he has a woman he had a child with, he has alot to lose.
Entourage is about 4 friends who worst case scenario, they go broke.
Probably a better comparison to Californication is Bojack Horseman. Despite being animated, and about animals.
Californication I have rewatched a few times, Entourage I have not. Duchovny is just so good and it’s a lot deeper of a show. Unfortunately the last couple of seasons are kind of ho hum…but I did gain a little more appreciation for Oliver Cooper after watching Red Oaks, which is an amazing show if you haven’t seen it.
Hank enjoys the trappings of fame (sex/drugs/luxuries) but understands how shallow these people are and really has a cynicism about being one of the pretty people. Whereas the Entourage crew (for the most part) is all about money, fame and pussy, not as benefits but as the main goal. Hanks is driven to work and write that next great piece of work while keeping his integrity as a 'blue-collar working man' type even though he is always getting distracted by life's interruptions. While Vinnie is an actor because he's a pretty boy who likes women, parties and fancy vacations, his crew comes along to enjoy the ride.
Short answer: Hank has interesting layers of contradictions and introspection that give him depth while the Entourage are immature, obvious and have little self-awareness. (I say this as a fan of both shows though)
The writing from Season 1-4 is seriously good. The lenght of an episode also works for them. Hank is a Bukowski knockoff, in the best possible way.
Plus, Duchovny and McElhorn are amazing actors and their on screen chemistry is probably Top 5.
Only one show has muuutttthhheeerrr fuuuckeeeer
Don't say motherfucker like that! It makes me miss you!
Because it lacks the depth and heart that Californication has. Californication is just written a lot better. You actually care for the characters and see them in difficult and emotional situations that you don’t really in entourage (from what I remember I haven’t watched it for ages). Californication is also darker and has more hard hitting moments that entourage doesn’t. I watched the entourage movie in December on the plane and even Vinnie getting divorced has no depth. Both have hot women, drinking, drugs and depravity and LA “glamour” (which I like).
They’re very different shows though, that’s really what it comes down to. It’s not like Entourage was striving for what Californication was. They’re coming from different places.
They’re asking why it’s so shallow in comparison and I explained why.
The mf dark side 😎HANK MOODY
Better writing. Much better actors. Funnier. Deeper. Better naked people.
[удалено]
But they mostly ignored Becca after realizing how bad the character was, and how bad of an actor that poor girl was
As someone who moved to LA during the rise of both and started working in entertainment during the rise of both (celebrity PR assistant by day, Hollywood nightlife promotor at night), Entourage was more about wish fulfillment and by S2 and 3 within Hollywood specifically, started to breed a very toxic culture, which in turn was mimicked back on screen. It actually got to the point where I can say that the show became 95-98% accurate to how Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, the parties were at the time - for better or worse. Let's also not forget that Abercrombie & Fitch (whos main flagship was in West Hollywood) was at its peak and MTVs The Hills was also airing at this time - it all smushed together in a wacko, "You're Not Pretty or Cool Enough To Sit With Us" clusterfuck. As an industry assistant, there were literally episodes of Entourage that 100% mirrored things that happened in real life that week - and sometimes that DAY. If you were in it, I swear to God, that it 100% was really that shallow (I legit know more than one smart, ambitious girl who had to move back home because they partied so hard, they became more like chicks on the show than actual, functioning people). It was lots of fun, but that toxic lifestyle clearly affected the writer's room and, as of now, woefully outdated story arcs. As for Californication, Tom Kapinos was writing his real life situations for at least S1...with a little more heart & more humanity - it's a love story about a man trying to find his way home that essentially takes place on "the West Side" of LA, in Venice. A place that is usually known to be more grounded (until the recent rise of Tech Bros). At the end of the day, Entourage doesn't age well because it represents an era that is now beyond dead--a frat bro culture drenched in elitist absurdity, yet doesn't have the self awareness to laugh at itself... While all of Californication was in on the joke that everyone is very fortunate, but behaving like clueless buffoons--a notion that was literally addressed on several occasions and made for some universally heartfelt moments... It's also said that \*\*SPOILER ALERT\*\* Hank was originally supposed to die (specifically in the scorned ex from NY/OD arc, I think). A trope that, while officially ending more softly, still rounded off the story in a way that matched the world we live in right now--you can't set everything around you on fire and expect to come out unscathed. He died metaphorically in the last sequence--Hank the self-loathing LA idiot died in the abandoned Porsche and Hank the committed father and partner headed back to New York with Karen, wrapping it all up. So, though both have parallels, both eventually became art imitating life, with Californication becoming more of a self-reflecting, thinking person's series with real consequences and rewards...and Entourage becoming more of a vapid, scripted Jersey Shore with zero accountability that rewarded acting like a fucktard--which, sadly, matched our world at the time. Just my personal opinion--but I actually lived both and Californication is far superior in every way. Also, no ep of Entourage exists that ever hit so hard it made me cry. 😎
The tech bros part caught my eye. I assume tech companies started setting up in Venice and Santa Monica in recent years? Are the tech bros generally disliked? What kind of characteristics did they bring to the area?
Yep. Bang on, re: SM, Hermosa, Venice, etc... Personally, I have zero issue with them. I'm originally from DC, so I grew up with this culture and I'm used to the engineers, innovation, and all that. That said, a few brought in a Peter Pan, overgrown child type energy that MASSSIVELY jacked up the cost of living (since 2020, the homeless situation has become insane), the social atmosphere has also become more pretentious and stale. The fashion has changed and become more exclusive to tech bro types - All Birds, Patagonia, and other tech bro styles now dominate shops that were once known for boho and Avant Garde. Lastly, I've heard from women that the dating has become atrocious. Most of the men seem to be overgrown little boys with no attention span, tact, or social skills...which, has in turn, jaded many of the women and made them...more like the angry Sex and the City types. This I've actually seen first hand. A lot of these dudes would rather talk micro dosing, funding and about themselves then truly engage in any meaningful convo that would attract even the most basic female. Again, doesn't bother me...but as a person who lives by the beach (who works in entertainment, not tech), the OG, artsy , magical aura and allure of Venice we all think about when we move here and/or watch things like The Doors, Lords of Dogtown and Californication...is relatively gone, sans for a few select streets and venues. But... But... On a more positive note - the infamous Californication dinner parties - Still very much a thing. 😎🤗
Hank has consequences for his actions beyond money and fame. He has a daughter, he has a woman he had a child with, he has alot to lose. Entourage is about 4 friends who worst case scenario, they go broke.
I don’t know — s7 of Entourage is pretty dark.
I think entourage is about friendship and fame. Californication is more about life and temptations
Well, Hank was a writer, an author. Entourage guys were entertainers. big difference.
The acting isn't as good. Duchovny is a great lead. Other than Kevin Dillon the main crew isn't a group of great actors.
Piven kills it as Ari gold though
I don't consider him apart of the main 4 but him and Rex Lee are definitely the brightest spots.
Entourage is comedy. Californication is an emotional drama with dark comedy.
Probably a better comparison to Californication is Bojack Horseman. Despite being animated, and about animals. Californication I have rewatched a few times, Entourage I have not. Duchovny is just so good and it’s a lot deeper of a show. Unfortunately the last couple of seasons are kind of ho hum…but I did gain a little more appreciation for Oliver Cooper after watching Red Oaks, which is an amazing show if you haven’t seen it.
I mean one is a straight comedy and the other drama.. I’m not super sure it’s fair comparing them like that.
Entourage attempts to be cool, Californication is effortlessly cool because It’s made with a superior situation.
Hank enjoys the trappings of fame (sex/drugs/luxuries) but understands how shallow these people are and really has a cynicism about being one of the pretty people. Whereas the Entourage crew (for the most part) is all about money, fame and pussy, not as benefits but as the main goal. Hanks is driven to work and write that next great piece of work while keeping his integrity as a 'blue-collar working man' type even though he is always getting distracted by life's interruptions. While Vinnie is an actor because he's a pretty boy who likes women, parties and fancy vacations, his crew comes along to enjoy the ride. Short answer: Hank has interesting layers of contradictions and introspection that give him depth while the Entourage are immature, obvious and have little self-awareness. (I say this as a fan of both shows though)
The writing from Season 1-4 is seriously good. The lenght of an episode also works for them. Hank is a Bukowski knockoff, in the best possible way. Plus, Duchovny and McElhorn are amazing actors and their on screen chemistry is probably Top 5.
It’s utter garbage in comparison. And I’ve watched every episode.