Costly toys

TV

Marc D. Allan

'Entourage' cast members: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara

Over two seasons, all of 22 episodes, Entourage viewers have watched Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) develop from struggling Hollywood heartthrob to would-be action hero.

As season three begins (10 p.m. Sunday, HBO), Vince is a genuine star. His live-action version of Aquaman is opening, and everything is going right. He gets the date he wants for the premiere (you’ll be surprised), the box office receipts are boffo (absurdly so) and even an old friend from the neighborhood showing up can’t spoil Vince’s never-ending party life.

And that, unfortunately, is the flaw of the first three episodes of the new season — the actor and his entourage aren’t having career-development problems; they’re having movie-star problems. Vince’s date doesn’t want to show up. Whaaa! There’s a blackout in Southern California because of the heat. Whaaa! The old friend is disruptive and nuts. Whaaa!

If I wanted to watch stars and their petty problems — Our timeslot stinks. Whaaa! The network won’t renegotiate my contract. Whaaa! — I’d go to California next month for the TV press tour. Oh, yeah, I AM doing that.

Really, the problems of the rich and famous don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.

That said, Entourage is still exceptionally good television. One reason is the perfect cast: Grenier as the pretty actor; Kevin Connolly as Eric, his best friend and manager who’s paid to be the grownup in the bunch; Kevin Dillon as Johnny “Drama” Chase, Vince’s struggling actor-brother; Jerry Ferrara as the group’s go-fer and hanger-on, Turtle; and Jeremy Piven playing Ari Gold, the super-agent.

Together, they’re so believable that you’re apt to think you’re watching four lifelong friends and one ruthless businessman trying to achieve their dreams.

Another reason is that, generally, Entourage is a spot-on portrayal of Hollywood stardom at its best and worst. The cost of the toys and the costs of fame, the hype, the spin, the egos — it’s all there and more. It’s fun to watch when the star is heading for the top; less so when he’s there.

But I’m optimistic that before this 12-episode season is over, Vincent Chase and the boys will face some upheaval. Entourage is a smart show, and smart shows don’t let their characters get too comfortable for too long.