- The partnerships. In many good shows there will be a pair of characters whose chemistry really makes the show fizz; they may not even be the main characters. Think Joey and Chandler in Friends; Think Ted and Dougal in Father Ted; Entourage is full of great double-acts. Vinny and E who stick together through thick and thin; Turtle and Drama who love nothing more than to bicker and annoy each other, and the finest partnership of the show: bullish, uber-arrogant fast-thinking, fast-talking, foul-mother-fucking-mouthed Ari Gold and his subservient, hard-working assistant Lloyd, who takes more crap than is reasonable for any one man, but somehow comes through with his dignity intact.
- The continuity. 6 seasons in and *all* the main protagonists are still there, and have been all the way through.
- The writing - As they drag you through the roller coaster ride of Vince's career, you find yourself desperately wanting him to succeed. It matters whether he does well, because you like him. Making the audience give a shit about what happens next is an art - and Entourage has it down-pat.
My favourite episode is still from Season 3 - Episode 9 "Vegas, Baby, Vegas!" which has a punch-up involving the boys taking on Seth Green's crew, Ari completely losing the plot at the Roulette table and best of all: Johnny Drama accidentally wooing his male (heterosexual) masseur into bed... What else could you ask of a comedy?
