HBO series 'Entourage' follows a young movie star and his pals

By CHUCK BARNEY
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Maybe the sitcom isn't dead, after all.
"Entourage," the new satirical series with actor Mark Wahlberg as executive producer, focuses on life in the Hollywood fast lane as it chronicles the twisted adventures of a blissfully clueless young movie star from Queens (Adrian Grenier) and his hometown pals (Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara), who shamelessly hitch a ride on his coattails.
Meet Vince Chase, the latest Tinseltown "It" boy. Anywhere he goes, his posse goes. They live with him in his Los Angeles mansion, cruise around in his Rolls, share his dope and lap up his leftover women.
Packed with laughs and keen behind-the-scenes insight, "Entourage" is a buddy comedy that giddily skewers the lifestyles of the rich and depthless while still managing to make you care about its characters. It's a winning effort, thanks in part to perfect casting -- with Dillon as a washed-up TV star and Jeremy Piven as an obnoxious, fire-breathing talent agent shining as the series standouts. The show airs tonight at 10 on HBO.