I am Doug Ellin, Creator of Entourage, AMA!

Hi Doug, Thanks for doing this AMA – I’m a big fan of Entourage!

I’ve often heard that Entourage as described as “Sex and the City for guys” do you take offense to this description or as a compliment?

Are you a fan of the HBO series “Game of Thrones” and if so who’s your favorite character?

Finally what is the funniest incident you recall dealing with Ari Emanuel (who was the inspiration for Ari Gold)?

Thanks Doug!

1) Sex and the City was an amazing, groundbreaking show. I didn't set out to be compared to it, but I take it as a compliment! 2) Love GOT. Dragons are my favorite characters. 3) In the first pitch meeting, before I had a chance to speak, Ari said "it's about Mark Wahlberg and his friends. This guy (me) is gonna write it. If it sucks, we are gonna fire him and someone else is gonna rewrite it."

Who are guest stars you really wanted on the show or in the movie but couldn't get them?

Jimmy Page. David Gilmour. Russell Crowe.

Hi Doug,

Big fan of the show and looking forward to the movie! My one question is are Ari Gold's lines mostly written for him or does Jeremy Piven improv a lot (most?) of his now classic lines?

Thanks!

99.9% of the words that came outta Ari Gold's mouth were on the page. Very little improv. Check out The Gold Standard Book.

Can you give a high five to Scott Vener for me? His music selection was incredible for the show.

He's a little low energy for a high five, but yes I will do that.

I met Ari Gold (in character at the Barnes and Noble in NYC) and told him that the character inspired me to be doing what I'm doing and how I'm where I am because of the show (I'm a lawyer working in the entertainment business) and he shattered my life by saying that it's fake and making me feel like an idiot.

I ask you this, Doug, am I an idiot?

No, you are not. Remember the words that Ari speaks on the show were written by someone else. The words he spoke in the bookstore were written by him.

How did getting Eminem on the show happen?

He called me. He put a Johnny Drama reference in his song, So Bad... "Word to Johnny Drama, keep my entourage with me."

Hi Doug, I'm so excited about the upcoming Entourage movie!

I have two questions: 1) What made you give E and Sloan the happy ending at the end of the series? 2) How was it hanging with some of the Warriors for the movie screening you did not too long ago? Thank you for doing this AMA!

1) I like happy endings. 2) And I love the Warriors.

The only thing that would've made me be a bigger fan of Steph Curry is if he was a Knick, like he was suppose to be.

Hey Doug, Love Entourage. I was wondering, How is Mark Walberg in person? Any stories from him as a producer?

Mark is amazing. Driven, supportive, and his best story is when Eli Manning bailed on the show, I didn't know where to turn. A week before shooting, Mark said how bout Tom Brady and I do it? As a die hard Giants fan, this was obviously an enormous conflict, but turned out great. Love Tom and love Mark!

Hey Doug, would you ever consider making a spin off of Entourage? Maybe about Billy Walsh??

I'd do anything with Rhys, he's a genius.

Thanks reddit!

Would Mark Wahlberg play me 1 on 1 in basketball? Not going to lie, he'd lose

I can't speak for Mark, but I've never seen him lose. He'll beat you up if need be.

how did Turtle get the nickname Turtle?

Mark had a friend named Donkey and I was looking to differentiate them but still have a 4-legged creature.

Is there any chance we might see a similar thing to Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, in that Ari Gold has his own spin off show?

No.

Have you eaten at Fat Sals?

Yes, love it.

Hi Doug, I've never seen Entourage but have been looking for a new show to get into. Why should I watch it?

• full of cameos
• incredible writing
• perfect casting
• short and to the point

Need any more?

Nailed it. It's just a fun ride.

Hi Doug, awesome of you doing this AmA :)! On many occasion, we could hear about 3 Entourage movies! So is there going to be 2 others movies no matter what or everything will lean on the success of this movie ?

Lean. Leaning Tower of Pisa! So get out there and go see the movie. Bring everyone you know! Even if you go see Spy, buy a ticket for Entourage. We need the support more than Melissa does.

Doug,

I love Johnny Drama. In a strange way, as much of a buffoon as he is, he's a kind of role model to me. Did you (and company) intend to give him this depth? Is he based on anybody you can mention?

Kevin brought so much to it that the character definitely grew the second we cast him.

Did you have any influence in the Nike Entourage shoes? Like the Air force 1's and SB Dunks?

What is your story about those?

That's what I wear.

Hey Doug, big fan of yours.

Any advice for a group of guys trying to make their own TV show?

Yeah, go out and do it. With digital cameras and everything now, nothing should be holding you back. When I was younger it cost a fortune, now you can do it for next to nothing. Go write a script and Go!

How did you come up with the idea of entourage, or when was the first time you approached Mark with idea and what was his first reaction to it?

Mark brought it to me.

1) Who was the most difficult cameo to schedule (movie or show)? 2) Did anyone on the team try to get Adrian the Aquaman part in the new Batman movies? Because that's my one and only Aquaman. 3) Fuck the squirrel.

Maybe his agent?

Who is Dramas character based off? Is he truly that hilarious?

Can I come to the premiere? Entourage was a big part of my growing up and holds a special meaning to me and at what was a tumultuous time in life (highschool)

Drama is based on two people. 1, Mark's cousin Johnny Drama who is absolutely hilarious. 2, one of my closest friends from elementary school who is not quite so hilarious.

And if you want to come to the premiere, how bout you donate to our charities run by Omaze for a chance to be there?! http://omaze.com/entourage

How much of Drama's awesome one liners are improvised and how much of them are actually based off the script?

Script

Hi Doug, I love Entourage and I'm stoked for the movie!

One thing I noticed when I went back and watched the show again. At the end of the episode "I Love You Too" the boys see U2 live. And you can be seen standing next to them. This brings up a continuity error, since on the show you play a role in casting Drama, on multiple occasions. Since Drama hates your character, it's funny that you both end up standing next to each other at the U2 concert. Did you ever notice this?

I always found that quite interesting. Regardless, love the show!

Maybe we were both fucked up and just didn't recognize each other?

Hi Doug,

I had a chance to see the movie on Wednesday for an Advanced Screening and loved it! I'll be seeing it again opening weekend.

Without giving anything away, do you plan on continuing the story in any way? The movie felt like a rejuvenation.

Thank you, appreciate that! It's just a story of friendships, so it could go anywhere.

What's your favorite Entourage episode?

The Pilot, because it got us to where we are today.

Hey Doug, UW Badger here and a huge fan. I almost got a chance to skype with you a couple years back through UW Hollywood Badgers, but it was cancelled last minute.

Anyway, my question is that I've been dying to ask: What words of advice would you give to a fellow filmmaker and actor who is just getting started out in LA? Start making shorts and hope someone notices? Any key advice for writing riveting material? Thanks!

Write and film something ASAP!

GO BADGERS!

Hi Doug! You changed my life when I was deployed and bought a bootleg of Entourage in Afghanistan back in 2006. I haven't looked back since and moved to Burbank to become a writer. Thank you for everything. Would you ever work on a show that would have kind of the same premise as Entourage, or do you always expand your horizons with different types of plots/stories?

I'm always up for the best idea. And thanks so much for your service!

What's a fun hobby of your's?

Basketball is my favorite thing on earth, unfortunately I'm getting older by the second.

Doug, the New York Rangers getting a W tonight? LGR!

Yes. They saw the movie last night, we are hoping that gives the New Yorkers a little bit of luck.

How do you respond to criticism that Entourage is just male Mary Sue fantasy in the same way that Sex in The City and Girls are female Mary Sue fantasy?

I don't.

Hi Doug, who was your favorite guest star cameo on Entourage, and why?

Mark Teixeira because he got me access to Yankee Stadium, and I fulfilled a childhood dream by shooting on the field with my children and my father present.

Can you shed some light on the origins of your relationship with Russell Wilson, and how close you two are?

You two seem to pop up on one another's instagrams pretty often!

I met Russell about 5 years ago when he was at Wisconsin, we've been very close friends ever since. We should get Russell to do an AmA!

What tv show are you going to produce next?

Working on several things with HBO right now, stay tuned.

Favorite porn star?

Sasha Grey, obviously.

I was so happy when I realized you played the Director that Drama hated… Any reason why you wanted to play that specific role (other than the obvious Director / Director reasoning)?

Least amount of dialogue, so hopefully I wouldn't screw it up.

Hey!

Big fan of the show. A bunch of my friends are going to go see it when it hits theaters.

Is there any chance of another Entourage movie coming out if this turns out well? Or maybe a spin-off?

Edit: Oh yeah, any chance I could be a background character in the next movie if it happens? Maybe raking some leaves or a crazy homeless guy like in The Other Guys? Can't hurt to ask.

Yes! Absolutely! We need all of your friends to go. Once, twice, three times! Don't forget we are a small movie and need support. Also, why not try and win tickets to the premiere while also helping some good causes!? http://omaze.com/entourage

Were there any celebrities that approached you to appear on the show, but you just couldn't make it work?

No.

What inspired you to direct this movie rather than just producing and writing?

Whenever scripts were finished, I would direct. Since I had no other episodes that needed to be written, I was obviously going to direct.

Favorite film location for the movie coming out?

Montage Hotel.

What was the driving factor to create the movie after the show ended?

We always thought that the show was a very cinematic show, and I always wanted the chance to see it with a large group of people in a theater.

Hey Doug,

You're the man...you inspired me to want to get into the business.

As only a 2nd year college student, what advice can you give me to get my foot in the door and gain some experience?

Try to get a PA (production assistant) job on a set. And if you're a writer, write at night. Write as much as you can, as often as you can, even though I do not.

Hey Doug Ellin! I'm a huge fan! What's your favourite Johnny Drama moment?

Grand Canyon. VICTORY!

Hi Doug, I am a big fan of entourage and in the trailer it looks like you guys got a lot of well known celebrities. Was it difficult getting them all in the film ad who did you really enjoy working with?

Yes. And I legitimately enjoyed working with all of them! Maybe you'll see a few if you make it to the premiere. Time's running out, check out http://omaze.com/entourage to enter. It's going to be insane.

Hey Doug.

Entourage was ever more about the bond between the characters rather than Hollywood itself. Was there any reason why you decided to focus more on the friendship aspect?

Yes. More people have friends than live in Hollywood.

So will the movie basically be a 4 or 5 episode arc minus the week of waiting? That is what I pray it will be, so please let it be true!

Also, can y'all just go ahead and make some of the movies we see in the show come to life while you're at it?

I don't know, but I guarantee if you see it, you'll enjoy it!

Hey Doug, thanks for doing the AMA.

Is it your life goal to live each day more and more like Vinny Chase (minus the blow)? Because if so you are winning.

If you are referring to my Instagram, it's all done with filters. I actually live a modest life with my kids and my animals around me most the time.

Thanks for the reply. Good luck with the premiere, I'll be watching June 3rd!

Thanks, love the support! Bring lots of friends.