Trying to readjust to the routine of school can be difficult, and balancing that with keeping up with one’s favorite TV series can be even harder.
Regardless of television tastes, finding a relief to ease the stresses of school is not hard to come by in a culture of cable and On Demand TV.
“I do make it a point to follow shows, mainly ‘Mad Men,’ ‘Entourage,’ ‘Weeds,’ ‘Top Chef,’ ‘Project Runway’ and ‘Shark Week,’” said Diva Firoozi, a senior double majoring in advertising and Chinese.
Of that list, HBO’s “Entourage” is undoubtedly one of the more popular series around campus. The series stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Jeremy Piven. “Entourage” can be considered a male-oriented version of “Sex and the City” in that it captures the stars’ personal relationships, sexual conquests and career paths. However, “Entourage” seems to appeal to both males and females, whereas the mention of ‘”Sex and the City” around most males seems to trigger a slight gag reflex.
This season of “Entourage” is keeping its audience loyal, with Vincent Chase (Grenier) experiencing a stalker-scare, his agent Ari Gold (Piven) experiencing some issues within his agency and an assortment of other comedic squabbles facing the self-proclaimed entourage. The frequent guest stars are a large part of what’s keeping some students loyal to the show.
“I think this season is good. I like all the new people they are introducing, like when Zac Efron made a guest appearance,” said Molly Lavin, a sophomore pre-journalism major.
Catch “Entourage” at 10:30 p.m. Sunday evenings on HBO.
Another cable favorite, Showtime’s “Weeds,” concluded its fifth season in early September. Starring Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin, a widowed mother of three who becomes a big-time marijuana dealer, “Weeds” began as a comedy. Over time, the series has seemingly transformed from a comedy to a dark comedy to an almost-complete drama with a punch line or two thrown into the script. The last season ended very dramatically, something that has Firoozi more hooked than ever.
“I was happy because I was starting to get bored,” Firoozi said. “I think ‘Weeds’ has definitely been on a trend to be a dramatic series.”
Others are not so pleased.
“It’s getting too intense,” said Lacey Lawrence, a sophomore environmental studies major. “I liked it better when it wasn’t so serious.”
The end of the fifth season left tension between Botwin and newlywed husband Esteban Reyes, played by Demian Bichir, unresolved. It also featured a shocking act from Nancy’s son, Shane Botwin, played by Alexander Gould. Whether the transformation from comedy to near-drama will keep viewers inter
Students voice what shows they are watching this fall.
ested remains to be seen until the start of the new season next spring. Firoozi for one said she is anxious to see what will happen to the Botwin family.
“I hope they [the writers] keep up with the momentum that they have set themselves up for,” Firoozi said.
To catch reruns of “Weeds,” cable users can check out their listings.
Though comedy series on channels like HBO and Showtime do carry a large viewership, the luxury of cable is not one that is available, or even appealing, to all students.
“I only pay for HBO; I watch my ‘Weeds’ online,” Firoozi said.
Lavin said she uses a similar tactic.
“I don’t have HBO or Showtime, so when I want to watch ‘Entourage’ I have to search online or go to a friend’s house who has it,” Lavin said.
For those interested in picking up HBO or Showtime, Comcast offers a monthly price of $84.99 for the first year, while Qwest offers $60.00 a month for the first five months before escalating. Otherwise, Web sites like www.surfthechannel.com usually provide up-to-date episodes of both premium and basic cable favorites, including “Weeds” and “Entourage.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jamie Magyar at Jamie.magyar@colorado.edu.
