Entourageentourage : Season 1 Episode 1 -

While Jeremy Piven’s Ari Gold became the show's breakout character, he was originally never meant to be a major player and had only one line in the initial pilot script.

The series is loosely based on the early Hollywood experiences of executive producer Mark Wahlberg . In a meta moment during the pilot, Vince and his friends walk past the real Mark Wahlberg and his actual entourage.

Adrian Grenier (Vince), Kevin Connolly (Eric), Kevin Dillon (Drama), Jerry Ferrara (Turtle), and Jeremy Piven (Ari). EntourageEntourage : Season 1 Episode 1

The episode kicks off at the premiere of Vince's new film, Head On , co-starring Jessica Alba . As Vince basks in his growing celebrity, his high-powered, abrasive agent (Jeremy Piven) begins pushing a new script called Matterhorn —described colorfully as "Die Hard at Disneyland". The central conflict of the series is established early: Vince's manager and best friend, Eric ("E"), is skeptical of the script's quality, leading to the first of many legendary verbal duels with Ari. Fascinating Facts & Trivia

Take a look at these clips and retrospectives for a closer look at the pilot and the show's lasting impact: Entourage | Opening Credits | HBO YouTube · HBO Entourage - TV Pilot's License Episode #1 YouTube · TV Pilot's License Podcast Entourage's Celebrity Cameos | Entourage | HBO YouTube · HBO Jeremy Piven on the cultural impact of 'Entourage' YouTube · FOX 5 Washington DC Entourage: The Life and Death of HBO's Hollywood Fantasy YouTube · High and Low Retrospective While Jeremy Piven’s Ari Gold became the show's

The pilot famously blended fictional characters with real celebrities to ground the show in reality.

HBO executives actually rejected the first version of the script , which was more depressing; they wanted the show to be more upbeat and comical. The Original Cast & Cameos Adrian Grenier (Vince), Kevin Connolly (Eric), Kevin Dillon

The pilot episode of , which first aired on HBO on July 18, 2004, launched a cultural phenomenon by offering a "behind-the-curtain" look at the hedonistic lifestyle of young Hollywood. The show follows the rising star Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) and his three lifelong friends— Eric (Kevin Connolly), Drama (Kevin Dillon), and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara)—as they navigate the perks and pitfalls of fame. The Story: Fame, Friends, and "Matterhorn"