Awards News

"Entourage," which launched in July 2004 and is shooting season five, is one of the few series that was created in the Chris Albrecht era and continues forward in the newly christened Sue Naegle regime. The former co-head of the TV unit at United Talent Agency took over for Carolyn Strauss in April.

Laffers that have gone by the wayside in recent years -- "Extras," "Lucky Louie," "Da Ali G Show," "Sex and the City" -- leave "Entourage" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as comedy holdovers moving into the Naegle tenure.

Michael Lombardo, president of the programming group and West Coast operations for HBO, says "Entourage" has become one of the cabler's signature shows based on "its quality and distinctive voice."

"I believe that once (Doug Ellin) created these characters that people related to, the storytelling possibilities are endless," he says.

For his part, Ellin says he's talked with Naegle about where the boys go from here, and she's offered support for where he wants to take the characters. He's thinking he has two more seasons in him, maybe three, to figure out how the series should conclude.

"HBO has always supported us, whether it was Carolyn or Chris," Ellin says. "If anyone has a smart idea, I'm open to it. Sue is one of the best readers of scripts in this business. I've been dealing with her now and she has great things to say."

When last we saw them, the fellas and Ari were walking down the steps at the Palais in Cannes after "Medellin" opened to a huge thud. So what happens now?

"They have to figure out if they can save the movie," Ellin says. "What do you do after you've had a big flop?"