Bottoms Up (Entourage)
Vince dates Sasha Grey; Ari fights client poaching.
"Bottoms Up" is the 83rd episode of *Entourage* overall and the fifth of its seventh season. Written by executive producer Ally Musika and directed by Dan Attias, it aired on HBO on August 1, 2010. The series follows movie star Vincent Chase and his friends from Queens as they navigate Hollywood. In this episode, Vince begins dating Sasha Grey, Ari tries to stop Lizzie from poaching his clients, and Drama confronts Bob Saget after learning Saget took a role he wanted. The episode was seen by an estimated 2.85 million viewers, with a 1.7/5 rating share among adults 18–49—a 10% increase from the previous episode. Critics gave it generally positive reviews. Dan Phillips of IGN rated it 8 out of 10, calling it "a solid half-hour of laughs and dramatic complications." Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club gave it a C+, noting the plots were running out of steam. Allyssa Lee of the *Los Angeles Times* highlighted the casting of adult film star Sasha Grey. Josh Wigler of MTV praised the episode for featuring Bob Saget, Mike Tyson, Jessica Simpson, and Stan Lee in the same half-hour. Rachel Cericola of TV Fodder called it "mediocre, yet pretty funny," while Eric Hochberger of TV Fanatic gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling the cameos "fun."
In the plot, Vince meets Sasha Grey at a bar, surprising his friends. Turtle suggests Eric invest in Avion Tequila, but Eric declines. Ari loses Jessica Simpson to Lizzie and struggles to keep Mike Tyson, but convinces Aaron Sorkin to stay by having him meet Simpson. Bob Saget tells Eric he wants the sitcom role Drama expected, leading Drama to confront Saget, only to learn Roger Jay sent the script to other actors. The network casts Saget, disappointing Drama. Vince brings Sasha to a meeting with Stan Lee, frustrating Lee. Eric is frustrated when Vince invests in Avion without consulting him. Ari learns Lizzie now works for Amanda Daniels, having kept a journal while working for Ari to use against him.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Entourage
- Season
- 7
- Episode
- 5
- Director
- Dan Attias
- Writer
- Ally Musika
- Photographer
- Rob Sweeney
- Editor
- Jeff Groth
- Released
- 2010-08-01
- Length
- 29 minutes
- Prev
- Tequila Sunrise
- Next
- Hair
- Episode List
- List of Entourage episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Vince starts hanging out with his new girlfriend, Sasha Grey. Meanwhile, Ari tries to prevent Lizzie from stealing his clients, while Drama angrily confronts Bob Saget over stealing his role in the sitcom. The plot also includes Turtle urging Eric to invest in Avion Tequila, which Vince later decides to get involved in without consulting Eric.
Reader's Guide
The episode was seen by an estimated 2.85 million household viewers and gained a 1.7/5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, a 10% increase from the previous episode. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the character development. Dan Phillips of IGN gave it an 8 out of 10, calling it 'a solid half-hour of laughs and dramatic complications' and 'the first winner of the year.' Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club gave it a 'C+,' noting the weakest plot but acknowledging it had steam left. Allyssa Lee of Los Angeles Times highlighted the casting of adult film star Sasha Grey for a multi-episode arc. Josh Wigler of MTV praised the episode for featuring Bob Saget, Mike Tyson, Jessica Simpson, Stan Lee, and Aaron Sorkin in the same half hour.
Origins & Creative Foundation
Entourage emerged from the intersection of real Hollywood experience and television storytelling. The series was conceived by Doug Ellin specifically for HBO, and its foundation is rooted in the personal history of Mark Wahlberg, whose own journey through the film industry served as a loose blueprint for the show's narrative. Rather than a strict adaptation, the program drew inspiration from Wahlberg's lived encounters with fame, ambition, and the machinery of the entertainment world. Wahlberg's involvement extended well beyond a creative spark; he carried an executive producer credit alongside a team that included Stephen Levinson, Dennis Biggs, Rob Weiss, and Ally Musika, with Ellin himself also holding that role. The result was a comedy-drama that balanced humor with genuine industry texture, giving viewers a window into the pressures and absurdities of a young actor navigating Los Angeles. This blend of personal anecdote and ensemble storytelling gave the series an authenticity that set it apart from other shows set in the entertainment world, and it established the tonal foundation that would carry the program through its entire run on HBO.
The Central Cast & Character Dynamics
At the heart of the series is Vincent "Vince" Chase, portrayed by Adrian Grenier, a New York-born actor who has relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in Hollywood. His story is never told in isolation; instead, it is shaped—sometimes helped, sometimes complicated—by a tight circle of men who orbit his ambitions. His half-brother Johnny, nicknamed "Drama" and played by Kevin Dillon, is himself a struggling actor whose own frustrations mirror Vince's struggles from a different angle. Eric "E" Murphy, brought to life by Kevin Connolly, serves as Vince's childhood friend and manager, the practical voice in a world of creative chaos. Jeremy Piven delivers a sharp, ruthless performance as agent Ari Gold, whose cutthroat tactics stand in stark contrast to the more personal loyalties of the group. Rounding out the core is Turtle, played by Jerry Ferrara, a long-time friend whose presence adds another layer of camaraderie. Together, these five figures form an ensemble whose interplay drives the comedy-drama forward, turning the trappings of Hollywood success into a story about friendship, rivalry, and the cost of ambition.
Run & Longevity
Entourage found its audience on HBO, premiering on July 18, 2004, and maintained a steady presence on the network for over seven years. Across its full run, the series delivered eight seasons comprising a total of 96 episodes, with the final installment airing on September 11, 2011. The seasonal structure spanned from the initial 2004 launch through the 2011 conclusion, with some seasons crossing calendar years—such as the third season, which stretched from 2006 into early 2007. This multi-year commitment allowed the show to develop its characters and storylines with a depth that shorter runs rarely permit. The consistent annual cadence, with each new season arriving in successive years from 2004 through 2011, gave the audience a reliable rhythm and allowed the ensemble to evolve organically. The fact that the series sustained itself for eight full seasons on a premium cable network speaks to the strength of its central premise and the chemistry of its cast, cementing its place as one of HBO's defining comedy-dramas of the mid-2000s and early 2010s.
Legacy & the Film Continuation
Although the television series concluded its eight-season run in 2011, the story of Vince Chase and his close-knit group did not end there. On June 3, 2015, Warner Bros. Pictures released a feature-length film bearing the same title, which picked up the narrative where the series finale left off. This theatrical continuation represented a significant step for the franchise, transitioning the ensemble from the weekly cadence of premium cable to the big screen under a major studio banner. The film served as both a reunion for the core cast and a testament to the enduring appeal of the characters and their dynamics. For audiences who had followed the show for nearly a decade, the movie offered a chance to see where the story went after the final episode, extending the world of Hollywood ambition, friendship, and rivalry into a new format. The decision by Warner Bros. to greenlight the project underscored the commercial and cultural footprint that Entourage had built during its time on HBO, confirming that the characters and their world still resonated with viewers well after the series had wrapped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bottoms Up (Entourage)?
It is the fifth episode of the seventh season of HBO's *Entourage* and the 84th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on August 1, 2010.
What happens in Bottoms Up (Entourage)?
Vince starts a romantic relationship with adult-film actress Sasha Grey, while Ari battles Lizzie over her stealing his business clients. Meanwhile, Drama runs into Bob Saget and confronts him after discovering Saget snatched a role Drama had been hoping to land.
Who wrote and directed Bottoms Up (Entourage)?
Series creator Doug Ellin penned the script, and Dan Attias served as the director for the episode.
How did Bottoms Up (Entourage) perform in the ratings?
The episode drew roughly 2.85 million household viewers and earned a 1.7/5 rating share in the key 18-to-49 demographic, marking about a 10 percent bump over the previous week's installment.
Why is Bottoms Up (Entourage) memorable to fans?
It stands out because Vince's dating storyline with Sasha Grey was a bold, attention-grabbing choice for the show's lead, and the fact that Ellin personally wrote the episode gave it a signature creative voice. The Drama-and-Saget subplot also became a fan-favorite moment for its comedic confrontation.
More in Entourage episodes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced