Buzzed (Entourage)
Vince's haircut and interview jeopardize his film's prospects.
"Buzzed" is the 80th episode of *Entourage* overall and the second of its seventh season. Written by co-executive producer Ally Musika and directed by Tucker Gates, it aired on HBO on July 18, 2010. The series follows Vincent Chase, an A-list movie star, and his friends from Queens as they try to build their careers in Los Angeles.
In the episode, Turtle finds a $10,000 charge on his credit card and confronts Alex, who says she used $1,000 to buy his mother a gift; he drops the issue. Vince gives himself a haircut and claims his film with Nick Cassavetes is done, but during an *Access Hollywood* interview with Maria Menounos, he jokes that the movie might be poorly received. Shauna tries to kill the quote but can't due to her history with Menounos. Cassavetes is furious about the haircut, saying the film isn't finished and he wanted more scenes. While visiting Eric and Drama, Vince is talked into skydiving by Scott Lavin.
Ari meets with Jerry Jones to discuss NFL TV rights while also managing Vince's behavior. Lizzie convinces Ari to include her in the deal. Jones tells them the NFL is considering an internal sale, but offers Ari a chance to own a Los Angeles team. As Ari and Lizzie celebrate, Melissa walks in, upset that Lizzie destroyed the Kleins' marriage.
The episode was written by Ally Musika (his 14th writing credit) and directed by Tucker Gates (his first directing credit). It was seen by an estimated 2.55 million household viewers, with a 1.5/5 share among adults 18–49—a slight increase from the previous episode's 2.48 million viewers and 1.5/4 share.
Critics gave "Buzzed" negative reviews. Dan Phillips of IGN rated it 5 out of 10, calling it "mediocre" and saying the show seemed to be "running on empty." Steve Heisler of *The A.V. Club* gave it a C+, noting the show's tendency to treat everything as important until nothing is. Allyssa Lee of the *Los Angeles Times* wrote that Vince's near-death experience had launched him into an existential state. Josh Wigler of MTV called it a "pretty solid episode." Kate Stanhope of *TV Guide* described Vince's skydiving exit, and Eric Hochberger of *TV Fanatic* gave it 3 out of 5 stars, saying it was better than the weak premiere and brought a direction for Ari's storyline.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Entourage
- Season
- 7
- Episode
- 2
- Director
- Tucker Gates
- Writer
- Ally Musika
- Photographer
- Todd A. Dos Reis
- Editor
- Jeff Groth
- Released
- 2010-07-11
- Length
- 26 minutes
- Prev
- Stunted
- Next
- Dramedy
- Episode List
- List of Entourage episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Turtle discovers a $10,000 credit card charge and confronts Alex, who claims she used $1,000 to buy Turtle's mother a gift. Vince surprises the group with a self-made haircut and claims his film with Nick Cassavetes is finished. During an Access Hollywood interview with Maria Menounos, Vince jokingly suggests the film might be poorly received, angering his publicist Shauna. Cassavetes is also furious because Vince never told him the film was ready and more scenes were planned. Meanwhile, Ari works with Lizzie to secure an NFL deal, meeting with Jerry Jones. Jones later offers Ari the chance to own a Los Angeles-based team. As Ari and Lizzie celebrate, Melissa walks in, upset that Lizzie destroyed the Kleins' marriage.
Reader's Guide
The episode received negative reviews from critics, who criticized the writing and lack of ideas. Dan Phillips of IGN gave it a 5 out of 10, noting the show seemed 'running on empty.' Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club gave a C+ grade, suggesting the show could benefit from a multi-week problem. Allyssa Lee of the Los Angeles Times noted Vince's existential shift after a near-death experience. Josh Wigler of MTV praised a Bob Saget cameo. Kate Stanhope of TV Guide highlighted Vince jumping out of a plane. Eric Hochberger of TV Fanatic gave 3 out of 5 stars, calling it better than the premiere but still lacking action. The episode saw a slight viewership increase from the previous episode.
Origins & Creative Vision
Entourage emerged from the creative vision of Doug Ellin, who developed the series specifically for HBO and also served as an executive producer. The show's foundation was rooted in the real-world experiences of Mark Wahlberg within the film industry, though the adaptation was only loose rather than a direct biographical retelling. Wahlberg's involvement extended well beyond the conceptual seed; he joined Ellin alongside Stephen Levinson, Dennis Biggs, Rob Weiss, and Ally Musika as part of the executive producing team. This collective of producers shaped the show's identity as an American comedy-drama that sat at the intersection of humor and the genuine pressures of a Hollywood career. The decision to anchor the narrative in the world of a young actor navigating Los Angeles gave the series a grounded, insider perspective that distinguished it from other television comedies of the era. The production structure, with its blend of creative leadership and industry experience, set the tone for a show that would ultimately run for eight full seasons.
The Core Ensemble
At the heart of the series stood a tightly knit group of characters whose dynamics drove every episode. Vincent Chase, portrayed by Adrian Grenier, was a New York-born actor who had relocated to Los Angeles and found himself caught between the highs and lows of a Hollywood career. His half-brother Johnny, known as Drama and played by Kevin Dillon, was a fellow actor still struggling to find his footing in the industry. Eric Murphy, called E and brought to life by Kevin Connolly, served as Vince's childhood friend and manager, navigating the business side of their shared world. Jeremy Piven delivered a memorable performance as Ari Gold, a ruthlessly effective agent whose loyalty was perpetually tested. Rounding out the inner circle was Turtle, played by Jerry Ferrara, a long-time friend who completed the group. Together, these five characters formed both a support system and a source of friction, with their relationships simultaneously aiding and hindering Vince as he pursued his ambitions in the entertainment industry.
Eight Seasons on HBO
Entourage found its home on HBO, where it premiered on July 18, 2004, and maintained a steady presence on the network's schedule for nearly seven years. The series concluded with its final episode airing on September 11, 2011, bringing the narrative to a close after eight full seasons. Across that span, a total of 96 episodes were produced and broadcast, giving the writers and cast ample room to develop the characters' arcs, introduce new storylines, and explore the evolving landscape of the entertainment world. The show's placement on HBO allowed it the creative freedom to tackle the comedy-drama blend with a maturity and specificity that cable television is known for. Each season, from the initial 2004 debut through the 2011 finale, built upon the last, deepening the bonds and conflicts within Vince's circle. The longevity of the run reflected both the network's confidence in the material and the audience's sustained engagement with the characters and their world.
Beyond the Series: The 2015 Film
Although the television series reached its natural conclusion in 2011, the story of Vince Chase and his entourage did not end with the final episode. On June 3, 2015, Warner Bros. Pictures released a feature-length film bearing the same title, which served as a direct continuation of the narrative left behind by the series finale. This theatrical project allowed the characters to re-enter the public consciousness after a four-year absence from the screen, picking up their stories where the eighth season had left them. The move to the big screen represented a significant expansion of the franchise, transitioning from the weekly episodic format of HBO to a single, extended cinematic experience. For audiences who had followed the show across its 96 episodes, the film offered a sense of reunion with the ensemble they had grown to know. The involvement of Warner Bros. as the distributing studio signaled a broader commercial ambition for the project, positioning the Entourage story as a standalone event in the competitive summer film landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What season and episode number is 'Buzzed' from?
'Buzzed' is the second episode of Entourage's seventh season and the 80th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on HBO on July 18, 2010.
What happens to Vince in the episode 'Buzzed'?
Vince cuts his own hair and then appears on Access Hollywood declaring his film is finished shooting. That combination of a new look and a premature wrap announcement puts his working relationship with director Nick Cassavetes in serious jeopardy.
What is the credit-card subplot involving Turtle and Alex?
Turtle spots a ten-thousand-dollar charge on his card and confronts Alex about it. She explains she spent a thousand of that amount on a gift for his mother, and he ultimately lets the issue drop.
Why does Vince's haircut become a problem in 'Buzzed'?
By giving himself a new haircut and then publicly announcing on Access Hollywood that his film is wrapped, Vince undermines the production's momentum and risks alienating director Nick Cassavetes. His overconfidence puts the entire project's prospects at stake.
More in Entourage episodes 1-24
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