View source for Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

{{Infobox television episode
| series       = [[Entourage (American TV series)|Entourage]]
| season       = 7
| episode      = 9
| director     = [[Kevin Connolly (actor)|Kevin Connolly]]
| writer       = [[Ally Musika]]
| story        =
| teleplay     =
| music        =
| photographer = Todd A. Dos Reis
| editor       = Steven Sprung
| production   =
| release_date = {{Start date|2010|8|29}}
| length       = 28 minutes
| guests       = * [[Queen Latifah]] as Herself (special guest star)
* [[Miguel Sandoval]] as Carlos (special guest star)
* [[Mark Cuban]] as Himself (special guest star)
* [[Sasha Grey]] as Herself (special guest star)
* [[Ethan Suplee]] as Himself (special guest star)
* [[Peter Berg]] as Himself (special guest star)
* [[William Fichtner]] as Phil Yagoda (special guest star)
* [[Rhys Coiro]] as Billy Walsh (special guest star)
* [[Carla Gugino]] as Amanda Daniels (special guest star)
* [[Dania Ramirez]] as Alex
* [[Bob Odenkirk]] as Ken Austin
* [[Cassidy Lehrman]] as Sarah Gold
* [[Jonathan Keltz]] as Jake Steinberg
* [[Janet Montgomery]] as Jennie
| prev         = [[Sniff Sniff Gang Bang]]
| next         = [[Lose Yourself (Entourage)|Lose Yourself]]
| episode_list = List of Entourage episodes
}}
"'''Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant'''" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the American [[Comedy drama|comedy-drama]] television series ''[[Entourage (American TV series)|Entourage]]''. It is the 87th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer [[Ally Musika]], and directed by main cast member [[Kevin Connolly (actor)|Kevin Connolly]]. It originally aired on [[HBO]] on August 29, 2010.
The series chronicles the acting career of [[Vincent Chase]], a young [[A-list]] [[movie star]], and his childhood friends from [[Queens]], [[New York City]], as they attempt to further their nascent careers in [[Los Angeles]]. In the episode, Vince tries to get a role for [[Sasha Grey]] in his film when he feels he is losing her. Meanwhile, Ari suspects Amanda sabotaged him, while Turtle tries to get Carlos to invest with [[Mark Cuban]].
According to [[Nielsen Media Research]], the episode was seen by an estimated 2.86 million household viewers and gained a 1.8/5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Vince's storyline, but criticized the subplots.
==Plot==
While drinking with [[Sasha Grey]] and Scott ([[Scott Caan]]), [[Vincent Chase|Vince]] ([[Adrian Grenier]]) learns that he will film a porn scene with her former fiancé. This alarms Vince, who heavily pushes [[Eric Murphy|Eric]] ([[Kevin Connolly (actor)|Kevin Connolly]]) in getting her a part in the [[Air-Walker]] film and to find a new director. He meets with [[Peter Berg]], who is willing to direct the film and give a supporting role to Sasha.
[[Ari Gold (Entourage)|Ari]] ([[Jeremy Piven]]) spends time with his family, although Amanda ([[Carla Gugino]]) constantly calls him but he ignores her. While shopping with Melissa ([[Perrey Reeves]]), Ari notices his client [[Queen Latifah]], and is upset when she tells him Amanda will be in charge of launching the new [[National Football League|NFL]] team in the city. [[Johnny "Drama" Chase|Drama]] ([[Kevin Dillon]]) is still debating on the idea of starring in ''Johnny's Bananas'', but becomes intrigued after talking with Eric's assistant, Jennie ([[Janet Montgomery]]). He decides to skip the pitch meeting with Yagoda ([[William Fichtner]]), simply telling him he accepts to star, delighting him. Carlos ([[Miguel Sandoval]]) arrives in Los Angeles, angry that [[Turtle (Entourage)|Turtle]] ([[Jerry Ferrara]]) involved Avion Tequila with [[Mark Cuban]]. He meets with Cuban, and angers him when he demands a $5 million in investment, prompting Cuban to threaten in buying the brand outright. Despite the threat, Cuban agrees in getting Avion as an official supplier of the [[Dallas Mavericks]].
While dining with Melissa at a restaurant, Ari notices Amanda in attendance. During this, Vince and Sasha dine and discuss her part in the film. Sasha is taken aback by the offer and Vince's statement that he loves her. While arguing, they decide to have sex in the restaurant's bathroom. Amanda approaches Ari, who decides to call her out for sending the recordings to ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' and sabotaging his NFL deal. Amanda reveals that an ex-assistant was responsible, as he disliked Ari. She also reveals that she met with the NFL to get Ari a role in the deal, but she decided to change his mind. A shaken Ari stays alone as Melissa leaves. At the mansion, Drama and Turtle celebrate with Alex ([[Dania Ramirez]]) and Lloyd ([[Rex Lee (actor)|Rex Lee]]) over their new deals. Lloyd leaves to find tequila, but he returns astonished after finding a bag of cocaine.
==Production==
===Development===
The episode was written by executive producer [[Ally Musika]], and directed by main cast member [[Kevin Connolly (actor)|Kevin Connolly]]. This was Musika's 18th writing credit, and Connolly's first directing credit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://directories.wga.org/project/859134/entourage/|title=''Entourage'' – WGA Directory|website=[[Writers Guild of America West]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref>
==Reception==
===Viewers===
In its original American broadcast, "Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was seen by an estimated 2.86 million household viewers with a 1.8/5 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 1.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 5 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast watched it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/31/sunday-cable-ratings-more-records-for-true-blood-the-glades-rubicon-mad-men-kardashians-more/61706|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124065026/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/31/sunday-cable-ratings-more-records-for-true-blood-the-glades-rubicon-mad-men-kardashians-more/61706|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2011|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: More Records for ''True Blood'' + ''The Glades'', ''Rubicon'', ''Mad Men'' & More|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=August 31, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> This was a 7% increase in viewership with the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 2.65 million household viewers with a 1.5/5 in the 18–49 demographics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/24/sunday-cable-ratings-true-blood-mad-men-rubicon-kardashians-and-more/60938|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124065523/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/24/sunday-cable-ratings-true-blood-mad-men-rubicon-kardashians-and-more/60938|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2011|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: ''True Blood'', ''Rubicon'', ''Mad Men'', ''Kardashians'' & More|work= TV by the Numbers|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=August 24, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref>
===Critical reviews===
"Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" received mixed reviews from critics. Dan Phillips of ''[[IGN]]'' gave the episode an "amazing" 9 out of 10 and wrote, ""Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was a great episode filled with very pleasant albeit dark surprises. Will the season finale be able to bring any sense of resolution to these stories? That much remains to be seen. What's important is we're almost definitely not going to get the quick, easy answers this show has been known for in the past. And that is without a doubt a step in the right direction."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/08/30/entourage-porn-scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant-review|title=Entourage: "Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" Review|last=Phillips|first=Dan|date=August 30, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2024|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
Steve Heisler of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the episode a "C" grade and wrote, "One of ''Entourage''{{'}}s favorite tricks is the ol' bait-and-switch. Maybe it's because the writing has rarely evolved past basic tropes, but this one's been prevalent for all seven seasons—as a grand reveal at the end of an episode. Like tonight, with that comically large bag of "nose candy." Holy crap."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/entourage-porn-scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant-1798165830|title=''Entourage'': "Porn Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"|date=August 29, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2024|last=Heisler|first=Steve|work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref>
Allyssa Lee of ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote, "We've reached the second to last ''Entourage'' episode of the season, folks. And while last week saw a lot of posturing and threats, in this episode push really came to shove. Let's put it this way: Sasha wasn't the only one being ganged up on during this half-hour."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/show-tracker/story/2010-08-29/entourage-is-this-an-ambush|title=‘Entourage’: ‘Is this an ambush?’|date=August 29, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2024|last=Lee|first=Allyssa|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Eric Hochberger of ''TV Fanatic'' gave the episode a 2.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Unfortunately, that was pretty much the only thing good to say about Grey, who continues to make any scene she's in painful. Luckily, Mark Cuban's awkwardness was there to give her competition for the worst actor ever."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/2010/08/entourage-review-porn-scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant/|title=Entourage Review: "Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"|date=August 30, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2024|last=Hochberger|first=Eric|work=TV Fanatic}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.hbo.com/entourage-lwm/season-7/9-porn-scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant "Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"] at [[HBO]]
* {{IMDb episode|1638446}}
{{Entourage}}
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[[Category:2010 American television episodes]]
[[Category:Entourage (American TV series) episodes]]