Scoops Confirmed!

After a majority of filming is done, a network will send out a press release. Basically, a press release is to examine what creative decisions the show runner has made. A new press release for the fifth season has been released, and it confirms every single scoop I've ever written. Hopefully I've earned your trust?

What's next on 'Entourage': Critics (including one familiar face) rip Vinnie's movie.

When "Entourage" returns September 7, Vinnie Chase's passion project, "Medellin" will get slammed by the critics – including the Chicago Tribune’s film critic, Michael Phillips.

You’ll recall that the previous season of the show ended with a disastrous Cannes screening of the film. The Season 5 premiere picks up on that note, and features a scene of Phillips and Richard Roeper, as the hosts of “At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper,” going nuclear on Vinnie’s movie.

“It’s basically Roeper ripping into the film, and I have a few lines in there too,” Phillips told me. He and Roeper filmed the scene a few months ago, and Phillips added that he gave his fee for appearing on the show to charity.

A Thursday press release from HBO revealed that Carla Gugino will be back as Amanda, an agent who is Ari’s nemesis and Vince’s former love interest. “Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester, will play Justine Chapin, Vince’s new love interest.

Lukas Haas and Giovanni Ribisi will play screenwriters who are managed by Eric (Kevin Connolly). The rapper Bow Wow will play Charlie, another of Eric’s clients. Kevin Pollak and Fran Drescher will play the Levines, “a pretentious Beverly Hills couple,” according to HBO’s release. And – is this something you might be interested in? – Martin Landau will be back as old-school producer Bob Ryan. I particularly enjoy Paul Ben-Victor as studio head Alan Gray, and he’ll be back too.

Appearing as themselves on the next season of the show are a slew of actors and Hollywood notables, including Jamie-Lynn Sigler, NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman, the women of “The View,” Tony Bennett, Eric Roberts and also Mark Wahlberg, one of the creators and executive producers of the show.

I certainly hope “Entourage” returns rested and rejuvenated after its long break. Last season was, with a few exceptions, a train wreck, with tired, recycled plots and decided lack of energy.

If you’re interested in a few clues about the upcoming season, here’s the relevant part of HBO’s press release: “In season five, Vince [Adrian Grenier] must find a way to rejuvenate his career. His best friend and manager Eric is determined to get Vince back to the top, while struggling with his expanding management company. Agent Ari Gold [Jeremy Piven], who is having a few career conflicts of his own, struggles to deliver for Vince, given the current state of things. Drama [Kevin Dillon], meanwhile, continues his successful television career while experiencing problems in his love life, and Turtle [Jerry Ferrara] is forced to reexamine his contribution to it all.”

I hate blowing my own horn, but this press release confirms: Eric will manage writers. Turtle will reconsider his contribution to the group. Roeper rips into Vince's film. Drama becoming the star of the family. Amanda making a return, smiling as she loves seeing Ari beg her.

If there is one thing you had to trust me on, it's this: this season will be amazing.