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Hostile Environments

Entourage Creator Doug Ellin: 'Homophobic and Racist Jokes Completely Unacceptable Unless We Write Them Into Script'

Written by Seth Abramovitch | 20 Nov 2009, 4:00 PM | 5 comments

arilloydent.jpgWell, this is upsetting. Actor Rex Lee — who plays Lloyd, Ari Gold’s long-suffering assistant on the sufferingly long-running HBO series Entourage — has revealed to TMZ that he has been the target of workplace harassment from certain members of the crew, who regularly crack jokes about his race and sexual orientation. To the rescue, then, comes series creator and showrunner Doug Ellin, who enforces a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to jokes about gays and minorities on his set. Told of the cracks, Ellin said he was “shocked and horrified,” and “will be speaking to everybody before we start filming again in March. It’s not something condoned or acceptable.”

So to be clear, if any crew member should say anything along these lines on the set on Entourage, they will be immediately fired:

Ari: What’s the matter Lloyd? You and Tom like to listen to my voice while you dildo each other?

Lloyd: I’m trying out new looks. This one’s my Andre 3000. You like?
Ari: No, I don’t. You look like Michelle Kwan in drag. Why don’t you do a triple fuckin’ axel over to the phone and try Cameron again?

Ari: Ten grand to whoever can get this to me today.
Lloyd: Can I vie for the ten grand prize too, Ari?
Ari: Sure, but you’ll get paid in yen.

Lloyd: This lying is making me break out. God, I have a date tonight.
Ari: Well, I’m sure your date will pop that with his pecker. Don’t worry.

Lloyd: What’s wrong?
Ari: Has so much cum been squirted into those eyes you can’t see what’s right in front of your face? Amanda Daniels takes that job, Vince is fucked and I’m fucked. Which means we’re all fucked. And we’re fucked in the way you like to get fucked, not fucked in the way that normal people like to get fucked.

Are we all clear now? Good.

· Gay & Racial Jabs on ‘Entourage’ Set [TMZ]

Tagged: doug ellin, entourage, hbo, rex lee

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Comments

From Brad N | Reply
Posted 20 Nov 2009, 4:26 PM

It's not really a problematic distinction. You can write and depict a murder without endorsing murder.

Same goes for homophobic slurs. The writers can discuss them in the context of their characters but to use slurs in real life to insult an actual person is deplorable.

I think it's pretty clear in the show that when Ari makes a joke of Lloyd, it is Ari's buffoonery that is the butt of the joke.

From it came from the tar pits | Reply
Posted 20 Nov 2009, 7:12 PM

So does Ari get his comeuppance for being a phobic asshole at some point? Perhaps in a ripped-from-the-headlines mercury poisoning episode I missed?

From Lucas | Reply
Posted 21 Nov 2009, 8:00 PM

here's the thing. Ari and Lloyd are NOT real. they are characters. And Rex Lee knows the score about the characters. in fact I believe that it was totally clear when he signed on what kind of character Ari is and what to expect. the producers would have made sure of it to avoid any possible legal issues.

HOWEVER, what is okay in front of the camera is not cool everywhere. and the crew knows this. everyone making said jokes is risking their jobs. cause if it doesn't stop and Lee reports it to the state he is protected by various whistleblower laws. the jokesters are not and could end up fired.

From Denis | Reply
Posted 22 Nov 2009, 8:24 AM

I agree with the comments that Ari's lines are meant to show his attitude toward Lloyd as ludicrous and, yes, it does make us laugh. When people miss the point to these things and laugh at Lloyd instead, and then carry their ignorance into real life, in this case, truly literally, they are showing an ignorance about which they need some enlightening.

From stretch65 | Reply
Posted 23 Nov 2009, 4:49 PM

I think the whole thing is just so GAY ( said with tounge firmly in cheek - well I think its a tounge...)

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