Debi Mazar's Discomfort On Set: Unveiling Her Displeasure with Entourage

Shauna Roberts in Entourage is Vince's publicist and a popular character, but the actor who plays her was not a fan of Shauna, nor her time on set. Entourage is one of the most popular TV shows HBO has ever produced. The series is famous, or infamous, for its unrestrained depiction of Hollywood. Wealth, sex, celebrity, and maybe friendship, are the only things that matter in Vincent Chase's world. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Entourage has never claimed it's telling a story as grand as Game of Thrones or as thematic as Sopranos.

It's a fun, light, romp through eight seasons and a movie that is more concerned with a smart zinger than a resolved storyline for Entourage. While the five main characters at the center are the stars, the entourage's entourage are great characters as well. Debi Mazar, known for playing Maggie Amato in Younger and Denise Iannello in Civil Wars, is one of these fan-favorite Entourage characters. However, Mazar has expressed some of her frustrations with her character and the show. These are not unoriginal talking points as many have accused the series of sexism, misogyny, and racism throughout its run.

Shauna Actor Was "Embarrassed" By Her Foul-Mouthed Entourage Character

Shauna (Debi Mazar) looking disgusted in Entourage. - Shauna Actor Was "Embarrassed" By Her Foul-Mouthed Entourage Character

Debi Mazar recently appeared on EW's Couch Surfing TV show for an interview where she delved into her past roles. When the topic shifted to her role in Entourage as Shauna, the actor had some interesting reflections to share.

Mazar expressed that playing Shauna was a fun experience for her. She admitted feeling a hint of embarrassment when delivering her dialogue, as her character was known for her explicit language. Despite her comfort with cursing, some lines still managed to make her blush.

Shauna, a foul-mouthed character, is one of Vince's key allies who sees herself as his West Coast mother. Unafraid to unleash creative profanity at the star, she stands out in a world of brutally honest individuals. Shauna's ability to hold her own in conversations with Turtle and Ari showcases her toughness, shrewdness, and no-nonsense attitude, making her a character with unmatched authenticity.

In Entourage, the lack of female characters with distinct personalities is a common criticism. However, Shauna breaks this trend by being one of the standout characters. Despite her explicit language, Mazar's portrayal of Shauna exudes presence and confidence, making her a lovable and respectable figure in the series.

Mazar Called The Entourage Set "Testerone-Driven And Misogynistic"

Shauna (Debi Mazar) looking over her shoulder in Entourage. - Mazar Called The Entourage Set "Testerone-Driven And Misogynistic"

Mazar appears to be somewhat embarrassed by her role in Entourage, but she expresses more frustration with the set. Speaking to EW, she mentions, "with TV, you don't know what they're going to write." She admits that she took the job for financial reasons, acknowledging that creator Doug Ellin crafted a strong character. However, she criticizes the set for being excessively testosterone-driven and misogynistic. Despite facing challenges on some days, she reveals that she would channel her character Shauna by confidently dismissing negativity with a blunt "You know what, f— you bye."

Some of the sensibilities portrayed in the story of young men attempting to seduce women, spending money recklessly, and partying excessively seemed to have influenced the behavior on set, especially during the 2000s when such actions were not seen as problematic. Mazar recalls facing challenging days but drew strength from her character, unafraid to stand up to anyone who needed to be confronted.

Regrettably, the mistreatment of women on the set of Entourage is not an isolated incident. At the ATX Television Festival in 2018, Alison Brie shared her audition experience for the show, as reported by EW.

Brie later clarified via X, during the early stages of her career, she auditioned for a role that required her to wear a bikini or very tiny shorts. She recalled being asked to take her top off during the audition.

"Re: Entourage — CLARIFICATION — I had a bikini top on UNDER my top. They didn’t ask me to get totally topless. Sorry to disappoint you!"

Twitter article posted by Alison Brie

While the request may reduce the discomfort to some extent, it remains entirely inappropriate to ask of any auditioning individual. Despite the slow pace of change, recent efforts have been made to tackle toxicity in the film industry. For instance, Humanity on Set offers training for directors and producers to create a safe and respectful workplace environment (via Variety).

Although the opportunity to improve the set of Entourage may have passed, there are numerous other TV and movie sets that could benefit from reevaluating how women and all employees are treated.

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Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the dissonance between Debi Mazar's mixed feelings about her role and her experience on the set of "Entourage."