Connolly Has His Own "Entourage"

(CBS)  It's already been a really good year for actor Kevin Connolly. It started with his first Golden Globe nomination, quickly followed with the huge success of his film "He's Just Not That Into You," and continued with this week's sixth-season premiere of his hit HBO show "Entourage," which had it's highest ratings in two years.

"Entourage" was also nominated for an Emmy for the fourth straight year for best comedy series, and Connolly said on "The Early Show" he was "very excited" about it.

"It's a big thing," Connolly said. "Even more so than like the individual awards. That's the kind of award that keeps the show going, and at the end of the day, that's the most important thing."

View a full list of all the Emmy nominees


A Long Island native, Connolly loves going home to spend time with his family, who still lives there.

"I spend most of my time out there," he said. "It's great. I still have the same crew of guys that I grew up with."

In true Hollywood fashion regardless of what coast he is on, Connolly still has his very own entourage.

"It's terrible, but, yes, actually," he admitted. "I hang out at the same places actually."

His HBO series has been receiving great reviews this season and is almost experiencing a rebirth.

"It's been great," Connolly told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith. "Also being the sixth year of the show, the fact that we're doing the numbers that we're doing and people are still into it, it's great. It's a good sign."

This season of "Entourage" has somewhat of a different feel, too.

"Doug Allen, our creator, I think he sort of knew he had to re-invent the show but keep it the same at its core," he said. "We knew we were doing something a little different. We were a little nervous, but people seem to have responded the right way."

This time around Connolly's character, Eric, is having a change of heart and is hoping to re-ignite an old flame.

"He's chasing down the old girlfriend, trying to get back with her. So that's sort of what I'll be working on this season," Connolly said.

Even the star of the show (Vince, played by Adrian Grenier) is getting his legs back underneath him.

"Last year was kind of a rough year for the guys," Connolly explained. "It ended well, but this year it's back to everybody's doing well. It's good times. Nice cars. Good parties."

The characters are maturing, learning how to make commitments and have finally looked in the mirror and said: "It's time," Connolly said. "I've moved into my house. Now I got to get the girl. That's what I'm doing."

Connolly, whose been acting since he was 6 years old - his first gig was a Tender Vittles cat food commercial in 1980 - knows firsthand what the Hollywood scene is like.

"I would say the show is very insightful, more than anything, as to sort of how the ins and outs of the business and how it works," he said.

Traveling around Hollywood, Connolly is often approached by fans who have their own ideas for the show.

"Everybody's got a pitch. And it usually is something that benefits them or whatever it is," he said.