Season 5 premieres on HBO September 7th and in Canada on TMN and Movie Central the same evening.

Many members of the media screened the first 2 episodes this week. Was fortunate enough to be included and while the show has been criticised recently for losing its edge during seasons 4 and 5, now that the writers’ strike is over, with the juices replenished, the boys are back. And it is good. Surprisingly good.

Sigh.

I missed Drama. Did you miss Drama?

Drama refuses to “go right” in the first episode. Amazing.

And Adrian Grenier’s chemistry with Leighton Meester aka Blair Waldorf is even better the 2nd time around.

By the way… when did Rex Lee get his name in lights? I don’t watch the opening credits enough. Yay Lloyd! Ari actually calls him Yoko at one point. Snort. And finally, about Ari, he’s more belligerent than ever, with precious lines like these:

We will come back strong...like Lance Amrstrong but with 2 balls.

Photos attached of the boys on set – in New York earlier this week, Adrian with his grandma, and the Piv out and about in LA.

Also included… yes… him. Michael Phelps continuing his tour of everywhere including a cameo on his favourite show.

More on Michael to come.

Photos from Wenn.com and Splashnewsonline.com