Ailing Piven May Bail on Broadway

Actor says he could have had heart attack

(NEWSER) - Jeremy Piven and his terrible case of sushi-related mercury poisoning got off easy during last night's Late Show appearance. David Letterman skipped questions prepared by the National Fisheries Institute—such as "why is it that people in Japan eat far more fish than you, yet don't complain about mercury poisoning?"—and let the actor explain why he bailed on Speed the Plow, the New York Post reports. More»

(NEWSER) - The producers of Speed-the-Plow haven't given up their legal pursuit of Jeremy Piven,Variety reports. They plan to seek independent arbitration, which could result in serious fines for the actor. A panel of actors and producers failed to reach consensus on a possible penalty last week, leading to the producers' new decision. Piven bailed on the Broadway play citing mercury poisoning. More»

Mercury poisoning just easy excuse for bored diva

(NEWSER) - It may have been a pink slip, not a doctor's note, that prompted Jeremy Piven's premature exit from Speed-the-Plow. Diva behavior befitting that of his Entourage persona got him booted, Broadway insiders tell E! Piven—who cites mercury poisoning—wanted out, they claim, because he couldn't handle the nightly grind. He'd arrive minutes before showtime and send out his understudy if the audience size wasn't up to snuff. More»

First-time nominees Family Guy, Hamm, Morgan could win big

(NEWSER) - Fresh faces are all the rage at tonight’s Emmys, with Neil Patrick Harris hosting and a host of first-time nominees up for top awards, People reports. Family Guy is the first cartoon to be nominated for best comedy series in nearly 50 years, and Jeremy Piven’s snub for a best supporting actor nod has widened the playing field to new contenders like Entourage costar Kevin Dillon. More»

(NEWSER) - Jeremy Piven was on the level when he blamed mercury poisoning for his decision to bail on a Broadway production of Speed-the-Plow last December, an arbitrator has ruled. "While we respect the decision, we strongly disagree with it," the producers of the David Mamet play said in a statement. Said the Entourage star, who blamed overconsumption of sushi for his medical condition, "I'm pleased with the outcome of the arbitration and to be completely vindicated in this matter," Playbill reports. More»