'Mercury Count' Speeds Piven's Broadway Exit

(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»

Star defends decision to leave Broadway production

(NEWSER) - Jeremy Piven has taken a lot of flak since leaving the Broadway production of Speed-the-Plow due to unhealthy amounts of mercury in his body—including anonymous sources who said medical reasons were a cover for the fact that he was fired—but the condition was real, the actor tells People. “I was brought to my knees by this illness,” Piven says. More»

(NEWSER) - Jeremy Piven has escaped punishment—at least for now—for bailing on the Broadway play Speed-the-Plow, reports Playbill. Piven insists he had to leave because of mercury poisoning, but the producers aren't buying it. The actor appeared before representatives of the Actors' Equity Association and the Broadway League at a grievance hearing today, and the panel failed to reach a unanimous vote needed for punishment. The producers can move ahead with an arbitration hearing, but they haven't said whether they will. More»

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»

Plus, Rihanna subpoenaed, and more

(NEWSER) - Today is the day Susan Boyle returns to singing, the Mirror reports. The troubled star is set to join rehearsals for the Britain’s Got Talent tour. “There is no pressure on her but everyone hopes it means she will perform on Friday,” says a source. “It’s her decision.” Elsewhere:

• Rihanna was subpoenaed by prosecutors in the case against Chris Brown, and “if the preliminary hearing indeed goes forward, she will be there” June 22, her lawyer tells People.