Letterman Goes Easy On Poisoned Piven

(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»

(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»

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»

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 lady dishes on sneaking out, Bo, how much Obama loves Congress

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama dropped by David Letterman's Late Show last night, giving the dour late-night host the scoop on that Target trip that got everyone talking , sneaking out of the White House (which she apparently does semi-regularly ), her dad, her "son" Bo, and more. A rundown of the highlights, as per CBS :

• On whether her husband ever comes home and says, "Oh, that John Boehner, what an idiot": “It has never happened. Never, never. He is always upbeat, particularly about Congress.”