Producers of Speed the Plow have filed a grievance against Jeremy Piven for leaving the play on a moment's notice for illness (mercury poisoning) - saying he had tried previously to get out of his contract and they have lost money due to his refunding tickets. (Although his replacements were/are obviously much better actors, his TV name did sell tickets.)

Note that this is a very unusual occurrence. Whatever happened to the show must go on? (I guess they don;t do that on TV.)

This should probably be on the Lounge forum...

But I think it's actually quite funny and I'm sort of enjoying the schadenfraude. Piven has ruined whatever "career" he had by bailing on a contract with such a ludicrous excuse.

It's not as if he is hospitalized and unable to show up at work. He has certainly been seen all over town behaving in a normal fashion.

Piven has probably ruined whatever Broadway career he had, but I'll bet it doesn't make a bit of difference to his Hollywood career.

He should have read "The Sushi Economy" before coming up with the mercury excuse. Tasting the best of bluefin/boston tuna is a daily requirement of the top fishmongers.

I don't think it is going to hurt him given all the accolades he has won with Entourage in which he is excellent.

He's won back to back Emmys and Golden Globes for his excellent portrayal of souless bloodsucking agent Ari Gold.

What makes you think it's a "portrayal"?

nyt, the character Ari Gold is loosely based on the Rahm Emanuel's brother Ari Emanual.

I've got to stick up for the guy - He's paid his dues as John Cusack's sidekick over the years. Have you seen the Travel Channel special where he visits India? I thought it was pretty interesting.

Sorry - I can;t take the guy. Just seeing him is like nails on a chalkboard - no matter what he's been in. (Ad their have been other incidents reported in the NY press - of his "I'm special" attitude, incidents in clubs and restaurants etc.

But, each to his own taste.