Previously, we reported that HBO series Entourage bagged a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series – Comedy, alongside Tina Fey-starrer 30 Rock, David Duchovny's Californication, the NBC hit The Office, and the irreverent Showtime series Weeds.  The Hollywood-themed hit earned a couple of other nominations, Kevin Connolly for Best Actor – Comedy and Jeremy Piven for Best Supporting Actor in a Series or Mini-series.

Piven, who is going against Neil Patrick Harris from How I Met Your Mother, Dennis Leary from Recount, Blair Underwood from In Treatment, and Tom Wilkinson from John Adams, recently made the news and gave Entourage fans a serious scare when he had to withdraw from the current Broadway revival of the David Mamet comedy Speed-the-Plow.

According to the show's producers, Piven, 43, will be replaced by Norbert Leo Butz and William Macy, for the role of Hollywood producer Bobby Gould.  The show is scheduled to run until February 22, when the show will close at the Ethel Barrymore Theater.  Piven had been playing the role since October this year and is set to appear in eight more appearances.  Some $20,000 worth of refunds have reportedly resulted from Piven's absence from the stage this week.

Piven's doctor has reportedly advised him against continuing to perform because of heightened levels of mercury.  According to reports, Piven had been complaining of exhaustion in the past few weeks.  Left untreated, elevated level of mercury can result in heart problems, cognitive problems, renal failure and, even death.

Speed-the-Plow was Piven's Broadway debut.

Piven bagged the role of Vince's agent Ari Gold on the hit HBO series Entourage in 2004.  He won Emmys for this role from 2006 to 2008, after being nominated for four years.


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: UPI.com, New York Times
(Image Courtesy of New York Times)