“Pulling a Piven,” or “Reeled in a Piven”: What will be the new term?
In a decision sure to be added to the repertoire of those few bad/lazy actors that seem to dislike actually coming to work on time/at all: an arbitrator has ruled in favor of Jeremy Piven and Actors Equity.
For those unaware, the producers of Speed-the-Plow sued Piven for breach of contract when he abruptly pulled out of the show mid-run, claiming he was suffering from mercury poisoning after eating to much fish for 20 years. Rumors circulated for quite a while before and after his departure that he was unhappy in the show, and that despite his health claims, he was out at nightclubs. One also wonders how he was able to have any sort of acting career prior to this, especially in the year prior, or immediately after (when was “The Goods” filmed?). Wouldn’t a condition 20 years in the making take a while to recover from?
Hudson & Gaines
