Stage and screen star Jeremy Piven of the TV series Entourage left his lead role in the revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow 10 weeks early citing high mercury levels in his body from eating too much fish.

And like almost everyone else, I say, "Huh?"

Reportedly, the actor who plays fast-talking agent Ari Gold on the hit HBO series was exhausted from the Broadway grind, but he had earned about as good a reception as can be hoped for in the well-reviewed play.

Producers will replace him with his understudy through Sunday, then Norbert Leo Butz through January 11, and then William H. Macy through the end of the run.

Apparently Piven tried to but couldn't get out his contract early, did get permission for a break to attend the Golden Globe awards in January, and then informed producers he wouldn't be returning, saying a doctor advised him his health was endangered.

My thinking is if he gets a Tony nomination and asks off the Entourage shoot to attend the awards, that show's producers might want to make sure he's bought a round-trip tickets.

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