The Jeremy Piven sushi saga continues

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For those of you who, like former ‘Speed-the-Plow’ actor Jeremy Piven, just can’t stop when it comes to sushi -- or at least tales of toxic sushi -- here’s the latest on the story that has Broadway’s mercury rising.

Piven cited health reasons this week when he abruptly exited the David Mamet play, but he apparently wasn’t just suffering from high levels of mercury. Reports say he also complained to his Broadway producers that he had mononucleosis.

And that’s not all. Word is that Piven put out calls to actor friends and casting agents, trying to find his own replacement for the part of Hollywood agent Bobby Gould. (Hint to Jeremy if he’s ever hired to do Broadway again: Casting for the stage works kinda like TV -- you don’t have to find your own fill-in.)

The Emmy-winning ‘Entourage’ actor had received generally good notices playing a part not unlike his character on the HBO series. He was under contract to appear in the revival of Mamet’s play through Feb. 22.

The playwright, known to be a little toxic himself, seemed a bit more than miffed, telling Variety that ‘my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.’ Perhaps that’s because Mamet was pretty focused on this production -- even though he had a second Broadway show, ‘American Buffalo,’ playing at the same time.

Meanwhile, Piven’s physician, celebrity doctor Carlon Colker, appeared on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ on Friday and made a plea to the world: ‘If anyone sees him eating seafood, tell them to call my office.’

If you need help with the number, let Culture Monster know.

-- Lisa Fung

Photo (top): Is this the only culprit in Piven’s Broadway exit? Credit: Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times

Photo (bottom): Jeremy Piven in ‘Speed-the-Plow.’ Credit: Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images