Jeremy Piven suddenly bailed on the Broadway revival of David Mamet’s Speed the Plow, saying that he’s suffering from a high mercury count. Leaving the play high and dry – Piven missed Tuesday night’s and Wednesday’s performances – isn’t sitting well with playwright Mamet.

David Mamet commented to the Daily Variety, “I talked to Jeremy on the phone, and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury. So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.”

Is Jeremy Piven a pissy diva or is he really ill?

Luckily, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Tony-winner Norbert Leo Butz temporarily took over for Piven in Speed the Plow, but hundreds of people asked for refunds when they discovered Piven left.

Piven’s rep told the Post that while Jeremy wanted to continue the play, his doctors advised him to leave it immediately.