Posted Dec 23rd 2008 3:40AM by TMZ Staff
Jeremy Piven's abrupt departure from "Speed-the-Plow" has cost the show hundreds of thousands in ticket sales in not even one full week.
According to the numbers released by the Broadway League, "Speed-the-Plow" grossed only $326K last week, which was down $160,000 from the week before, and the house at the Ethel Barrymore Theater was just half full. Piven's role was filled by his understudy for the week.
Emmy winner Norbert Butz steps in today, and then William H. Macy does his turn starting January 11.
Filed under: Trials & Tribulations
Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:00AM by TMZ Staff
Before Jeremy Piven ditched his Broadway show due to sushi-related mercury poisoning, producers say the actor was worried he was suffering from mononucleosis -- the dreaded kissing disease.
The show's producer tells TMZ Piven had complained of illnesses from the beginning of the show's run in October. First, says the producer, Piven reported "low-level mono." After that, Piven told producers he was worried he might have Epstein-Barr virus. The final diagnosis, as his doctor stated publicly, was mercury poisoning from a two-a-day raw fish habit.
We contacted Jeremy's people for comment; haven't heard back yet.
UPDATE: We spoke to Piv's doctor Carlon Colker, and he says he's not aware of any mono issue, but did confirm Piven was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr.
Filed under: Trials & Tribulations
Posted Nov 24th 2008 3:21AM by TMZ Staff
Imagine how much coin you've got to have to owe $4 million -- just to operate a private jet.
That's how much money Ralph Lauren has, evidently: The Polo magnate had to shell out $4.18 mil on a two-year-old tax debt related to his $50 million Gulfstream V jet. On October 2, reports the New York Post, Lauren's company RL Wings laid out the money to resolve the debt.
And yet a rep for the designer says he's "fighting" to get the money back. That's how the rich stay that way.
Filed under: Trials & Tribulations
Posted Sep 19th 2008 11:48AM by TMZ Staff
So the NYC economy is headed for the crapper, sure -- but who's really suffering? Weep for the strippers.
We're told first-hand by the pole-gymnasts at joints like the Penthouse Executive Club in NYC that biz has come to a grinding halt -- and to add insult to injury, strippers say one-dollar bills have replaced tens and twenties. Oh, the humanity!
Sources tell us traffic at some super-exclusive Manhattan nightspots is down 40-50% since the wheels came off.
Filed under: Wacky & Weird, Trials & Tribulations
Posted Jul 20th 2008 7:35AM by TMZ Staff
For brief moment, Britney Spears showed signs of life as she perked up when a pap called her name -- then he asked her a question about the K-Fed settlement.
Filed under: Music, Wacky & Weird, Britney Spears, Trials & Tribulations
Posted Jun 17th 2008 11:26AM by TMZ Staff
The one word that's turning Ed McMahon from baller to beggar: Plastic.
Our sources tell us Pamela McMahon, Ed's wife of 16 years, is literally spending him onto the street. We hear she's completely "oblivious" to the late night legend's cash troubles, and shops like their life depended on it. Her AmEx bill is legendary -- the couple reportedly owes them nearly $750K.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Trials & Tribulations
Posted Apr 10th 2008 6:12PM by TMZ Staff
If you missed our LIVE feed, check out the insane highlights from today's testimony, including how the Ivy-eating, Rolls Royce-driving A-Hole is totally broke, and the courtroom fireworks that erupt when he's asked who was caring for sick wife Zsa Zsa while he was out "fornicating with Anna Nicole Smith?" Good stuff!
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Trials & Tribulations
Posted Apr 9th 2008 4:22PM by TMZ Staff
We are LIVE in the courtroom where Prince Von A-Hole's battery trial is about to begin. The Prince, who was repping himself but just hired a lawyer, is being sued for allegedly beating up a paparazzo in 2005.
Photog Dirk Smeten says the faux royal assaulted him as he wheeled Zsa Zsa in to a Beverly Hills hair salon. Smeten is suing him for thousands of Zsa Zsa'a money.
Von A-Hole is scheduled to testify and we're told Zsa Zsa herself is supposed to appear.
Court TV, eat your heart out!
UPDATE 2:51 PM And that's all for today, folks. See you tomorrow at 9:15 AM PST.
UPDATE 2:46 PM There was a criminal investigation filed against A-Hole and when he was asked if he hit the photog - he said, "no." "
UPDATE 2:28 PM OMG. He's in such trouble. He just testified "She's not so skinny anymore" and that it takes a good amount of time to schlep her out of the car.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Trials & Tribulations
