Beleaguered tuna-roll aficionado Jeremy Piven just can’t seem to catch a break these days. First, the three-time Emmy winner was snubbed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and now he’s catching flack from Chris Kattan (of all people). According to a report in today’s New York Daily News, the two got into a greenroom catfight on Thursday afternoon, when both were scheduled to appear on MTV’s normally staid It’s On With Alexa Chung program. Kattan was apparently the aggressor in this brouhaha, as he stoked Piven by greeting him with a “So, what are you here to promote, your Broadway play?†blast. Piven was none too happy with this line of questioning, so he delivered this zinger right back: “Well, what are you here to promote? Mango?†If we were in Piven’s shoes, we probably would’ve gone with a Mr. Peepers slam instead of referencing Mango, but the damage was already done. And, apparently, things escalated from there.
While Kattan thought his jab was all in good fun, the now mercury-free Piven must’ve been really craving some tuna rolls and, therefore, felt especially cranky on Thursday morning. Allegedly, when Kattan popped by Piven’s dressing room to apologize, Piven greeted the Bollywood Hero star with a string of obscenities and slammed the dressing-room door in Kattan’s face, not once but TWICE. From the sound of the report, it certainly seems like Piven overreacted. But if Kattan is still looking to make peace with the Entourage star, your friendly Vulture editors believe that he could probably squash this beef with a simple gift. Say, a nice bottle of sake and a gift certificate to Nobu?
’Entourage’ star Jeremy Piven not laughing at ‘SNL’ alum Chris Kattan’s jokes during dust-up at MTV [Gatecrasher/NYDN]