Entourage's Kevin Dillon is celebrating his third nomination for his portrayal of Johnny Drama, but his heart is with past winner Jeremy Piven, whose name was left off this year's list.
"I'm meaning to call Jeremy, because he's probably feeling a little down today," says Dillon, who suspects the snub is related
to Piven's dropping out of a Broadway play due to reported mercury poisoning. (Piven was mocked when he claimed he'd eaten too much sushi.) "I think he deserved a nomination. He did some great work last season. Maybe the weird press had something to do with it."
Kevin believes voters can be influenced by real life news. "Sometimes they just can't help it. They probably try to do the right thing, but sometimes when you hear stuff it's like a tainted jury. There's no way you can not let it effect you."
Entourage exec producer Doug Ellin agrees that Jeremy's real-life soap opera likely contributed to the snub. "I think that has to be it," he says. "Jeremy was so good last year. To go from a perennial winner to not even being nominated with the work he did last year is kind of shocking. Jeremy was as good as ever last year, but he has some great stuff coming up this season."
Kevin says he and Jeremy have a strong scene coming up together in a couple months. "We have a heartfelt moment, which is unusual for us. Usually Ari and Drama don't have many scenes together—and certainly not heartfelt. Let's just say, Drama is considering moving on from the Miller/Gold Agency."