"Entourage's" Piven Sells "The Goods"

(CBS)  We all know Jeremy Piven from his three-time Emmy award-winning role as Ari Gold on his TV hit "Entourage." Now he's back on screen as a sleazy car salesman in "The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard."

The film comes as the "cash for clunkers," program offers owners of old cars and trucks $3,500 or $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

"It's interesting because this is actually a smart low-brow comedy, but that is also very timely," Piven told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith on Monday.

There are some parallels between Piven's character, Don Ready in "The Goods: Live Hard.Sell Hard" and his Ari Gold role in "Entourage."

"You know what's interesting is that, I think, people that know me from playing Ari Gold will see there are similarities and know that I can handle this character," Piven said. "At the same time, this particular journey that I take, the guy starts out where he can only eat if he's in a strip club. So he's eating breakfast, and he's in a strip club. By the end of it, it's a little bit of a life lesson. You can't be a road dog forever."

By the end of the film, Piven's character realizes what matters most to him in life and "yet he's still a little delusional," Piven explained.

Piven was thrilled to take on the comedic role.

"I'm 50 movies into my career, if you can believe it. I've been acting since I was in the womb, and this is the funniest thing I've ever been a part of, without a doubt," he said.

"The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard" is part of a long lineup of comedy hits during the last decade from Piven's brother-in-law, Adam McKay. McKay has produced "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "Talladega Nights," and "Step Brother," all starring comedian Will Ferrell. McKay and Ferrell also run Gary Sanchez Productions together.

"Will also plays my right-hand man in this movie. Because the reality is, I think, that Will -- he's been playing the lead too long. And he needs to move aside. He needs my help," Piven joked.

"Do you ever think to yourself, I actually -- my brother works in the White House?" Smith asked.

"You're referring to Rahm Emanuel, who's the Chief of Staff, and Ari Emanuel is the inspiration for my character. No, but I like to pretend that I'm in with Barack and Washington in the whole thing," Piven admitted. "I stumped for Barak in Indiana. He called me to thank me and left me all of his phone numbers.

"He's a true mensch. I'm not kidding. I saved all of his phone numbers. Went back in to get it. Completely erased! I have no way to reach Barack Obama. Called the White House to see if I could find him. They don't want to have anything to do with me. Nothing to do with me!"

Piven went on to joke that the staff at the White House didn't have a clue who he was or why he called.

"I said, 'do you have any idea who I think I am?' And they didn't care," Piven said.

"The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard" comes out in theaters Aug. 14.