Smith yet to watch ‘Downton Abbey’
Here’s some “Downton Abbey” news that’s almost as shocking as what happened to Lady Sybil a few weeks back: The Dowager Countess herself, Maggie Smith, has never seen a single episode of the hugely popular PBS costume drama in which she stars.
The actress, who’s twice won an Emmy for her performance on the series, made the stunning confession in a “60 Minutes” interview set to air this Sunday.
The subject came up when correspondent Steve Kroft asked if she was proud of the phenomenal success of “Downton Abbey.” After a pause, she explained that she wasn’t quite able to answer because she hasn’t actually seen the finished product. “I don’t sit down and watch it.”
Smith said it’s too frustrating to watch her own work. “I always see things that I would like to do differently and think, ‘Oh, why in the name of God did I do that?’ ”
Couric haunted by phantom 911 calls
Katie Couric is losing sleep over some odd 911 calls.
New York City police said Thursday they had been called to Couric’s Manhattan home several times recently because of 911 calls traced to a phone listed there. The 911 operator hears only static, but police are compelled to answer each call. The calls come on Tuesdays at 2 a.m., as Couric told an audience at her talk show’s taping this week.
Police say they are investigating whether something’s wrong with her phone or if Couric is the victim of a high-tech prankster. Couric called New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to ask advice on what to do, and is awaiting the results of the investigation.
‘Melrose Place’ actress sentenced
A former “Melrose Place” actress who was drunk when her SUV plowed into a car and killed a woman was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison, infuriating the victim’s relatives, who had hoped for the 10-year maximum.
A jury in November convicted Amy Locane-Bovenizer of vehicular homicide in the 2010 death of 60-year-old Helene Seeman in Montgomery Township, N.J. Locane-Bovenizer will be eligible for parole after 2 1/2 years. She also had her license suspended for five years and will be on probation for three years after her release. She must pay several thousand dollars in fines.
The birthday bunch
Actress Claire Bloom is 82. Songwriter Brian Holland is 72. Jazz musician Henry Threadgill is 69. Actress Jane Seymour is 62. Singer Melissa Manchester is 62. “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening is 59. Actor Christopher McDonald is 58. Actress Sarah Wynter is 40. Rock singer Brandon Boyd (Incubus) is 37. Actress Ashley Lyn Cafagna is 30. Blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr. is 29. Actress Amber Riley is 27.