Lady Fiona Carnarvon, resident inmate of the Emmy-winning 5 millionth episode of “Downton Abbey’s” Highclere Castle, writes:
“Respecting our predecessors’ courage and sacrifice, we just commemorated the First World War, which began Aug. 1914. A one-off centenary. I doubt I’m here for the 200th.
“We remembered families at the brink of devastation 100 years ago. Four years of conflict, 135 countries, millions killed, injured, hungry, hopeless, homeless . . . and Highclere nursing, giving time, money and sanctuary to the wounded.
“For one day, this castle reverted to the WWI hospital it was. A bedroom became again its 1914 operating theater.
“ ‘Downton Abbey’s’ Elizabeth McGovern (she plays Lady Cora, head of the Crawley family) appeared with her rock band Sadie and the Hotheads. We began with the Archbishop’s church service. A Military Wives choir. And assorted ambassadors.
“We had a miniature parachute jump, simulated assault course, wartime brews, veterans, vintage military vehicles, Spitfire and B-17 aerial displays, dogfight re-enactments, 200 in period costumes worked what became trenches, field kitchens, patrolling MPs.
“Sharing experiences were US vets and doctors from Afghanistan. Through Christie’s we created auction lots around the ‘Downton’ themes to raise funds for veteran charities, Syria’s crisis and victims who still face today’s ravages. We’re hoping this helps.”
What I hear
Great piece in July “Hollywood Reporter,” which reported on the memoir “Behind the Curtain” by Jay Leno’s former producer, who bitches: Jessica Simpson demanded $18,000 for a hairdo. Eddie Murphy needed three flavored Snapples, four candy bars and two different towels. Michael Moore threatened to split unless they played one of his cockamamie videos.
Quentin Tarantino made good use of the backstage bar. B. Clinton accepted a $12,000 bike. Kept the bike. Didn’t do the show. Sarah Palin cost us $35,000 for a private jet. And requesting a $2,000 Vuitton bag, Teri Hatcher’s assistant got flowers instead.
Blond bombshell here
Marilyn Monroe died Aug. 5. Her funeral, Aug. 8 — tomorrow — 52 years ago. Per her friend Jim Haspiel, this week dominated her life. Aug. 2, 1945, she registered at the Blue Book Model Agency. Aug. 6, 1950, landed her first newspaper cover, the Chicago Sunday Tribune. Aug. 10, 1954, began filming “The Seven Year Itch.” Aug. 1, 1957, Marilyn lost her baby boy. Aug. 4, 1958 began filming “Some Like It Hot.” Aug. 3, 1962, was her final interview, Life Magazine. MM’s first film “Dangerous Years,” still as Norma Jean, had an Aug. 4, 1947, contract.
And Aug. 5, which became her very last day, she was to meet the man who planned to produce and star her in “The Jean Harlow Story.”
Odds & ends
Matt LeBlanc: “Filmmaking’s a crapshoot. Editors don’t always know their ass from their elbow.” . . . JAMES Franco, Orlando Bloom, Leo DiCaprio, take heart. Rod Stewart, born B.C., known for discussing his manhood with wife Penny Lancaster: “Plenty of lead in the old pencil — and I only write to one person.” . . . A Mr. O’Brien writes from Flatbush: “Why are dentists for elephants in Alabama? Because Tuscaloosa’s there.” Look, don’t pick on me. The guy’s from Brooklyn.
Upper East Side. Sunday morning. Lady hatless, jacketless, stockingless, umbrellaless. Walking. Naked feet in flip-flops. Legs in short short shorts. Chest partially inside a strapless top shielding less than shown in a mammogram. Chatting on a cell. And it’s pouring.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
(See you Monday, Aug. 18. Taking the week off to write my retractions . . . )