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Former Designing Women star now is mom to 'Samantha Who?'
by Cindy Elavsky
Q: I am a big fan of Jean Smart and wonder what she is doing these days. - Brenda H., via e-mail
A: The former "Designing Women" star is co-starring with Christina Applegate on ABC's breakout hit sitcom, "Samantha Who?" She plays Christina's young-at-heart mom, Regina, and to me, she steals every scene she's in. New episodes should begin airing April 7, and the show has already been picked up for a second season beginning later this fall.
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Q: I am a big Def Leppard fan, and I just read that the band has been asked to perform on "Dancing With the Stars." Is that true? - Shelley H., via e-mail
A: You read correctly. The aging monsters of rock are slated to appear on the April 29 episode of "Dancing With the Stars," which just so happens to coincide with the release of their new album, "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge." The first single from the album, "Nine Lives," has recently hit the airwaves, and a world tour is already under way. If you miss them on "Dancing," you also can catch the band giving a mini outdoor concert on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Having been to five Lep shows myself, I can't wait to see them in prime time. Pour some sugar on me, indeed!
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Q: I am writing to find out what actor Dermot Mulroney has been doing lately. He was wonderful in "My Best Friend's Wedding," and I think he is the most handsome actor in Hollywood. - Leona in Oklahoma
A: Dermot Mulroney's latest project is playing Dr. David Henry in the Lifetime Television original movie "The Memory Keeper's Daughter," based on the bestselling novel of the same name. I recently saw a press copy of the movie, and having also read the book, I can highly recommend this movie to fans of the book and of Dermot. He does a phenomenal job. The movie premieres April 12 at 9 p.m. EDT/8 p.m. CDT. On a personal note, Dermot and his wife, actress Catherine Keener, divorced in 2007 after 17 years of marriage. They have a son named Clyde.
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Q: Could you please tell who portrayed the voice of the computer on "Star Trek: Voyager"? - Ted F., via email
A: Actress Majel Barrett, 76, did the voice-over work for the computer for the 1995- 2001 series of the popular "Star Trek" franchise. She is known as "The First Lady of 'Star Trek'" because she has been in every "Star Trek" series (including the pilot, sans William Shatner) and most of the "Star Trek" movies. As many Trekkies already know, Majel was married to "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry from 1969 until his death in 1991. Majel has a good sense of humor about her work, as she parodied herself on "The Family Guy," where she was the voice of Stewie's ship on the episode titled "Emission Impossible."
Have a question for Cindy? E-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com, or write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475.
(c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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