Murphy Brown's Son Was Named Avery

Q: I am trying to remember the name of the child born to Murphy Brown. I remember liking the name. Please help me out. I need to pass on boy names to a friend.

A: Murphy Brown (played by Candice Bergen) named her son Avery, after her late mother (played by Colleen Dewhurst). It was the birth of Avery, and Murphy's decision to raise the child without his father, that prompted a family-values battle of words between the show and then-Vice President Dan Quayle. In "Murphy Brown's" last season (1997-98), Avery was played by Haley Joel Osment, star of this summer's blockbuster "The Sixth Sense."

Q: When I was a teenager, there was a miniseries called "Backstairs at the White House." It was the true story about a maid who works and lives in the White House throughout several decades. I thought this movie was really good but cannot seem to find it in video stores or online. I hope you can help me.

A: "Backstairs" was a nine-hour miniseries that premiered in January 1979 on NBC. It was based on the book by Lillian Rogers Parks and Frances Spatz Leighton. At this time, it is not available for purchase. However, if you visit the Critics' Choice Video Web site (www.ccvideo.com), you can register your interest in the video if it is re-released.

Q: Do David Letterman and Jay Leno have any brothers or sisters?

A: The kings of late-night talk are not without siblings. Jay's brother, Pat, is 10 years his senior. Dave has two sisters, Janice and Gretchen.

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