Pop culture Q&A

March 14, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

McClatchy Tribune

Q. I love the new television series “The Middle,” especially the young son character they call Brick. Can you tell me more about him? He’s certainly an interesting, refreshingly different character.

A. Californian Atticus Shaffer plays Brick, the younger son in the family comedy starring Patricia Heaton. According to ABC, he began acting in 2006 and has appeared on “The Class,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Carpoolers,” “Out of Jimmy’s Head” and “Human Giant” — as well as sharing a bus stop with Will Smith in “Hancock” and doing commercials. Other films include “The Unborn” and “An American Carol.” He is home-schooled, a Boy Scout and an avid Yu-Gi-Oh player. And he does all those things while dealing with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease; Shaffer has Type IV, which according to the OI Foundation’s Web site leaves people “moderately affected.”

Q. Can you tell me what happened to Annette Funicello? She used to be on “The Mickey Mouse Club.”

A. After becoming a star as one of Walt Disney’s Mouseketeers, Funicello went on to make records, act in Disney movies and then in a series of beach movies with Frankie Avalon, as well as in “Back to the Beach,” an ’80s attempt to capitalize on people’s fondness for the earlier movies. She also was an able star of commercials for Skippy peanut butter. For about 20 years, she has battled multiple sclerosis and has retired from screen work. She did appear briefly on camera in “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story,” a 1995 TV-movie based on her autobiography.

Q. About 25 years ago, we saw a movie on HBO or one of the premium movie channels that we have since not been able to find. The movie, as we remember it, is called “Undercovers Hero.” It starred Peter Sellers (not as the inspector in the “Pink Panther” movies). The movie took place possibly in France during WWII. There were German soldiers. It was a very funny movie! If it is possible to find a copy, we’d love to have it. Can you help?

A. The 1975 British film — also known as “Soft Beds, Hard Battles” — was a sex farce with Sellers in six roles; it was also, according to Sellers biographer Ed Sikov, a box-office disaster. The only authorized video releases I know of are overseas and in a format that may not be compatible with your DVD player.

Q. Could I please have an address for Ellen DeGeneres? I would like to write to her.

A. Write to her at The Ellen DeGeneres Show, P.O. Box 7788, Burbank, CA 91522, Attn: Fan Mail.

Q. Can one purchase a video of the short story of “Johnnie Fedora and Alice BlueBonnet,” hats who end up on the heads of horses that pulled the milk wagon? I believe the story was told in music.

A. The animated production was part of “Make Mine Music,” a Disney film consisting of several animated musical pieces, like Disney’s “Fantasia”; “Johnnie Fedora” was sung by the Andrews Sisters. “Make Mine Music” has been released on DVD. If you just want to see “Johnnie Fedora” again, it’s on YouTube.

Q. When the heck will “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” seventh season be released on DVD?

A. It is in the works, since several vendors, including HBO.com and Amazon.com, already have a price for it and are taking pre-release purchase orders.