<i>Amy</i> Success Surprises Amy

Amy Brenneman is the star and executive producer of the hit CBS series Judging Amy. She plays Judge Amy Gray, a single mother who leaves New York City behind to become a judge in Hartford, Conn. The show is based on the real-life story of Brenneman's own mother.

Her mother is a juvenile court judge, the second female to be named a judge in Connecticut. And Brenneman says she depends on her mother to keep the scripts forJudging Amy true to life.

"She's a real stickler for details, and it's very important to her to get all of the details right about the law," says the actress."Every once in a while, I remind her, 'It is television, it is entertainment, it's okay.' We've gotten great feedback from judges and social workers and lawyers who appreciate how useful it is. She's my personal technical adviser."

Why has the show found an audience?

"I don't know," says the actress. "I think it's the combination of the law that people have not seen before. I think issues with children are really in the news every day… I didn't think it was going to do well. Lots of things I like, nobody likes. My expectations were low."

Answering a question submitted by a fan through The Early Show Web site, Brenneman said she has no hobbies any more because she doesn't have time to pursue them. She works 16 hours a day.

"I talk to my husband when I come home. That's it," she adds.

Her husband is Brad Silberling, who directed the movie Casper and also directed Brenneman in episodes of NYPD Blue as well as the pilot for Judging Amy.