Talking 'bout regeneration

Shaun Micallef loosened up and found himself the star of a commercial hit, writes Greg Hassall.

What's So Funny?

We all like a laugh but is the ultimate crack-up The Castle, The Chaser or Kenny, the plumber with a heart? Doug Hendrie goes on the hunt for our national funny bone.

Q: How Many Gay, Retarded Aborigines Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb? A: That's Not Funny

Offence at Ben Stiller's jokes about "retards" poses questions about just when comedy crosses 'the line' and becomes offensive. Melinda Houston reports.

Making Many Good Friends In A New School

ASHTONFIELD Public School only opened last year and its teachers and students have come from near and far.

Sorry, Girls, You're Just Not Funny

HOW many really funny women do you know? Think about it. I'll wait.

Too Smart For The Americans

French actress Julie Delpy is very much her own woman; funny and highly talented, writes Helen Barlow.

Gone Bananas

Expect role-playing, bad mime and jokes about produce from Peter Helliar, reports BENITO DI FONZO.

Left Wing Missing Its Funny Bone

Perhaps four consecutive election victories by John Howard have killed the left's sense of humour. Or do Tim Palmer and Monica Attard have a problem with women?

So Long, Farewell . . . It Was Funny While It Lasted, John

Thanks Mr Howard, we're really going to miss you - you've made being a comedian easy.

Not Your Average Walk In The Park

SOUTH PARK SBS, 8.35pm YES, they swear. A lot. Yes, there are jokes about bodily functions and violence aplenty.

Man Of God And Humanity

There are many funny stories about Father Bob but, writes Stacey Domkins, there was a deep river of care in his heart. OBITUARY ROBERT GEORGE WINDER Born: December 1, 1927 Died: May 24, 2007 Funeral: Held on May 29 at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle.

Tired Gags Enough To Drive You Crazy

TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY (M) Stars: Will Ferrell, John C Reilly, Leslie Bibb, Sacha Baron Cohen Director: Adam McKay Screening at Greater Union Wollongong and Shellharbour, Hoyts Warrawong. Few people would have thought a film about a 1970s newsreader would have been very funny at all.

Authors Debate The Fine Art Of Funny Business

IT WAS British writer Angela Carter who said comedy was tragedy that happened to other people. And Mel Brooks said if he cut his finger it was tragedy but if you fell down an open sewer and died it was worth a laugh.

Sorry, But I Find Your Offence Offensive

"How tolerant should I be of intolerance? I regard the telling of racist and sexist jokes as a form of bullying, and I tend to shun the company of people who tell such jokes because I am intolerant of the lack of tolerance they show - which probably makes me as bad as they are. Are they so insecure that they have to denigrate others to make themselves feel superior?"

Tragedy Plus Timing

Turning headlines into punchlines is difficult when politicians turn out to be jokes. In times like these, says Melinda Houston, news satire needs to try a lot harder.

Competitive Fire Burned Deep In Leppa

My old mate Justin Leppitsch was versatile, loyal, inspirational . . . but he wasn't funny

Masters Of Judging Jokes

Tom Gleisner and the rest of the Working Dog team have created the year's hit new show. By David Dale.

The Tired Old Mother Of Multicultural Jokes

COMEDY FESTIVAL REVIEWS: IT'S A MOTHER *? North Melbourne Arts House, Until May 7; NICOLA GUNN - AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN **** La Mama, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton, season ended

A Visionary Manager And True Mentor

Milton Noble Health administrator 1934-2006

Fun To Funny And A Point In-between

COMEDY FESTIVAL REVIEW: HIP-HOP 4 DUMMEEZ *** Victoria Hotel, until May 7 THROBBIE MILLIONS *1/2 Portland Hotel, until May 6 RICHARD McKENZIE - DIGGER ***1/2 Duckboard House until May 6