The latest uproar comes as political commentators, cartoonists and television comics have lampooned Mr. Sununu's travel practices on "Air Sununu."

The locution, spread by television comics and talk-show hosts, is all over the language these days like white on rice.

And if it seems familiar, that is probably because Keaton's physical grace was a powerful influence on great television comics like Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason.

He's young Bart's favorite television comic, notwithstanding some nasty business in the past about a summer-camp scam.

It is not surprising that late-night television comics are able to influence the outcomes of presidential elections (Marshall Sella, Sept. 24).

The response, in laughter and applause, would be the envy of any television comic" observed Jim Oram.

"It was the Americans who discovered and chose the Via Veneto, and Italians who came to them," said Renzo Arbore, a well-known television comic.

It was the face of a television comic from the early 1950's, or maybe the guy behind the deli counter who served every sandwich with a flourish and a cornball joke.

Hating telemarketers has become a national pastime and fodder for late-night television comics, Web sites and just about all types of humor, high and low.

Stewart Lee took home two trophies for best male television comic and best comedy entertainment programme.