Laugh a Day

A laugh a day would seem a high return indeed from this self-conscious effort at hailing hilarity. Producer Steve Taub, who made the Jackie Mason vehicle Crossing the Line, presents five segments in this whirlwind 30-minute tour-de-farce, each focusing on some aspect of laughter, including a look at whether animals other than humans laugh (dolphins and primates, anyway) and a profile of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care unit and their work in a children's hospital. Most of the actual comedy featured has that ho-ho-ho, aren't-we-something feel of an episode of Drew Carey's Whose Line Is It Anyway?, but with periodic analysis and explanation from lab-coated scientists and other titular authority figures. Appearances by known and unknown stand-up comedians such as Richard Belzer, Dom Irrera, David Brenner and Bob Nelson are sprinkled throughout, as well as an appearance by friend-o'-the animals Jack Hanna. Ultimately, this is a half hour of good-natured fun, infused with jocularity, but prone to homilies like “Animals Must Laugh [capitalization as writ on screen] and it's probably at us. Is there anything funnier than the follies of humanity?” [attributed to “comedian” Milton Huhdoe]. Har, har, har. For those in the market for a feel-good, fast-paced, if rather superficial look at the phenomenon of laughter, this is the goods. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (M. Tribby)