
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992                   TAG: 9203190440
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

OTHER ALTERNATIVES IN TV COMEDY

IN ADDITION to Eddie Cantor and Pee-Wee Herman, along with Laurel and Hardy and the Three Stooges, the "masters of slapstick comedy," I suggest that Mark B. Campbell (letter, March 2, "Need more clean television programs") rent "Good Morning Vietnam," with Robin Williams.

Pop that into the VCR, paying particular attention to the character of Lt. Steve and his laughable ideas about the nature of comedy. It will make my point much better than the mere written word possibly could.

Meanwhile, I'll be watching the Dennis Miller Show on Fox 21/27 (weeknights, 10 p.m.). Rather than obvious sight gags and the gut-wrenching humor inherent in people falling down a lot and mindlessly slapping each other, it relies on intelligent, satirical and biting wit, geared to the educated and intelligent. J. WILLIAM McNEIL GOODVIEW

by CNB