"Preparations are beginning for the annual funniest celebrity in Washington contest to benefit the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The winner last year was Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), though he was advised to keep his day job.

The list of contestants this year includes former Regan White House aide and talk-show host Oliver L. North; commentator Cal Thomas; former White House spokesman Joe Lockhart; the famous Ariana Huffington; columnist Clarence Pate; former representative Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.); Rep Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.); CNN reporter Brooks Jackson; and White House National Economic Council chief Gene Sperling" (Al Kamen, In the Loop, The Washington Post, October 16, 2000).

Special guest star this year will be Al Franken of "Saturday Night Live."

Responses to the question "Do you find Oliver North funny?" by Steven Sisson and Muriel Wiggins are posted below.

1. George,

Funny what . . . looking? (Steven Sisson, electronic mail, October 22, 2000).

Editor's Note: You decide. See Rogue's Gallery pictures from Oliver North and from Will Lyster.

2. George,

The only funny Oliver has a different surname, like Hardy. The North guy is more the expert on Funny Money (Muriel Wiggins, electronic mail, October 23, 2000).