Virtually funny

Animated on-line comedy club

31/10/2001 … The Pope and Madonna become stand-up comedians in a new virtual comedy club.

Paul escapes drug rap

Cleared of promoting cocaine use

31/10/2001 … Television watchdogs have cleared Paul Whitehouse's show Happiness of glamorising drug use.

In the pink

Gay club spawns second venue

31/10/2001 … London's only weekly gay comedy night has spawned a second venue.

Mirza lands HIGNFY spot

Shazia on prime-time quiz

31/10/2001 … Britain's only female Muslim comic is to be a panelist on Have I Got News For You this week.

Bishop takes City Life title

31/10/2001 … Liverpudlian John Bishop has won the City Life comedian of the year award.

Children In Need benefit

Mel and Sue to host fundraiser

30/10/2001 … Mel and Sue are to compere the annual Children In Need comedy gig in London next month.

Japes for apes

Comics line up for monkey benefit

30/10/2001 … A host of comedy stars are to perform in a prestigious fundraiser - to help save apes.

A Sein of the times

Sitcom hit by anthrax scare

30/10/2001 … REPEATS of an old Seinfeld episode have been pulled from the schedules because of the anthrax scare.