Punch Lines

Extra Sets: Scientists in China now say they want to start cloning panda bears to save them from extinction. “The best part is, it won’t cost much because panda bears are black and white. The color duplicates are much more expensive.” (Jay Leno)

Bon Apetit: “The boxing commission has decided to reinstate Mike Tyson and let him box again, but he has to promise to eat something before the fight.” (Dennis Blair)

Gone Too Far: A car that once belonged to Princess Diana is for sale on the Internet. “You can buy it at www.tacky.com.” (Rudolph J. Cecera)

Merry Mayberry: City officials in Morgantown, W.Va., have voted to name a street after actor Don Knotts. “It will be located one block from Aunt Bee Lane near its intersection with Opie Highway.” (Bob Mills)

‘Titanic’ the Series: “It’s only been days since the fire on the Carnival cruise ship Ecstasy and a TV movie is already in the works. Coming next month to Fox TV, ‘The Agony on the Ecstasy.’ ” (Ira Lawson)

‘Titanic’ the Musical: More than 60 people were injured when the Ecstasy caught fire off Miami. “Passengers say it was pretty scary. The Coast Guard came out, fire boats came out, Celine Dion came out. . . .” (The Daily Scoop)

Scribble Scrabble: A pair of scientists has cracked the U.S. government’s highly secret encryption code, something long thought to be impossible. “The next coded project on their agenda is to crack doctors’ handwriting.” (Lawson)

Happy Anniversary: “Second honeymoons are now in vogue. On my first one, it was Niagara. Now, 25 years later, it’s Viagra.” (Charles J. Chop)

First Class: “It has been revealed that on tobacco companies’ jet flights, Republican politicians enjoyed sumptuous meals, pre-shelled peanuts, and could smoke without having to step outside.” (Stan Kaplan)

She’s a Tripp: Linda Tripp was back for yet another appearance before Ken Starr’s grand jury. “The people around the courthouse are getting to be like old friends, which means they can expect to have their personal phone calls taped and sold to the Feds.” (Bill Maher)

This One’s on Us: “A friend of mine says ‘Punch Lines’ is the first thing he turns to when his paper arrives. I’d feel better about that if he didn’t have so many bird cages to keep clean.” (LaMonte Laments)

* SEND US A LINE: Got a joke? Send it to Laugh Lines by fax, (213) 237-0732, or mail, Life & Style, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053.