LAUGH LINES

Set for a Bumpy Landing: “Russia announced . . . it’s going to give up on the Mir space station. They’re going to let it fall from orbit, and it’s going to crash to Earth sometime early next year. Maybe--with any luck--it’ll hit Palm Beach, Fla.” (Jay Leno)

The Mane Attraction: “I am getting to like Katherine Harris [the Florida secretary of state]. . . . I like watching her whenever she’s on [TV]. . . . She is a very strong woman. As a matter of fact, her hair was the only thing left standing after Hurricane Andrew.” (David Letterman)

Loud and Clear: “The strangest thing happened to me this morning. . . . I went to get my paper and heard yelling and screaming coming from my next-door neighbor’s house. . . . I went over to make sure everything was OK. . . . It turns out they were just listening to the new Kathie Lee Gifford CD.” (Andrew Wisot)

Men in Charge: “President Clinton says he may attend the inauguration of Mexico’s new president, Vicente Fox. . . . Isn’t it nice that one North American nation can have peaceful--and orderly--presidential elections?” (Jerry Perisho)

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