Funny Girl

She killed on the catwalk, but now model - actress Tyra Banks (''Coyote Ugly'') wants to knock 'em dead as a comic. Besides joining the cast of ''These Nuts'' -- Jamie Foxx's variety show pilot on the WB -- she's yukking her way through the audition process for the Groundlings, the L.A. comedy troupe that launched Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, and Lisa Kudrow. ''I love sketch comedy -- you have no idea,'' says Banks. ''They were like, 'Girl, we didn't know you were so funny! You have to come back.''' But Banks isn't a shoo in. ''It can take three to five years to become a Groundling,'' sniffs a troupe spokesman. ''And even then, they're not paid.''

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