The uninvolving plot in this Douglas Adams-wannabe sci-fi tale concerns two vaudeville comics caught in a terrorist scheme while they look for intergalactic gigs. It's just a setup (and not a very good one at that) that allows Idle to use the pair's robot companion to ponder the meaning of humor. Shouldn't an ex-Python know that nothing is less funny than analyzing comedy? Yet he indulges in witheringly banal musings like why the letter k is comical and whether a pie in the face would get a laugh if no one were there to see it. (Nope.) And this book isn't funny whether you read it or not. C-
OscarWatch TV: 'Avatar' as underdog?
Dave Karger and Missy Schwartz on the rise of ''Hurt Locker,'' Sandra leapfrogging Meryl for Best Actress
More
Totally 'Lost'!
Get up to speed for the final season:
New theories and news from Doc Jensen, exclusive video, photos, trivia, and more
More
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.