Not only does the play work, but this production, directed by David Russell, is a case study in how to stage punch-line humor.

WSJ: Putting the Punch in Punch-Line | Neil Simon | Laughter on the 23rd Floor | Mad Cow Theatre | Review by Terry Teachout

Mr. Simon's reflexive reliance on tick-tock punch-line comedy is the most dated aspect of his plays, especially the darker ones that he wrote in his later years.

WSJ: Putting the Punch in Punch-Line | Neil Simon | Laughter on the 23rd Floor | Mad Cow Theatre | Review by Terry Teachout

As Smith sat uncomfortably through the first round, television cameras caught him frowning at times and clearly disappointed that someone who has had so much success on the field was becoming a draft-night punch-line.

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One guy yelled, "too soon, " which I thought meant I didn't take a long enough pause between the set-up and punch line.

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And not just being a ubiquitous punch line and those occasionally uncomfortably close-to-accurate Sopranos storylines.

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The replacement referees started out as a punch line to jokes, but have now become a full-fledged crisis when it comes to the integrity of the game.

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Citigroup (nyse: C - news - people ) Chairman Sanford Weill is probably echoing the punch line on those old TV commercials: "I should have used Federal Express (nyse: FDX - news - people )!"

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" All leading up to the punch line: As they watch sorry Old Peg and his sad-sack horse and crumbling buggy ramble down the road and out of hearing range, Allen Gore, known for being a dead-serious man, puts his arm around his son and deadpans, "There goes your future, Albert.

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Gallacher accidentally caught the striker after rushing off his line to punch away Dave Mackay's long ball and Morris fired wide as his team-mate appeared to lay unconscious in the penalty box.

BBC: Andy Jackson