FUNNY PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people who auditioned for the "America's Funniest People" television show at West Park Mall Sunday to tell about their experience and why they did it.

Lindsey Kellett: "I just decided to tell a joke that I had heard and had told to my family which seemed to work with them. It was fun. I was nervous with all the people standing around watching me, but not by being in front of the camera."

Wayne Johnson: "I did impressions of Walter Brennan, Ronald Reagan and Yogi the Bear which I do at work all the time. Friends at work told me about the show coming here, and they said I should go try out for it."

Steve Weiss: "I did the Abbott and Costello routine of "Who's On First" along with Jeff South. I've been in theatrical activities in school and other things for about eight years. I just like to get in front of people and make them laugh."

Jeff South: "I'm in the university theater department, so I'm on stage a lot. Doing something that is funny is lots of fun because you get to hear people laugh. It's a good feeling when they tell you that you made them feel good."

Jennifer Mallott: "I did my impression of Chubles, by pushing on my face and making it look fat, and told a joke with it. It was exciting that I might make it on TV. I've done the routine with my family, and my mom encouraged me to try it."

Dolores Schultz: "I played a bag lady dancing next to a guy on the street, trying to get him to look at me. You have a chance of winning $10,000. If you don't try, you won't win. I thought I should give it a shot. I've only done it before at two birthday parties."