Laugh Lines

* “Rumors are that Spice Girl Emma Bunton wants to quit before the group sinks out of sight,” says the Cutler Daily Scoop. “She plans to resume her postdoctoral work in astrophysics at Oxford.”

* NBC’s “Law and Order” and “Homicide” are teaming up to do a combined episode to solve a murder case. “In fact, two other shows are doing the same thing,” says Jay Leno. “I understand ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘ER’ are combining to open a VD clinic.”

* “The Little Mermaid” has been re-released in theaters. “Producers have changed the ending just a bit,” says Alan Ray. “Disney makes even more money.”