By Lisa Mascaro

Fri, Apr 25, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Washington — It may sound unbelievable, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can be a wickedly funny man.

But “The Daily Show” funny?

We shall soon see. Reid will make his debut May 5 on the Comedy Central classic in which comic Jon Stewart anchors a fake newscast.

If Reid ever faced a tussle he needed to win, this battle in the court of smart, progressive-leaning public opinion may be it.

Stewart has not been kind to the senator. The comic once marveled that the U.S. Senate appeared to be run by his crazy drunk uncle. One segment, titled “The Trouble with Harry,” criticized a controversial land deal Reid had been involved in — then skewered the controversy for being so boring.

For his part, Reid avoids the TV talk show circuit the way others make pilgrimages to it. But this appearance is an exception. Reid will be showing up to promote his new book, an autobiography due out next week.

Maybe the viewing public will have a chance to see the unexpectedly funny side of Reid. Or maybe Stewart will have the last laugh.

One thing is for sure: It will be a change of pace from C-Span.

Lisa Mascaro can be reached at (202) 662-7436 or at lisa.mascaro@lasvegassun.com.