There’s not much to smile about these days on a crowded subway. But, it was hard to suppress an outbreak of laughter after I did a double take reading a No. 6  train poster this week . The billboard extols the handiwork of Dr. Armond, the Canine Plastic Surgeon. Aside from the before and after photos of a droopy-skin bulldog transformed into a pert and precious Jack Russell terrier, the text amused, claiming, as well, services such as the San Diego Diet for a pooch with a pooch problem.

Reading on I realized that Dr. Armond was Nick Kroll – a comedian to keep your eye on.  He’s got his own Comedy Central show, and, in fact, the Armond poster is the network’s way of promoting it – though there’s no telltale sign they’re involved in this subversive subway humor other than the puppylift.com i.d., which takes you to the Kroll Show site. Kroll also is part of “The League” sketch comedy team on FX Channel.

But for any veteran NYC subway rider – I’ve been one since ’78 – the Armond poster recalls the ubiquitous Dr. Zizmor posters. Zizmor (Could there be a better name for a dermatologist?) holds out promises of clearing up your skin issues and adding years to your looks. Meanwhile, he’s never aged in the 40+ years his face has been plastered throughout the cars of a train. I think he did once freshen up his poster with new patient success stories, but that was about it. And sure enough, Kroll admits his Armond character is a parody of Zizmor. I happened to catch the posters side-by-side on my ride home last night – a hilarious sight!

And just a side note…once upon a time when I thought I might want to be a private detective, I became very aware of Kroll Inc. Jules Kroll, who founded this famous firm that has evolved over the years to specialize in industrial espionage, is Nick’s dad.  Laughing all the way…