When Miss Gordon says, "Jeff was a mighty fine actor."(and claps her hands), and Willona says to Jeff, "An actor? Bravo!" The audience laughs, but it seems more like sympathetic laughter, as if they feel bad for Willona. :)

I think the audience laughed because they were expecting her to make a huge put down joke but she just said "bravo" to show she really like the dude and was dissapointed. That shows how great and underrated J'anet DuBois was. When you expect her to have a sassy put down she gets poignant and tugs at your heart