Jan. 14, 2012: It Took Paula Poundstone To Make LaFong’s Jaw Drop!
Yes. It’s true. Paula Poundstone made my jaw drop! I suppose my husband was right. I was capable all along!
It really does take a lot to make my jaw drop. I guess that I was shocked that it was even possible for a comedian to perform a hilarious, lull-free, smart, clean show of all new relevant material, while working the crowd masterfully. Paula Poundstone did it with ease, for almost two hours straight! (No pun intended.) Talk about underselling, and over delivering!
Yesterday, after interviewing Paula on “Las Vegas Backstage Now,” currently “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” with Comedian Michele LaFong, on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web. I was fascinated by Poundstone’s humble self-reference as “Just a Little Joke Teller, and very importantly, a single mom of three.” I couldn’t imagine that her new act was just that: A new act. But it was. Wow! What a concept. It’s not like some of us comics have never written new acts. Of course we have. All the time, and funny ones too! It’s just that…well…when the time comes to perform it, we realize that audiences deserve the “tried and tested” material.
You see, a lot of us performers are doing the same old crap on stage, time after time because we are humanitarians. We sacrifice our own need to branch out and grow, for the sake of our paying audiences. Yeah…I believe that. And if I were a drag queen, my name would be Dee Nile! I guess I realize all of this now, after watching a “super-pro” like Paula Poundstone.
I hadn’t seen Paula’s show in its entirety, in a very long time. I kept waiting for the old “snicker bar commercial bit,” or “I’ve never been rich enough to be a republican” bit, or some other old familiar staple. Instead, she was always present, and “in the moment,”completely plugged in to any whispers or extra noises in the room, piping in with hilarious comments, and comebacks, while simultaneously weaving in and out of her new material. Although Paula Poundstone’s act is always uniquely funny, her real strength lies in working the crowd.
During my interview with Paula, she stated that chatting with the audience, is what she truly enjoys doing the most. It really showed too! Everyone was engaged, invested, and having a great time. Who would have figured that a comic, that is a single mom with three that proclaims on stage that she dislikes sex with ANYONE, lives with sixteen cats, two dogs, and other creatures, would be such a “people person?” But a “people person” she is! After the show, Paula did a meet and greet, posing for pictures with her long line of fans. What a great show, and a wonderful value.
Paula Poundstone will be my Feature Interview in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” Column in Casino Player Magazine, July edition 2013, as well “Las Vegas backstage Talk’s Syndicated Monthly Column, in Casino Player Magazine.
Paula Poundstone is appearing at The Orleans Showroom, Jan. 13- 14 at 8pm
Tickets start at $19.95 plus tax. Call (702) 365-7075
