Paula Poundstone

As one of the most popular stand-up comedians in the country today, Paula Poundstone's humor know no bounds. She continually goes where no comedian has gone before: providing backstage commentary to the '93 Emmy Awards telecast, adding humor to the pre- and post-shows for the '94 Oscar Awards, serving as "official correspondent" for "The Tonight Show" during the '92 Presidential race.

Her ability to create humor on the spot is legendary and with her casual air, impeccable timing and razor-sharp wit, she raises stand-up to an art form.

As a performer, Paula enjoys a uniquely intimate rapport with her audience. Her relaxed, comfortably humorous wanderings from topic to topic turn each show into a brilliant stream-of-consciousness experience.

As she so aptly puts it, "I'm just amazed that what I got thrown out of class for, I now get paid to do. The same thing could be said by criminals, I suppose." She exposes the folly of the recent cigar craze ("I love the smell of cigars. It reminds me of my grandpa just before he died.") And she ponders the state of children's books today ("I often wonder if my perpetual sense of impending doom was caused by those Dick and Jane books we were forced to read as kids.")

Her off-kilter view of the world and her complete honesty strike a receptive chord and have led to an impressive list of achievements, including: Two Cable ACE Awards (cable TV's highest honor) Best Female Stand-Up – American Comedy Awards Emmy Award – as producer/star of a local PBS piece titled "Life & Times"

Other credits include: her own comedy series – on HBO and ABC; numerous special appearances, including headlining the prestigious White House Correspondent Dinner in '92 (the first woman ever invited to do so).

She is a contributing editor for Mother Jones Magazine with her own politically-skewed column in each issue for two consecutive years. She has written articles for the Los Angeles Times' Sunday Calendar, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour Magazine and Buzz Magazine and others.

Paula Poundstone was among a handful of comics who came to prominence in the comedy crazy '80s. Her talent was so genuine it left her standing when the craze finally ended. Whether she's talking about politics, Pop Tarts or parking problems, she puts her own spin on the subject at hand and is one of the foremost topical humorists working today.

Her stand-up appearances at concert venues and colleges take her across the country almost non-stop. However, stand-up is really just a phrase here. Paula is so at ease on-stage that she often drapes herself over a stool, wrapped in a mic cord, to engage the audience in an interactive conversation. Her performances have been likened to being invited to a very special party with Paula as the host.

Paula Poundstone's connection to the audience has always been close, interactive and in the moment, resulting in a uniquely intimate rapport no matter how large the venue. "My shows have a feeling of being in the living room with a bunch of friends," she says. "It's very conversational. I didn't do it by design, but now I find it nice. It really forms a relationship with the crowd – plus, there is no physical violence, never any injuries. Well, once in a while the front row will slam dance, but nothing too bad," she laughs.

A woman of many interests, Paula Poundstone also served as both producer and voice on an award-winning children's audio book project titled "Completely Yours," featuring a story about foster parenting called "A Mother for Choco," along with nursery rhymes and songs. For this project she enlisted the help of some of her famous friends: Mary Tyler Moore, Bea Arthur, Kathy Najimy, Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin. Released in 1997, it is still available through the Children's Book of the Month Club and select bookstores.

As a person, Paula is about as straightforward as they come. However, luckily for us, her thinking is anything but linear. Her wild flights of fancy are virtual reality of the funniest kind – and it's the best ride anywhere in the world!