Paula Poundstone is hilarious. That may come as absolutely no surprise to you if you have ever seen her stand-up or any of her shows, but talking to her on the phone is an experience like none other. She had me crying I was laughing so hard, and the cool thing about her is that she didn’t even have to try. Her comedic genius is natural and raw; she has a talent that is not forced. Her manner of speaking is also extremely unique as it feels as though you are having four conversations at once, as one question leads to one answer that reminds her of something else and then you follow her on that path, then she sees an alley way and you take a turn there, until you are talking about something completely different than what you began with. I love that about her, and her audiences do as well. She has a unique kind of comedic flair and is known for never doing the same act twice, and on January 24th, she will be coming back to Bozeman with a one night performance at The Ellen Theater. Show time is 8:00pm. “I love The Ellen.” Paula tells us. “The history in that theater is intriguing. With the restoration, the owner told me that there were a few old play bills found behind a wall that was torn down. It was for a troupe that used to tour in the early days of the theater. I love thinking that I am on the same stage where Vivian Vance (Ethyl from “I Love Lucy) used to perform.”

Bozeman Magazine: What is your most memorable show, and why?

Paula Poundstone: I have had so many great shows…..but the one that is coming to mind now is one that was in the backyard of what was Harold Lloyd’s house. It was a fundraiser for Clinton. I just so happened to catch a wave that night. Barbara Streisand, Tom Hanks, and The Eagles were there. Industry crowds are usually horrible to perform for but when Clinton was thanking people that night he said that the show was on fire. It was really cool to have him say that and the energy was amazing. Also, another time I was emceeing at the Art Directors Guild in LA. It was one of those things where there was a cocktail reception and then the dinner. Over the course of that evening I was coached by Carl Reiner, heckled by Mel Brooks and kissed by Gene Wilder. Very sweet. I was able to catch a very good burst of energy for that show.

BM: Just looking at your tour schedule makes me exhausted. Where do you get your motivation and energy to get out on stage every night and give a fantastic show?

PP: There is no question in my mind that it is the crowd in front of me. The longer I live the more treasured those times are for me. One night while on tour, I woke up screaming in pain one Sunday night. Come to find out I had three bulging disks in my neck. One hurt really f*#ing bad. I get sent to a pain management clinic, got some pills so I could do the show, but they didn’t tell me to take them in the middle of the night. So I would be okay in the day, but in the night I was waking up engulfed in pain. I kept the same work schedule, so on the plane I was moaning and groaning. Got to this job in VA, the airplane was uncomfortable; the flight was delayed, so there was more time sitting in this horrible position on the plane. Of course there was lost luggage, it was all going into the toilet. I am not a wuss, but it was going so badly all around I didn’t think I could perform. I was in agony so I thought the show was not going to happen. I got there and the manager knew what was going on, and thought I was going to fall apart. I told him, “Here is what I want, a button down shirt, hate working in t shirts, and to lay down for five minutes.” He got me my shirt, I got my five minute rest, he knocked at the door, I jumped up, and did the show. I spent most of the show lying on my back on the floor, which I do on occasion. A lot of people thought it was just a joke. It worked for some odd reason. I love the sensation of shared experience with the audience. So uplifting. People can relate to the experience of raising my insane son. And I usually have meet and greets after shows. People will come up to me and tell me, “Our son is exactly like you described your son.” Then they will give me encouragement and advice. The shows are the joys of getting to share with others.

BM: Give me one sentence that paints a vivid picture of what it was like as a twenty year old woman to be doing stand-up comedy in the late 1970’s.

PP: Unsanitary.

BM: You have cats on your web page and in a few titles of your shows. Are you a cat fan?

PP: (long pause) Uh….yes. We have 16 cats so a lot of the love goes out of it. I feel like an unprofitable farmer. I wish I could sell something off of them all, like some fur or milk or something. Every day I spring out of bed and clean up cat waste in some corner of the house. Right now I am out on my porch cleaning up dog vomit. The neighbors dog comes around sometimes and today decided to come up on the porch and puke. I mean, come on! Couldn’t he have at least done it in the yard??!!

BM: Who are your favorite comics right now?

PP: I have always been an Ernie and Bert fan, Richard Pryor, the Three Stooges, Bill Cosby, Lily Tomlin, who is as great as she ever was, and Robin Williams. I have to credit Robin with single handedly making people interested in stand-up again. That guy was everywhere; one of the most hard working comics in the biz, and I have to credit him for making me possible.

Thanks to Paula Poundstone for taking time out of her very busy schedule to talk to Bozeman Magazine. I will be at the show for sure for a night of laughs and fun! Hope to see you all there!!!

Stacey Faldetta is a freelance writer currently living in MT with her four children. She is working on her first book of compiled poetry called ‘A Thousand Little Sparks’ and enjoys travelling extensively around our breath taking state enjoying all that the Big Sky Country has to offer. She can be reached at mtcinnamon73@gmail.com