Comedian Paula Poundstone has made a career out of finding the funny in a plethora of situations, whether it’s raising her brood or expounding the virtues of cats, cats and more cats. And the comedy veteran will be bringing her three decades-long expertise and rapier wit to Anthology for two shows on July 2 at 7:30 and 9:30, that’s in the p.m., people!
Poundstone’s storied career began in 1979, when she became part of the Boston stand-up scene, prior to moving west to San Francisco where her act continued to grow, gaining her a loyal following that had the choice of seeing her live and in person, or could watch the HBO specials that she began headlining. The first one, Cats, Cops, and Stuff nabbed her a Cable Ace Award, and she was the first female comic to receive that distinction, as well as being the first funny lady to perform at The White House Correspondents Dinner.
Poundstone has worked on a number of varied projects over the years, including giving voice to her own talk show The Paula Poundstone Show. She also became part of NPR’s weekly news quiz program, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, and has also lent her pipes to various animated projects, including Cartoon Network’s Home Movies.
The affable comedian spoke with LGBT Weekly about her appearance at Anthology, what makes her laugh, how she keeps audiences in stitches, her devout gay and lesbian fan base and the double-edged sword of being a private public figure.
LGBT Weekly: What is the one constant in comedy that will always be funny to an audience?
Paula Poundstone: Gee, I’m not sure I know what it is now, for heaven’s sake! Let me think for a minute. Well, I’ve been doing my International House of Pancakes jokes for thirty years. I rely heavily on that. There’s something about a buttermilk pancake that just makes people chuckle.
Who would you say is your comedy icon?
I have lots; pretty much everyone among my graduating class of comics owes a huge debt to Robin Williams. But there are lots and lots of people who I enjoy what they do. I love Abbott and Costello, I love Lily Tomlin, and I love The Three Stooges.
I love to laugh; I enjoy enjoying people.
And what makes you laugh personally?
I’ve never laughed harder than when I see someone with a piece of toilet paper stuck on their foot. So, I have a highbrow sense of humor. It’s true, I swear I’ve had that pleasure more than one time in my life, and my favorite one is when women who had just gone into the ladies room to check their makeup, and then they come out with toilet paper stuck on their shoe.
OK, moving along … what do you make of the rise of female comics over the years, and how have you seen the way that they are accepted change, or is it still a boys club mentality within the industry?
Oh, I don’t think it is that bad. I mean I would say that the last time that gender had any bearing on it at all was before my time; you know it was really like when Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller were coming up. Because a lot of times they were working in strip clubs and things, and I think that sort of stresses gender. And, really for me, it never made much difference one way or the other.
Do you have any female comics nowadays that you follow?
No, I don’t watch stand-ups, per se, very often any longer. I don’t work with other acts, generally speaking, unless it’s at a benefit or something in a lineup of people.
I’ve done a few benefits with Lily, which is a joyful thing; I’m a longtime fan, she’s just as brilliant as ever.
Do your kids ever object to being part of your act?
I think probably, but they don’t say so because then they know they won’t be in the act. Honestly, it probably has crossed their mind, at one time or another.
But really what I’m talking about is something that is common to all of us, or you wouldn’t find it funny; you’d just find it macabre and weird. And also, my struggle to parent, it’s sort of more about that.
Many people assume that you are a lesbian, why do you think the public is so intrigued by a public figure’s private life?
Oh, I don’t know. In truth, it’s live by the sword, die by the sword. The truth is I don’t do characters, and I’m generally talking about myself, and my own reaction to things. And so, I use my private life and therefore you can’t have it both ways, in terms of insisting on one’s privacy or whatever.
I’m as upfront as anyone can be; I’m never really satisfied with the answer, because you can’t imagine life that way, which just makes me further on the outside.
Why do you think that you have resonated with such a loyal gay and lesbian following?
I love it! They’re great audience members, and I think now things are better than they once were, in terms of equality and hopefully they’ll continue to get better. But, there was a time when, especially in the early ’80s, I would be doing a show where I was on a bill with a bunch of other people. And there were so many jokes or characterizations of gays and lesbians, in an unfriendly way that made them the brunt of jokes. So, I think that with me that was never going to be the case. And I loved the idea that people had to pick and choose pretty carefully where to go out and get entertained, and they chose to come and see me.
What can audiences expect you to talk about during your act?
I talk about raising a houseful of kids and animals. But, my favorite part of the night is the time honored where are you from/what do you do for a living? I just love getting into the audience; it’s the best part.
There have been some great audiences at Anthology before. One time I met these people who made and sold costumes, like Halloween costumes, there was a whole table of them! And that excited me, because at the time, I bought a lot of costumes, so I was able to ask them about which sold the best. I just got a big kick out of it!
So, that’s really my favorite part that is unique to that night. In addition to that, I do talk about Abraham Lincoln, and often, The Hardy Boys. But only where appropriate.
Anthology is located at 1337 India St. For tickets and information, log on to anthologysd.com.
