Poundstone

Poundstone's return to stage part of healing process

ROSS RAIHALA, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, March 29, 2002

Before June 2001, the public at large had, for the most part, forgotten about Paula Poundstone.

The comedian rose to fame in the early '90s thanks, in part, to a series of appearances on the "Tonight" show with Jay Leno.

After a flop ABC sitcom in 1993, Poundstone settled into a comfortable life outside of the mainstream spotlight. She wrote a column for Mother Jones magazine, earned upward of $1 million a year from standup comedy gigs and concentrated on raising her adopted and foster children.

Few would have anticipated the events that brought the previously uncontroversial Poundstone back into the headlines.

On June 27, Poundstone was arrested and charged with committing lewd acts and child endangerment.

While the public and press wondered if Poundstone had molested her children, the 42-year-old once known mainly for her love of Pop Tarts was recovering from an admitted alcohol problem at a $30,000-a-month rehab center in Malibu, Calif.

The day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- when Poundstone's scandal was suddenly no longer news -- she pleaded no contest to one count of felony child endangerment and one misdemeanor count of inflicting injury upon a child. The lewd acts charges were dropped and Poundstone was given five years probation.

"I'm glad I didn't make bigger mistakes," said Poundstone during a telephone interview last week from her Santa Monica home. "I wish I had made smaller ones."

Poundstone, who will perform Saturday in Tacoma, can't discuss the details of her case due to a court order. But she has steadfastly maintained she never molested her children. Media reports have suggested the misdemeanor charge was for driving while drunk to get ice cream for her children.

Today, Poundstone's three adopted children live in foster care with a family friend.

Poundstone recounted her daily routine: "They sleep at her house. I go wake them up in the morning, get them dressed and breakfasted, take them to school ... (in the evening) I get them scrubbed, tubbed and into pajamas. I put them to bed there and wait until they fall asleep."

But whenever Poundstone sees her children, she must be accompanied by a court- approved monitor paid for by Poundstone.

"I have to pay to see them, that's what I do," said Poundstone. "It's a big mess. I'm sick of the monitors, the social workers, the lawyers, the judge, the district attorney. I wish them all one another's company for a really long time."

Assuming Poundstone remains clean and sober, she'll regain custody of her children at the end of the year.

Shortly after Poundstone spoke to The Olympian, she passed a court-ordered progress report and was praised by the judge as "one of the best" of the hundreds of people he sees who are in a similar situation. Outside of the courthouse, Poundstone made a crack to reporters about being a "leader among felons."

Between probation meetings and court-mandated visits to four different therapists each week, Poundstone has managed to mount a minor return to the live stage. Audiences and critics have thus far been kind to Poundstone, who briefly addresses her arrest and rehab during her show.

"You have to get up there and do the best you can," said Poundstone. "I don't know what else there is. The friendship of (an audience) is something I missed all that time in rehab.

"And I have a sneaking suspicion that when I talk to the crowd in front of me, I'm not the only person in the world who has made a mistake."

Ross Raihala covers entertainment for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or rraihala@olympia.gannett.com.

Paula Poundstone

- When: 8 p.m. March 30.

- Where: The Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma.

- Tickets: $26.50-$35.50.

- For information: Call Ticketmaster Northwest at 206-628-0888.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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