Poundstone interview; Unwigged review

I'm still feeling a little guilty over the story I wrote about Paula Poundstone in the Georgia Straight. I said nothing factually incorrect – and indeed it was a positive piece – but did I need to mention the fact that in 2001 she was originally charged with a felony warrant for three counts of committing a lewd act on an unidentified girl under the age of 14? (Oh geez, I just did it again!) I think I did need to mention it, but I also think I should have immediately and more emphatically discredited it. The charges were dropped and she pled guilty to endangering her kids by driving while intoxicated. Case closed.

You think the D.A. would have dropped the much more serious charges if there was any merit to them? I don't. Would she have been able to get her children back if there was even a hint of truth to the charges? I don't.

So why bring it up? I guess because I remember those news stories from the time. Maybe others weren't aware of them and so rehashing it just brings a cloud of unfair suspicion over her all over again. But my reasoning was that others recalled the news, too. And I know for a fact that some people, to this day, think she did something untoward to a child. Ridiculous, and I wanted to dispell those notions. That I didn't do so more clearly bothers me.

Charges like that are the worst thing that can happen to a person, I imagine. Because once they're out there, they develop a life of their own. There's no going back. Think of the daycare workers at Martensville and McMartin preschools in the '80s and '90s. Horrific charges virtually ruined the lives of completely innocent people. Thankfully Poundstone has gone on to revive her career, but still.

Anywho, all this just to say the interview I did with her – which was a total pleasure, I might add – is now up at ye olde Comedy Couch. Read it here. Get all her quotes on the subject in context, as well as lots more less serious stuff.

***

I saw the Unwigged & Unplugged tour on Friday night. Had a great time. I don't want to repeat myself, so just read the review I wrote in the Straight. It'll be out in this Thursday's edition, but is on-line already.