Love her or hate her, Paula Poundstone's stilted delivery and yen for ties and blazers made her instantly recognizable in the '90s. For a while, she was everywhere at once, guesting on game shows and providing political rundowns for Jay Leno and Rosie O'Donnell. Adult Swim fans will remember that she inspired the very similar Paula on Home Movies , voicing the character for the first few episodes. After addressing her drinking problem in a wry memoir and a memorable turn on Letterman, Poundstone regularly appears these days on NPR's weekend programs Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me! and the beloved A Prairie Home Companion . She's stuck to the same conversational approach, lulling audiences into a false sense of security before yanking it loose with a spot-on bit.
Thu., July 10, 8 p.m., 2008
