As I wrote in this review for Patch, the evening’s comedy performance by Paula Poundstone left an audience in stitches. Not surprising perhaps, but Poundstone managed to weave in plenty of serious topics — some drawn from short narratives offered by oft-reluctant audience members.
Thinking about an earlier, unrelated review of the business text, Business Storytelling for Dummies, I am reminded that comedy is often overlooked in the typical Powerpoint deck. Clearly that there are no clear guidelines — in the form of instruction — to help presentation authors as they try to “keep it real,” tell a relevant story, avoid glibness, and avoid turning audiences off who might not like a particular brand of humor.
An evening with Poundstone demonstrates that humor isn’t just a collateral sweetener intended to make bad or complex news go down easily. It’s a valuable element in truth-telling that engages emotions and adds
Poundstone on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2012)
