Poundstone, Cavett coming to the Lied

Comedian Paula Poundstone and TV personality Dick Cavett will provide an evening of jokes, stories and commentary on current news at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. Sept. 16 here, by phone at 402-472-4747 and at the Lied Center box office, 301 N. 12th St.

“Mr. Cavett has a storied history with the Lied Center and was instrumental in promoting the Lied, particularly in the founding years of the organization,” said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center. “We are proud to welcome him back for this very unique performance. Don’t miss your chance to witness an intimate conversation between two very sharp, funny people at their best.”

Cavett’s career spans five decades, in which he solidified his reputation as a top interviewer. He started at ABC in 1968 and also enjoyed success on PBS, USA and CNBC. A Nebraska native, Cavett occasionally sat in for fellow Nebraskan Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show,” where he started as a joke writer for Jack Paar. His most recent television successes were the PBS specials “Dick Cavett’s Watergate” in 2014 and “Dick Cavett’s Vietnam” in 2015. He has hosted numerous shows, including “Faces of Japan” for PBS, HBO specials on magic and the HBO series “Time Was,” “Yesteryear” and “Remember When.” He has also made several Broadway appearances and published four books.

Poundstone has been named one of Comedy Central’s 100 greatest standups of all time. Her quick-thinking and unscripted approach to comedy makes her a perfect fit as a regular panelist on NPR’s popular news quiz show “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me.” She tours regularly, performing standup across the country; she is also an author. Her second hardcover book will debut on May 9. In 1992, Poundstone became the first woman to host the prestigious White House Correspondents’ Dinner. That same year, she released her HBO special “Cats, Cops and Stuff,” winning the Cable ACE Award for best standup comedy special – the first woman to receive that award.

Courtesy photo