Hey Paula

[SluttyMary]

I remember that outfit, it really was terrible, because it was supposed to be sexy and as I recall they were doing some raunchy moves on stage, but it was anything else than sexy.

[hobocamp]

Her performance (and outfit) is on Youtube, if you can stomach 1:46 of guys on stilts and dorky 90s choreography.

[ahenobarbus]

blobbygirl said:

I remember that outfit, it really was terrible, because it was supposed to be sexy and as I recall they were doing some raunchy moves on stage, but it was anything else than sexy.

Her choreography was always unsexy, and for that matter, unappealing in general. Stiff and jerky, like a robot flailing around. Unfortunately, its influence has yet to disappear. Maybe it's just suited to the computerized pop music that continues to prevail.

She looks a bit thicker around the middle in that video than I've ever seen her. Is it the video, or am I just confused by an image from the pre-ana era?

[firstaid]

I finally caught the first episode and I will continue to watch only because the Wee-Caps at TWOP are hilarious and catch things that I didn't during the episode.

I don't watch AI, so my exposure to Paula's behavior is very limited, but this show definitely highlights her batshit insanity. There is a very slim chance that "insomnia" might cause the weird incoherent speech, but is no way responsible for her slurring her words.

I can't tell if the people around her are just incompetent or very very passive. When she was freaking out over her "sweat pants" couldn't they just open the suitcase and give it to her? I mean she changed from her gown to normal clothes in the limo, so where are they going to put the gown? In the suitcase right?

The publicist was just watching when Paula was acting crazy on the satellite interviews. It's really weird how he just dismissed it by saying "I am going to have a lot of explaining to do tomorrow" as opposed to intervening. I remember when Angelina Jolie was being interviewed in the same way by satellite and the reporter asked to clarify a gossip rumor, the publicist immediately pulled audio/video on that interview. I totally believe the publicist can intervene when their client is looking bad.

[Deleted]

I remember watching that YouTube performance when it came on tv back in the day. I think my mouth hung open the entire time. It was sloppy and sounded like she could barely breathe. Yes, ahenobarbus, she was heavy, and no one expected to see her like that.She looked like a sausage stuffed into that outfit.

What was worse is the audience reaction at the end. I remember it, it made me cringe for her. For the press the days after, I think her career died that night.

[Deleted]

I finally caught the first episode and I will continue to watch only because the Wee-Caps at TWOP are hilarious and catch things that I didn't during the episode.

TWoP pulled the plug on the weecaps.

I never liked Paula on AI—she always seemed stoned out of her mind. I'm glad this show confirms my suspicions for me. Insomnia, my ass.

[Deleted]

I couldn't believe last night's episode. So many issues . . .

OK, first, why would you include your hair guy and wardrobe stylist in a team crisis meeting for your failed satellite media tour where you come off drunk. I would think you could just send them a memo saying "For future public appearances/photo shoots, please do not allow Paula to look drunk" but do they need to sit there and watch Paula cry and moan and blame people? Honestly what did they have to do with any of it.

Also, I love how drunk she came off at all of her rescue plan interviews. When she couldn't say "recipient"? Nice. And then Randy, Simon & Ryan come out to support her and they all say some very nice things about her and then 5 minutes later she's in her "confessional" or whatever slurring that "tonight I get to be on the Tonight Show which is great because I'll be able to tell MY side of the story without getting interrupted by Randy or Simon." Um, bitch? They totally stood up for you. And honestly with the way you can't say your own name without slurring and making an odd joke, they should probably interrupt you more often.

And lastly her entire excuse on the Tonight Show about the SMT is totally made-up because it's IMPOSSIBLE. During an SMT, television news programs reserve a time slot. They dial into the satellite feed during that time slot. They build their morning newscasts around that time slot knowing that at 8:32 they'll be interviewing Paula. At 8:17 they would be doing weather or traffic or some local news update or even a commercial. They would not be sitting around asking her questions when it isn't their time slot to ask her questions. So she's a totally idiotic liar.

I am also beginning to think that "celebrity publicist" is a job that could be done by trained chimps. The excuses, the crisis plans, the media training--they're all just so ridiculous I can't handle it.

[coley]

Hey Paula is like the female version of Breaking Bonaduce, in that Danny Bonaduce thought he could make a quick buck, get some publicity, and show off what a great marriage he has, and he had no idea what a trainwreck his life really was until he saw the first season's shows. I'm pretty sure he said that during one of the first episodes of the second season - he had no idea how bad his marriage was until he watched the show.

Paula probably thought she could make a quick buck and show the world that she is so so busy with all the projects she has that she doesn't have time to sleep and that is why she talks funny, and now she gets to watch herself in the trainwreck that her life really is. Auditions for AI are going on this month and I think next month. I expect Paula to do a stint in rehab in September/October, so she'll be back out in time for publicity for AI in December.

[Neurochick]

My opinion? Her career ended because 1) she was never that talented to begin with 2) her music was just getting bad--I remember in later album "Rush Rush" was the only big hit and that was sort of bad to begin with and 3) Nirvana & Pearl Jam became huge by my junior/senior year so the music tastes of America's youth changed and she was no longer representing the type that anyone cared about. So THAT is pretty much what destroyed her career. Lack of talent combined with bad songs combined with a changing taste. Not one silly mirrored outfit. The outfit didn't help highlight the fact that she wasn't valid anymore but it didn't solely destroy her career.

Not to mention "Rush Rush" was an AWFUL song and an even worse video. I do agree that the music changed and that's what really sank her career a lot more than that fug outfit she wore.

And ewwww at the thought of Paula and Corey Clark having sex.

[kostgard]

God, I remember that Grammy appearance. That just had bad idea written all over it - first of all, women as short as she is generally don't look any legwear that is hip-length, be it boots or stockings. It just accentuates the fact that your legs aren't that long. Second of all, it is a bad idea in general to prance around in a leotard on national televison after you've put on a few pounds. I kinda liked Paula when I was in high school and I remember cringing at that performance.

I agree that her career was already on the way out because the music industry had already started to move in another direction and she didn't have the talent to follow. But I do think that performance was the symbolic end of her career because it had everything wrong with her on display in one little package - crappy songs, crappy voice, corny choreography, and she didn't even look that great so you couldn't say "Well, at least she's fun to look at."

This new show is really just making me feel bad for her. She so clearly has a drug problem and she's surrounded by people who make excuses for her and pretend nothing is wrong. I would hope that her doctor sees this and sits her down for a talk at her next appointment, but I don't see that happening. Plus, if she's anything like most prescription drug addicts I've encountered, she's got a number of doctors who individually don't over-prescribe medicine for her and don't know she's seeing other physicians.