Columnist Kate Maddox: Sun to set on Poundstone gig?

Kate Maddox

Friday, June 29, 2001 | 9:13 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

The Wednesday arrest of comedian Paula Poundstone may have an impact on her scheduled July 28 appearance at Sunset Station.

Poundstone, who was charged with three felony counts of committing lewd acts on a young girl, most recently performed in Vegas at Sunset Station in February.

In an interview with the Sun at that time, Poundstone talked about her happiness in becoming a foster and adoptive parent, a role which she began in 1993.

"I wouldn't trade (being a parent) for anything in the world," the comedian said. "Some of it's really fun and some of it is anguishing ... Even having said that, I still wouldn't trade it for anything." Poundstone has adopted three of her foster kids and at one point had up to eight children living with her in Los Angeles.

In addition to touring with her stand-up routine, Poundstone, who often sports men's-style suits and ties, is a regular on the syndicated quiz show "To Tell the Truth."

Jack Taylor, director of corporate public relations for Stations Casinos, said that representatives from the hotel are "looking into (the arrest) situation" and "will have to determine what to do" regarding Poundstone's upcoming appearance. "We're talking to her agent," Taylor said on Thursday. "We'll just determine how to handle it from there."

Poundstone was released from a Santa Monica, Calif., jail on Wednesday night after posting $200,000 bail. She denies the charges and told reporters that she "has faith that the truth is the right thing."

It'll be a tabloid race to the newsstands to see which publication will first get to the bottom of the surprising Julia Roberts-Benjamin Bratt split.

Already journalists from tabs as far away as Germany and England are descending on Las Vegas to investigate rumors that Roberts' activities here on the set of "Ocean's 11" in April had something to do with Bratt giving her the boot.

Roberts was reportedly quite cozy with her "Ocean's" co-star George Clooney. The two were frequently spotted dining together at such posh restaurants as Aqua, Picasso and Prime, and they also spent late nights goofing around in the Bellagio villas, staging pranks and blowing off steam.

One source inside the hotel said the two actors "hung out a lot together" and that Roberts "was really close to the cast." Another went even further, speculating that Roberts and Clooney looked like more than just friends.

"Well, look at her history with her co-stars," the source said. "She's constantly having flings with her leading men."

Hmmm, certainly a different story than a year ago when the Academy Award-winning actress was in town filming "The Mexican" with Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini. Bratt was constantly on location with his honey and the two were often seen on the town, having romantic dinners and gambling at Mandalay Bay.

But in February, when Roberts was again in Vegas shooting "America's Sweethearts" at Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas, sources say Bratt was rarely seen and one source who spent time with the cast during the three weeks of filming said Bratt "didn't visit her at all."

Jerry Lewis has cancelled dates at the Orleans Showroom. Again.

Lewis missed scheduled performances at the hotel in January due to back surgery and is out for July 20-22, reportedly because of illness. One frustrated hotel source says Lewis' show dates are always considered "tentative" to those behind the scenes because the comedian, who has a 20-year contract with the Orleans, has such a spotty attendance record. Speculation is that Lewis has pneumonia and, under doctor's orders, is resting.