Two questions about Audio Tracks

Question

I need to make several adjustments to an audio track of an interview to remove the voice of the interviewer who would give the occasional "uh-huh" etc., sometimes overlapping (though usually not) with the interviewee.
The way I've been doing this is to pull down the db level at those points in the timeline.
My questions:
1. Is this the best way to do it?
2. Regardless of the answer to question 1, why is it that sometimes when I use the pen tool in one stereo track, it will automatically affect the other at the same time, and other times I need to do each stereo track separately?
Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

If you recorded with two mikes, which it sounds like you did, you really recorded two distinct tracks, and you ought to bring them in as dual mono tracks, rather than stereo. (A capture setting.) Go to the Modify pulldown and uncheck "stereo pair." Then you should be able to adjust to your heart's content.
Did you record any room tone? It's very useful to fill in the gaps you create by eliminating words. Nothing detracts from an otherwise compelling show like bad audio! If you don't have any room tone, look for a section where no one is saying anything and there is no clothing rustle, etc, FROM THE TRACK where you are making deletions. Use that to fill the holes.