The media might not make you privy to it, but there are a lot of hardworking women in Hollywood; and if you didn’t know it before, you know it now: Margaret Cho is one of them. From stand-up to television, Cho’s got the spectrum of funny covered this year, and continues to engage die-hard fans with her delicious wit on shows like Drop Dead Diva, back June 3 on the Lifetime Network, and 30 Rock, where she hilariously plays now deceased North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il. But 2012’s not looking any less busy for Cho as she prepares to tour on her newest stand-up show, Mother, which takes an unconventional look at motherhood and how we look at maternal figures and strong women in queer culture.
I had a quick chat with Cho to ask all about her comedy, Chuck Norris, poppers, and fatgirl superheroes:
This past year, you spent a lot of time promoting your new album Cho Dependent. A lot of folks were surprised you had a great singing voice, and you even hilariously compared yourself to Susan Boyle. What was it like incorporating music into your comedy? Was it as fun as it looked/sounded? Any challenges you didn’t expect?
I loved it. I love singing and playing guitar, but i didn’t anticipate how amazing it would be to be able to play with people like Fiona Apple, Jon Brion, Tegan and Sara — the list goes on and on. I love making music, but I will be a standup comic forever. Music is like my mistress. Comedy is my wife!
And now, for a very important question: If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice? Do you think you’d win?
My weapon, maybe amyl nitrate? I could come after him with poppers. I would probably win.
You’re on the road a whole lot it seems. Do you have any rituals or keepsakes that you maintain to help you feel at home no matter where you go?
Oh no, I think it would be hard to do that. When I see people travel with their pillows, I feel bad for them. That’s really a kind of dependency that I don’t want to have. I love the road.
You’ve been in this business for a long time, and we’ve all seen how brutal Hollywood can be for many performers. How have you stayed strong along the way and maintained your sanity? Or is going 100% crazy-pants really the way to go?
I am not really sure. I think it pays to be sane and it also pays to be crazy. The best thing is to be yourself, so let your heart be your guide!
You are one badass feminist warrior in the fight to allow women to feel beautiful, no matter what they look like. How has starring in Drop Dead Diva given you a platform for this?
I love Drop Dead Diva. It’s about love for all of us, all of us who think for a living, all of us who haven’t valued our own beauty — we need this show! We are beautiful! We are perfect as we are.
We’re all for peaceful discussion about change, but when you see a media outlet intensely judging a woman’s appearance, do you ever want to just tear that media outlet a new one?
Oh, it makes me furious. I feel like there needs to be some vigilante out there fighting for us. I wanna be Fatgirl — shine a stretch mark up in the sky when you need me and i will come and kick everyone’s ass! Fatgirl!!
For the young comedivas who are caught in the crossfire of the “Are women funny?” battle, what words of advice would you give them?
Women are the funniest. We are better comedians than men. We just are.
There are many layers to your identity — female, Korean American, Queer — and it seems that all of those communities look to you as their comedic representative. How do you balance out those layers in your comedy, and have you ever received criticism for not representing one of those identities as equally as the others?
I don’t really pay attention to any criticism — I just don’t hear it. I want to say something and I just say it. I feel like I am so many minorities I can’t be guilty of anything because I am everything.
You can’t please everyone, so i just try to please myself, and it works out best that way! Identity is so layered and complex for people like us, but I figure if I can be happy, that’s all that matters.
We’re absolutely thrilled to hear about Mother, your new stand-up show. Please tell us more about what we can expect!
It’s the mother of all shows. It’s just the mother. Come see Mother!
Can comedy change the world?
Yes!
We absolutely love you on 30 Rock as Kim Jong-Il and are excited to see you reprising the role this week. What kind of feedback have you received from the Korean community about your impersonation?
I think people are amazed that it is me. What is also incredible is I wear no makeup to play him. That is just my face! He and I look very alike!
We all obviously remember you from All American Girl back in the day. Do you ever see yourself helming a show of your own again?
Of course! I say we do it again, right now!!!
If you could hop into a time machine and go back in time, what would 2012 Margaret Cho say to 1992 Margaret Cho?
Keep that Apple stuff Steve Jobs gave you and don’t throw it in the trash. #seriously
You’re hosting a new show on the Food Network called Blind Dinner Party. Hosting a show on the Food Network is like a foodie wet dream. How did you get into that?
Oooh it is so cool. It’s like a blind date with eight people. It’s really funny and startling and amazing! I love food and I love politics and people and it’s wild — I can’t wait ’til it’s on!
And now, this leads us to the most important question of all. We’re known for our cupcake addiction at Comediva, what’s your favorite cupcake flavor? (You know, because we want to make sure we have it in stock in case you ever drop by the office!)
I love a chocolate chip or chocolate with chocolate frosting cupcake, and red velvet anything!! mmmmmmm!
Watch Margaret Cho reprise her role as Kim Jong-Il tonight, May 17, on 30 Rock. Her new show, Mother, begins touring in August, visit MargaretCho.com for more details. You can also follow her online on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
