November 25th, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Artist Profile: Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho has never encountered a subject she was afraid to talk about. In fact, she has broached topics in front of audiences that most people only have the courage to whisper about in hushed tones, if at all. Tackling racism, sexuality, gay rights, and politics, in tandem with sharing her most personal (and sometimes embarrassing) personal anecdotes, Cho’s no-holds-barred musings are as funny as they are true. With the DVD and album release of her 2008 show Beautiful, in which she explores the good, bad, and downright ugly in beauty, the hilarious Cho once again comes with her comedic guns blazing in a brilliant performance that isn’t afraid to go there. In this EXCLUSIVE interview, Cho discusses the impetus behind Beautiful, and gives us the scoop on her upcoming star-studded comedy album.

LWMB: Congratulations on the DVD and album release of Beautiful! How does Beautiful compare to your other movies?

Margaret Cho: It has the most jokes, hands down. I believe this show has more jokes per minute than anything else out there. It’s amazing how many jokes can be packed together so tightly and neatly.

Why did you call the show Beautiful? How long did it take for the show to come together?

I wanted to make a statement that I am beautiful, which is what the show is all about. It took a long time to put this one together because I took a couple of years off to do a dance show, The Sensuous Woman, off Broadway, and then I did the “True Colors” tour with Cyndi Lauper, so I wasn’t doing that much standup.

The opening line for Beautiful is amazing: “I f@#ing hate Sarah Palin.” What are your thoughts on her new book, Going Rogue?

I didn’t know she could spell!

You toured Beautiful all over the country. How did audience reactions compare in different cities?

I had a great time on this tour, and the audiences were so amazing in every city I went to — lots and lots of places. It was so awesome.

What’s the most beautiful thing about your fans?

They are all very unique and special and very attractive and have killer taste.

Music is a big part of your life. I understand that you are working on an album with the mega-talented Jon Brion. How is your upcoming album project progressing? And is it true you’re writing with Andrew Bird?

Yes, I am making a comedy album with some incredible people. Jon Brion has been my inspiration through all of this. I am lucky enough to count him as a close friend, and I have been attending his Largo shows in Los Angeles religiously since 1995. He is teaching me lots of really hard guitar chords! I have written two songs with him and am also collaborating with Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin, Garrison Starr, Kevin Drew, Grant Lee Phillips, Ben Lee, Kaki King, Amanda Palmer, Rachael Yamagata, Lucas Silviera, Tegan and Sara, and Andrew Bird, as well as my own house band, Fag and Hag, with John Roberts. I am in the recording phase now, which is tremendously exciting. I have been a big music geek forever. I have been friends with and a fan of all of these folks for years and years, so to me this is a dream project, and my most thrilling work so far.

I read that Broken Social Scene is your favorite band. What would you give up in order to become a member of the band?

I am an actual member already! I play triangle! We haven’t played together yet, but [BSS co-founder] Kevin Drew says we must make this happen soon.

What other projects are in the works?

I will return for another season of Drop Dead Diva, which will premiere next summer on Lifetime. After that my album will come out, and I will get to go on my big world tour!

2009: Good year? Great year? The greatest year ever?

Greatest ever!