Margaret Cho's Secret to Winning "DWTS"
By Patti Greco

We know Margaret Cho can bring the funny, but whether she'll bring the funny to the new season of Dancing With the Stars—by tripping over her two left feet or something—remains to be seen. (The show kicks off tonight at 8/7C on ABC.) Cho, who is paired with Louis van Amstel, will compete against Dirty Dancer Jennifer Gray, Bristol Palin, Florence Henderson and The Situation (the guy with the abs from Jersey Shore), among others.

This isn't the only brand-extension project in the works for the inked-up comedienne: She's also released her first musical comedy album, Cho Dependent, a collection of 13 twisted, hilarious and autobiographical tracks. We caught up with the multi-tasker over e-mail:

How did you wind up on DWTS?
I don't know. They asked me and I said yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, of course, because I love dance even though I don't know anything about ballroom dancing.

You’ve taken bellydancing lessons and started a line of bellydancing belts. Can we expect that sort of dancing to influence your performances?
Hopefully! I love bellydance!! Also, I am magic on the pole.

After Senator John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate in the 2008 presidential election, you said, "I think [Palin] is the worst thing to happen to America since 9/11.” Now you’re competing against her daughter Bristol. Have you had any awkward encounters with her?
I haven't really seen Bristol at all! We haven't been rehearsing at the same times. She looks just like her mom!

Do you still think Palin is the worst thing to happen to America since 9/11?
No, I think Crocs are. But they are so comfortable!

What is van Amstel like as a teacher? You two get along?
He's an incredible teacher and he and I get along great. We have been on tour together and so living in very close quarters, which has been a lot of fun. He is really funny and makes me laugh a lot even when I am sweating.

Your new album is mostly autobiographical—is anyone going to be pissed? Or pleased? (The gushing track about a man's penis comes to mind.)
It's all autobiographical and they will be really pleased.

You collaborated with Tegan and Sara, Tommy Chong and Fiona Apple, among others. Any artists you'd want to collaborate with?
David Bowie, Linda Perry and Nile Rodgers!

What if you’re voted off first?
I am going to win because I am so starving I will eat all the other contestants and win by default.