Q&A: Margaret Cho
The über-busy comic brings her guitar to the Rialto Oct. 9, and marshals Tucson's pride parade
By Polly Higgins
Metromix
October 3, 2009

Margaret Cho is one busy woman—busier than ever, it seems. She has a newish TV show, "Drop Dead Diva," on Lifetime, about a stick-thin model who resurrects in the body of a plus-sized woman. She's working on an album—sorry, double album—for release next year, tentatively late summer. And, of course, she's on the road, hitting Tucson Oct. 9 for the last show of a month-long tour.

Overachiever.

And this is a comic who's in demand after decades of speaking her mind—about sexuality, politics, sexual politics—and Cho has one naughty mind.

She won't just be bringing her feisty self to the Rialto Theatre, where she'll preview some of her comedy music; Ms. Margaret will also serve as grand marshal of the Tucson Pride parade earlier that day. We asked her about this and more in an e-mail interview.

Congratulations—to Tucson—for nabbing you as the grand marshal of our pride parade. What exactly will you do while in this position of prominence?

I am not sure. I have participated in pride celebrations all over the world, as grand marshal, or chief of parade or some type of title like this. It usually involves riding in some kind of convertible and waving as you go down the parade route. I usually have a big umbrella since I endeavor never to be touched by the actual sun. I am such a vampire! Every pride is different, but I am always the same, hiding from the sun's rays.

What was the impetus behind your album (is it still called "Guitarded"?) and wanting to perform comedy music?

I think it is going to be called "Guitarded/Leotarded." It's a double album. One disc will be indie/alt country so that is the guitarded side, and then one will be hip-hop/dance/beats and that will be leotarded because it will force you to dance. I mean force you! It's so hott. This is my concept today, but of course it all changes every other week.

I have been doing music in my shows for a few years, and I just wanted to put it all together on one record. It's just another way to tell jokes, and following in the great tradition of guitar comics of the '80s and '90s, guys I grew up with and watched all when I was learning how to be a standup comic. It's wonderful too because I am collaborating with the best artists working today—Andrew Bird, Jon Brion, Patty Griffin and Grant Lee Phillips as well as my touring partner John Roberts.

Playing guitar in front of a crowd is no small thing. But I would guess that you’re fearless at this point from so many years doing standup?

Well, I make a ton of mistakes, but it doesn't matter because I am a comic and not held to the same standards as musicians. I mean, I am a fairly decent guitar player, but playing for people is always nerve-wracking!

Having been a comic for so long, I am used to performing under pressure, but it's still scary to introduce new elements—like playing an instrument! When you introduce an instrument, you also introduce a number of expectations, but hopefully I can fulfill them. But honestly, I am proud of my shredding ability. It's miraculous that a dog as old as me can still learn new tricks!

What are your musical plans for the future? Maybe you see this album as a one-off kind of thing, or a jumping-off point?

I am not sure what my musical plans are. I will likely just keep playing with it, just like I have been doing for the last few years. I would like to collaborate more with people I wasn't able to work with for the first record. I really want to write a song with my very favorite musician ever—Neil Finn [Crowded House, Split Enz]. We have talked about it but we have yet to sit down and make a song, so that needs to get done. Also, John Roberts and I have a musical project in the works, and Andrew Bird and A.C. Newman and I have talked about doing more together—so there will be more.

Your shows always have such cohesive themes. I understand that this tour has been more about workshopping ideas, but what threads run through the show we'll see in Tucson? What's on your mind these days?

This show is very much about songs and sex and then songs about sex and then stories about the songs about sex and like that. It's all being developed now, so I don't know what you will see in Tucson yet. It's very much a work in progress but in good hot fast progress. Shows grow fast on tour, which is why touring is so exciting for me.

You've spoken about the negative elements surrounding your first foray into series TV with "All-American Girl." How—and why—does your experience on "Drop Dead Diva" differ from that?

I think that television has changed somewhat since I started, and the show's concept is all about self esteem and accepting the beauty we are all born with, and the main problem with "All-American Girl" is that the powers that were thought I was too fat to play the role of myself. And so the concept of "Drop Dead Diva" automatically cancels out a lot of the issues I had with the first show.

Also, on "Drop Dead Diva," I am just a hired hand, so I am not under the insane pressure of having to carry a show that was developed for me. It makes everything easier. I love the show, and I am very close with the cast and crew and producers. We have created a close-knit family, mostly out of necessity. We are all far away from home, living on location for much longer than anyone is really used to—six months at a time! So it's a wonderful work environment. I am very proud of the show and I am looking forward to making more.