Now, I’m not trying to play the age game here, but seriously, as long as I’ve understood entertainment, Margaret Cho has been around. I must have been in 5th grade when she made her television debut with “All American Girl”, and since then… she hasn’t left the spotlight. And she hasn’t had to sell out to remain there – I mean that. Margaret Cho has always had the same essence, at least to me, since day one. She knows what she likes, she knows what she believes in and she knows how to make it funny. Period. Gotta respect that.

And she’s done her own thing across so many mediums – as a comic, an actress, author and now even musician! She’s releasing an album tentatively titled “Guitarded” (awesome!), a collection in which Cho collaborated with the likes of Patty Griffin, Jon Brion and Grant Lee Phillips to write some very funny lyrics. Margaret talks about the record, “I am singing and playing myself, which I think is extraordinary considering I only picked up the guitar a little while ago. But I was determined to do it. And it's a lot of very funny songs with very serious music. I am very proud.”

I could keep going and going about Cho, but really; is there anything I can share with you that you don’t already know? I’ll make mention of her show on Lifetime right now, “Drop Dead Diva”, and I’ll tell you she’ll be touring with not only comedy, but also with her guitar as she belts out a few of those new tunes as well. Keep an eye on her schedule and for “Guitarded” (I hope that name sticks), and get into the XXQ’s for a whole lot more.

PensEyeView.com (PEV): A well known comedian, actress, director, author, activist and even an official “shit starter”, how did this all begin for you? When was that initial moment in your life when you knew that you wanted to be an entertainer? And I’m assuming “shit starter” was already in the works, correct?

Margaret Cho (MC): I started as a child basically. I knew what I wanted to do very early on - maybe like 8 or 9 years old. I knew I was a comic.

PEV: If someone was new to your work, what how would you describe your style of comedy? And what can someone expect from a live Margaret Cho show?

MC: I would say heavy political satire and then really dirty sex jokes. Highbrow and lowbrow at the same time.

PEV: Your new show “Drop Dead Diva” (debuted on Lifetime, Sunday, July 12th at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT) is a one-hour, comedic drama that tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney. With this show, you said, “We are promoting a real woman who is beautiful with real curves, has a real attitude and is fabulous.” Do you feel this is an area that most movies and TV shows do not focus on? Why did you decide to take focus on this role?

MC: I loved the premise, and the script. I love the show. It makes me feel beautiful, and I think that is really what women need, something to make them feel worthy and good and loved. It’s amazing what television can do.

PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage in front of thousands of people?

MC: I am not thinking too much about anything besides trying to get the words to come out right. Sometimes they don't!

PEV: Breaking into the entertainment business – let alone the comedy world – is hardly an easy task. So tell us, what were your earlier days like performing? Any “war stories”?
MC: well, it wasn't easy, but every moment has been enjoyable. I love the work, and I love comics and I love comedy and I never cared if I was successful because success to me was just being able to do it. So I loved it then, I love it now.

PEV: What has been the weirdest or wildest thing that has happened at a live performance?

MC: I don't know. I guess it hasn't happened yet.

PensEyeView.com (PEV): A well known comedian, actress, director, author, activist and even an official “shit starter”, how did this all begin for you? When was that initial moment in your life when you knew that you wanted to be an entertainer? And I’m assuming “shit starter” was already in the works, correct?

Margaret Cho (MC): I started as a child basically. I knew what I wanted to do very early on - maybe like 8 or 9 years old. I knew I was a comic.

PEV: If someone was new to your work, what how would you describe your style of comedy? And what can someone expect from a live Margaret Cho show?

MC: I would say heavy political satire and then really dirty sex jokes. Highbrow and lowbrow at the same time.

PEV: Your new show “Drop Dead Diva” (debuted on Lifetime, Sunday, July 12th at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT) is a one-hour, comedic drama that tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney. With this show, you said, “We are promoting a real woman who is beautiful with real curves, has a real attitude and is fabulous.” Do you feel this is an area that most movies and TV shows do not focus on? Why did you decide to take focus on this role?

MC: I loved the premise, and the script. I love the show. It makes me feel beautiful, and I think that is really what women need, something to make them feel worthy and good and loved. It’s amazing what television can do.

PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage in front of thousands of people?

MC: I am not thinking too much about anything besides trying to get the words to come out right. Sometimes they don't!

PEV: Breaking into the entertainment business – let alone the comedy world – is hardly an easy task. So tell us, what were your earlier days like performing? Any “war stories”?
MC: well, it wasn't easy, but every moment has been enjoyable. I love the work, and I love comics and I love comedy and I never cared if I was successful because success to me was just being able to do it. So I loved it then, I love it now.

PEV: What has been the weirdest or wildest thing that has happened at a live performance?

MC: I don't know. I guess it hasn't happened yet.

MC: The best is living moment-to-moment and new things and people everywhere all the time. Worst is missing home.

PEV: Is there one area you wish you could travel around and perform that you have not yet?

MC: I would love to do more shows in Europe!

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

MC: I have been in the business so long that most of my friends are also artists or connected somehow to entertainment so it's not so much that they react. I guess people are proud. And it's great to perform in San Francisco because people get really excited. But I have lived in so many places that it's like every place is my hometown.

PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from writing and performing?

MC: practicing banjo and mountain dulcimer

PEV: Is there one actor/comedian/performer that you have not worked with that you would like to collaborate or share a scene with? Why?

MC: I would love to do something with Sandra Oh! We haven't done anything together and I love her!

PEV: Is there an up and coming entertainer (actress, actor, comedian, etc.) you think we should all be looking out for now?

MC: John Roberts - who will be opening for me.

PEV: If you weren’t performing, what do you think you would most likely be doing for a career?

MC: I would probably be a veterinarian!

PEV: So, what is next for Margaret Cho?

MC: Finishing up a song I am writing with Jon Brion and then maybe a pedicure.