Margaret Cho looking fierce

Using the word “funny” to describe Margaret Cho is akin to saying that Linda Evangelista is “pretty” – it’s such an understatement that it borders on an insult.  The talented actress/humorist/activist is perhaps best described as a painfully funny, insightful and poignant observer of the human condition who is willing to use her own foibles, family life, and faux pas as material to delight her audience; as well as an unwaivergly ferocious supporter of human rights.

Margaret Cho (Photo: Austin Young)

Having wrapped the second season of the hit Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva, Cho is touring the country in support of her first studio release (her sixth when including her acclaimed comedy albums), Cho Dependent.  What’s more, she’s signed-on as a contestant for the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC.

The Cho Dependent Tour touches-down in Las Vegas, this Friday night, at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort.  Accordingly, I was delighted that Margaret was able to take some time out of her rigorous dance-training schedule for this two-part interview.

Let’s jump right in…

Cast of DROP DEAD DIVA

ShulmanSays:  So, Drop Dead Diva.  It just wrapped-up its second season, and I love the show.  It’s fantastic!

Margaret Cho:  Thank you!

Margaret Cho as ‘Teri Lee’ on DROP DEAD DIVA

SS:  Does Brooke Elliott do her own singing on the show?

MC:  Yeah.  We’re all singers.  Brooke and Kate [Levering] and I and Ben  [Feldman] are all vocalists.

SS:  Well, you’re all great; but Brooke…  Wow!  She’s amazing!

Margaret Cho and Brooke Elliott on DROP DEAD DIVA

MC:  Phenomenal.  She’s got a beautiful, beautiful voice.  It’s really powerful to be able showcase that.  And it’s so amazing for ‘Deb’ to discover that ‘Jane’ has the voice.  That’s what’s really cool.

SS:  It really knocked me away with this last episode when she performed “I Want You to Want Me” [by Cheap Trick].  was just, like, “Oh, my God!”

Margaret Cho on DROP DEAD DIVA

MC:  It’s powerful, and in the season opener, we both sang.

SS:  Was that the one at the hot dog stand with Paula Abdul?

MC:  Yes.  Brooke's such an amazing actress, but her voice just rocks it!  She comes from the theater, so she’s just a blast to sing with.  And I love to sing with her, because it’s amazingly challenging to get your voice to that level, because she’s just so great.

SS:  How’s living in Georgia for part of the year?

MC:  Well, it’s uh, interesting.  I mean, it’s better now that I’m living in Atlanta, but I was living for a year and a half in Peachtree City, which was really hard.  Although it was alright, because we were these kind-of-celebrities, living in this town; but it’s a really small town.  This year they named a road after the show, because the show has brought a lot to the place.  But it’s really conservative, there.  I mean, on my way to work,  I'd drive by this big sign for Actors, Models & Talent for Christ, and I’d think “I’m in the wrong fucking neighborhood.”  I mean it’s really fucked-up.  And the town is also the home of the Southern Crescent Tea Party Patriots.

SS:  Oy…

Margaret Cho for the NOH8 Campaign (Photo: Adam Bouska)

Speaking of politics, you are a long-standing staunch supporter of LGBTQ rights.  The annual Human Rights Campaign gala was a couple of weeks ago, and the theme was “No Excuses.”  What does “No Excuses” mean to you?

MC:  Well, there’s all this strife about gay marriage.  And when somebody tells me “You know, gay marriage just goes against my religious beliefs.”  And I have to just look at them and say “Well, you know what?  Fuck you, then!  I just don’t think that’s an acceptable argument, anymore."

I’m just like “I don’t give a shit about your fucking stupid religious beliefs, and I don’t care about explaining myself or explaining why there should be gay marriage or defending it or saying ‘Well, you know, it’s about equality.’  No!  It’s about ‘Fuck you!’”

Cho’s Guide to Hagism (Artwork: Ellen Forney)

If you don’t care about human rights, you don’t deserve to be in this country – that’s what I think.  I’m going for it from a purely reactionary standpoint.  It’s actually really right-wing.  You know the way the religious right is all “The left-wing is going to Hell!”?  Well, I’m saying “You know what?  You’re going to Hell!” 

I’m saying it first!

SS:  Rock-on!

MC:  (laughs)

Margaret Cho channels SAILOR MOON (Photo: Austin Young)

SS:  And I heard that you’ve quit smoking pot.

MC:  Yeah.  But I started again.

SS:  Welcome back!

MC: (laughs) You know, for me, I just couldn’t get high.  And then I have all sorts of voice issues, so smoking is just not an option.  So, there are all these reasons why I had to curtail it.  But you know what?  I love it.

SS:  I hear it’s medicinal!

MC: (chuckles) Yup…

 
Margaret Cho – The Cho Dependent Tour
Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Friday, September 17th
9:30pm

Get into it!