Margaret’s Message

Cover Story: From stand up comedy, to her own television series, to starring roles in feature films, Maragret Cho maintains her own unique brand of comedy. Cruise caught up with her on tour for her new book. Read our exclusive interview!!

(click here for a pdf version of this interview)

Robert Lamont, October 2001
 

I am commanded by emotion, and by a fair part of astutely good taste, to press you to obtain a copy of Margaret Cho’s new book and find a corner. Did you get that? This is vital information, so important that I’m making a departure from my standard avoidance of using the pronoun “I” in articles. To prevent troubling the public’s impression with my own weighty opinion is normally a good modus operandi, but having read I’m the One That I Want, it is a necessary risk, one I feel confident Margaret would not mind me taking. In 213 pages, Margaret saints herself, enduring then sacrificing the privacy of her peaks and depressions. Through kaleidoscopic introspection, she gains irrefutably clear self-knowledge, articulating her journey with loving candor. She manifests a message both personally and universally enlightening. Her book is umbilical. We are allowed to breathe experiences through her skin, to nod and choke in stupefying understanding until she faithfully reasserts the fiery pang of her hilarity. Then she soothes, and we are led to recall our voice and power as she details the growth of her own. She encourages like the hell and hug of a concerned and patient friend. Through her testimony of “always looking to outside sources,” she urges us to “look within, to find peace with ourselves just as we are,” without the ignorance and self-destructive crutches we humans so fiercely embrace. Margaret says she wants readers to carry away “a sense of not being so alone. My main objective was that people enjoy it, that they think it’s funny, truthful and inspiring.” She more than hits the mark, writing with a brazenly generous and honest hospitality. She comforts, educates, heals, and drives us to want ourselves. Retailing at $22.95 US, $32.95 Canadian, I’m the One That I Want is a treasure we have little reason to leave buried for long. For the thorough shopper, her concert film, same title, is soon to be released on DVD. Born December 5, 196 8 in San Francisco, Margaret is a native of San Francisco. At the age of16 she made her debut doing stand-up at The Rose & Thistle, a comedy club located above the bookstore operated by her parents. She relocated to Los Angeles in her early twenties and became a regular on the college circuit, eventually earning a nomination for Campus Comedian of the Year. Within two years, maintaining a grueling schedule of traveling and performing, she had well over 300 concerts under her belt. In 1994 she was awarded the American Comedy Award for Female Comedian, and in 2000, she was the first recipient of GLAAD’s Golden Gate Award, recognizing her as an pioneering entertainer who has made significant strides in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. The Notorious C.H.O. is coming for one night only, November 10th at the Royal Oak Theatre in downtown Royal Oak, with performances at 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm. Tickets range from $30-$45 and are available at Ticketmaster. Purchase online at Ticketmaster.com. Do not miss this opportunity to laugh, learn, and thank her.