Margaret Cho is one of the biggest names in comedy that has led to a multidimensional career that includes acting, singing and songwriting. Along with being a huge LGBT supporter, she is openly bisexual, winning tons of awards for her advocacy work. Cho recently performed in San Francisco with Bob Mould for a homeless crowd raising money for the cause and making headlines in the process.
She appeared on the Lifetime Channel's Drop Dead Diva for six seasons playing the role of Teri Lee, a paralegal assistant, and has appeared in many movies as well.
From her beginnings on television with All-American Girl to the 11th season on Dancing With the Stars, she has continued to entertain.
She joins a group of women set to host a sex-based talk show on TLC called All About Sex starting Saturday, Jan. 10, at 9 p.m. Central.
Just before her arrival to toast with Chicago for the New Year we gave her a call to ask about her newest projects.
Windy City Times: Hello, Margaret. So fans get to celebrate the New Year with you.
Margaret Cho: I'm excited to be there. I haven't done a New Year's gig in over a decade. It is a night that I usually take off.
WCT: You are bringing Bob Mould with you, too.
Margaret Cho: Well, actually he is bringing me. I will be doing some stand-up comedy and, hopefully, I get to sing with him. That is the most exciting thing for me ever. I love him. I will probably do anything he asks me and I wanted to be at the Metro for him. He's a remarkable man. I spent Thanksgiving with him.
WCT: I saw that you did a show for the homeless in San Francisco with him.
Margaret Cho: Yes, that was amazing. This week we are on the cover of Street Sheet, the San Francisco homeless newspaper. It is Bob and I singing in front of the Larkin, a homeless youth shelter. We ended up raising quite a lot of cash and supplies for them, which is really wonderful.
WCT: What inspired this endeavor?
Margaret Cho: I was really inspired by the legacy of Robin Williams. He was such an advocate for the homeless. He raised $70 million with Comic Relief. In his contracts he had a stipulation that a percentage of the workers on the films that he did had to be homeless workers. He wanted to give people a dignified wage and work, which I think is really important.
The loss of him was something I couldn't really cope with. I couldn't stop grieving him. I spoke with Michael Pritchard, who is also a homeless advocate and comedian in San Francisco. He told me not grieve Robin but be Robin. That inspired me to create me own little Comic Relief where I stand on a street corner with amazing support like Bob Mould and lots of different people now. We play music and have created a meeting point where people can donate food and different items to the homeless. We can distribute to them right there. Homeless people come and donations come, we spread it out and people take everything. We clean up the street corner better than we found it. We make sure that people have food and some warm clothes, toothbrushes, hot packs for their hands and feet, it is very nice.
WCT: I wonder if we should encourage people to bring items to the Metro show?
Margaret Cho: I don't know but that would depend on the venue. We have only done outdoor events during the day so far. We are actively trying to do more club events until the end of the year. People can go to GoFundMe.com/BeRobin if they are inclined to donate.
People need to readjust their thinking when they see a homeless person. I encourage people to think that is someone's child, to not just walk by, to not just ignore them or feel threatened. It is a simple fact.
WCT: A lot of people are without jobs this holiday season so maybe it is hitting home for some.
Margaret Cho: Yes, and it is very difficult for people in the age of tech stuff and people are now looking at their phones. They are not looking outside themselves as much. They see poverty and homelessness less. I am trying to bring it more into focus.
WCT: You spoke of Robin's death, but also I wanted to mention Joan Rivers. You were just in Vegas for Pride there a year ago with her.
Margaret Cho: That is really a great memory for me. I treasure all of the time that I had with her. I was extremely fortunate to have known her as long as I did, that she saw herself in me and then took care of me for 20 years. She would check in on me and make sure I was cool. She made sure I knew how funny I was. She was a kind of a showbiz mother that I never really had. I have a great relationship with my family but they certainly don't understand my job like someone like her. I'm grateful of the time we had together.
WCT: It will be interesting to see what Kathy Griffin does with hosting Fashion Police.
Margaret Cho: I think Kathy will be great. I hope to make some appearances too. I would love to. I have been talking to Melissa about it so we will see. I know Kathy is going to be perfect.
WCT: You also have a talk show on TLC.
Margaret Cho: It is all about sex. It is a late night call in talk show. People can call with their questions. I am the wild card. I represent alternative sexuality and the LGBT community as well as any questions about sex toys. I am quite an expert on polyamory and all kinds of ideas and technics on sexuality. I know my stuff. I have served on the board of Good Vibrations for many years. I have lived in alternative sexual communities for my entire adulthood. I feel like I know something.
Margaret and Mould make a show at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., on Wed., Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. Purchase tickets at margaretcho.com .