About this episode

Kamau chats with Margaret Cho about her journey in comedy, activism, and the importance of self-affirmation in the industry.

Kamau chats with comedy legend Margaret Cho about her evolution from prodigy stand-up to comedy elder, activist, and craft‑obsessed lifer. They bond over their shared San Francisco roots and how he sees her as a “comedy mother.” Cho embraces that role, saying she loves taking ownership when younger comics build on what she did and “make it better.”   They dig into her landmark solo show I’m the One That I Want, which kicked open the door for comics to be vulnerable and “give a damn” onstage. Cho contrasts traditional self‑deprecation with a philosophy of self‑affirmation, arguing that comics can “choose yourself,” insist “I matter,” and avoid self‑deprecation that, for comics of color, can reestablish white supremacy in front of mostly white audiences.   Asked for her “state of the comedy universe,” she critiques the Kevin Hart roast as disheartening, praising Cheryl Underwood while condemning the racist jokes about lynching, George Floyd, and Underwood’s husband’s suicide, as ugly and unimaginative. This leads into a broader discussion of how comedy has drifted from speaking truth…

People in this episode

Host: W. Kamau Bell

Guest: Margaret Cho

Topics covered

• comedy evolution
• activism
• self-affirmation
• LGBTQ advocacy
• comedy critique
• San Francisco roots

Keywords

• Margaret Cho
• comedy
• activism
• self-affirmation
• LGBTQ
• San Francisco
• Kevin Hart
• Cheryl Underwood

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: I’m the One That I Want

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