Skip the “yo mama” jokes when Margaret Cho is around, because her mama doesn’t mind — or so Cho has said in past interviews. Notorious for mimicking her mother, bashing the leadership of President Bush and advocating gay rights, the outspoken comedian is not afraid to say what’s on her mind.
Cho, 38, brings her brand of funny to Chicago this week with her new comedy-meets-burlesque variety show, “Sensuous Woman,” which plays its last two shows at the Lakeshore Theater on Saturday night.
“[Sensuous Woman] is like ‘Donny and Marie’ but super-sexual,” Cho told RedEye in a phone interview, describing the show as “really fun and really wild.”
She recently talked to RedEye about what makes her laugh and what she’d do if she ran the White House.
Who are your comedic idols?
I have a lot. I love Rosie O’Donnell and Richard Pryor. I love Wanda Sykes too. I’m a big fan of comedy.
What inspires you?
I like personal things that happen in my life. I take a little bit of everything. I take things that I think are really funny in the media like, right now, I think the whole Larry Craig scandal … is funny. I’ll be talking about that … but it’s usually a lot of different stuff.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a comedian?
I love animals, so I’d probably be a vet. Dogs are my favorite. I have three dogs: a big German shepherd mix, an Australian shepherd mix and a Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix.
Is there anything that is off-limits for your show?
I think everything is fair game.
Do you have a political candidate you’re supporting?
I’m not really happy with anybody right now. I just feel like there are too many people running. It’s annoying. It’s like a reality show like ‘America’s Next Top President.’ But I love Barack Obama, and I love Dennis Kucinich because he’s for gay marriage, and I think that’s cool.
If you were president, what would be the first thing you’d do?
Well, I’d like to end the war in Iraq — that’s really important, and then I’d [legalize] gay marriage, and then after that, we’ll see.
Which celebrity would be your vice president?
Angelina Jolie. I think she’s really smart and compassionate and really beautiful.
