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Q News; Sept 12, 2023

In a recent interview with CHANNEL Q’s Corey Crockett, comedian, actor and musician Margaret Cho discussed how her comedy shows have more of an impact than just making her audiences laugh.

With the recent extension of her Live & Livid comedy tour, Margaret Cho will be spending a strong majority of 2023 out on the road. But as she told CHANNELl Q, she loves everything that comes with touring, including creating a “safe space” for the LGBTQ+ community. As a bisexual woman herself, she found that her shows could be a welcomed distraction for others, especially as she traveled throughout the country and in different social-political atmospheres.

This tour in particular, Cho said, has “kind of completely become about defending drag queens” given the current climate and upcoming US election. “It's like trying to find a space where we can feel safe talking about drag, talking about trans issues, talking about the community being together, being united against hatred, against homophobia, against ignorance,” she explained, “which you know, it's like the most terrifying thing when they want to take away our joy. And I think the drag community represents a lot of joy for the queer community. And so I'm here for them and the show’s for them.”

As the saying goes, Cho is a big proponent of laughter being the best medicine. “I think we also have to laugh at the absurdity of everything going on, which I think gives us a lot of relief. Like now we're looking at the possibility of a President who's so often getting indicted because orange is the new orange. And it's like, what the hell?” she joked. “But to look at that happening, I think we need to laugh and we need somebody to kind of point that out. I think everybody is really looking to humor to get us through.”

Though, she also recognizes that being lighthearted in the face of adversity is no simple task. “It's so difficult, you know, because it's like, you want to be able to be there for people and the way that things are going, it's just really scary. But it's also the only thing we can do is to laugh at it. And the only thing we can do is remain resilient, as we have been, and survive.”

Cho has been quite focused on resilience given her career in comedy as an Asian American woman as well. While her greatest influences include Joan Rivers and even some TikTok creators nowadays, she too has become an influence to the next generation. Calling herself a full supporter of Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, and Atsuko Okatsuka, Cho clearly delights in the success of others as well. “I love so many of these wonderful young Asian American comedians. I'm so proud of them,” she said with adoration. “I think the thing that keeps me going, I just want to watch them all the time.” And it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Cho helped pave the way for Asian American female comedians and writers as well. “It's so inspiring and it's so exciting and it's really tremendous,” she said, reflecting on her impact in the comedy industry. “I think that's my greatest achievement. I was able to inspire them. That's the best thing that I could have ever done and I'm really grateful for that.”

Margaret Cho’s Live & Livid tour is underway, with more shows being added due to high demand. Find out if she’s coming to a city near you by checking out her tour dates, and tune in to her full interview with Audacy and CHANNEL Q above.

Words by Isabella Eaton Interview by Corey Crockett

In a recent interview with CHANNEL Q’s Corey Crockett, comedian, actor and musician Margaret Cho discussed how her comedy shows have more of an impact than just making her audiences laugh.
With the recent extension of her Live &amp; Livid comedy tour, Margaret Cho will be spending a strong majority of 2023 out on the road. But as she told CHANNELl Q, she loves everything that comes with touring, including creating a “safe space” for the LGBTQ+ community. As a bisexual woman herself, she found that her shows could be a welcomed distraction for others, especially as she traveled throughout the country and in different social-political atmospheres.
This tour in particular, Cho said, has “kind of completely become about defending drag queens” given the current climate and upcoming US election. “It's like trying to find a space where we can feel safe talking about drag, talking about trans issues, talking about the community being together, being united against hatred, against homophobia, against ignorance,” she explained, “which you know, it's like the most terrifying thing when they want to take away our joy. And I think the drag community represents a lot of joy for the queer community. And so I'm here for them and the show’s for them.”
As the saying goes, Cho is a big proponent of laughter being the best medicine. “I think we also have to laugh at the absurdity of everything going on, which I think gives us a lot of relief. Like now we're looking at the possibility of a President who's so often getting indicted because orange is the new orange. And it's like, what the hell?” she joked. “But to look at that happening, I think we need to laugh and we need somebody to kind of point that out. I think everybody is really looking to humor to get us through.”
Though, she also recognizes that being lighthearted in the face of adversity is no simple task. “It's so difficult, you know, because it's like, you want to be able to be there for people and the way that things are going, it's just really scary. But it's also the only thing we can do is to laugh at it. And the only thing we can do is remain resilient, as we have been, and survive.”
Cho has been quite focused on resilience given her career in comedy as an Asian American woman as well. While her greatest influences include Joan Rivers and even some TikTok creators nowadays, she too has become an influence to the next generation. Calling herself a full supporter of Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, and Atsuko Okatsuka, Cho clearly delights in the success of others as well. “I love so many of these wonderful young Asian American comedians. I'm so proud of them,” she said with adoration. “I think the thing that keeps me going, I just want to watch them all the time.” And it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Cho helped pave the way for Asian American female comedians and writers as well. “It's so inspiring and it's so exciting and it's really tremendous,” she said, reflecting on her impact in the comedy industry. “I think that's my greatest achievement. I was able to inspire them. That's the best thing that I could have ever done and I'm really grateful for that.”
Margaret Cho’s Live &amp; Livid tour is underway, with more shows being added due to high demand. Find out if she’s coming to a city near you by checking out her tour dates, and tune in to her full interview with Audacy and CHANNEL Q above.
Words by Isabella Eaton Interview by Corey Crockett

Margaret Cho joins Corey on CHANNEL Q

Promoting her current LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE comedy tour, Fortune Feimster talked to Audacy and CHANNEL Q’s CJ Robinson about the importance of doing just that, queer representation in comedy, unexpected google searches and more.

“We’ve definitely… come a long way," Fortune positively noted about the amount of queer representation in comedy. “There seems to be a lot more now, and a lot more that are doing well and selling a lot of tickets, so that’s always a good sign. I’ve had people come before me that have opened a lot of doors,” Fortune added, expressing that she’s been able to do the same for others “coming behind her.” And despite being a male dominated business, “there’s always strides being made.”

One important way Fortune continues to make sure those strides are being made, is by not shying away from performing in states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, like Florida. “Those are places that need more of us to come in there.” Because, “there’s a lot of people there that need someone like me, like Mateo Lane, like whoever, to come in and tell there stories because that’s the representation they’re lacking around them.”

She continued, “There’s a lot of power of sitting in a room and seeing 2,000 people who support… and lead with love. That’s good for people to see in their own community.”

Throughout her career Fortune has been able to be, as she put it, “for lack of a better word — safe space,” for many. Being a part of a number of her fans’ coming out stories, has been a complete honor for Fortune, because she knows they felt comfortable being their true and authentic selves with her.

“I know it changed me when I came out, that was the biggest relief I ever felt, because all the puzzle pieces finally came together. So if I, through comedy or my stories can help anyone in their journey with that, tha 't is huge.”

“I definitely got it the most I think after Sweet & Salty came out, my first hour on Netflix,” Fortune noted. “A ton of people watched that during the pandemic, the world shut down and it was just there.” And a lot of kids they watched with their parents, and a lot of them reached out and expressing that they  watched it with their parents, and if they were laughing or smiling and their reaction to Fortune’s stories about coming out felt positive, they would tell their parents that they’re gay.

“On the flip side of that,” Fortune added, “I had a lot of parents reaching out to me say that they kind of had an inkling, but didn’t want to press our kid.” So watching the special together help them connect and facilitate a safe space for whenever they were ready to express their truth and come out.

Elsewhere in the conversation, after hilariously laughing about it, Fortune addressed CJ’s unexpected google search questions which is — is Fortune Feimster related to JoJo Siwa? So, we won’t make you wait for the answer, which is, most definitely no, they’re not related. But to hear everything Fortune had to say about the amusing notion, how it came out, plus a bit about FUBAR, press play on the interview above.

For more information, dates and to purchase tickets to Fortune’s LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE Tour — click HERE.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by CJ Robinson

Promoting her current LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE comedy tour, Fortune Feimster talked to Audacy and CHANNEL Q’s CJ Robinson about the importance of doing just that, queer representation in comedy, unexpected google searches and more.
“We’ve definitely… come a long way," Fortune positively noted about the amount of queer representation in comedy. “There seems to be a lot more now, and a lot more that are doing well and selling a lot of tickets, so that’s always a good sign. I’ve had people come before me that have opened a lot of doors,” Fortune added, expressing that she’s been able to do the same for others “coming behind her.” And despite being a male dominated business, “there’s always strides being made.”
One important way Fortune continues to make sure those strides are being made, is by not shying away from performing in states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, like Florida. “Those are places that need more of us to come in there.” Because, “there’s a lot of people there that need someone like me, like Mateo Lane, like whoever, to come in and tell there stories because that’s the representation they’re lacking around them.”
She continued, “There’s a lot of power of sitting in a room and seeing 2,000 people who support… and lead with love. That’s good for people to see in their own community.”
Throughout her career Fortune has been able to be, as she put it, “for lack of a better word — safe space,” for many. Being a part of a number of her fans’ coming out stories, has been a complete honor for Fortune, because she knows they felt comfortable being their true and authentic selves with her.
“I know it changed me when I came out, that was the biggest relief I ever felt, because all the puzzle pieces finally came together. So if I, through comedy or my stories can help anyone in their journey with that, tha 't is huge.”
“I definitely got it the most I think after Sweet &amp; Salty came out, my first hour on Netflix,” Fortune noted. “A ton of people watched that during the pandemic, the world shut down and it was just there.” And a lot of kids they watched with their parents, and a lot of them reached out and expressing that they  watched it with their parents, and if they were laughing or smiling and their reaction to Fortune’s stories about coming out felt positive, they would tell their parents that they’re gay.
“On the flip side of that,” Fortune added, “I had a lot of parents reaching out to me say that they kind of had an inkling, but didn’t want to press our kid.” So watching the special together help them connect and facilitate a safe space for whenever they were ready to express their truth and come out.
Elsewhere in the conversation, after hilariously laughing about it, Fortune addressed CJ’s unexpected google search questions which is — is Fortune Feimster related to JoJo Siwa? So, we won’t make you wait for the answer, which is, most definitely no, they’re not related. But to hear everything Fortune had to say about the amusing notion, how it came out, plus a bit about FUBAR, press play on the interview above.
For more information, dates and to purchase tickets to Fortune’s LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE Tour — click <a href="https://www.livenation.com/artist/K8vZ9178ld0/fortune-feimster-events">HERE</a>.
Words by Maia Kedem Interview by CJ Robinson

Dr. Chris & Alex Cheves on Loveline

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