Margaret Cho Gets Real on Addiction, Sobriety & the Dark Side of Comedy

Summary

Podcast Summary: "We're Out of Time"

Episode: Margaret Cho Gets Real on Addiction, Sobriety & the Dark Side of Comedy
Host: Richard Taite
Guest: Margaret Cho
Date: March 17, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this powerful and candid episode, host Richard Taite sits down with stand-up legend, actor, and activist Margaret Cho for a raw conversation on addiction, sobriety, the challenges comedians face, and the transformative power of honesty—on stage and in life. The conversation covers Margaret’s personal journey through relapse and recovery, the comedy world’s relationship with substance abuse, and how comedy acts as both shield and lifeline. The episode blends humor, vulnerability, and insight, spotlighting the life-saving force of truth and community.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Margaret’s Recent Work and Life (01:34 - 02:32)

• On touring and acting:
  Margaret Cho shares about her current stand-up tour, "Choligarchy," and her new role as a therapist on the TV series "Will Trent," flipping her years of therapy into an acting authority.
  • "[Acting as a therapist is] very different and it's... easy for me to switch it up and play the therapist." (02:17, Margaret Cho)

Sobriety: Milestones, Relapse, and Lessons Learned (02:50 – 18:42)

• Years in recovery and relapse journeys:
  Margaret speaks openly about her long history with AA (since the late 90s), nearly 10 years sober this time, and her relapse story.

  • "If, God willing, I'll have 10 years in May. But I've been around AA since 1997." (02:59, Margaret Cho)
  • "I was just frustrated with sobriety... I just thought, I don't want to do this. And... somebody handed me a Jamba Juice thing filled with psilocybin mushrooms, and I just drank the whole thing out of just like, who cares?" (14:26, Margaret Cho)

• The "Anti-Fellowship": Margaret and a few others who had relapsed formed a group questioning standard recovery narratives, leading to risky behaviors but ultimately avoiding the most dangerous territory.

• On Narcan and stigma:
  Both discuss attitudes about overdose reversal drugs; Cho reflects the “sick” addict perspective, admitting she'd rather have died than be pulled out of a high abruptly.

  • "I would rather die... than be Narcan’d. I... That’s so cynical, and that is, like, the drug addict in me." (16:05, Margaret Cho)

• Why relapse happens:
  Unaddressed program work, frustration, changes in life circumstances, and the peer group’s influence are explored.

Comedy as Vulnerability and Survival (12:04 – 21:57)

• Comedy as catharsis:
  Inspired by Richard Pryor, Margaret says vulnerability on stage can save lives—turning personal pain into collective relief.

  • "Richard [Pryor] was an extraordinary ambassador of vulnerability... There was so much power in what he did because he revealed his heart and his frailty. So that to me was strength." (12:04, Margaret Cho)

• Laughter as a tool for others’ healing:
  "You keep on laughing at it to get other people interested... people get more interested in sobriety." (13:36, Margaret Cho)

• Why so many comics are neurodivergent:
  Comedy gives control over awkward social contracts, letting performers dictate the energy.

  • "It’s the way that we can control our societal interaction... That’s so tantalizing for a neurodivergent person." (18:52, Margaret Cho)

• Navigating ‘outrage culture’: Cleverness and skill are the antidotes to today's easily-offended audiences.

  • "You have to be clever enough to override that... It's a test of your own ability to override that." (20:10, Margaret Cho)

Substance Abuse in Comedy: Why It’s So Common (23:44 – 24:55)

• Idle time breeds problems:
  Stand-up, with its intense work bursts and long empty hours (especially alone in hotels), creates a perfect setup for addiction.
  • "You, like, really only work, like, an hour a day... And with all that money and all that time, it's just a recipe for addiction." (23:54, Margaret Cho)
• Comparison to rock stars:
  Comedians have fewer physical limitations than musicians, making the lifestyle even more conducive to unchecked substance use.

GLP-1 Drugs & Impulse Control (29:05 – 31:09)

• GLP-1 meds & addiction cravings:
  Margaret and Richard discuss the benefits of new pharmaceuticals (like Ozempic) in curbing cravings for food, alcohol, and drugs.
  • "I have a binge eating disorder. So for me, it's actually been quite a lifesaver... I'm really grateful for them." (29:09, Margaret Cho)

Reflections, Survival & Self-Worth (31:09 – 32:55)

• Most proud of:
  Margaret names survival—just being alive after chaotic, risky patterns—as her top achievement.
  • "I'm most proud that I'm still alive. Like, that's such a miracle... I'm so proud that I'm living... and I didn't die." (31:09/32:01, Margaret Cho)
• Balancing pride with vigilance:
  Cho is wary of ever growing too comfortable: "Now don’t get to a place where I feel so comfortable and so good, maybe I can have a drink. No, I can’t ever get that relaxed." (32:38, Margaret Cho)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Margaret on self-destructive patterns & identity:

  • "(The way that I) drive drunk and high, and I tend to always drive to a violent man's house. I'm so amazed that I'm alive because..." (31:24, Margaret Cho)
  • "I don't even like dick, but I end up, like, getting hooked up with these, like, crazy guys who are going to kill me for being a lesbian." (31:37, Margaret Cho)

• On the magic of mentorship and vulnerability:

  • "Joan Rivers... wasn't crass at all... She was just a very maternal, loving mommy." (05:44, Margaret Cho)
  • “Richard [Pryor] was an extraordinary ambassador of vulnerability… he revealed his heart and his frailty. So that to me was strength.” (12:04, Margaret Cho)

• Richard on the draw of drugs for IV users:

  • "What feels the best to an intravenous heroin user is to get as close to death as humanly possible without... that. Feels the best." (16:42, Richard Taite)

• On the addict mindset:

  • "I'd rather die than be Narcan'd." (16:05, Margaret Cho)

• Lighthearted “gay gift” moment:

  • Richard introduces Michael, a young gay man, as a gift for Margaret, echoing her comedy bit about needing a younger gay friend.
    "You deserve a Ferrari gay. I'm like a Buick gay." (33:41, Michael)
    "No, I think you're a Ferrari gay." (33:44, Margaret Cho)

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Memorable Conversations & Segments with Timestamps

• 01:34 – 02:32: Margaret’s work on tour and TV
• 02:59 – 13:13: Sober since the late 90s, struggles with relapse
• 12:04 – 13:36: Impact of Richard Pryor and sharing vulnerability
• 16:05 – 18:38: Narcan, addiction humor, and relapse triggers
• 18:52 – 20:51: Neurodivergence and control in comedy
• 23:54 – 24:55: Why addiction is so common among comics
• 29:09 – 30:41: Experiences using GLP-1 medications for impulse control
• 31:09 – 32:55: Margaret’s pride in survival and ongoing vigilance
• 33:27 – 34:18: Light moment: “the gift of a younger gay”
• 35:19 – 35:36: Margaret plugs her tour and website

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Resources & Promotions

• Margaret’s tour & tickets: margaretcho.com
• Show shoutouts to comedians: Maria Bamford, Tig Notaro, Joan Rivers, Jon Stewart, Mark Maron, John Oliver, Bill Maher, Bill Burr, Ricky Gervais, Jay Mohr, David Koechner, Nick Thune, Jimmy Shin

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Tone & Closing Reflection

The episode is a blend of deeply honest, sometimes dark humor, with sharp insights and persistent hope. Margaret's willingness to joke about her own frailties—and her appreciation for the nurturing side of comedic legends—makes this both sobering and uplifting. Richard and Margaret challenge each other with warmth and bluntness, making their dialogue both enlightening and accessible, especially for those struggling with addiction or interested in the mental health side of comedy.

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Margaret Cho (32:01): "I'm so proud that I'm living. I'm so proud that when I was out there using and drinking and doing whatever, I didn't die."

For more on Margaret’s stand-up, recovery, and tour dates, visit: margaretcho.com

Transcript

[Margaret Cho]

The way that I drive drunk and high and I tend to always drive to a violent man's house.

[Richard]

Wait, wait, wait. You're a lesbian? Why are you driving to a violent man's house?

[Margaret Cho]

I don't even like dick, but I end up, like, getting hooked up with these, like, crazy guys who are going to kill me for being a lesbian.

[Announcer]

If someone has a problem with substance use disorder, please call one call placement, that's 888-831-1581. And if we can't help you, we'll make a referral to someone who can. One call placement is affiliated with Carrera Treatment Wellness and Spa and One Method Treatment Centers.

[Richard]

Today's guest is someone who has spent decades making people laugh while also speaking honestly about some of life's toughest struggles. Margaret Cho is a legendary comedian, actor and activist whose fearless standup has pushed boundaries and open doors in entertainment. From her groundbreaking sitcom All American Girl to her films, powerful comedy tours and advocacy work. She's currently on the road with her new stand up tour, Choligarchy. So, Margaret, thank you for coming on the show today.

[Margaret Cho]

Thank you.

[Richard]

We've been trying to get you on for. We've been trying to get you on for a year.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, Right.

[Richard]

You were touring, right?

[Margaret Cho]

Yes. Yes.

[Richard]

Tell me about what you've been doing over the last year.

[Margaret Cho]

I've been on the road. I have a show I'm on the road with called Toligarky and I've been doing that. I've also been shooting a television show in Atlanta called Will Trent, which is a really cool show where I'm a therapist, actually. So it's a very different for me to for once be the authority on mental health on there. So I do that and yeah. Traveling a lot, but it's really good.

[Richard]

I. I think that's hysterical.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

You're going to be a. That is a. That is a good idea that I love. I love you as a therapist.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, it's.

[Richard]

Oh, that. That's a winner.

[Margaret Cho]

It's very different and it's. For me, I mean, it's just. I think because I've been in therapy for so long that it's easy for me to switch it up and play the therapist.

[Richard]

No, for sure. Yeah, for sure. So I don't know if you know this, but I think about 15, 20 years ago we met in an AA meeting at the cabin. Right. Used to go to the cabin all the time. Right?

[Margaret Cho]

Right. Yes, yes.

[Richard]

Right. So, you know, I. I know you talk about your sobriety, right?

[Margaret Cho]

Yes.

[Richard]

How long are you sober now?

[Margaret Cho]

This time around, I have all. If, God willing, I'll have 10 years in May. But I've been around AA since 1997. 96. 97. 97.

[Richard]

That's when I got. That's when I started going to a. Yeah. In 96. 97.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

So we're in the same thing. Thank you to Ant.

[Margaret Cho]

Yes.

[Richard]

For introducing us. Okay. He's a good friend of mine. I know you're close with him, so. Thank you, Ant. I was watching. Before we did this, I was watching your Baby Vesta video. Okay. Which is hysterical, by the way. You're hysterical.

[Margaret Cho]

Thank you.

[Richard]

And I'm not judging. I'm just reporting as you know. Okay. But who are your favorite comics?

[Margaret Cho]

I love Maria Bamford. I love Tig Nataro. I think I really will always have a. And be indebted to Joan Rivers, who is my good friend and my mentor, you know? Yeah. Those are probably my favorites at the moment. Those people are just so phenomenal. But, yeah, I'm a big fan of comedy.

[Richard]

Joan Rivers scared me.

[Margaret Cho]

She's scary.

[Richard]

She's a scary woman. I mean, she ain't scary. Aretha Franklin's scary. Aretha Franklin was the scariest woman I ever met.

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, gosh. I never got to meet Aretha. I would have loved to. Although I definitely would have been scared. I'm such a fan of hers.

[Richard]

You don't. You don't even understand the gravity of it. I walk into her house because I'm friends with her son, and she comes out in this gowned with feathers and a boa, and, you know, just like, it was real. It was real, and there was no messing around. She didn't have an ear for any nonsense. She wasn't having. I was scared to death of her. Just scared. Joan Rivers was a lot like that, but not as scary because it was a little funny.

[Margaret Cho]

Right. And. And Joan was of. You know, she had a shyness to her. She had a shy. All of it was really made up. Like, her Persona on stage was actually very. It was, of course, authentic to her, but that also wasn't how she naturally was in person. She was the shy kind of, like, very warm, very loving, kind of maternal presence, which was so shocking later when I realized that was the real her. Very different.

[Richard]

Right. Well, all you'd have to do is see her around Melissa and then you'd see the real.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, the warmth. The warmth and the. Also the. The kind of like, really caring side. That wasn't crass at all. That wasn't, you know, Full of, like, barbs and full of vitriol. That wasn't her. She was just a very maternal, loving mommy.

[Richard]

Yeah, she was. But I love the other. The other. That was my favorite.

[Margaret Cho]

So fun.

[Richard]

I mean, she was, she was so fun. What do you think about who your favorite political commentary comics?

[Margaret Cho]

I think right now I'm like, really, I'm really into John Oliver. I think he's just brilliant and I learn a lot from what he decides to report on. So I really, I really appreciate him. Of course, I love the Daily Show. They're just really spot on. And all of the different correspondence on there, they're just really special. Especially Jon Stewart, who is my old boss. I used to open for him and girls would go crazy and they would run out to our car and like, jump on our car. I mean, they were trying to break into the car to get to him because they were just so mad about him. And this is in the 90s, you know, so it was very like Beatlemania. I, I was really scared sometimes going around with him. But what a wonderful. Just political commentary. Really smart. Just love what he's doing, like stand up wise. I love Mark Maron. I think he's really astute. He's just like, we have the similar political beliefs and I, I really vibe with him. I've always loved his comedy. So, yeah, there's a lot of people.

[Richard]

I love John Oliver. Yeah, People wouldn't necessarily think that he did an episode. I love him. He's not just a comedian, he's an activist. He did one thing that was the most beautiful thing. There were a bunch of people who were in, just encumbered with medical debt. Right. And so he was going to pay off all their medical debts. But he went a step further. He was mindful about it. And he says, wait a minute, if I do that, they're going to get stuck for the taxes. They're going to be in more trouble than they were with the medical debt. So he went, I don't forgot what he did. But he worked it out so that not only could he pay off the debt, but they wouldn't be responsible for the taxes. And so I just love that.

[Margaret Cho]

He's incredible. He does so much stuff like that kind of behind the scenes, that not about. It's not about the comedy of it. It's really just about the ethics of it. And, you know, I just love that also the education of it. Like just learning so much about what's going on. That's, I think what is such an important function of comedy is to explain the world to us and.

[Richard]

For sure. Yeah, that's right. And. And, you know, you didn't mention Bill More Bill. Yeah.

[Margaret Cho]

Bill is great, too. Bill and I don't agree a lot. I. I'm a. I'm a fan of him personally. I've. I've gone to Hawaii with him on his private plane. Like, it's. The only time I've ever been on a private plane is with Bill Maher. And I've spent time, a lot of time with him. He's a good guy. We disagree a lot, but that's okay. You know, I think he's. He's really smart.

[Richard]

It's only okay if we're not in our feeds constantly being hammered with, you know, one side of the deal. But I learned about politics from comedy, and that's what brought me in. Right. And I learned it from Bill Moore. So when I was on that show, it was like I could barely speak.

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, wow.

[Richard]

Right. Because I was like, I just love.

[Margaret Cho]

He's great.

[Richard]

Right? He's the best. I just want to know where. Where Bill gets it wrong. Where Bill Maher gets it wrong. And I'll tell you. And I'll tell you why I say this, because he's evolved. Yeah, okay. He's evolved to the center.

[Margaret Cho]

Right.

[Richard]

And he used to be on the left, and he's evolved to the center. And that's why you disagree. And I get it. But what about. What about his take? His takes? Are you having the most trouble?

[Margaret Cho]

It's the general idea that we've gotten too woke and that we are lending too much of an ear to disenfranchised communities, or we're lending too much of an ear to these minority issues that are, in essence, too woke. I don't think that's true. I don't think you could ever be too woke. I don't think you could ever stop paying attention to communities that need to be heard. And so that, in that, in a very general way, is that. And that's our divide. But I also appreciate his ideas of common sense and wanting to be rational and wanting to pretty much unite everybody. I think independents are interested in uniting people and in their own individuality. Like, they listen to everybody. They would rather have an unbiased take and form their own conclusions. So that part I appreciate.

[Richard]

Yeah, absolutely. And I love that you said that. And communities that are underserved need their basic needs met, just like anyone needs their basic needs met. That's just the way it works. We're only as Strong as our weakest link. You know, we. We saw the encampments on the street. I grew up in la. You grew up in la.

[Margaret Cho]

I grew up in San Francisco, so it's worse there, actually.

[Richard]

Okay, it's worse, it's worse.

[Margaret Cho]

But.

[Richard]

But it wasn't always that way. And we see the encampments, we're like, what. What's going on here? This is not. This is not America. This is not. We can't do this to our people. Right, right. So I get that. So I'm all about helping out the little guy.

[Margaret Cho]

That would be great.

[Richard]

You've always been very honest in your comedy about your life. When did you realize sharing those experience could actually help people?

[Margaret Cho]

Well, I think, you know what, it comes from Richard Pryor, when Richard Pryor was so open about his. When he set himself on fire, you know, on a crack binge, like. And the nakedness of that, the sheer bravery of that and the beauty of that was just for me, a lifelong lesson of, wow, you know, and I. When I first saw that, I was too young to even understand. I hadn't done drugs yet. I hadn't understood, but I could see the vulnerability and I could see the beauty in it. And I. It took me a lifetime kind of to understand. Now I have a much greater understanding of it and much more appreciation of it. But I think, yeah, like, he led by example. You know, Richard was an extraordinary ambassador of vulnerability, and not only for drugs, but for race, for masculinity in general. You know, there was so much power in what he did because he revealed his heart and his frailty. So that to me was strength. And so then I think, you know, later, some of these, you know, the. And drug addiction is kind of funny, you know, because it. It falls the mighty, like, it really will destroy the strongest individuals. And so that in itself is a kind of hilarious thing.

[Richard]

It's only hilarious when they come out the other side and they share about it and everybody's laughing while you're going through it.

[Margaret Cho]

It's painful, but also you laugh at yourself while you're going through it. You laugh at the. The sickness of it. And you have to laugh to survive sometimes. So I think, yeah, I find drug addiction actually to be a really intensely funny subject when you can laugh, when you survived and can laugh. And then, you know, now being sober, and hopefully I will stay sober for the rest of my life, I'm. I'm hoping that may not be the case, but I would today, I would like to be, you know, you keep on Laughing at it to get other people interested. You tell these stories, and people get more interested in sobriety.

[Richard]

How you said you have 10 years, so.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

Do you want to share how you relapsed? What caused that?

[Margaret Cho]

I was just frustrated with sobriety, and then I had not really done the program in the way that I should have. And then I got into some arguments with people who I was walking this path with, you know, and I. I just thought, I don't want to do this. And I bought a house, and I had gotten married, and I'd been sober for, like, seven years. And I was like, I don't want to do this anymore. I don't do this anymore. And then I went to a party, and somebody handed me a Jamba Juice thing filled with psilocybin mushrooms, and I just drank the whole thing out of just like, who cares? And it was so weird, but I didn't die. And then I was like, hey, you know, they said if you go out, you'll die. Well, obviously they were lying. And so then I got a bunch of friends who were also people who had just kind of relapsed, too. And we were like, we didn't die. We didn't die. They've been lying this whole time. And we kind of formed our own little anti fellowship and just. And nothing really bad happened for a while because we didn't have. We didn't. We. We weren't hardcore IV drug users yet. Yet. I think fentanyl and vent is, like, the worst. It's the worst possible thing that could have happened to us as drug addicts. And to have something that reverses that, it's like a miracle. Of course it's a pain to be Narcan. I don't want ever. I'm so glad that I never had to be Narcan, because thinking about being high and then suddenly dope sick makes me so crazy. Like, I would rather die. I really think I would rather die than be Narcan. I, I. Which is a horrible.

[Richard]

Okay, I need to explain that to the viewers because we're the only people on the face of the earth that would say, yeah, like, you have to be a recovering drug addict alcoholic to say some sick like that. I'd rather be dead. Okay. Than woken up from my high abruptly to.

[Margaret Cho]

To wake up dope sick while I. When I'm having a good time. Because people, I think when they're dying, at least it's like, at least they're high, you know? Like, I mean, and that's such a I'm.

[Richard]

That's right.

[Margaret Cho]

Very. It's. That's so cynical, and that is, like the drug addict in me. But that's what I. I. I just feel so bad for anybody who gets Narcanned.

[Richard]

Do you know. Do you know what I tell people? Feels the best. And lay people don't understand this. We'll understand it, but lay people don't understand it. What feels the best to an intravenous heroin user is to get as close to death as humanly possible without that. Feels the best. So that way, when they're all blue, right, and their hearts almost stopped, and they survive it, right? That's why the first thing they say is, where's my needle? I need another hit.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

Okay. And then everybody in the room's, like, freaked out because they're all, you know, they're all straight now. They. Their. Their highs ruined, and they're all white. Okay. It's just ridiculous. So, yeah, I'd still rather be woken up. What were you. What were you. Would you relapse?

[Margaret Cho]

I relapsed on. Well, I was. It was like a slow, like, you know, the. The boiling frog. You turn up the heat. But it's just first. Okay, weed's legal. So did a bit of that and the Y2K thing. Weed's legal. So then it's like, oh, you can get pills from anywhere online. That sort of thing. And then I was doing a lot of benzodia.

[Richard]

Were they opioids? Opioids.

[Margaret Cho]

Or Benz and benzos, which is a. A deadly combination. I like the trinity of opioids, benzos, and a muscle relaxer. I don't know what that is. That. That's the sort of the Las Vegas cocktail. It's a Soma with a. With a Norco and a Xanax and a bottle of red wine. And that's. Just keep that coming. Bad combination. But yeah, and then you do enough of that, and it leads you right to. I. I mean, I never did. Oh, I'm so grateful that I never got there. I never did IV drugs. I never got there. But close enough. Which you're snorting. You're close enough. You're snorting.

[Richard]

Oh, you weren't smoking it.

[Margaret Cho]

You were snorting oxy. It's close enough. Good. Close enough.

[Richard]

Okay. You said before that a lot of comedians are neurodivergent in some way. Why do you think comedy attracts those kinds of minds?

[Margaret Cho]

Because it's the way that we can control our societal interaction. So if you're a comedian, you're just Going to be in the front and just be able to say everything. And nobody has the right to interrupt you unless they're a heckler or whatever. Then they get what they get. But you have the social contract. Everybody has to listen. And that's so tantalizing for a neurodivergent person, because you have control over society then, and you have the sort of the interaction where everybody's agreed, okay, we're going to listen to you, and we're going to like what you say. So I feel like that is so attractive to somebody who has some. Something on the spectrum going on. And for me, definitely. I love that.

[Richard]

That is such an excellent answer. I didn't even look at it that way. Okay? So when I was a kid, there were not. There was nothing off limits, okay? You could do a riff and not have a problem. Okay? Today, everyone is uptight and they miss the comedy of it. They take everything so literally because everybody's a goddamn Karen. Okay? How do you deal with that? It must be so upsetting.

[Margaret Cho]

But it's also, it. You know, you. You have to be clever enough to override that. You have to be smart enough to kind of come combat that. There's ways to do it. People do it. It's about skill, and it's about really thinking things through. But, yeah, of course, it's. It's. It's. It. The outrage machine. You know, people want to take things out of context and they want to get offended, and it's definitely worse now than it ever has been. But that, that's really. It's a test of your own ability to override that.

[Richard]

But there are certain comedians that just don't give a. And they're gonna do their own thing. And those are the guys that I just revere, right? Like, who would be like Ricky Gervais. He gives. No, none, zero. Okay. There's something so freeing about that where you can sit there and just be like, anything. Give it to me. Okay? It's like air to breathe. Everybody's been, like, you know, walking around on eggshells. Give it to me. Right? Who's another one? Bill Burr.

[Margaret Cho]

I love Bill, right?

[Richard]

He.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, he's great. He can override that outrage machine. Like, Bill is so clever and so skilled that it's less that he doesn't care. It's more that he's so smart that he can get through any kind of defense thing that, you know, people have any kind of outrage, defensiveness. He's. He's. He's really like a ninja. It's it's pretty, you know.

[Richard]

Do you know what just came up for me? Do you know who you were just in that moment? You were Tom Brady on television, giving play by play on the play that just happened. And unless you were here, you know, I wouldn't have had that. That point of view. And that was beautiful how you just did that. Thank you. That you just broke that down. Your new tour, Cholo Garchy, brings you back into political comedy. What inspired that?

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, well, it's also about being in menopause, so it's about the physical change in my body and also how it applies to the actual change that we've experienced in. In our country.

[Richard]

You did a show on Mentopause.

[Margaret Cho]

Yes. Right now it's about menopause and it's about how crazy that is to have this physical change and to be a completely different body. And, um, so it's the juxtaposition of the two things. The whole thing about how physically we change. And it's so weird because you never think that's going to happen.

[Richard]

Oh, God, the hot flashes.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, it's. No, it's like. It's just. It's so weird. And so you. Because you think your body's going to be there your whole life, and it's really not. So it's. It's a. It's a. It's a lot about that too. So I think it's really important.

[Richard]

Along with Jimmy Shin, I've had a few other comedians on the show. Jay Moore, David Cochner, Nick Thune. Love those guys who've all love them. Right?

[Margaret Cho]

Really good.

[Richard]

Really. They're all great guys.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

Had a great time with all of them. Nick Thune is probably one of the funniest people I've ever.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, he's a. He's a beautiful person. He's. He's amazing.

[Richard]

Beautiful person.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, he's amazing.

[Richard]

Beautiful. And Jimmy's the best time ever. They've all talked about addiction. Why do you think substance abuse shows up so often in the comedy world? This.

[Margaret Cho]

Because we have too much time to do nothing. Because you, like, if you're a comic, you, like, really only work like an hour a day, even if you're like the best. And then the rest of the time you're traveling and then kind of in a. In a hotel room by yourself for like 23 hours. And with all that money and all that time, it's just a recipe for addiction. Like you could do whatever the you want. And even if you go on stage, people love it. It's really an addiction. That's if. If it's easier than Rockstar, too, because it. Ladies, with a rock star, you have to actually, like, have a physical body that can perform, like, sing and stuff like that. So your body is the instrument, or you have to play. That's even harder. But, like, if you're a comedian, you could always talk. So it's really crazy. It's a. It's a profession that is perfect for an addict lifestyle.

[Richard]

Yeah, the. You know, we were talking about Narcan, and we were talking about. And, you know, the Narcan works on. What it doesn't work on is something called.

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Richard]

And when you. And when you mix this zine with the Narcan. I'm sorry, with. No, you have something called tranq T, R, A, N, Q. The reason I bring this up is Andy Dick, who's been trying to get sober for. Yeah. I can't even count how many treatment centers this guy's been to. I saw a video of him yesterday where he was slumped over. Okay. Like a zombie. And my producer said, this is all. And I said, I don't think so. I think he was doing tranq. And she said, well, he doesn't shoot drugs. And I said, it doesn't matter. Let me tell you how I think it happened. What I think happened was he had fentanyl that he was smoking along with, but the hads in it beforehand, and that's why he almost died. What happened was. I think what happened was, is he got the Narcan. They. They Narcanned him, right? And they're like, well, why did he live if. If. Trank. If it doesn't work with tranq? And the answer is very simple. It saved him because it worked on the fennel, but he was still sedated by.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

So the reason I bring it up

[Margaret Cho]

is,

[Richard]

you know this kid.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah. I did drugs with him. I'm. I. I feel so.

[Richard]

Everybody did drugs with him because he's never stopped doing drugs.

[Margaret Cho]

And I've been sober with him, too, you know. Okay.

[Richard]

Yeah, he's had bouts. Do me a favor. Do me a favor. Have this kid cold, okay? I will take care of him, okay? And we'll deal with this.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah, he needs you because he's. He just. He just has got to get. He. He got to get his head right. Like, it's just. It's been too long now, you know?

[Richard]

And he doesn't know how to live in the world. He doesn't know how he can't get out of it. He's stuck in it. He just doesn't know what he doesn't know, okay? It's like. It's like when you're blind, you never. Your mom never. My mom never took me to get my eyes checked, right? So 35. I'm driving. I'm getting out of my car to look at the street sign, and then I'm getting back in the car. So my sponsor says to me, you got to go get your eyes checked. I'm like, you're out of your mind. There's nothing wrong with my eyes. Now, my father had glasses as thick as the bottoms of coke bottles, okay? But all of a sudden, my eyes are fine, okay? So I just refused to believe it. So I take the. The car into, you know, a place to get the windshield replaced, because the windshield's dirty. It's old. It's got to be the windshield, right? So the guy won't change the windshield. So I step on top of the car and I kick windshield in. And I said, well, now I need a windshield. I'm going to go next door and get some coffee. Would you like a coffee? The guy's like, yeah, I'll take a coffee. Come back, the windshield's fine. I still can't see anything, right? So I go to Pep Boys, and I have them put these lights on. They're like tennis court lights. They. Everybody's brighting me. Everybody hates me. Whatever. So finally, I go to the doctor, okay, And I get my eyes checked. And the guy goes, how long you been walking around blind? And he put glasses on me, and I saw something totally different. You don't know what you don't know, right? There's a lot of conversation right now about GLP1, medications. We're seeing it reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs. True.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

What do you think about that? And have you taken them?

[Margaret Cho]

I have taken them. I think they're great. I think they're really amazing for curbing impulse, like. Like, for, like, impulse. Like impulse eating. I have a binge eating disorder. So for me, it's actually been a quite a lifesaver. I think that they are just perfect for any kind of impulse control, you know, that. That we're sort of looking at. I mean, I think, you know, people really criticize it, but I. I love them. I. I'm really grateful for them.

[Richard]

You know, it even works with smoking because I was smoking cigars all day long. I never didn't have a cigar in my mouth. Now if I can smoke, I smoke two cigars a day, and I don't even finish them. Okay. I mean, I still enjoy it, but it just doesn't even enter my thought process. Yeah, right. And so it's, it's, you know, it's working really well with drugs and alcohol and I'm. So why'd you get on it?

[Margaret Cho]

It was really to just stop the food noise and it was less about losing weight, but just getting. Because the way that I have a binge eating disorder, like, I'll eat to the point of my mouth is sore. Like, I'm, like, not eating. Like, it's not out of hunger or a need to satiate. Like, it's a kind of, like, wild inner hunger. That doesn't make any sense. That's not about.

[Richard]

It's yourself soothing self soothing.

[Margaret Cho]

And it's, you know, definitely a very destructive habit. And so I think, yeah, it's, it's been incredibly helpful. I, I, I really love GLP wins.

[Richard]

Yeah, I do too. I'm very, I'm very svelte. Okay. Looking back on everything you've been through, the highs and the lows, what are you most proud of today?

[Margaret Cho]

I'm most proud that I'm still alive. Like, that's such a miracle. Like, after the way that I do drugs and the way that I drink alcohol and combined with the way that I drive is so crazy that it.

[Richard]

Wait a minute. No, no, no, I'm not. I don't have an ear for that.

[Margaret Cho]

The way that I drive drunk and high, and I tend to always drive to a violent man's house. I'm so amazed that I'm alive because.

[Richard]

Wait, wait, wait. You're a lesbian? Why are you driving to a violent man's house?

[Margaret Cho]

I don't even like dick, but I end up, like, getting hooked up with these, like, crazy guys who are going to kill me for being a lesbian. So it's like I am so crazy when I am in my addiction that I am amazed that I'm alive. So, so every day, like, I'm so proud that I'm living. I'm so proud that when I was out there using and drinking and doing whatever, I didn't die.

[Richard]

I was hoping you would say something to the effect that, you know, I started with nothing, and I have accomplished something in my life that I'm very proud of. I mean, you're a big deal.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

You're not, right? I mean, that's a, that's a good. I mean, you did it. You, you were a hope to die drug addict, just full of shame. And feeling like a piece of. And now you. You did it, man. How does that feel?

[Margaret Cho]

It's great, but it's also about staying in this mindset, staying in this place of, like, well, now don't do it again. Like, now don't get to a place where I feel so comfortable and so good. Maybe I can have a drink. No, I can't ever get that relaxed.

[Richard]

Like, I said, I was watching this video beforehand, and you said something about. You went on a riff. It was hysterical. Something about, you love gay men. They're the best. A gay man with a. With a little girl is the best. They're going to Justin Bieber together. They're doing all this nonsense. And then I think I heard you say something like, but they're all getting older, and I need a younger gay man. Somebody. Okay, well, you're on the show, and I like to bear gifts, and so I'd like to give you my gay.

[Margaret Cho]

Wonderful. Hi.

[Michael]

Margaret Cho.

[Richard]

I love you. Okay.

[Margaret Cho]

Hi. I love you. Good to meet you.

[Michael]

I'm sorry. I'm the young gay. You're supposed to get

[Margaret Cho]

younger than me.

[Michael]

You deserve a Ferrari gay. I'm like a Buick gay.

[Margaret Cho]

No, I think you're a Ferrari gay. I think we're gonna have a good time.

[Michael]

Good.

[Richard]

Awesome. The day he met Shaka Khan, he. He almost had a seizure.

[Margaret Cho]

I would. Do I love her. I would totally. I, I agree. I would. I don't know how I would react. I, I, I've never actually seen her in person. I, I don't know. I would be like. So I, I would. I, I get crazy about the. The divas.

[Richard]

So.

[Margaret Cho]

Yeah.

[Richard]

Yeah.

[Michael]

She was a dazzling doll, for sure.

[Margaret Cho]

I love it. Well, I can't wait to meet you in person. And we can. We can. We can talk about our divas all night.

[Richard]

I will introduce the two of you. Okay. You're both sober. You've both gone to the cabin a lot of times, and Michael has. Michael is a professional case manager.

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, cool.

[Richard]

So we'll give. We'll list that in the. Where, where, where. What's your place again?

[Michael]

The heart. And I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist as well.

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, how nice.

[Richard]

Yeah, no, he's. He's your guy. He's your. He's your. He's your. This.

[Margaret Cho]

Oh, perfect.

[Richard]

So when you get like that, he brings you back.

[Margaret Cho]

Awesome. Thank you.

[Richard]

He's your guy. Okay.

[Margaret Cho]

Love it.

[Richard]

All right, Mikey, I love you.

[Michael]

Love you, too. Thanks, Richie. Bye, Margaret.

[Margaret Cho]

Thank you. Bye.

[Richard]

I love it when he calls me Richie. I just love that. Like, everybody called me Richie when I was a kid, and now they call me Richard because I'm a man. It's, like, stupid. All right, Margaret, thank you for your time and coming on my show today.

[Margaret Cho]

Thank you.

[Richard]

I really appreciate it. Is there anything I left unsaid? Anything you want to promote or that, you know, you're working on?

[Margaret Cho]

Well, people want to come see me on my show, they can go to Margaret show dot com. That's where you get tickets and to see where I'm at so you can check me out.

[Richard]

What a blessing. It took a year to get you here. Okay. It was worth the wait. And I appreciate you.

[Margaret Cho]

Thank you so much. I appreciate you. This is wonderful. See you next Tuesday.

[Richard]

There it is.

[Podcast Host/Outro]

We're out of time. Please subscribe on YouTube. Click the thumbs up and leave a comment. Please subscribe on Apple podcast and Spotify and leave a rating and a review and share the we're out of time podcast with others you know who will get value out of it. See you next Tuesday.