May 16, 2025
The Parker | BrowardCenter.org
By Megan Fitzgerald
Stand up comedian Margaret Cho’s Loud and Livid tour is exactly that—because, let’s face it, as Cho points out there is plenty to be livid about right now.
Cho’s show blends raw humor with deeply personal themes. For anyone who has missed out on her four decades of comedy, Cho’s style is a dynamic mix of cathartic storytelling, explicit wit, and unapologetic social commentary As her recent tour prepares to wrap, Cho brings her distinctive voice to The Parker on Friday, May 16, 2025.
OutClique recently caught up with Cho to talk about the show’s energy, the evolution of her comedy, and the connection she shares with her fans, especially the LGBTQ+ community. Get ready to laugh, think, and feel as Cho reflects on her journey and what audiences can expect from the show.
Megan Fitzgerald: Margaret, your Loud and Livid tour is coming to The Parker! For those who may not be familiar with your style, how would you describe this show?
Margaret Cho: It’s really fun. It’s an absolute blast. It’s about celebrating the act of being a comedian and the power of comedy. I think people can expect to laugh a lot and also feel empowered by the themes and ideas that I talk about. It’s a mixture of humor and real issues, with a lot of heart behind it.
Megan Fitzgerald: What can audiences expect from your performance? What makes this show stand out?
Margaret Cho: It’s cathartic, thrilling, and definitely explicit. You know, it’s loud and it’s lively, and I just love it. It’s a celebration of who I am as a comedian, and I’ve been doing this for over 40 years, so it’s just a really special experience to be able to share that with the audience.
Megan Fitzgerald: You’ve been on stage for decades now, and your comedy has reached so many people. How has your approach to stand-up changed over the years?
Margaret Cho: I think I work a lot harder at it now. Every day, I write a joke before I even get out of bed. I’ve learned that being a comedian is something that I have to live with all the time, and it’s not just a job—it’s who I am. It’s a part of me that keeps me going.
Megan Fitzgerald: What’s the most exciting part of this tour for you peronally?
Margaret Cho: I’m really excited to connect with my audience, especially my queer fans. This is a really important part of my life and career. This tour is about celebrating my 42 years of doing stand-up comedy, and it’s about reminding myself how much I love what I do. The connection with my audience is incredibly meaningful, and it makes every show feel fresh and vital.
Megan Fitzgerald: You’ve had a long history of tackling big topics in your comedy. How do you manage to address serious subjects with such humor?
Margaret Cho: I think that I’m really unserious about the way I approach it, but I’m very serious about the issues themselves. I want to talk about things like equality, feminism, and trans rights—but I also want to make it fun. The juxtaposition of high-minded ideas with crass, graphic humor is part of what makes it powerful. Comedy is a tool to make tough subjects more accessible and relatable, and that’s what I try to do.
Megan Fitzgerald:You often discuss these “tough subjects” that people, sometimes, say we shouldn’t talk about in public—politics, sexuality, race, gender, all of those things. How do you push back against those stereotypes that those conversations shouldn’t be had?
Margaret Cho: I want it to be funny, and I want it to be valuable information. Ultimately, I’m an entertainer. I’m an artist, and I work as a comedian, and that’s what I always want to do. So I never want to lose sight of that. Like, I’m not a politician. I’m working towards activism, but I’m also very aware that my job is very specific. So I want it to be funny and informative, but also valuable to hear. For me, I never want to lose sight of the goal, which is to make people laugh. That, to me, sustains it all. So there’s a point to it, you know? It is entertainment, and I also want to make sure it’s valuable.
Megan Fitzgerald: For someone who may be on the fence about coming to your show, what would you say to convince them?
Margaret Cho: It’s so much fun, and I’m really good at what I do. People should come to the show if they want to see someone who is still excited about comedy after all these years. It’s a thrilling, blazing good time, and it’s a show you don’t want to miss!
Megan Fitzgerald: Your comedy has always resonated with the LGBTQ+ community. What does that connection mean to you?
Margaret Cho: The queer community is everything to me. It’s inextricable from my work and my life. To be part of this community and to perform for a mostly queer audience is incredibly meaningful. It’s an honor to be able to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career. It’s also about creating a space where people can feel seen, understood, and celebrated.
Megan Fitzgerald: If someone has never been to one of your shows before, what should they expect?
Margaret Cho: It’s so much fun. I really am good at what I do. I’m really excited about what I do. I still really love what I do, and I think that it’s a good time to see me, because I’m really excited about it. It’s a blazing good time.
Author: Megan Fitzgerald, PhD, Associate Professor
