Blake Loves Margaret Cho: September 2008

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Margaret's Va-Jay-Jay Is Haunted!

Tonight's the SEASON FINALE of The Cho Show!! Two episodes, back to back!

In the first episode, Margaret believes she's haunted from the inside out and that it's the source of her writer's block! Watch her vaginal exorcism!

The second episode features Margaret in San Francisco, her hometown, where mayor Gavin Newsom declares it Margaret Cho Day. Make tonight count and watch both episodes!

For a rockin' good time, download "I Cho Am A Woman" if you haven't done so yet. I prefer Amazon for downloading music, but it's also on iTunes and Rhapsody.

Also, the soundtrack to Sordid Lives: The Series is now available on iTunes. It features six great songs by Olivia Newton-John, including "You Look Like A Dick To Me." (Scroll down for the video.)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Last Week of The Cho Show!

I can't believe The Cho Show is winding up already. There are only two new episodes left, and they both air this Thursday night!

I remember when I first heard about All-American Girl in 1994. I was so excited that Margaret would have her own sitcom! Before the internet and things like YouTube were so accessible, it was thrilling that my gal was going to have a weekly gig in homes across America via network TV. As it turned out, AAG was a sanitized, Disney-ized version of the irreverent comic performer. The Cho Show is much truer to who Margaret is. She's at her best with her fun-loving, no-holds-barred comedy. Here's an extended version of her stand-up from episode one:

But just as the show is establishing itself and getting into a groove, the first season is ending. At just seven episodes, it was simply not enough! Hopefully VH1 will give Margaret, Selene and the Glam Squad another season. Check out this hilarious extended scene where the gang discusses how Mr. & Mrs. Cho believe that Selene Luna is born of Margaret:

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Dance Diva Margaret Cho

Once again, it's Thursday, and that means it's Cho night! On last week's episode of The Cho Show, Margaret tore it up in the recording studio, and the result is "I Cho Am A Woman." You can download it on iTunes, Amazon or Rhapsody! (While you're at it, check out the Wed-Rock CD, which features Margaret's duet with John Cameron Mitchell on "Origin of Love" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch.)

Here's Margaret premiering her song at San Francisco gay club Tranny Shack. People sometimes ask what it is about Margaret that appeals to the gay community, and why there's such a mutual admiration society. I think this clip explains it well.

"Woman" is very Britney-esque, but it wouldn't be Margaret without her trademark comedy, here in the form of hilarious asides. So go download it, and then watch tonight's episode. It starts right out with an appearance by Joan Rivers!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sordid Lives Tonight!

If you haven't seen it yet, check out Sordid Lives: The Series on LOGO. The original movie was hailed as "a black comedy about white trash," and the series continues that tradition. The weekly show is actually a prequel to the movie, and it's southern family is deliciously dysfunctional. With standout stars Leslie Jordan (Will & Grace's Beverly Leslie), Beth Grant, Ann Walker, Jason Dottley and songbird Olivia Newton-John, this series is not to be missed!

Check out Olivia as a woman scorned singing "You Look Like A Dick To Me."

There are tons of extras & bonus features on the LOGO site!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Kimberley Locke Rocks Tulare!

Last night, I caught Kimberley Locke's concert at the Tulare County Fair. If you don't know, Tulare County is a farming region located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The fairgrounds is home of the World Ag Expo, so the smell of money was in the air last night, if you catch my drift. Not a lot of my gals come to this area, so when they do, I really make an effort to support them.

I've been a fan of K-Lo's since season 2 of American Idol (Clay who?) and was really rooting for her to win. Earlier this summer, I finally got to see her perform at LA's gay pride festival. Dance mixes of her songs have been big club hits, and Kimberley didn't disappoint. She belted out many of these versions, encouraging the audience to sing along. She playfully chided, "You missed your chorus, bitches!" when we got a bit distracted by her well-sculpted dancers!

Last night's show was a bit different. In lieu of dance tracks, she sang with a talented live band comprised of many of her long-time friends. Until the end, most of the audience stayed seated, but Kimberley took it in stride. "I'm used to people standing up, dancing around, being silly. You guys are really good listeners, aren't you?" Having been part of the fun crowd she described, I had to laugh at her observation.

Locke looked sexy in a long-sleeved black top and black hot shorts and sporting a sassy new short haircut. She pleased the crowd with her incredible voice and witty banter. She even dealt with an overzealous (or just drunk) fan, cleverly acknowledging him and putting him in his place at the same time. My only complaint was that she didn't sing "Band Of Gold," one of my favorite tunes.

After the show, she graciously signed autographs. She was very sweet and appreciative when I said I'd seen her at LA Pride. I wanted to try to meet her after that show, but I was stuck in audience gridlocke (sorry, I can't help myself!) waiting for Olivia Newton-John's performance. I told Kimberley last night, "We were hoping you'd have your dancers with you, but I don't think Tulare's ready for that!" She agreed. After all, you do have to know your audience.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Sandra Bernhard Meets The Chos!

Last March, my friend Racheal and I caught Margaret Cho's Beautiful show at the gorgeous Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Since I'm such a celebriphile, you can imagine my delight when I saw comedienne & vocalist Sandra Bernhard three rows in front of me. Then I noticed Mr. & Mrs. Cho on the other side of the center aisle. As great as the show is, I was a bit distracted. I watched Sandra to see what she laughed at. I watched the Chos for their reactions. And when Margaret riffed on her parents, I watched Sandra watching them!

Of course, the VH1 cameras were there to capture it all. The meeting of this fab foursome was just one scene that didn't make it into last week's episode, but you can check it out here:

In hopes of having a hit single, or just another creative outlet, Margaret hit LA's Record Plant recording studio with producer Desmond Child. He produced "We All Sleep Alone," "Bang Bang," "Just Like Jesse James" and other songs for Cher. Of course, he's worked with many other artists, but never mind them!

Cher's vocal stylings are instantly recognizable and absolutely unforgettable. Clearly Margaret felt the same, as Desmond had to admonish her not to sing "as Cher." I find the recording industry fascinating, so it was interesting to see the work that goes into recording a song. Watch Margaret take a stab at it:

Oh yeah, Margaret and Selene Luna made a mock sex tape too! You can watch the whole hilarious episode on VH1.com. (They should really be paying me for this!) And if that's not enough Margaret, check out Perez Hilton's iChat with her.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Reality Overload

Recently, my friend Dawn told me I remind her of Suede from the current season of Project Runway. I replied, "When Blake talks about himself in the third person, Blake tries to make sure no one else is around!" Blake doesn't have a blue fauxhawk either, but that's another story!

Project Runway is just one of the many reality shows I've been watching lately. Aside from Big Brother, which ends next week, my recent selection involves lots of fashion and design-based shows. I stumbled onto Glam God with Vivica A. (don't forget the A!) Fox because it's part of VH1's "FAB GLAM CHO" Thursday nights. Glam God is like Project Runway for stylists. They start with existing gowns or ensembles and embellish with jewels, handbags, shoes and other accessories. And like any good reality show, there are plenty of gays, but don't judge this book by its cover:

Then there's Bravo's The Rachel Zoe Project, featuring... you guessed it! Celebrity stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe. When the big names in Hollywood need to be perfectly put together for red carpet events, they call Rachel. And in true diva style, she's got her assistants/sidekicks. Let the catfights begin!

Finally, in the vein of HGTV's Design Star (Helloooo David Bromstad!) is Top Design, also on Bravo. Like Design Star, Top Design features a slew of interior designers trying to make it big. One of this season's contestants is a woman who wants to be known as more than just Mrs. Rick(y) Schroder. Right away, her roommate sees her wedding photo (a profile shot) and says, "Your husband looks like Ricky Schroder!" So much for that!

In a funny coincidence, my Hotties 2 Watch on Glam God and Top Design are both named Preston. Check out Top Design's Preston here!

Of course, today is Thursday, and that means The Cho Show is on tonight. Since I know you already watch that, check out Glam God while you're at it. You can watch FULL EPISODES, see bonus scenes, interviews, and get all the scoop on both shows at VH1.com!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Just a junkie (of sorts)

I am a junkie, it's true. When I wake up in the morning, there it is. On my lunch break, a quick fix. After work, I have to have it. It got me through the rough times. It helped me bond with my parents. Grandma even calls me at night to make sure I'm getting it!

I admit it: I can't live without my television! And it's not just TV. I think of myself as an entertainment junkie. Music, movies, and the boob tube have all played a part in molding (and warping) my psyche.

As a kid, it never really seemed like punishment to be sent to my room. At just 7 or 8 years old, I was already spinning records, if only for my own enjoyment. In junior high, I lived for Tuesday nights when "Roseanne"

helped me forget my disdain for school. For ten years in my early adulthood, I never missed my "Friends" on Thursday night.

The tapestry of my life is woven with records, CDs, and VHS tapes. Well, the latter is more piled than woven, but that's beside the point. At any given time, it's as if someone has pressed "Shuffle Songs" in the iPod of my mind. Or on my actual iPod.

Just the other day, I was listening to Cho reading a poignant excerpt from her audio book "I'm The One That I Want." She was recounting the life lessons she learned from her high school friends Alan & Jeremy. The teenage drag queens had taught her to believe in herself. They also schooled the diva-in-training in many other things not for the faint of heart!

And then, with blaring horns and loud guitars, the tender moment was over. Frankie Valli took the wheel of the nostalgia car with the theme from the movie "Grease." The contrast of the spoken-word memories and the '70s soundtrack song made me laugh out loud! But as Margaret's mom would say, "I guess you had to be there."

(I guess it wasn't such an odd juxtaposition after all, since the autobio's title is a twist on the closing number from the movie musical.)