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We're Out of Time

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

3/17/202636 min

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with legendary comedian, actor, and activist Margaret Cho for a raw and unfiltered conversation about addiction, relapse, and survival.

Margaret opens up about her decades-long journey with substance abuse, including relapsing after seven years of sobriety and the dangerous mindset that can come with addiction. She speaks candidly about the realities of drug use, the dark humor that often surrounds it, and why so many comedians struggle with substance abuse behind the scenes.

The two also explore the connection between comedy and ne...

Clips

Cho pushes back on "too woke"
Alive against all odds
How the relapse began
Dark calculus of Narcan
Comedy as control room
GLP-1s quiet the food noise
Richard Pryor’s brave blueprint
Bill Burr’s outrage jiu-jitsu
Why comics fall into addiction

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Margaret Cho· Guest0:00

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

  2. Richard Taite· Host0:05

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

  3. Margaret Cho· Guest0:08

    That's the AD. I don't even like dick, but I end up, like, getting hooked up with these, like, uh, crazy guys who are gonna kill me for being a lesbian.

  4. Speaker 20:16

    [upbeat music] If someone has a problem with substance use disorder, please call 1 Call Placement. That's 888-831-1581, and if we can't help you, we'll make a referral to someone who can. 1 Call Placement is affiliated with Carrera Treatment Wellness and Spa, and One Method Treatment Centers.

  5. Richard Taite· Host0:52

    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 opened 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 standup tour, Cho-ligarchy. So Margaret, thank you for coming on the show today.

  6. Margaret Cho· Guest1:25

    Thank you.

  7. Richard Taite· Host1:25

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

  8. Margaret Cho· Guest1:28

    Yeah.

  9. Richard Taite· Host1:29

    Right?

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