Drunk With Power

Album review

Margaret Cho was among the more talented comedians to emerge in the '90s. The very sound of Cho's voice is good for comic relief -- she sounds like a Valley Girl most of the time, and many of her sentences sound more like questions than statements. Cho's television sitcom, All American Girl, died a quick and disastrous death, but when it came to doing standup, the San Francisco native had her share of inspired moments. Recorded live at the Punchline Café in San Francisco in 1996, Drunk with Power isn't perfect but does have some hysterically funny moments. One of Cho's strong points is her ability to laugh at herself. She isn't shy about discussing her battle with her weight, and some of the CD's funniest moments come when Cho -- a Korean-American whose parents moved to the Bay Area from Korea in 1964 -- pokes fun at stereotypes of Asians. Other noteworthy moments come when Cho (who isn't one to avoid profanity or twisted, off-color humor) turns her attention to subjects ranging from abusive panhandlers in New York to vaginal examinations in the doctor's office. Those who appreciate blue humor will find that Drunk with Power has a lot going for it.

© Alex Henderson /TiVo