Margaret Cho is and probably always will be a highly adept stand-up performer, ingratiating and unafraid of looking silly or sounding caustic; however, her fourth filmed concert, "Assassin", falls a bit short. Cho, much thinner here with her messy hair pulled back, has somehow evolved into the gay world's Everywoman, a best friend who is immediately at the ready when injustice strikes. She's a protester, an activist, a fight-for-our-rights loudspeaker against unacceptable inequality. This isn't new territory for Cho, however this is the first film she's done which is so politically charged and challenging (Cho says in the companion DVD documentary that she is not "angry", she's simply confused). Comparisons to Lenny Bruce, however, may seem a bit premature, especially as Cho has begun to leave her more personal comical experiences by the wayside--and those were her strongest moments. "Assassin" is a diatribe on President Bush, the Pope, "the gay agenda", Terry Schiavo, Bjork, and feminism--not the kind of material (recorded, by the way, in front of a nervous-seeming Washington, D.C. audience) that makes for big laughs. When Cho nails a gag (and then milks it wholeheartedly), she can be side-splittingly effective, and her segues into different topics are wonderfully smooth. But she doesn't seem quite in tune with this particular live audience, and too much of the material is hammered home without thoughtful ripples or nuances. Cho is still a cheerful presence, and fun to watch and listen to, but her more angular face and slimmer appearance (and a throatier voice?) have intruded on her body language and her vocal tricks. She's still special, she's still "the one to want", but she's running the risk of becoming just like everybody else. ** from ****
17 Reviews
Yes, she's funny, and no, she's not interested in the majority
Bil-324 October 2005
The thing that makes me laugh about straight, white men and their reactions to comedians like Margaret Cho is that they're so used to being the major demographic for every movie, television show, advertisement etc. that when something isn't aimed at them they feel COMPLETELY lost. "Oh my God, why is she talking about gays all the time?" "Why is she talking about her period?" "Why is she talking about Asians?" Since when did a comedian vary their topics that much? Just because it's not about you doesn't mean it's not funny, it's just that for ONCE you're not the one translating what you're hearing to make it apply to your life the way ethnic people, gays and lesbians or women in general often have to do. So if you don't think Margaret's funny because her sense of humour doesn't appeal to you, that's cool, but if you don't think she's funny because she's not talking about you, TOOOOOOOOOOO BAD! You're going to have to share the world with others after all.
Sadly this is the worst
daddogsanddramedy15 March 2006
Typically I love Margaret Cho. I go see her when she's in town, I buy all of her DVDs, I have the posters. But this one was a big let down. It is seriously like watching some lame form of the news being broadcast. I laughed ONLY once and it was on her parody of Bjork because it was dead on. Please, please Margaret, go back to your REAL comedy and leave the boring news broadcasts to the folks in the suits at 10PM. There is little talk of her mother, little of her ordinary jokes and references and few attempts at anything funny at all. I highly recommend her first two DVDs, but beg of you to skip this one for your own sanity.
gayer and gayer still...
lee_eisenberg29 December 2005
Margaret Cho tells it like it is, regardless of what anyone wants to think, although her outrageous factor varies from time to time. In "Margaret Cho: Assassin", she talks about various things in the news in 2005: Terri Schiavo, the Pope's death, etc. I really liked her comments about people voting Republican solely to outlaw gay marriage (the gay agenda?). Believe you me, everything that she says is the truth. Her comments about hate mail sent to her show just how out of touch with things all these right-wing wackos are. Also really good was her suggestion for wedding planners. There are not many people who can do it like Margaret Cho. As far as I'm concerned, she IS America.
This is not the Margaret Cho you are looking for..
vhylok28 August 2007
I totally love Margaret Cho's comedy, and I agree with about 99% of her political views.
This particular concert film totally sucked.
Like many have mentioned, the pace is very painful. She'd tell part of a joke, then the audience would applaud and hoot for 2 minutes, then after they settled down, she'd tell the second part of the joke and it would go on like this for the entire film.
It would be like this;
MC: Why did the chicken .... Audience: Ha ha ha! She said chicken! I love chicken! *clap clap* (for a full minute) MC: Cross the road? Audience: Hilarious! Road! There is a road outside my apartment! I love Margaret Cho! *clap* *hoot* for a full minute MC: Because it was gay! Audience: *standing ovation for 2 minutes*
I've seen most of her other concert films and I watched her TV Show (which sucked, but not because of her) and I've seen her doing stand-up on other shows and she is incredibly funny. I went to a showing of one film just because she was going to show up before the show to say hi to the audience. That's how much I love her (And I'm not even gay!)
Some reviewers are saying that the bad reviews here are because people are offended by her comedy and give it high ratings because they think Cho is courageous for speaking her mind, etc, etc... Well OK. If you want to spend an hour or so listening to her speaking her mind, that's fine. If you are looking for her typically outstanding comedy...rent one of her earlier films.
My wife fell asleep watching this movie. I think I chuckled ONCE. Most of the time I was yelling at the screen "Hurry up! Say something funny!" or "Stop clapping! Let her go on!"
The crowd really cramped her comedic timing here. They cheered her like a returning war hero...I wish they would have just let her do her thing.
Anyway, it sucked as a funny film.
Now if you respond and say that I suck because I don't agree with her stance, or that I suck because I'm putting her down, go ahead, but you are wrong. She's awesome and I love her comedy AND political views and you are doing a disservice to people looking for honest reviews. I think even if the audience rented this film and watched it, they'd think it wasn't as funny as they remembered.
This particular concert film totally sucked.
Like many have mentioned, the pace is very painful. She'd tell part of a joke, then the audience would applaud and hoot for 2 minutes, then after they settled down, she'd tell the second part of the joke and it would go on like this for the entire film.
It would be like this;
MC: Why did the chicken .... Audience: Ha ha ha! She said chicken! I love chicken! *clap clap* (for a full minute) MC: Cross the road? Audience: Hilarious! Road! There is a road outside my apartment! I love Margaret Cho! *clap* *hoot* for a full minute MC: Because it was gay! Audience: *standing ovation for 2 minutes*
I've seen most of her other concert films and I watched her TV Show (which sucked, but not because of her) and I've seen her doing stand-up on other shows and she is incredibly funny. I went to a showing of one film just because she was going to show up before the show to say hi to the audience. That's how much I love her (And I'm not even gay!)
Some reviewers are saying that the bad reviews here are because people are offended by her comedy and give it high ratings because they think Cho is courageous for speaking her mind, etc, etc... Well OK. If you want to spend an hour or so listening to her speaking her mind, that's fine. If you are looking for her typically outstanding comedy...rent one of her earlier films.
My wife fell asleep watching this movie. I think I chuckled ONCE. Most of the time I was yelling at the screen "Hurry up! Say something funny!" or "Stop clapping! Let her go on!"
The crowd really cramped her comedic timing here. They cheered her like a returning war hero...I wish they would have just let her do her thing.
Anyway, it sucked as a funny film.
Now if you respond and say that I suck because I don't agree with her stance, or that I suck because I'm putting her down, go ahead, but you are wrong. She's awesome and I love her comedy AND political views and you are doing a disservice to people looking for honest reviews. I think even if the audience rented this film and watched it, they'd think it wasn't as funny as they remembered.
Another Brilliant Cho Experience!
CinemanBear9 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
WOW! With all due respect to my fellow reviewers, I was shocked that this film didn't get the raves that I'm about to give.
I have enjoyed watching our Miss Cho evolve over the years. My first taste of Cho came, I believe, somewhere in the mid-to-late-nineties. For fellow Cho aficionados, you'll recall this was the stand-up special that she wore the sassy little leather jump suit, and she was just on the brink of success (or so she thought) with "All-American Girl". What a dramatic contrast from that performance to "Assassin". Gone from the former are the biting political commentary and brand of raunchy wit that we have now come to expect from Cho. Instead, as I recall, her topics of choice were the development of her pending sitcom, 1980's nostalgia, and her family, among other things. Now that I think about it, there were very minor hints of the Margaret Cho we would come to know and love.
Fast forward almost 10 years later...Had Cho decided to not break out of her box, be who she is, and tell all the conglomerates and the rest of us wanting to keep her in that box to go take a flying leap, she probably would have gone the way of her ill-fated sitcom. Cho has grown so much as evidenced in her series of concert films starting with "I'm The One That I Want". With "Assassin", I believe Cho has fully come into her own. She's firm in what she stands for and has no problem telling you how she feels. To paraphrase the comedian herself: she's not angry, just confused about the problems and injustice in the world. This concert film is a lesson in blending the expression of political opinion with the appropriate (and sometimes random) amount of humor. Suffice it to say, Margaret Cho does it beautifully.
In my opinion, the reason that the few reviews I read weren't as favorable as my own are due in large part to our basic human nature to reject that which we are not used to or don't readily understand. In at least one review, there is remorse for the absence of her classic and well-loved impersonations of her hysterical mother. At first, I was only mildly disappointed, until I realized that, above the fact she's a performer, Cho is also an artist. As an artist, perhaps she's bored continuing the shtick of her mother and has made the decision to gradually phase her mother out of her act, save for maybe the casual reference and impersonation where appropriate, in which case she made an excellent effort at that in "Assassin".
Obviously, I can go on and on spreading the gospel that is Margaret Cho. This film has definitely made me see her in a brand new light and has provided me a deeper insight into what I do believe is an extraordinary human being, but don't take my word for it. Here's an experiment: rent all of her concert films, "I'm The One That I Want" all the way up to "Assassin". See the evolution of Cho and then decide.
I have enjoyed watching our Miss Cho evolve over the years. My first taste of Cho came, I believe, somewhere in the mid-to-late-nineties. For fellow Cho aficionados, you'll recall this was the stand-up special that she wore the sassy little leather jump suit, and she was just on the brink of success (or so she thought) with "All-American Girl". What a dramatic contrast from that performance to "Assassin". Gone from the former are the biting political commentary and brand of raunchy wit that we have now come to expect from Cho. Instead, as I recall, her topics of choice were the development of her pending sitcom, 1980's nostalgia, and her family, among other things. Now that I think about it, there were very minor hints of the Margaret Cho we would come to know and love.
Fast forward almost 10 years later...Had Cho decided to not break out of her box, be who she is, and tell all the conglomerates and the rest of us wanting to keep her in that box to go take a flying leap, she probably would have gone the way of her ill-fated sitcom. Cho has grown so much as evidenced in her series of concert films starting with "I'm The One That I Want". With "Assassin", I believe Cho has fully come into her own. She's firm in what she stands for and has no problem telling you how she feels. To paraphrase the comedian herself: she's not angry, just confused about the problems and injustice in the world. This concert film is a lesson in blending the expression of political opinion with the appropriate (and sometimes random) amount of humor. Suffice it to say, Margaret Cho does it beautifully.
In my opinion, the reason that the few reviews I read weren't as favorable as my own are due in large part to our basic human nature to reject that which we are not used to or don't readily understand. In at least one review, there is remorse for the absence of her classic and well-loved impersonations of her hysterical mother. At first, I was only mildly disappointed, until I realized that, above the fact she's a performer, Cho is also an artist. As an artist, perhaps she's bored continuing the shtick of her mother and has made the decision to gradually phase her mother out of her act, save for maybe the casual reference and impersonation where appropriate, in which case she made an excellent effort at that in "Assassin".
Obviously, I can go on and on spreading the gospel that is Margaret Cho. This film has definitely made me see her in a brand new light and has provided me a deeper insight into what I do believe is an extraordinary human being, but don't take my word for it. Here's an experiment: rent all of her concert films, "I'm The One That I Want" all the way up to "Assassin". See the evolution of Cho and then decide.
To slow and boring
gulmor19 January 2006
I started watching this thinking I was going to see some funny stand-up. Probably my fault for not checking, but M Cho is just a bit too hung up in all her political and gay rights issues to really be funny in this show. Not that her willingness to tackle such issues is not admirable, but it just takes the fun out of the stand-up and belongs elsewhere. And could she deliver the lines any slower? I mean if you'd cut all the annoying pauses where she is just standing there waiting for applause that does not come you'd have like a 30 minutes shorter show. So if you are not into extremely politically oriented half serious stand-up you might want to give this one a miss.
Hilarious!
gypsywindsong200318 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Margaret Cho is, as always, marvelous! I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my spaghetti! This is a must-see -- just like all of her stuff! I just read the review that talks about more clapping than laughing. I see that as a person who has too much time on his/her hands who really doesn't like Margaret Cho. It's disappointing that someone will write something like this just to get people to avoid watching a stupendously funny woman just because she is a raw, amazing, gay-friendly :), brave, confident comedian. Margaret Cho is an uncensored laugh riot. She is raw and she says things that surprise you to the core. Her remarks about Laura Bush and Barbara Bush are so "out there" you just may choke on your own spaghetti! Enjoy watching this -- I highly recommend this movie when you want to laugh your ass off!
More Clapping then laughing
eliakd6 November 2005
More clapping then laughing says it all... it wasn't all that offensive but from the clapping from the "alergic to pussy" and the clapping I'd say 90% of the audience was gay or lesbian and just clapping to *support the community* sort of thing, publicity... I got nothing against lesbians and gays at all but this is just kinda stupid... in less your buying it just for that reason I really wouldn't bother watching this... not funny, not that offensive really either, she leaves too much time between "jokes" which are mostly statements more then jokes, very slow paced... short statements that mostly don't connect.
in summery 1. not funny 2. statements more then jokes 3. slow delivery 4. unconnected jokes expect that most are about gays 5. audience cheers and claps but doesn't laugh that much... really tells you something, they agree with what she says but she's not funny.
in summery 1. not funny 2. statements more then jokes 3. slow delivery 4. unconnected jokes expect that most are about gays 5. audience cheers and claps but doesn't laugh that much... really tells you something, they agree with what she says but she's not funny.
Awesome
Jupiccolo19 August 2006
This movie was awesome. Basically, if you're a pansy and can't handle other people's opinions, you probably shouldn't watch it. But then again, nobody really cares how you think or feel anyway. Like the person who posted above me is obviously just butt hurt. Margaret Cho is hilarious.
She does talk about a lot of things which may be considered controversial, however, there's no need for them to be. Personally, I agreed with a lot of the things she said. So, if when I said butt hurt and pansy, you were offended, don't watch her movie. You'll just be offended like this fairy above me.
She does talk about a lot of things which may be considered controversial, however, there's no need for them to be. Personally, I agreed with a lot of the things she said. So, if when I said butt hurt and pansy, you were offended, don't watch her movie. You'll just be offended like this fairy above me.
By far the Gayest stand-up I've ever seen..but does that make it funny?
loegend17 September 2005
I respect Margaret Cho even though I can't say I'm that familiar with her stand-up films. I had caught "I'm the one that I want" on cable with my boyfriend of the time (yea, I'm a guy) and had found it pretty entertaining with her reflections on her life, failed TV show, self-image and yes, the gay men in her life that "like @ss". I may be wrong, but it seems in the time from "I'm the one..." and "Assassin" Cho has become far too clued into the kind of jokes her very gay or gay-friendly audience probably wants to hear and seems to only focus on rather easy shots on the queeny men in her life, bullish lesbians, and the Bush administration. It wouldn't be a problem if the jokes were particularly witty or the political observations thought-provoking, but neither is usually the case and Cho herself comes off as sounding juvenile with frequent interjections of "like" during her heavy-handed tirades and reiterative stereotypical imitations. Cho adds to the disappointment with a rather smug and self-congratulatory attitude for material she obviously thinks of as "dangerous" when I found it a bit monotonous. Sorry Margaret, there's nothing "dangerous" or risky when you preach to the converted. I must interject (for I know Cho fans and defenders will assume otherwise) I am in no way Republican, Conservative, STRAIGHT, or pro-life. I am also not a femmy, Ryan Seacrest-clone, Judy Garland fan like Margaret Cho seems to assume most gay men are...am I alone in wanting something a bit more intelligent and less stereotypical pandering in my "gay" entertainment?
If you don't like me? I'm going to make you HATE MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
kissmyabs198420 August 2006
I think Margaret Cho is extremely powerful politically at the same time being humorous. She stands up for human rights and equality. Anyone who has something negative to say is obviously intimidated by Ms. Cho's powerful Voice. I'm super impressed that Margaret Cho uses her Celebritism for a good cause instead of flaunting Champagne and bling bling like a dumb ass in a Bentley. She's a great person with a good heart and it doesn't matter if you don't like her. Because you know deep down inside, everybody know's Ms. Cho is right. If you think all Ms. Cho is good at doing is telling jokes about her mom, think AGAIN BITCH WHO POSTED THE LAST COMMENT. LOVE YOU Margaret!!
Boring Political Commentary with Little to No Humor
glambarbie24 January 2006
If your looking for a political speech, rent it. If not, don't waste your time. There were very few attempts at humor -- and those that were attempted were poorly conceived. The entire show is mostly just political commentary - which would be fine, if it were billed that way. Snore!! Also, Margaret's rants are all so full of rage that you might need a Tums. It appears that she is more in the business of spewing bile than attempting to entertain. While I feel sorry for someone so unhappy, I so wish I hadn't been a part of it! Comedy should make you laugh, not pity the 'comedian'. I kept watching, thinking it would get better and, sadly, it never did.
So Not Funny- Totally milks audiences
dinopass15 February 2006
Seems most people agree- I respect her, am liberal, and never offended at anything but unfunny "comedy". Her political rants are fairly obvious and pretty much been done by every other political comic/show.
Nothing too wirtty or funny So annoying so how so many times she just waits and pauses and forces the audience to applaud- at this is her crowd The characters and voices are just annoying- her black woman voice, her mom voice (which I don't if she did AGAIN because I couldn't watch)
None is the clever funny or witty, just mostly either political rants or sex for shock value.
She is angry, as id Carlin, but at least he remembers he is a comedian- (except for lately)- she better be careful or she is on her way to being an angry old man
Nothing too wirtty or funny So annoying so how so many times she just waits and pauses and forces the audience to applaud- at this is her crowd The characters and voices are just annoying- her black woman voice, her mom voice (which I don't if she did AGAIN because I couldn't watch)
None is the clever funny or witty, just mostly either political rants or sex for shock value.
She is angry, as id Carlin, but at least he remembers he is a comedian- (except for lately)- she better be careful or she is on her way to being an angry old man
A Selfish Use of Ticket Buyers!
roblunte16 June 2006
I had seen this comedian previously and thought she was funny... then I bought this video and it completely changed my opinion of her... This is so lame! This performance is nothing but a forum for Mrs. Cho to pontificate her liberal political views. As such, the content of the performance is not even funny and to be sure, is not politically balanced either for good measure. We have to be subjected to really bad jokes about the smell of the First Ladies vagina and other crass commentary.
Whats the problem here? Did Mrs. Cho forget how to tell a joke? Is she too lazy to write some new material? Sure, any comedian will have a political "poke" or two... but this just goes on, and on, and on... quickly, you find yourself questioning what you paid for. Did I pay to hear some crafty jokes, or did I pay to hear Mrs. Cho's unsophisticated and unsubstantiated political views.
The only time I remember Cho discussing anything other then "Anti-Bush, Anti-Troops, Anti-flag, Anti-American" dribble, was when she diverged into some very cruel and tasteless jokes about Terry Shiavo, (the poor paraplegic that was confined to a vegetable state, while her family fought to decide her death)... well, Mrs. Cho goes into this impersonation of Mrs. Shiavo, depicting the way Mrs. Shaivo's face looks. This is sick, how low do you have to go to actually make fun of someones gross misfortune, to solicit some laughs! Mrs. Cho, I will never purchase anything of yours again and you have become a complete loser. Thanks for wasting my money and subjecting me to nothing but gross and hurtful commentary. NOT FUNNY! Don't BUY IT. Don't RENT IT... RUN LIKE HELL!
Whats the problem here? Did Mrs. Cho forget how to tell a joke? Is she too lazy to write some new material? Sure, any comedian will have a political "poke" or two... but this just goes on, and on, and on... quickly, you find yourself questioning what you paid for. Did I pay to hear some crafty jokes, or did I pay to hear Mrs. Cho's unsophisticated and unsubstantiated political views.
The only time I remember Cho discussing anything other then "Anti-Bush, Anti-Troops, Anti-flag, Anti-American" dribble, was when she diverged into some very cruel and tasteless jokes about Terry Shiavo, (the poor paraplegic that was confined to a vegetable state, while her family fought to decide her death)... well, Mrs. Cho goes into this impersonation of Mrs. Shiavo, depicting the way Mrs. Shaivo's face looks. This is sick, how low do you have to go to actually make fun of someones gross misfortune, to solicit some laughs! Mrs. Cho, I will never purchase anything of yours again and you have become a complete loser. Thanks for wasting my money and subjecting me to nothing but gross and hurtful commentary. NOT FUNNY! Don't BUY IT. Don't RENT IT... RUN LIKE HELL!
Not funny
anbudmor10 September 2010
I've seen Cho on various things on TV and thought she was quite funny, so I decided to give this one a try. I was extremely disappointed. I'm on-board with her politically, but making a statement of political opinion, no matter how true, is not comedy. We all know George Bush was an idiot, but just saying that doesn't make it funny.
In terms of political humor, Bill Hicks was the master. He not only got the point across, but he was hilarious while doing so. That is what I expect from a political comedian.
The oppression of minorities, and in some cases majorities, is an awful thing--but just saying so is pretty awful comedy.
In terms of political humor, Bill Hicks was the master. He not only got the point across, but he was hilarious while doing so. That is what I expect from a political comedian.
The oppression of minorities, and in some cases majorities, is an awful thing--but just saying so is pretty awful comedy.
She used to be funny...what happened?
Skeletors_Hood8 August 2006
Okay, I will officially say that in the legal sense, to be called a comedian you HAVE to be FUNNY!!!! Bottom line! And this was not funny at all, but rather sad.
I have seen Cho's previous films, and I always enjoyed her comedy. Somewhere along the line, she took a huge wrong turn. This film contained no jokes at all, just crude and crass political observations. Cho has stepped up so high on her soapbox that she has forgotten how to tell a joke. Even her impression of her mom was sad and lagging, like even she knew she was beating a dead horse by this time in the show.
Perhaps she should lend her ear to Dennis Miller or Bill Maher, if she is serious about being a political comic, because they know how to be political, and keep it humorous.
Ms. Cho, I will never waste my money on your stuff again.
I have seen Cho's previous films, and I always enjoyed her comedy. Somewhere along the line, she took a huge wrong turn. This film contained no jokes at all, just crude and crass political observations. Cho has stepped up so high on her soapbox that she has forgotten how to tell a joke. Even her impression of her mom was sad and lagging, like even she knew she was beating a dead horse by this time in the show.
Perhaps she should lend her ear to Dennis Miller or Bill Maher, if she is serious about being a political comic, because they know how to be political, and keep it humorous.
Ms. Cho, I will never waste my money on your stuff again.
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