Margaret Cho will not be silenced

One thing about Margaret Cho: She isn't the quiet type.

The multi-hyphenate performer -- comedian, actress and singer -- has always been outspoken about politics (she's an avowed liberal), sexuality (she's bi) and social issues.

So it was amusing, in a way, that the voluble Cho, 40, has been silenced the past few weeks since developing nodes on her vocal cords.

The feisty stand-up, who broke ground 15 years ago when her short-lived ABC sitcom, "All-American Girl," became the first to prominently feature an all-Asian cast, has been under doctor's orders since the end of August not to speak -- except for show performances -- for a month.

Though Cho was unable to do a traditional phone interview, she offered to answer questions via e-mail.

While the situation is a little unfortunate from a journalistic standpoint -- it's kind of tough to ask follow-up questions -- the exclamation-point-happy Cho quickly responded Friday to a list of queries about her role on the new Lifetime TV hit "Drop Dead Diva," dealing with stereotypes, what to expect from her two shows Saturday at The National, her upcoming album and her fervent gay following.

Q. What's going on with your voice? Is it killing you not to be able to talk as much?

A. Today I started talking again because I'm recording my album in Nashville with [musician-songwriter] Andrew Bird. I actually didn't mind having to be silent and even did some shows silently! It forced me to be a lot more creative in ways that were totally unexpected, so I'm glad that it all turned out the way it did.

Q. "Drop Dead Diva" turned out to be a pretty big hit. Are you surprised that it was so well-received?

A. I love the show, and I'm not surprised that it's a big hit! It's wonderfully written, and there are some incredible performances, and I'm just in love with it.

Q. The show nails the stereotypes associated with people who aren't anorexic. You dealt with criticism from ABC with "All-American Girl" because you dared to look like a normal person. Now the rumor floating around about Casey Wilson getting fired from "SNL" is that she was told to lose 30 pounds before the new season and she refused [which she's denied]. How did you deal with that criticism from the network, and how crazy does it make you that such insane double standards still exist?

A. It's terrible that real women are so incredibly invisible in television and film, but this show, I think, is going to really change that.

Q. After the "All-American Girl" experience, do you have any desire to try sitcoms again?

A. I'd love to do another sitcom, but I'm having a great time with "Drop Dead Diva" now.

Q. You're an all-around entertainer with the stand-up, music, acting. . . . Is there one that you love the most?

A. I really love stand-up, and it's the one thing I can't really live without doing. I do comedy when I'm not working at all. I do it for free. I'm always thinking of what I can do, always writing. Stand-up is my identity.

Q. Your stand-up shows are known for being raunchy. Do we need to warn people who might not be completely familiar with you (maybe they just discovered you on Lifetime) that you're a little saltier than, say, Ellen DeGeneres?

A. My shows are always changing, so who knows what it will be like!

Q. You've never shied away from political commentary in your show. Now that George Bush is gone, have you incorporated anything about Obama yet?

A. I'm a big Obama supporter and was on his presidential campaign! I'm so happy he is president, and I think he's doing an awesome job.

Q. You're highly regarded in the gay community, but do you ever yearn for mainstream fame/acclaim?

A. I think I have it!

Q. Speaking of . . . do you feel like you're competing with your old pal Kathy Griffin for the gay audience?

A. Oh, I don't know about that. I feel like there's enough to go around, and she's a great comic!

Q. About how many tattoos do you have now? Is there any one that is particularly meaningful -- and why?

A. I have maybe 50 or something. I lost count! I love them all, but my favorite is the little derringer in a garter on my left thigh.

Q. When is your next album coming out? Can you give me a few details about it; does it have a title?

A. I'm not sure what it will be called yet, but it's going to have lots of funny songs with serious music, which is my goal. Some titles are "Eat [bleep] and Die" and "Hate [bleep] You." Those are the more offensive titles.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .