Margaret Cho Reflects on Ellen DeGeneres' Unkind Interaction During Career

In a recent interview, comedian Margaret Cho revealed her complicated history with Ellen DeGeneres, stating that DeGeneres was often "weird and not nice" to her throughout her career. The two comedians have known each other since the 1980s when they both performed in the comedy circuit. Cho made these comments during an episode of The Kelly Mantle Show, where she recounted her experiences opening for DeGeneres at comedy clubs during the early years of their careers.

Cho expressed her disappointment regarding DeGeneres' behavior, particularly during her appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the 2000s. "She would act like we just met," Cho recalled, expressing confusion over DeGeneres' demeanor given their shared history. "Bitch, what? That’s weird. We go way back. It’s so creepy and weird," she added.

One specific incident that Cho highlighted involved her attending a David Bowie concert while dressed in a "Chinese emperor outfit." During her subsequent appearance on DeGeneres' show, Bowie expressed admiration for Cho's attire, but his compliments were edited out of the broadcast. "The producer, who’s a really good friend of mine, had to call me and tell me, ‘I can’t believe she did this, but she cut it out of the show,’" Cho recalled. Despite the possibility that the comments were removed for time constraints, Cho stated, "I’m going to take it personally."

Margaret Cho had previously addressed her sentiments towards DeGeneres in a 2020 interview on the Hot Takes & Deep Dives podcast, particularly in light of the allegations surrounding DeGeneres' talk show. After an internal investigation into claims of a toxic work environment, DeGeneres chose to end her talk show in 2021 after 19 seasons, citing a lack of challenge in the format. "When you're a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged," she told The Hollywood Reporter at the time.

The fallout from DeGeneres' show has had lasting implications, both for her career and the broader conversation surrounding workplace culture in the entertainment industry. Cho's comments reflect a growing trend among performers to speak out about their experiences within the industry, particularly regarding the treatment of women and marginalized voices.

In her recent stand-up special, "Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval," DeGeneres humorously addressed the controversies, noting how the narrative that emerged about her contradicted her public persona as a proponent of kindness. "The ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind, that was the headline," she quipped.

As the landscape of comedy continues to evolve, the dynamics of relationships among comedians, particularly those with shared histories, remain a significant topic of discussion. Cho’s candid remarks about DeGeneres serve not only as a reflection of her personal experiences but also as an invitation for broader conversations regarding authenticity, accountability, and the complexities of professional relationships in comedy.

This discourse comes at a time when the entertainment industry is increasingly scrutinized for its treatment of artists and employees alike. As more individuals share their stories, the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive environment becomes paramount. Moving forward, it is clear that understanding the past interactions and relationships within the comedy community will be crucial in shaping a more equitable future.