I'm the One That I Want

By: Margaret Cho

Narrated by: Margaret Cho

Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

At age 16, Margaret Cho dropped out of school and began touring as a standup comedian. By 23, she was the star of her own sitcom, All-American Girl, the groundbreaking show featuring television's first Asian American family. But the road to fame wasn't smooth, and when the sitcom crashed and burned, so did Margaret.

Without ever losing her trademark humor, Margaret tells her astonishing tale of dieting her way into the hospital, drinking herself into oblivion, then rising from the ashes in her smash-hit, one-woman show and record-breaking concert film. I'm the One That I Want, based on her show of the same name, is filled with dead-on insights about the experience of being a woman with attitude, of flowing with the highs and lows of life, and of creating one's own identity and acceptance. It is every bit as hilarious, shocking, and irreverent as she is.

©2001 Margaret Cho (P)2001 HighBridge Company; 16 9

Critic reviews

"[Margaret Cho is] outspoken, profane, radical, and excruciatingly funny." (Los Angeles Times)

Great early life stories

I was going to buy the paperback, but I didn't want to miss the mom impersonations. The early life stories were exceptionally funny.

Absolutely Wonderful!

You will laugh, cry, cheer, and adore, especially if you're a fan. Margaret, as always, delivers a greqt performance. Thank you, Margaret, for such an excellent novel. Honestly, this was the third time listening.

Hilarious and deeply engrossing

This was my first audible book. I chose it because I wanted something funny, and found that not only was it hilarious, it was also touching, sad, inspiring and a lot more things at the same time. What makes it even better is that the comedian reads her own story, and all the impressions of her parents and relatives are absolutely perfect-- I found myself doubled over during the first ten minutes-- I literally COULD NOT STAND UP, I was laughing so hard. I found myself greedily listening to this way beyond the time I alotted myself for a half hour of daily exercise. The story progresses through the star's childhood, how she became a comedian, how she became famous, etc. It also describes her eating disorder, problems with drugs, men, etc. All told with flashes of humor that are so brilliant-- she's a genius and should do more of these. The book came to an end way too soon-- wish it was unabridged instead of abridged.

This is not funny.

Although Margaret Cho is known to us as a comedian this audiobook is not funny. There are a few moments that are light, like when she protrays her mother, it does bring a smile, but by no means is this a comedy. It is actually just sad. Kind of pathetic in a way. Cho relates her life to the reader and as it is so desperate that one cannot help but feel sorry for her and yet you can't help but feel disgusted at the same time. It goes from a sad childhood to a sad adulthood and then some light at then end of tunnel towards the end.

Horrifically entertaining.

She blindsided me with this auto-biographical tale of trials she's faced. And won me over with heartfelt pain and insight. I think fans and critics alike would enjoy this book.

Love the story, love the read

I'd imagine this book is a very good read, but I'm so glad I experienced the audio version with the talented Ms. Cho performing the book.

Amazing work

Someone growing up with experiences like Margaret Cho could easily destroy one’s self worth. This isn’t about a downward spiral but a journey into loving oneself and learning to move on from those that hurt us most, which aren’t necessarily external.

not complete book

I love the book but the whole biography isn't here? I've read it many times and was disappointed by the omissions.

Empty Profanity

If you are looking for vacuous profanity and the psychosis du jour, read Cho's books. Perhaps she should have finished High School. She may have developed a vocabulary consisting of more than 100 words. If she did indeed "crash and burn", I believe that the flames have yet to be extinguished!

Painful to get through

Reading this book wasn't as awful as listening to Cho read it aloud. She wrote interesting material but turns herself into such a victim in her portrayal that it is hard to bear.