Margaret Cho has recently shed light on a long-standing rift with fellow comedian Ellen DeGeneres, sharing her experiences on the “Kelly Mantle Show” podcast. The 56-year-old comedian recounted how DeGeneres, who was once a headliner in comedy clubs during the 1980s when Cho was opening for her, often seemed dismissive and unkind throughout her career.
Reflecting on their past interactions, Cho expressed her disappointment, stating, “Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career. When I would do her talk show in the 2000s, she would act like we just met!” This sentiment highlights a sense of betrayal for Cho, who felt there was a significant history between them that DeGeneres seemed to overlook.
One particularly memorable incident occurred when Cho attended a David Bowie concert dressed in a “giant Chinese emperor outfit.” The following day, during her appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Bowie had complimented her outfit, but Cho was shocked to discover that the anecdote was cut from the episode. “It made me so mad,” she recalled. “The producer, who was a really good friend of mine, had to call and tell me, ‘I can’t believe she did this but she cut it out of the show. But you need to know that he was going on and on about your outfit! God said your name.’”
Cho’s frustration was palpable as she described the incident, emphasizing, “[It’s] so rude! I don’t know if it was personal, maybe it was cut for time. But still, I’m going to take it personally just because I decided to.”
This isn’t the first time DeGeneres has faced criticism from fellow comedians. Rosie O’Donnell has also publicly addressed her complicated feelings towards DeGeneres, noting that while she holds no malice, there were unresolved issues from their past. “We had some stuff in the past that we never resolved,” O’Donnell shared. “I wish her the best. I seriously do.”
O’Donnell expressed surprise when she learned that DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, decided to move from the U.S. to the English countryside following the election of Donald Trump. “I’ve never really known Ellen to say anything political in her life, so I was surprised to read that she left because of President Trump. Like, that shocked me, actually,” O’Donnell remarked.
Kathy Griffin has also been vocal about her disdain for DeGeneres, revealing her feelings during a recent YouTube video. “I have a loathing for her that is epic,” Griffin admitted. “I know a lot of it is jealousy. I get it. She’s way more successful than I’ll ever be.”
Despite the tensions, it seems that many comedians, including Cho and O’Donnell, still wish DeGeneres well. Cho’s candid remarks about her experiences with DeGeneres offer a glimpse into the complexities of relationships within the entertainment industry, where personal and professional histories often intertwine.
DeGeneres, who has largely remained out of the public eye since the conclusion of her talk show, has occasionally shared glimpses of her life in the U.K. through social media. As she embarks on new projects, including her “Ellen’s Last Stand … Up Tour,” it remains to be seen how she will address the criticisms and relationships that have shaped her career.
As fans of these comedians reflect on their journeys, it’s clear that the world of comedy is not just about laughter; it’s also filled with personal stories, rivalries, and the struggle for acceptance and understanding. Cho’s revelations remind us that even in the spotlight, the relationships between artists can be fraught with complexities, and the impacts of those relationships can last a lifetime.