Before the “Harold & Kumar” films, before “Better Luck Tomorrow” and his many appearances on hit TV shows such as “How I Met Your Mother”, “Ugly Betty” and his upcoming 2009 major role as the new Sulu for the upcoming 2009 “Star Trek” film, I first met John when he was promoting the Asian American film “Yellow”.

His career was starting to pick up as he became one of the guys who became popular in the “American Pie” films and since then, he has been one of the few Asian Americans to have a large number of television and film roles and suffice to say, he’s doing quite well now.

John is one of the coolest talents that I interviewed in the past.  We’ve communicated over the years and despite the success,  he was the same guy that I met back then. Humble, helpful and most of all…driven.  A very cool guy!

The interview you are about to read took place back in 1999 and since that time.  Definitely would love to do a follow-up interview with John since it’s nearly ten years since I last interviewed him.  But I hope you enjoy this classic interview!  And also, check out the second “Harold & Kumar” film which came out on DVD and Blu-ray not too long ago.

It takes a lot of persistence to be involved in the entertainment industry and for actor John Cho, it’s starting to pay off.

Some of you may have seen him in movies such as “Shopping for Fangs” where he played a photographer who has an encounter with a glamorous waitress who hides behind dark glasses and a blonde wig.

He was in the movie “Yellow” as the character Joey who was in love with Mina.

Many of you may have seen John in last summer’s hit movie, “American Pie” where he was one of the “MILF” characters and a member of the choir.

You can see him in the new movie “American Beauty” starring Annette Benning and Kevin Spacey.

He is also in the upcoming Flinstones movie in a fight scene with actor, Steven Baldwin.

John’s talent is not limited to the big screen. You may have seen him in the “Dead Man Dating” TV episode of “Charmed” on the WB channel starring Shannon Doherty and Alyssa Milano. But now moreso for his recurring role as Chau on the WB’s “Off Centre”.

He’s also a member of the rock/pop band Left of Zed.

I had the opportunity to interview John who had just returned from China completing a film with veteran actor, Willem Dafoe titled “Pavilion of Women”.

DENNIS: Before we get into questions about your career, let’s learn a little bit about you.  Where were you born and raised?

JOHN: I was born in Seoul, South Korea and I was raised all over the place like San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.

DENNIS: What kind of atmosphere did you grow up in?

JOHN: We’re immigrants so I’m assuming that I was brought up in a Korean upbringing. It’s hard to say now what was Korean and what was my family. There’s certain things we did that were very Korean and were passed down from generations but none of my Korean friends did it with their families.

DENNIS: Have you been to South Korea recently?

JOHN: The last time I was there was seven years ago. It’s been awhile.

DENNIS: How did you get involved in acting?

JOHN: Quite accidentally. I kind of fell into it while I was in college and my friend who was directing wanted me to be part of his show because someone dropped out. I did it and it was fun. So, I did a few plays and someone gave my name to a theater company in the area, and so my first paid acting job was a show called “The Woman Warrior” based on a book by Maxine Kingston. It so happens that it was a book that I admired enormously because I was focusing on Asian American literature at the time of my studies.

DENNIS: Was “Shopping for Fangs” your first movie?

JOHN: Actually, it was “Yellow” and “Shopping for Fangs” because they were both being done simultaneously.

DENNIS: How was the experience working on “Shopping for Fangs”?

JOHN: It was relatively eventful. All I can remember that it was phenomenally hot because it was shot in Alhambra. I remember being immediately struck by the script because it was very clever and so I was into doing that movie.

DENNIS: How about your experience in “Yellow”?

JOHN: The mood was a little different because both movies were different. With “Yellow” it was a blast because I got to work with other young Asian actors.

DENNIS: Was “Yellow” what you expected it to be?

JOHN: Actually it was better than what I expected it to be. When I read scripts It’s hard to tell how a movie is because there are moments when they are written on script format and it seems pretty trite on paper. When they are played out on scene, it becomes more meaningful. “Yellow” was filmed in moments that I couldn’t get a handle on paper and when you see it, it makes more sense. The same with “American Pie” I was like “What the hell is this?” and when I saw it, it was a great movie.

DENNIS: Let’s talk about “American Pie” how was that experience?

JOHN: When went to audition for “American Pie”, I once auditioned for this casting director before and he happened to like me. He heard that I can sing and basically offered me the part as one of the choir people. I did it and it was fine. I got along with the director and the producer and we had a good time.

DENNIS: Anything behind the scenes of “American Pie” that you can share with us?

JOHN: Yeah, I wasn’t cast for that “MILF” thing. They just asked if I can do it and I said yes. I had no idea what it was and when they gave me the lines I was like “are you for real?” It turns out that it was one of the memorable scenes from the movie.

DENNIS: What was it like working with Jason Biggs and the cast of “American Pie”?

JOHN: They were cool. It was an innocent set with the other stars. The director was an easy going guy. The Weitz Brothers are nice fellas. I enjoyed myself.

DENNIS: Were you upset along with the other cast members when some of the media tried to keep teenagers from watching the movie?

JOHN: Actually, I wasn’t aware of any that because I was filming a movie in China. I didn’t know what was going on.

DENNIS: Did you imagine “American Pie” would be so big?

JOHN: No. I wondered why would any would come out since there were no major stars but the director told me that the movie got a 92% approval rating at test theaters and I said “that will do”.

DENNIS: How was the filming of that party scene. It looked very cool.

JOHN: It was disjointed. Almost nothing is fun. It looks fun but It was on a sound stage and we shot in different orders and they did that tracking shot one night in an actual house and all the other stuff were done in different days.

DENNIS: You know this movie is going to be a cult hit.

JOHN: Yeah…I said that this is going to be one of those movies because of the parties and the dorms.

DENNIS: And you will be remembered as the drunken guy screaming for MILF!

JOHN: That’s totally frightening.

DENNIS: You have a part in another movie, “American Beauty” which is receiving rave reviews. How was that experience?

JOHN: It was only a day but it was nice.

DENNIS: How was it to work with Annette Benning?

JOHN: She’s real sweet. I like her. She seems to really enjoy acting.

DENNIS: You also will be in the second “Flinstones” movie. What was it like working with Steven Baldwin? He seems to be a wild and crazy guy.

JOHN: You know we hung out one day. It’s like fun and games with that guy.

DENNIS: You also filmed a movie in China? Can you tell us more about it.

JOHN: The movie is called “Pavilion of Women” based on the book by Pearl Buck. It stars Willem Dafoe. It was really cool. It’s about a woman in 1936 Shanghai who is becoming disenchanted with marriage and she falls in love with an American priest played by Willem who is my tutor. I am her son and I fall in love with my father’s concubine and so we run away and I join the communist army fighting against the Japanese.

DENNIS: Are you done filming the movie?

JOHN: Yeah. I was over there for nine weeks. It was unbearably hot and humid. We had to wear original Chinese clothing and the Queen had to wear a lot of layers like fourteen layers and we were wearing two layers.

DENNIS: What was it like to work with Willem Dafoe?

JOHN: He’s the best. He’s a gentleman and also a very good, focused and honest actor. It was very good to see him work.

DENNIS: Are there any projects you are working on now?

JOHN: I’m currently working on a movie titled “Delivering Milo” with Bridgette Fonda and Campbell Scott.

DENNIS: Do you prefer working on movies or television?

JOHN: Acting is acting but stage is the most fun because it goes in chronological order when you do the show, one scene leads to another scene and it makes emotional sense. You know what time it starts and with television and movies it’s disjointed and you wait around for hours and all of a sudden you do the last scene and then the next day you do the first scene. I would think that for myself, I like stage the most but film and television pay. I like doing them all.

DENNIS: How did it feel to watch yourself on film or for the first time?

JOHN: The same as I feel today, I don’t like it.

DENNIS: Why is that?

JOHN: There is the sanity issue about how you look. You say to yourself “I should of done that differently”.

DENNIS: O.k. John, what is the most satisfying aspect about being an Asian American actor?

JOHN: I don’t know what the most satisfying part about being an Asian actor but for being an actor I think it’s doing the work and having fun pretending.

DENNIS: What is the most frustrating aspect about being an Asian American actor?

JOHN: Having to hustle for jobs. Not knowing when the next job is coming in. it’s hard. There are not enough roles out there and I try not to get rapped up in it or you’ll get depressed.

DENNIS: Do you think the industry is more open to Asian American actors and actresses?

JOHN: I don’t know because I haven’t been around so long. I can’t say how things were back then but from my experience, I am seeing more Asians in commercials but it doesn’t seem things changed so much on television and film. But there is a tendency not to cast immigrants anymore.

DENNIS: Let’s talk about your band “Left of Zed”. How did you get the name for the group?

JOHN: It was taken from one of the songs we wrote.

DENNIS: What kind of style is your music?

JOHN: It’s hard to explain but it’s like U2 meets Weezer meets the Police meets with Dave Mathews. Basically what the people listen to right now.

DENNIS: What kind of music do you listen to?

JOHN: I’m listening to a lot of Marvin Gaye and the latest Blur album. I always liked U2.

DENNIS: How was your first experience with a fan?

JOHN: It was nice and now it’s becoming more frequent especially after “Charmed”. A lot of little girls recognize me from that. With “American Pie” every teenager in America seen that.

DENNIS: Do you like the attention from “American Pie”?

JOHN: Generally, it’s nice to have fans go up to you because it means your career is going well.

DENNIS: Does it get bothersome?

JOHN: You know your day can be disrupted…sometimes it’s ok but all of a sudden your being watched a little bit. I was at the mall a few weeks ago, and a girl followed me from store to store. That was pretty weird.

DENNIS: Do you have any role models?

JOHN: I don’t know about role models but as for actors who I admire…I admire Marlon Brando, Sean Penn and Anthony Hopkins. I could go on and on.

DENNIS: What advice would you give to people who are interested in pursuing a career in acting?

JOHN: Make sure you love what you do. Many people want to get into it for personal glory and they want to be on TV and movies and perceive it will be a glamorous life. You should make sure that you love it because it’s a difficult life for any artist. There’s much concern about the situation of Asian actors. The advice I want to give to the Asian actors out there is we change that by being good because that’s all an actor can do.

DENNIS: Would you like to leave any last thoughts to your fans?

JOHN: Thank you very much for your support and thank you for watching.

One of the coolest interviews that I have done is with Martin Yan.  Back in 1998, me, Lee Min Low and Mahito Tomoi had an opportunity to interview the popular television chef and he took us out for breakfast and as we sat to do our interview, it was surreal because people were gathering around us.   People wanting an autograph and a photo with him.  Definitely a fun time!

The interview was printed on Asian Pacific Review and also featured online on J!-ENT and continues to be one of our interviews that people tend to read.   In fact, I often get e-mails for more interviews with popular chef’s and it’s something I have considered as I do watch a lot of cooking shows, love to cook and have a good sized collection of cooking books on my shelf.

But Martin Yan is the real deal!  After my marriage in 2000, I received a wedding gift from Martin which was a surprise but that kind of shows how kind and compassionate the man truly is.

I hope one day to do a second interview with him again!

You’ve heard him say it many times, “Yan can cook and so can you!” You enjoy watching Martin Yan’s cooking show “Yan Can Cook” (which happens to be the most watched cooking TV show in the world) on PBS where he travels all around the world showing the history of a country and its cuisine.

What we learned is how down to earth and how serious he is in promoting Asian culture and how cool the master chef really is.

(J!) DENNIS: How does it feel to be one of the few successful Asians on TV?
MARTIN: I feel very fortunate that I was able to do things in the last 20 years that a lot of Asians were not able to do. That’s why I focus on the Asian culture on our show. Very few shows truly feature lifestyle, arts and craft and philosophy. Our show serves the purpose of introducing these things that the bigger networks have no time to do.

(J!) DENNIS: Has being successful changed your life?
MARTIN: Even now, I still don’t drive a fancy car or live in a mansion.

(J!) MAHITO: What is the important factor for you in cooking?
MARTIN: I think for any chef or any professional, your work should be your love. Otherwise, you’ll never become successful because if you think you are good, there are a lot of people who are just as good or better than you are. If you want to be truly successful, you need to continue to be good or better in a daily basis.

(J!) MIN: When you go into a Chinese restaurant, do the owners or chef worry that they have to do a special job to impress you?
MARTIN: I don’t think so. First of all, you see me on television and I’m casual. I don’t put on a chef jacket on television because I don’t want to intimidate people. That’s why I have the slogan, “Yan can cook and so can you”. I am very casual. My mother always told me that it’s better to be #2 than #1. If you’re #1, you can’t stay there and be there forever. As long as I achieve what I want to do, which is to introduce the Asian culture and food to people. To be a culinary ambassador.

(J!) MIN: Do you cook at home?
MARTIN: Oh yes! I love to cook because I have no chance to cook at home. I cook for the whole staff. When I can’t cook, I can’t eat by myself, everyone comes.

(J!) MIN: Have you ever thought of opening your own restaurant?
MARTIN: I’m a consultant for many restaurants. I don’t want to have my own restaurant because why be stuck? I won’t be able to do the things that I enjoy doing. I love to travel, teach, share and be creative.

(J!) MIN: Do you like spicy foods?
MARTIN: Oh yeah! When I go to Malaysia or Singapore, I like to eat a lot of spicy food. I like to eat Malaysian curry.

(J!) DENNIS: Of all the places that you have been to, what is your favorite?
(J!) MIN: Hawaii?
MARTIN: I love Hawaii! I love Vancouver! I love Boston! And I love Yosemite! I love places that are romantic and calm. I like any cities with mountain and water. You feel calm with these two and you need the balance. I like places where there are four seasons. In life, I believe you need something to look forward to, so life can be meaningful. You look forward to changes because people need a change.

(J!) MIN: Please tell us about your new book?
MARTIN: “Martin Yan: The Feast” is the latest. Also, “Introduction to Chinese Cooking”. I’m in the process of finishing the book, “The Dummy’s Guide to Chinese Cooking”.

(J!) DENNIS: What about for television? Do you have any new plans?
MARTIN: We are doing a show on the great chef’s of Hong Kong, we’re doing the flavors of Taiwan and the best of Thailand.

(J!) DENNIS: Wow! You’re very busy! What do you do in your free time?
MARTIN: I garden. I have a greenhouse. Many fruit trees and a vegetable garden. I like to be close to nature. I like to do work that requires my hands such as cooking and gardening.

(J!) DENNIS: What final words do you have for your fans?
MARTIN: Since we have to cook everyday, we should wish everyone good cooking and good food.  When people cook together and eat together, they stay together. I think good food and good cooking brings good things to life. Because cooking is a sharing experience. We share with family and friends. The meaning of life is we work hard and we share. It’s important for us to learn to understand that you really need to share.

From left to right: N8 Shimizu, Martin Wong and Eric Nakamura (1998)

Back in the mid-90’s,  I remember finding this black and white magazine at my local bookstore.  It was called “Giant Robot” and it was so different from anything that I was reading, I have to admit I was really intrigued by the coverage.

As an Asian American who was very involved in college activities especially when it came to Asian American activities and issues, I have to admit that Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong’s (the co-founders and co-editors) “Giant Robot” magazine was important in my life growing up.

Although there were other Asian-American related publications such as “YOLK” and “A. Magazine” available (which are no longer around anymore), “Giant Robot” was different because it covered not only what was happening stateside but abroad.  It had content that I was really into.

From the pop culture, the music, the art and the overall style that I appreciated the magazine for and eventually, it is great to see how much they have grown nearly 15 years later as a magazine, as business owners and individuals.

The duo now owns several shops in California and New York City.  They also own a restaurant and just to think how far these guys have come since they started printing these black and white issues.

Recently, I was at a local Barnes n’ Noble bookstore and had to check out the latest issue of the magazine and like how things were over a decade ago, both guys are still dedicated in covering Asian pop culture and I’m proud of them for what they have accomplished.

So, I figured it’s been  a decade since my first interview back in 1998 with Eric Nakamura of “GIANT ROBOT” magazine that I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading..  And perhaps, I’ll follow up with an interview with both men in the near future.  Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBE TO GIANT ROBOT MAGAZINE

Eric Nakamura is the publisher and co-editor of the Asian American magazine, Giant Robot. Giant Robot separates itself from the other Asian American magazines by covering risky topics such as the Asian underground and also topics that the other Asian American magazines would never cover.

Giant Robot is also known for writing the infamous “Yellow Power” articles that have been distributed to colleges around the country.

Giant Robot is known for covering many topics that interest Asian Americans and non Asians from anime to underground music. These topics are not mainstream and Giant Robot is definitely not a politically correct or a conservative magazine.

GR leans more towards a radical side, covering political topics to entertainment, mainstream or the underground.  And it works as the magazine manages to keep its readers entertained and informed.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Eric Nakamura and learn more about him and the unique Giant Robot magazine.

J! (DENNIS): Eric, let’s start out with a few basic questions. Where did you go to college and what was your major?

ERIC: I attended UCLA and majored in East Asian Studies.

J! (DENNIS): Since GR covers many topics, I’m curious to know what your favorite hobby is?

ERIC: I’m happiest when I’m working on the magazine and sitting at my desk. But a bunch of my hobbies are featured in the magazine such as seeing live shows, anime, gardening, collecting old toys and swap meet items.

AC (DENNIS): Who are your current favorite music artists or groups?

ERIC: Versus, Ron D. Core, Simply Jeff and My Bloody Valentine, just to name a few.

J! (DENNIS): What about your favorite movie?

ERIC: “Fame Whore”. It’s a Jon Moritsugu film. It’s excellent. Other movies I like are “Fudoh” and “Junk Food”.

J! (DENNIS): Now let’s start with the deep questions and learn more about you and the magazine. Where were you born and raised? What kind of atmosphere did you grow up in?

ERIC: I was born in LA and raised in West LA. Much of my growing up happened in the “Buddha-head community”. I went to Japanese school, Buddhist Church,  and hung out with many Japanese American kids, although my best friend was a “white” kid around the corner. We got into punk rock, riding BMX bikes, and causing trouble. As junior high came, me and the Buddhaheads drifted apart a little, and then I went to a different high school that was more “white” and affluent. But this has some to do with “Giant Robot”. The co-editor Martin Wong, and N8 Shimizu - the business brains, and I all grew up similarly. We went against the grain and pushed the limits to the extreme.

J! (DENNIS): Let’s talk about your magazine, Giant Robot. Who originally founded Giant Robot and what year was GR formed?

ERIC: Giant Robot was founded in the summer of 1994. I came up with the idea and got Martin involved. N8 Shimizu came later on at about issue 4.

J! (DENNIS): What was the inspiration to create GR and was it a very difficult process? Also, for those who have never heard of Giant Robot, can you describe what kind of magazine it is?

ERIC: The inspiration to create GR came from our heads and hearts. That’s really it. We wanted to make a magazine that we would buy. There wasn’t one out there. Giant Robot is an Asian American/Asian underground pop culture magazine that also encompasses music, art, history and many related topics. It’s a wide range of a magazine.

J! (DENNIS): In the few years that GR has been around, you have worked and befriended many Asian/Asian American celebrities. Who are the most interesting people that you have met and worked with? What was it like with hard to interview major Asian stars like Maggie Cheung and Jet Li?

ERIC: Maggie Cheung is the hardest to interview and she’s a great lady. I really enjoyed hanging out with her. Jet Li was a great one too. He’s a cool guy and deserve all accolades. But then again Chow Yun Fat was the man. He was cool as anyone out there. It’s tough to say, but one of the most interesting was Jenny Shimizu, the Calvin Klein supermodel. She was maybe the most interesting. She gave us an incredible story that no one else can ever get. Not all people appreciate the hard work we do. It’s amazing how shallow some people are. I swear, we put our best work forward each issue.

J! (DENNIS): One of the most interesting articles I have ever read about Asian Americans was in your magazine. It was the “Yellow Power” topic. Can you give a brief synopsis of what the 21-page project was about?

ERIC: The Yellow Power topic is a topic that has NEVER been covered by any publication in full as we did. It’s about the unknown folks who got together with non-Asian civil right groups like the Black Panthers to organize and make things good in their lives. That’s a basic explanation but there’s so much more than that in it. It covers people from the farms to around the country. We wanted to bring school type info and bring it to a bigger front. It worked. Currently, the school systems are starting to teach it using our work, interviews, and so on. Some schools are ordering the magazine for class studies. Some grad students have ripped off our work to use as teaching methods that they have researched themselves. This happened at UCLA. An intern who was taking an Asian American class was being lectured GR material from a grad student without credit of our magazine. After class when confronted, her answer was “Oh, I forgot. REALLY?!” Also at UCLA, pages of our magazine with the corner “Giant Robot p. X” intentionally cut off was photocopied and passed around the campus. It happens, and I think the rip-off part is also a great news story. The article was for the public, not to be ripped off by jealous grad students.

J! (DENNIS): Was it very difficult for the GR staff to put it together?

ERIC: It was tough to do. There are so many angles to cover and it’s a tough topic. No one can say they know everything about it. There are tons of experts. There were some battles to make sure it was tight. The article was a lot of work and almost didn’t happen. It was a risk to put it in our magazine. I don’t know how many think that’s true, but from a publisher’s perspective, it was risky.

J! (DENNIS): Can you give us a synopsis of a typical day for Eric Nakamura?

ERIC: Wake up come to GR office, and work `till 7 p.m., and then do fun parts of the magazine. Editorial daytime isn’t editorial time. It is business. At night, I can have fun with the others composing things that make up the magazine. During the day, I work with N8 regarding what we are doing with the magazine. We have interns that we direct. We are moving forward fast.

J! (DENNIS): Where do you see yourself and Giant Robot in the next 10 years?

ERIC: In ten years, we want Giant Robot to be more widely read, we want to be able to have multimedia projects including television, film, consulting, art, print media and more. But then again in ten years, I could be doing nothing but looking for a job. Our goals are to remain strong, and keep pushing forward into the next century. We are making some longer term plans these days since the magazine is growing larger than we imagined. We want to make things happen while we are alive. We want to move the planet if we can.

J! (DENNIS): A positive aspect that GR has brought Asian Americans in the valley is bringing them closer to their roots. It also keeps them in touch with what’s up around the world and in the country.   What last words would you like to express to the Asian Americans in the Central Valley who are interested in reading Giant Robot magazine and also those who are currently reading the issues?

ERIC: The Central Valley is where my dad’s side is from. It’s a dope area, yes it is. As I mentioned earlier, just because something is from the big city be it LA or SF or NY, doesn’t mean it’s good. There are great things in your own area. There are role models in your area. I know that Giant Robot Magazine could be centralized in the Central Valley and we could write stories only about the Central Valley and its people. There are things to do in your area. I’ll bet your flea markets and swap meets have a billion dollars worth of goodies at them every Sunday. I’ll bet your next- door neighbor would make a great story in our magazine. Maybe you would too.   Contact us! We are always looking for eager people to help us out.

Many of my friends are fans of the late Glen Grant (Feb. 23, 1947-June 19, 2003), a Hawaiian historian, author and folklorist.  I knew him strictly for his “Chicken Skin” audiobooks that dealt with “obake” (ghosts or the supernatural).

His talent of setting up a story (based on interviews he has had with local Hawaiians) and then suddenly scaring the living crap out of you.

Grant’s storytelling literally gave me goosebumps or “chicken skin” as I commuted long distances late at night.

I literally shared his audio books with friends who also became fans of his work and the stories he told were interesting, highly enjoyable and at times, could get quite scary.

In September 1999, I really wanted an interview with Glen Grant for our October issue of Asian Pacific Review (APR) and I assigned the article to Hiroshi Endo, who used to live in Hawaii and also a big fan of Glen’s work.

Because we tried to get this out by Halloween during that time, we weren’t sure if Glen would get back to us with our tight schedule.  But due to our tight editorial schedule for that issue, the interview never came out on APR during that October.  But it was posted on J!-ENT back in 1999 and I believe published on APR much later.

But with Halloween 2008 coming up, what a fitting time to bring back this classic interview from a decade ago with “Chicken Skin” author and radio host Glent Grant.

I hope many of you can check out his audio books because you’ll be hooked.

J! (HIROSHI): Could you please tell your readers a little background about yourself?

GLEN: I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and came to Hawaii to attend graduate school in 1970-71.  I was at the University of Hawaii in Education (MEd) and American Studies (PhD) which i got in 1982.  I have worked for Kapiolani Community College where I helped establish Interpret Hawaii, a statewide cultural tourism training program and then went to Hawaii Tokai International College where I am an instructor in American Studies and the Dean of Academic Services.  In 1992 I helped form Honolulu TimeWalks, a walking tour, cultural tourism business which offers tours, books, tapes and other cultural experiences in Hawaii’s history and ghostlore.

J! (HIROSHI): How did you get in to collecting obake stories?

GLEN: I started collecting ghost stories as a child when I became fascinated with the tales of spirit return.  After moving to Hawaii, I expanded my academic interest to include ghost stories, which slowly began to envelop my life so that know i guess I’m best known as a collector and teller of ghost stories.

J! (HIROSHI): What kind of research you do before collecting and publishing a story?
GLEN: Many stories are shared with me by persons who are sincere in their experiences.  As a folklorist, i think my obligation is to retell the story as accurately while keeping anonymity for the teller and in some cases the place, as possible.  In some cases, a story will be of a specific site.  By going to Hawaiian language and folklore sources, the modern day occurrence has then a startling legendary connection that the teller of the tale did not know.

J! (HIROSHI): What are the most common type of stories that people come to you with?
GLEN: Hawaii has so many “common type” of stories.  They range from tales of sacred stones and burials, to choking ghosts, nightmarchers, phantom hitchhikers and interesting creatures or spirits such as menehune or “faceless” ghosts.  If you review the “Obake Files”, i tried to group these types of ghosts in their various categories, recognizing that the tales often reflect what the teller believes is a deeper supernatural truth.

J! (HIROSHI): Hawaii is such a small place… So why does there seem to be so many ghost stories when compared to the mainland?

GLEN: It is an island.  If you look at island societies (i.e. Japan, the Caribbean, United Kingdom, Ireland) you discover that the intensity of life experiences on these ocean surrounded pieces of earth seem to intensify
supernatural belief and experiences.  In Hawaii, hundreds of years of concentrated living, the remains of the dead placed in vicinity to the living, has kept the spiritual connection alive.  In addition, the multicultural people of Hawaii each bring a strong supernatural tradition to the mix so that this helps to keep the stories alive.

J! (HIROSHI): Do you have a particular story which you like the most?
GLEN: I always get “chicken skin” when I hear any story told sincerely.  I am turned off by the performance type storytellers who try to show you how scary they are by the way they tell the tale without concern for the truth of the matter.  The most matter of fact story to me is the scariest and my favorite because it reflects the sincerity of the teller that this phenomena, inexplicable as it may seem, did happen.

J! (HIROSHI) :Have you ever had any exceptional experiences in your search for obake?

GLEN: Searching for obake usually is uneventful except for the dormitory story in “Obake: Ghost Stories of Hawaii” which is still very unsettling to me. Most of my experiences have happened while I was not looking for obake… Such as the fireball I saw at Makapuu Cliffs on Oahu or the chanting I heard coming literally from the stones of the Mookini Heiau on the big island.

J! (HIROSHI) Have you solved or debunked any stories?
GLEN: I’m not a paranormal investigator, so every story has value to me. Certainly, however, the Morgan Corner stories about the “boyfriend, girlfriend” is often seen as true, as we have demonstrated, the story is
told exactly the same way in places all around the world.  Distinguishing an urban legend from a true supernatural event isn’t always easy, but can be done.

J! (HIROSHI): What are some future or current projects that you are working on?
GLEN: Actually, I’m working on several books: a biography of Justice Masaji Marumoto with Dennis Ogawa and Claire Marumoto, a pictorial history of Hawaii for 2000, a Mcdougal murder mystery novel and another collection of chicken skin tales for 2000 that welcomes the new century with stories of aumakua or guardian spirits.

J! (HIROSHI): I am from Hilo, do you know any good stories from there other than from Ms. Pele?
GLEN: In the Obake Files, I retell the story from the 40’s of the haunted house where the huge spirit assaulted a carload of men; also the faceless woman who appeared in the Wailoa tourism area.  She was in the ladies restroom at a Japanese restaurant.  She had no eyes, no nose and no mouth.

J! (HIROSHI): What do you think is the draw so many people?

GLEN: Ghost stories are the modern glimmer of the contest between faith and science, between facing death with assurance of an afterlife and the doubt of nothingness.  As long as we mortals don’t have a strong faith in the survival of death, we turn to ghost stories as a popular explanation of what happens to us.  Each new generation as they taste their mortality, also taste the hope of survival which every ghost story contains in it no matter how frightening the encounter.  Thus we will always have ghost stories, as well as the people so fascinated with death and afterlife that they spend their lives collecting, researching and retelling of these
encounters with mystery.

J! (HIROSHI): Any last words for your readers or fans of your work?
GLEN: If you want more information, visit www.chicken-skin.com.  Keep the stories alive.

###

The following is part 2 of our classic interview which took place back in 2000.  During a time when J!-ENT was in collaboration with AsianConnections.com.  The interview features comedian and actress Margaret Cho and was conducted by Dennis A. Amith and Suzanne Kai.

Margaret Cho can be seen on the VH1 show “The Cho Show” and for more information, check out her website.

DISCLAIMER: Instead of using the older photo of Margaret back in 2000, we’ll link to a more recent photo directly from her website at www.margaretcho.com.

Interview continued from part 1

J! (DENNIS): Let’s talk about your film  “I’M THE ONE THAT I WANT” which is getting a lot of rave reviews around the country.  Roger Ebert gave this movie a “Thumbs Up”.  It came in third place out of 250 films screened at the Seattle International Film Festival, the only American film to make it in the top 5.  Please tell us a little bit about it.

MARGARET: Well, the film is basically about my fake show that revolves around my experience doing the TV sitcom “ALL AMERICAN GIRL”, which was also the first Asian American family on television. The whole situation was devastating from beginning to end.  The show is about my struggles through that experience and finding peace, self-love and meeting incredible adversity.  It’s filmed from my stand up comedy shows.

J! (DENNIS): Was it filmed in one setting or several settings?

MARGARET: It was filmed from two shows in San Francisco.

AC (SUZANNE): Do you get stage fright when you go on stage?

MARGARET: When I get on stage, I know what I’m doing and I’m focused on what’s happening and it takes a lot of concentration but sometimes when I’m on stage I’m like…all these people are looking at me.

AC (SUZANNE): What goes on your mind when you get on stage?

It’s really weird, like I’ll be on stage and I realize that I’m outside of what I’m doing and what it is that I’m doing and that I’m paralyzed by fear but it only happens for a millisecond until I realize that I have to pick up and keep going but it’s a very strange thing.  If I really think about what I’m doing it’s very scary.  But when I’m actually doing it, it’s not scary?

AC (SUZANNE): Do you go through any rituals before going on stage?

MARGARET: No.  I just read and I get rest.

AC (SUZANNE): How much rest do you need to get into the pace?

MARGARET: It depends how much I’m traveling.  If I’m traveling a lot, I need to focus on the performance, then I will just stay in a hotel and not go anywhere.  Get massages and not do anything because traveling takes a lot out of you.

J! (DENNIS): I know this is jumping ahead to the future but I heard that you have plans to release your film on DVD.  What kind of special features would you like to have on the DVD?

MARGARET: I think I’m going to put a video diary of every performance and gay pride rally, every political speech, every award show and everything I’ve done like over the past year.  So, there will be a lot of crazy shit and a lot of fun stuff that will make it on the DVD.

J! (DENNIS): I was told that you were going to write a book.  Can you tell us more about that?

MARGARET: The book is coming out next year and it is called “I’M THE ONE THAT I WANT”, my own autobiography.  I just finished it two years ago.  It was really an interesting experience to change my format of storytelling and I have been working on it for a year and a half.  It was the hardest thing that I ever done.  I was so focused and committed to it.  You’re doing the book and maintaining the tour schedule, which was certainly a challenge.  Well the book is done and I’m really proud of it.  So, it’s going to be out next year and will be published by Valentine and I will be going on a book tour with it.  My new show should be ready by then.  I’m starting to work on a new show in September.  At that point, I will be touring with the new show as well.

J! (DENNIS): You mentioned the show that you were on “ALL AMERICAN GIRL” and I’ve read about the pain that the cancellation caused you.  In my interview your co-actress on the show, Amy Hill, she used the word “saddened” to describe her feelings about the whole situation.  If you had one word to describe your feeling of the situation, what would that be?

MARGARET: Diarrhea!  Because I was so sick the whole time.  I was so sick.  I was so emotionally sick and I had the worst diarrhea for a year.  That’s all I remember.

J! (DENNIS): So, is your movie…closure for you?  Will there ever be closure for you or will the experiences that happened to you from “ALL AMERICAN GIRL”  forever haunt you?

MARGARET: I don’t think so.  I think that this movie is a final word on all of that experience and for me it was a chapter.  It was a great thing.  Things really happen to you for a reason and I can see why I had that horrible experience because I can grow as a performer and I can work and change.  Now I can embrace a whole new world of opportunity and I’m not saddened by it.  I feel that I got a lot from it and a whole generation of younger Asian American kids got to see themselves on TV, which is really exciting.  I hear a lot of young kids now who are teenagers are so grateful that I got to do what I did and it really affected them. That’s really important.  I think that it was really hard but at the same time we did a lot of things.  So, I’m really happy how the way things turned out and I’m really glad that I am who I am.

J! (DENNIS): Also, I think it’s pretty cool that you are now listed in books as being the first Asian family on television.

MARGARET: Yeah, that’s great!

J! (DENNIS): Do you like to watch yourself on television or movies or not?

MARGARET: I don’t like to watch myself on television but I like to watch myself on film.  I don’t know what that means.  I don’t want to see myself on TV but I love to see myself on film.

AC (DENNIS): Do you remember your reaction the first time you saw yourself on the screen?

MARGARET: It was weird because it didn’t look like me.  It was back in high school when I was in a show and they videotaped it.   It was so weird because you don’t think you look like that but you do.  You gradually over the years get used to it.  Now, for the film, I had to get really used to it very fast.  More than I ever had and it changed the way I view myself but at the same time, it’s always a little bit weird but it’s great.

J! (DENNIS): All over the media, we have been hearing about your latest comedy acts and how you talk about your sexual experiences with your celebrity boyfriends such as Garrett Wang, Chris Isaak and some critics feel that you are exploiting them.  Are they upset with you?

MARGARET: Oh, no. No, they’re not.  It’s all in fun and I don’t think people are angry.  I’m just being honest.  Sometime my truth affects other people because I don’t live with other people.  I have had lots of romantic encounters that had led me to write about it.  It’s what I do you know.

J! (DENNIS): If anything, you really boosted the popularity of Chris Isaak.  (note: It was reported that in one of Margaret’s comedy acts, she mentions that Isaak is known to be quite well endowed).

MARGARET: Oh yeah!  Not a big deal…(laughs)

AC (DENNIS): Do you currently have a boyfriend right now?

MARGARET: No, I don’t.

AC (SUZANNE): Who would be your ideal boyfriend?

MARGARET:  I don’t know.  I love my dog.  He’s the best person to have in bed with.  He’s the best bed companion.

AC (SUZANNE): So, we have to think about all the attributes such as warm and fuzzy.

MARGARET: Warm and fuzzy, sweet and he snores. I don’t know, he smells good (laugh).

J! (DENNIS): Let’s get to know Margaret Cho, the person.  Not the entertainer or comedian but just you outside all that.  What do you like to do for fun?

MARGARET: I like to read a lot.  I like to lift weights, to run and do yoga.  I like to do physical things.  I go out a lot at night and go to a lot of shows.  I’m very active.  I’m pretty social.  Since I finished my book two weeks ago, now I’m very social because I was in seclusion trying to finish the book and the tour put everything on hold.  So, now I’m on a vacation.

J! (DENNIS): You are living in the Los Angeles area now.  I’m curious… what kind of restaurants do you like to go to?

MARGARET: My favorite restaurants here is one in Korea-town.  That’s a great Korean restaurant.    I like Sarsalla, an Italian restaurant.

J! (DENNIS): Do you have a favorite clubbing spot?

MARGARET: I like Largo a lot.  That’s a great place to go.  I go there more often than anywhere else.  They have music, comedy, and theater.  It’s really nice.

J! (DENNIS): You live in the Hollywood Hills close to other celebs like Patrick Dempsey, Adam Corolla and a few others.  I always wondered if you hang out with the people around the block and have a lot of parties?

MARGARET: I don’t know.  I know he lives down the street.  He hangs out with more of the people on the neighborhood.

J! (DENNIS): I would think that people in your neighborhood probably hang out and party with their celebrity neighbors?

MARGARET: Not really.  I don’t know…I know my neighbors pretty well but that’s a different situation. They’re in show business but they are not really actors.  Most of my friends that I hang out with are all in the Silver lake (East Hollywood) area.

J! (DENNIS): Do you throw a lot of parties at home?

MARGARET: I don’t.

J! (DENNIS): What’s the typical daily routine for you?

MARGARET: It’s always different.  In the morning, I’m devoted to doing some work such as interviews or writing.  Then there’s more work in the afternoon and then I go on a break and at night I go out and do whatever, party or you know something.  That’s the framework of the day.

J! (DENNIS): I was wondering if you get any privacy when you go out shopping or go to restaurants?

MARGARET: Oh nobody notices me.

AC (SUZANNE): Do you wear a hat?

MARGARET: No.  I’m not recognizable.  People usually see me and are always surprised when they see me.  They have no idea.

AC (SUZANNE): I read on your personal website that you changed your diet over the years, you stopped drinking…

MARGARET: I stopped drinking, stop eating meat, stop eating dairy, start eating meat and then start eating dairy and then stop eating dairy. I go through incredible extremes.  I’ll go through one strict and be on the active side where I will just eat only bacon.  So, it’s very experimental and it’s just a phase.  It’s not a diet but it’s more that I get bored and I just want to do something.

J! (DENNIS): Do you like to cook?

MARGARET: I cook a little.  I’m a good cook.

AC (SUZANNE): Is there anything you like to cook?

MARGARET: I like to make kalbi every now and again.  I use a broiler, I take English short ribs and cut them and then marinate them over night with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, green onions and black pepper.  I don’t even have the measurements; I just kind of empty it out.  You sort of know.  If you are a Korean, and you are a woman and you know in your blood how to make kalbi.  You just put them in the broiler the next day and boil them or barbecue them.  You are a big hit for summer barbecue.  Just bring a nice bucket of that and just put them on the grill and everybody loves you so much but that’s my favorite recipe.

J! (DENNIS): Margaret, let’s do some word play.  I’ll give you three words and give me your definition for them:

ASIAN PRIDE
MARGARET: Asian pride.  It’s a feeling like we exist and that we are finding ourselves as we go along.  We don’t have to fit into a stereotype.  We exist.  Our images aren’t limited in the media because we’re growing.  To really embrace Asian pride is to really know that it’s OK to be whoever you are.  You do not feel that you have to fit into a model minority, studious stereotype.  Not feeling that you have to be a geek, not feeling that you have to be a gang member. Any of the stereotypes that are setup by the media that we are just finding ourselves and that is our pride.

SUCCESS
MARGARET: Success could be happiness.  A feeling that everything is happening is right and that everything is happening at the right time.

SEX
MARGARET: Sex is something that drives everybody.  It’s a life force that is stronger than people recognize.  It goes beyond procreation.  It goes beyond activity. It’s all about communication.  How we communicate with each other.

J (DENNIS): If you had to describe to someone how you really are outside of being a comedian and entertainer, how would you?

MARGARET: I think that I’m similar to what I am as a comedian.  I guess I’m more serious.  I guess I’m not as complex as I thought I was.

J! (DENNIS): What final words do you have for your fans?

MARGARET: I love them and that we are making so much progress in this world.  The best thing that we can do for ourselves is to love who we are because it colors every action that we do in the world.

###

The following classic interview took place back in 2000 and was done during the time  J!-ENT was in collaboration with AsianConnections.com.  The interview features comedian and actress Margaret Cho and was conducted by Dennis A. Amith and Suzanne Kai.

I’ve always been a big fan of Margaret Cho owning several of her comedy DVD’s and album.  One of the coolest women to interview and definitely would like to interview her again for an update.

Margaret Cho can be seen on the VH1 show “The Cho Show” and for more information, check out her website.

* Note: Because Word Press for some reason, doesn’t allow us to publish long posts (yes, the dreaded 403 Forbidden Error), we’ll split the following interview in a few parts!

DISCLAIMER: Instead of using the older photo of Margaret in 2000, we’ll link to a more recent photo directly from her website at www.margaretcho.com.

The year 2000.  The year of the Dragon, the year for new beginnings and for fans of Margaret Cho, they know that this her year.  For many years, Margaret Cho’s life has been portrayed in the media as a woman with drug and alcohol problems, a person who has been suffering from depression since her show “ALL AMERICAN GIRL” was cancelled and many other situations that would have knocked many stars down to oblivion.  But as for Margaret Cho, she is standing strong.

If anything, she has proven to the non-believers that she is a survivor.  She performed in a sold-out national tour, she has a movie titled “I’M THE ONE THAT I WANT” which made it to the top 3 out of the 250 films shown at the Seattle International Film Festival.  The only American film that made it to the top 5.  Her film has received rave reviews including the impressive “Thumbs Up” from movie critic Roger Ebert.  She also has a book and a new upcoming show.

Aside from entertainment, she has also proven to be a big hero among the gay community.  She fights for gay rights, raises funds for AIDS research and more.  In recognition for her involvement in the community, Margaret received the first ever Golden-Gate award for entertainment pioneer who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

One of the qualities that people admire about Margaret is her honesty and how open she is about the details of her life.  For this interview we wanted to know more about Margaret Cho, the person, not only the entertainer.

Recently, Suzanne Kai and Dennis A. Amith of AsianConnections.com had the opportunity to interview the entertainer.

J! (Dennis): Let’s start with a few basics before we go on to the serious questions.  Where were you born and raised?  Also, did you grow up with a strict Korean American upbringing?

MARGARET: I grew up in San Francisco and I guess it was strict but it was very much a Korean side of strict.  My parents didn’t really teach us to speak Korean and they talked about us behind our backs even though they were right in front of us.  They spoke Korean to each other but we had no idea what they were saying.  So, I kind of learned to understand some Korean words but I really don’t understand that much. They were fairly strict AC (Dennis): Let’s talk about the article that you recently did with “Pride Magazine”.   How did the “Face of Freedom” article in PRIDE come about?

MARGARET: They just asked me to do it.  I was very honored.  I loved the other people in the magazine and it was a perfect thing for me.  I’m going to be the Grand Marshal of the Gay Pride Parade in San Diego.

J! (Dennis): In the article you discuss your first job at Stormy Leather (a lesbian fetish store).  What was it like working there?

MARGARET: Stormy Leather is a store owned and operated by lesbians.  It’s a leather S&M store for alternative sexuality.  Growing up in San Francisco, I really had a pretty good handle on alternative sexuality but it really opened me up to different experiences and people.  I think it’s really great.  I think that sexual freedom is so interesting and so political and that we are allowed to do what we want.  It’s really amazing.  There are a lot of things you can do.  I learned so many crazy things that people do and I don’t necessarily agree with everything but I think it was a great way to grow up.  Some people, when they are teenagers have a paper route. I made leather dildos.  It was a wonderful gateway to that world.

J! (DENNIS): How did you explain to your parents that your first real job was making leather dildos?

MARGARET: I didn’t tell them.  They didn’t know.  They still don’t know.  They don’t know what it is.  When I talk about things in my life that are like that and there are many things like that, that’s when they really use their selective understanding of English.

AC (SUZANNE): If you are to become a mother, what would tell your children?  Would you allow them to go out and experience this?

MARGARET: I think I would be very honest about my life and what I do.  I know about it and I experienced things in that community and I think that children are naturally able to handle it.  You tell them in a very loving way.

J! (DENNIS): Hmm…Did you ever get hit on by a lot of the customers?

MARGARET: You know it’s funny.  I did not really get hit on.  People in Stormy Leather were mostly in committed relationships.  Most people who are involved in alternative sexuality are really committed.  It’s really fascinating!

(DENNIS): You take a stand on several issues such as gay rights.  Do you see yourself getting involved in politics in the future?

MARGARET: I would like to.  I feel that entertainment and politics are directly related.  When I see the politics and entertainment there’s a real opportunity for me.  So I would like to do that.  I do a lot of political work within the gay and lesbian community in different areas.  I do a lot of fundraising for AIDS research and helping people with AIDS in AIDS clinics around the country.  I do a lot of work for an organization for gay teens.  There are different political organizations that I am involved in.  I was recently given award from GLAAD.  There are things that I believe that are very political but yet I don’t want to lose sight of my job, which is being an entertainer.  That’s my work.  I think because I’m an entertainer with a voice that I have this opportunity, this platform that I can use it and use it for good.

J! (DENNIS): What other issues in the world are you passionate about?

MARGARET: I’m really passionate about animal rights, women’s rights and people of color.  I’m passionate about gender and size - people who are larger and that whole thing.  I think that I would like to ideally unite the struggles of people of color, women, gays, lesbians or people of size.  People who don’t really feel like they fit in or feel like they are minorities.  I want to unite them because I feel as if I embody all of them.  When we unite, and see that even though our struggles are not exactly the same and similar, we all want equality and that when we are together and see that we are no longer the minority, that is when we become the majority. That to me is my most important point I want to see the most.  To really unify each different area and show us that we all have so much in common.  That’s my political statement.

J! (DENNIS): Do you see yourself running for office or a city council position?

MARGARET: I don’t think so.  I don’t think I can go as far as that but don’t know. I’m not sure.

J! (DENNIS): Before I continue with the questions, I just want to let you know that I love your CD, “Drunk with Power” but if there is one thing that surprises me, it’s the fact that there were no chapter tracks on the CD.  What happened?

MARGARET: I don’t know. You know that particular company that I did the CD with is not very well produced.  That’s sort of why it happened.

J! (DENNIS): Do you have another CD coming out?

MARGARET: Well there is one that has been released. It was a benefit CD that was taped a few years ago.  There will probably be one accompanying the DVD video release for the film, which will be released later.

J! (DENNIS): In your CD, “Drunk with Power” you said that you don’t get along with your brother because he took a shit in your goldfish bowl?  Did he really do that?  Is that really true?

MARGARET: Oh yes.  That was true.

J! (DENNIS): Eww…that’s gross!  Well, let’s change the subject.  I’m guessing that you get a lot of weird fan mail.  What is the weirdest fan mail that you have ever received?

MARGARET: I don’t know?  I get a lot of fan mail that people say “you helped me” type of fan mail.  The beautiful fan letters that I really appreciate.  I don’t really get weird stuff but I get really profound stuff.  One guy wrote about his boyfriend who died of AIDS and his boyfriend listened to my CD when he went to the hospital everyday and that made him feel better.  That was so beautiful.  That is so great to be able to help people and not even realize that you’re helping them in that way.  That is my favorite fan letter.  They’re mostly like that.  They’re people who have been helped by my work and feel free from the things that I have said and that’s important to me.

Continued in Part 2 of Interview