I'm the One That I Want

I'm the One That I Want presents comedian Margaret Cho's memoir of her experiences growing up Korean-American in San Francisco and her path into the entertainment industry. The book traces her evolution from a misfit teen to a groundbreaking stand-up comic and actress. Through personal stories and reflections, Cho chronicles her struggles with body image, substance abuse, and racism in Hollywood. She documents the creation and cancellation of her 1994 ABC sitcom "All-American Girl," along with the pressures she faced as one of the first Asian-American performers to star in a network television show. Cho details her journey of personal recovery and professional reinvention, culminating in the development of her one-woman show that shares the book's title. Her return to stand-up comedy becomes a vehicle for reclaiming her authentic voice and identity. This memoir explores themes of cultural identity, self-acceptance, and the costs of conforming to others' expectations. The narrative demonstrates how personal challenges can be transformed into sources of creative expression and connection with others.

Readers appreciate Cho's raw honesty about her struggles with eating disorders, substance abuse, and finding her voice in comedy. Many note her courage in addressing racism and body image issues in Hollywood. Comments frequently mention the book's humor despite heavy topics. Fans highlight Cho's conversational writing style and ability to balance serious moments with comedy. Multiple reviews praise her detailed accounts of starting in comedy and navigating the TV industry. Common criticisms include disjointed storytelling, repetitive sections, and wanting more depth on certain topics. Some readers found the narrative structure scattered and wished for more cohesive organization. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) Sample reader quotes: "Raw and real but needed better editing" - Goodreads reviewer "Funny but jumps around too much" - Amazon reviewer "Powerful story about finding self-acceptance" - LibraryThing reviewer

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah A comedian's memoir explores growing up as a mixed-race child in apartheid South Africa while navigating family relationships and cultural identity.

Hunger by Roxane Gay This memoir chronicles a woman's experiences with body image, trauma, and the entertainment industry through essays that connect personal struggle with social commentary.

Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang A chef and media personality recounts his journey as an Asian American growing up in Florida while wrestling with cultural expectations and family dynamics.

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish A collection of essays traces the comedian's path from foster care to Hollywood success while confronting racism and gender barriers in the entertainment industry.

Everything's Trash, But It's Okay by Phoebe Robinson Essays examine the intersection of race, gender, and pop culture through the lens of a comedian's personal experiences in the entertainment business.

★ Margaret Cho wrote this memoir at age 31, chronicling her groundbreaking yet troubled experience as the first Asian-American to star in a network sitcom (ABC's "All-American Girl" in 1994). ★ The book shares its name with Cho's hit one-woman show, which was also released as a concert film in 2000, earning critical acclaim for its raw honesty about Hollywood's beauty standards and racism. ★ While working on "All-American Girl," network executives pressured Cho to lose weight rapidly, leading to severe health issues and a kidney failure that inspired much of the book's commentary on body image. ★ Before her TV fame, Cho began performing stand-up comedy at age 16 in a club above her parents' bookstore in San Francisco, making her one of the youngest professional comedians of that era. ★ The memoir delves into Cho's struggles with substance abuse, which she developed partly as a coping mechanism for the pressures of being one of the few visible Asian-American entertainers in mainstream media during the 1990s.