Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009
Source: Vindicator, The (Youngstown, OH)
Copyright: 2009 The Vindicator
Contact:  http://www.vindy.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3298
Author: John Benson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?228 (Paraphernalia)

CHEECH & CHONG STILL SMOKIN' ON REUNION TOUR

You never know what you're going to get with Cheech & Chong.

Actually, that's not true at all. For the most part, you know exactly what
the '70s stoner comedy duo -- known for its various hit movies, including
their 1978 debut feature film, "Up In Smoke," which was the highest
grossing comedy (over $100 million) of 1978 -- is capable of. However, the
one caveat is apparently you never know what you're going to get when
interviewing Cheech Marin, 62, and Tommy Chong, 70.

At least that's what the Youngstown Vindicator found out recently during a
phone interview with both entertainers who are promoting their "Light Up
America" reunion tour, which comes to Cleveland Friday at the State
Theatre. Specifically what was somewhat surreal was the conversation
unexpectedly featured Cheech & Chong going in and out of character. Here a
sampling of the insanity, hilarity and comedic stylings fans can expect to
see in person at their upcoming gig.

Q. After over 20 years apart, why is America so excited about the Cheech &
Chong reunion?

TC. Because in these economic times, you need an escape and what better
way to escape than with a smokeless joint in Cheech & Chong.

Q. So why tour now?

TC. God came to us in the form of a burning bush.

CM. He said, "Now is the time. Lead my people out of the wilderness of the
Bush years."

TC. God said America needs a laugh.

Q. Back in the '70s you guys provided plenty of laughs for baby boomers.
How big of a market was Cleveland for the act?

CM. It was a big market for us. I remember staying at Swingos, the show
business hotel. It was great. One time we were there and it was us, Toto
and the cast of 'Bubbling Brown Sugar.' There was a party on every floor.

TC. And the Buzzard (WMMS-FM 100.7), I still have some T-shirts from them.

Q. In looking back at the rise and reign of Cheech & Chong, how do you
feel the act was viewed by other comedians and industry insiders?

TC. We never did get kudos from comedians. Comedians kind of looked at us,
and as a matter of fact we looked at ourselves, as more like a music act
that did comedy. There was always music in our act somewhere. And we were
the only comedians that had music. And then Steve Martin came along with
'King Tut,' but I think we got a lot of bad raps because of the dope
content of our act. Because we weren't comedians doing dope jokes, we were
dopers doing comedian jokes.

CM. They were all just jealous (expletive) anyways.

Q. Speaking of your legacy, in recent years it appears as though Hollywood
has rediscovered the comedic power of marijuana with hit films such as
"Knocked Up" and "Pineapple Express" containing so many pot-flavored
storylines.

CM. It's like we were the father of those kids.

TC. We actually capitalize on it. Whenever they're successful, then the
rentals of our movies increase. So we get the residual effect. They'll
say, "I want to rent 'Pineapple Express,' and I want to rent 'Up in
Smoke,' 'Nice Dreams' and 'Next Movie.'" So it all helps. I'm a big fan of
Seth... what's his name? Rogen. And I like his brother Joe Rogan.

CM. And the fact that he came up with that hair restoration cream.

TC. Oh yeah, Rogaine.

Q. Considering these are different times than the '70s, are audiences
still partaking in a certain Cheech & Chong-friendly pastime while
attending your shows?

TC. I was going to tell you I quit smoking pot but I quit buying pot. If I
want to get high I just go to a Cheech & Chong concert.

Q. Tommy, after recently watching your "a/k/a Tommy Chong" documentary,
which details how you were arrested and subsequently sent to jail for nine
months for selling drug paraphernalia, do you feel as though you're a
martyr for the marijuana movement?

TC. Yes I do, and I expect to get paid for it. I've got a feeling that
we're going to get marijuana reclassified and out of the schedule 1 thing
and into an herbal classification to just end all of this foolishness. And
then Cheech & Chong will really own the world.

Q. So what does the future of Cheech & Chong look like?

TC. We're going to probably run for a political office. I think we'd make
good drug czars.

CM. Cheech & Chong should run for God.

TC. No, I don't want the responsibility.

CM. OK, vice-God.

TC. I'll settle for drug czar. I want to be the guy that tells everybody
what drugs to take.

Q. Any chance of a new movie or album from Cheech & Chong?

CM. We're going to start making vinyl because the record industry is so
vinyl now.

TC. No, we're going to do ringtones. The future is in ringtones, and we're
going to make garden gnomes. Wouldn't that be great, Cheech & Chong garden
gnomes.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doug