Pubdate: Fri, 22 May 2009
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2009 The Honolulu Advertiser
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uXtrz8Lm
Website: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Dave Dondoneau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Cheech+and+Chong

REEFER MADNESS REDUX: CHEECH AND CHONG RETURN

Comedy Duo Still Going Strong With Stoner-Type Humor

Honestly, writing a story about Cheech and Chong without using drug 
references is not possible.

Yes, they are now senior citizens, nearly three decades removed from 
their last tour together, and Tommy Chong has publicly stated that 
even though he's now one of pot's biggest advocates, he hasn't 
touched the stuff since federal agents stormed his home in 2003 and 
he wound up spending nine months in prison for selling drug 
paraphernalia (more on that later).

And yes, both are successful individually. Richard "Cheech" Marin, 
for example, is an actor who caddied for Kevin Costner in "Tin Cup" 
and seems to be a favorite of director Quentin Tarantino with roles 
in "Grindhouse," "Desperado" and "From Dusk Till Dawn." And let's not 
even begin to get into his voiceover career.

But let's be honest. The name of their tour that comes to the Waikiki 
Shell Thursday is "Cheech and Chong: Light Up America."

That zero drug reference/tolerance policy? Doomed from the start.

You've got "Cheech and Chong, Up in Smoke." "Cheech and Chong, Still 
Smoking." Possibly next up: "Cheech and Chong, "Grumpy Old Stoners." 
(More later).

You may be wondering how these guys have been able to build a career 
on stoner-type humor, oblivious to the world outside the cannabis - 
and we're not talking about its soothing power for cancer patients. 
So here is every cheesy pop culture pot reference suitable to define 
who these guys are and where they've been the past four decades.

'Dazed and Confused'

The 1993 stoner/drunk film has a huge cult following, but to C&C 
fans, dazed and confused must have been what the comedy duo was 
thinking when they parted ways 27 years ago, ending a hugely popular 
partnership that spawned seven movies, 10 comedy albums and pioneered 
the way for flicks like, well, "Dazed and Confused."

So, what happened?

"We got sick of each other," Chong said matter-of-factly during a 
telephone interview with both men. "We stayed in touch because people 
made sure Cheech knew what I was doing, and I knew what he was doing 
. even if we didn't want to know. There's just a lot of anal people 
out there who wanted us back together. It's like when salt and pepper 
shakers aren't sitting together. It drives people crazy."

Quotes that last

"All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine." - The 
epic quote is one of Sean Penn's funnier, clueless moments, when he 
had a sense of humor as Jeff Spicoli in the 1982 flick "Fast Times at 
Ridgemont High."

Stoner quotes, however, basically started with some of Cheech and 
Chong's memorable bits:

"Sister Mary Elephant" is a classic bit featuring a nun trying to 
rein in her stoner students. "Class ... Claaass ss ... Cllllaaaassss 
.. Shaddd-ddupppp! ... Thank you," were buzz words when this bit 
came out as a single in 1972.

"Dave's not here, man!" A whole routine released in 1971 centered 
around Cheech trying to get a stoned Chong to let him into the 
apartment because he has the "stuff," and he thinks the cops are 
following him. No matter what he says, Chong's reply: "Dave's not here, man!"

"Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones ..." Yep. Cheech and 
Chong actually gave the world "Basketball Jones" in 1973 on the "Los 
Cochinos" album. The song was a parody featuring Tyrone Shoelaces and 
his love of basketball. His tune is still sung on courts all over the 
world, but most players have no idea how or what a Basketball Jones is about.

Until now.

'Up in Smoke'

Their first movie set the standard for stoner flicks. YouTube the 
trailer from 1978 and, somehow, it's still relevant and funny today. 
Back then they tried to bring the first van built entirely of 
marijuana across the Mexican border and into the United States.

It grossed more than $41 million and spawned several sequels, pretty 
much defining their movie themes and careers.

'Maui Wowie'

Yep, Chong uttered those words in "Up in Smoke," when he told Cheech 
what was in maybe the world's largest joint while they were driving 
down the highway in a smoke-filled car.

But "wowie" also describes their lives.

Cheech had never played golf prior to teaming with Costner in 1996 
for "Tin Cup," but he's now a 9-handicap who plans to play some golf 
while he's in the Islands.

That Chong mentioned Maui isn't surprising. He frequents the Islands 
often and can be seen in local "Natural High" commercials. He was 
also "Leo" on "That '70s Show."

"Wowie" is also a way to describe Chong's September 2003 arrest for 
selling drug paraphernalia through his family business. He spent nine 
months in federal lockup, was fined $20,000 and forfeited his 
Internet domain name, www.Chongglass.com, along with more than 
$100,000 in cash and all of the paraphernalia seized when federal 
agents stormed his home.

"It was like a cold shower," Chong said. "It changed my whole way of 
thinking. I was just a bit of a 'let life take me where it takes me,' 
guy, but when that hit me, I became more of an activist."

The arrest and sentence delayed their initial reunion, too.

"We had some talks over the years, but they always seemed to end in 
fights and then the arrest," Chong said. "We finally got together 
again because of our families. My daughter intercepted an e-mail and 
replied for me without my knowing it. Next thing you know, we're 
talking. I missed him. He's always going to be a part of my life."

'Half Baked'

The 1998 flick probably tackled pot smoking more than any other film 
since Cheech and Chong first teamed up.

And they promise they're not done. Thursday's concert is part of a 
reunion tour where they are performing more than 100 live shows, and 
when the tour ends, a movie will follow, they said.

"Maybe Grumpy Old Stoners," Cheech quipped.

"Or 'Faster and Furiouser,' " Chong added.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom