Cheech & Chong Still Riding High
Posted April 20, 2010 12:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, aka Cheech & Chong, have been making potheads around the world laugh since the ’70s with their drug culture comedy albums, live shows, and movies. They became household names with the release of their 1978 film Up in Smoke, and while they made many other movies together over the years they also found success with solo projects (Chong had a regular role on That ’70s Show, and Cheech has appeared in all three Spy Kids films as well as on television in shows Nash Bridges and Judging Amy). Their new DVD, Hey Watch This, puts them back together onscreen with a collection of bits from their live reunion tour, Light Up America.
“Timing is everything with comedy. If we had gotten together any sooner we wouldn’t have had the impact we’re having now,” Chong says about the project.
The reunion tour, which revisits classic Cheech & Chong characters and scenarios, has been a success because, in Chong’s opinion, Cheech & Chong were the first comedy voice to many people.
“We’re in America’s DNA and just the words Cheech & Chong can make people smile,” he says. “There is a lot of people who come see us who don’t actually care about the performance…they just want to be in our presence, they want to tell us how we’ve affected their lives. And that’s really a testament to our longevity.”
Drug humour was not as taboo in the ’70s as it is these days, but Chong insists the jokes are more relevant than ever.
“We have legalization on the ballot in California. We got medical marijuana in 14 states. None of the fears the anti-pot people predicted have come true. All the lies they told about marijuana are being debunked,” he says.
Next up for the pair is an animated film directed by the Chambers Brothers.
“Cheech and I were both a little apprehensive because [the characters] are our babies and we didn’t want anyone to mess them up. The great thing about it though is that the dialogue is so strong that the [animation] works well,” he says.
Chong is currently writing a new live-action film for the two that they hope to start shooting this summer. As for Hey Watch This, Chong says “It’s a typical Cheech & Chong movie. There’s nothing to be learned but you’re going to laugh.”
At 71 years old, Chong says his favourite hobby is “sitting in my basement making little one-hitter pipes and testing them.” And if he ever retires that’s what he plans to do full-time.
Cheech & Chong’s Hey Watch This is available on DVD and Blu-ray April 20. More information can be found at cheechandchongsheywatchthismovie.com.
brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com
Top image: A scene from Hey Watch This. Courtesy Alliance Films.
