 Let's name the great comedy duos of the last century:
Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Lewis and Martin. The list
could go on and on. But if you want to narrow the list down to comedy duos that
have influenced the popular culture in recent years, Cheech and Chong would
have to be at the top of that list. The west coast rap personas of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and movies
like Half Baked and Friday all pay homage to the comedy of Cheech and Chong.
Even the television show "That 70's Show" had direct references to Cheech and
Chong before Chong graced the show with his iconic stoner persona.
But being an icon has had a negative effect on
Chong's life as well. In 2003, Chong was arrested as part of a nationwide sting
called Operation Pipe Dreams that the Drug Enforcement Agency launched against
bong manufacturers. Tommy was the face for his son's bong company, Chong Glass,
and didn't run the day-to-day business of the company. Facing a tough uphill
legal battle, Tommy chose to go to prison instead of risking his wife or son
spending time in jail. But rather than dwell on it, he chose to view his time
in prison as research or as a religious retreat. And out sprung the inspiration
to his new book, "The I Chong: Meditations From the Joint."
In recent years, there have been rumblings of a Cheech and
Chong reunion movie, something that Chong has described as a “Grumpy Old Stoners”
type story. But they are just rumblings. Both men rarely see or speak to each
other anymore and the likelihood of the movie coming to fruition is pretty
slim. But there are reasons that these rumors persist. The comedy of Cheech and
Chong has stood the test of time. Their movies and albums are just as funny
today as they were in the 70’s and 80’s. Is it because the stoner culture is
still in full-force today? Sure. But great comedians are timeless and cross
generational boundaries. I dare you to go to any university in the United
States and not find a granola stoner that could be a real-life cousin to the characters played by Tommy. Plus, my
65-year-old father-in-law, who happens to be Hispanic, enjoys watching Cheech
and Chong movies as much as I do. That speaks volumes about their influence and
legacy.
And now Tommy Chong may be busier than ever. From performing live
with his wife Shelby, to appearing in the documentary "a/k/a Tommy Chong," to his recent tour
for his book, Tommy may be at the top of his game right now. He took some time out of his busy schedule to answer our 20 Questions. Here's what he had to say:
Q: What's your cure for writer's block?
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Sleep... at least 8 hours
Q: Who is the smartest person you've ever met?
Q: What words of wisdom did your father share with you? Was it good advice?
Q: Do you believe in heaven?
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Yes. It is a small group of Islands off the coast of Japan... Palau.
Q: Who is funny to you?
Q: How do you feel about the idea of decriminalizing drugs in the U.S.?
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I am all for it! Except of course alcohol!
Q: Who is the most amazing musician you have ever played with?
Q: Philosophy to live by?
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For every action there is a reaction... do unto others...
Q: Last year, it was announced that a sequel to "Up in Smoke" was in the works. Will that ever surface?
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Not a chance with this Cheech.
Q: I have fond memories of listening to "Cheech & Chong's
Greatest Hit" as a kid, particularly the "Pedro and Man at the
Drive-Inn" skit. I listened to this album recently and it is still very
funny. Why has your comedy remained timeless?
Q: What inspires you?
Q: Because of your iconic counterculture status, you have a "Get Marijuana Free Card" everywhere you go, don't you?
Q: Did you enjoy your time on "That 70's Show?"
Q: Describe what you consider a perfect day?
-
Any day I don't get arrested!
Q: What's the last good movie you saw?
Q: Do you see similarities between the Nixon Administration and the current Bush administration?
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Yes! They are all Republicans.
Q: Recently on the Howard Stern Show, you mentioned that you smoked
pot with every member of The Beatles except for Paul. What's it like
smoking out with "A Beatle?"
Q: What did you have for breakfast today?
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A piece of dry whole wheat toast... yum!
Q: I've read that you treated your time in prison like a religious retreat. How do you find enlightenment in prison?
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Having guards look up my butt!
Q: And finally, will you smoke out with me?
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