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| Chong's Comedy Career Still Smoking |
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Posted by FoM on July 13, 2001 at 09:13:18 PT By Dan Nailen, The Salt Lake Tribune Source: Salt Lake Tribune 
Nearly 77 million Americans admit to having smoked marijuana at some point in their lives, 20 million of them during the past year, according to federal statistics. Chances are, Tommy Chong was somehow involved a majority of the time. Not personally, mind you, but one can only imagine the number of people who smoked their first joint or sucked down their first bong hit during a couch-bound Cheech and Chong film festival. Teamed with Cheech Marin, Chong's pro-drug strain of comedy infiltrated the mainstream in the 1970s on the strength of six gold albums and films like "Up In Smoke" and "Still Smokin'. " Anyone who grew up in the 1970s or since knows Chong, and among a certain herb-smoking segment of society, Chong is a legend on par with Sinatra or Elvis. "I have my own status in that community," Chong admits in an interview from his California home, "and it borders on icon." Cheech and Chong split in 1986, and for a while it seemed like Chong had fallen off the public radar while Marin went mainstream with television and movie roles. Since 1991, though, Chong's been performing live in comedy clubs throughout the country, and he is now a series regular on "That '70s Show." He has written and starred in a few movies on his own, and is in the process of recording a blues album in his home studio. On Sunday, Chong will bring his live act, with his wife Shelby opening the show, to West Valley's Wiseguys comedy club for two performances. Chong, now 63, still follows the marijuana issue from all angles -- medically, politically, recreationally -- and believes there has been "an incredible amount" of progress in the fight for legalization since he first tapped into the pro-pot counterculture zeitgeist in the late 1960s and early 1970s. "We're sort of chipping away at the Big Lie that was put on, and it's working, because every time they come up with these negative reports on the health side of marijuana, there's always some doctor to contradict it," Chong said. "It's like a chess match. I've got my expert and you've got your expert. "You've got to remember, drugs are such a catch-all issue. It solves so many concerns for politicians trying to get in office. It's the one issue they used to be able to blather about and everyone would cheer them on. It's not that way anymore." Progress in the marijuana legalization battle does not mean the anti-drug warriors are slowing down. Chong notes that raves are the new targets for conservatives. "You notice, it's anything having to do with teen-agers, and that goes back to Socrates' time," Chong said. "It's nothing new. Old people, when they see a skateboarder coming down the street, it's such a danger to them. Young people, they're the enemy. Most lawmakers are old, most voters are old." While pot-related humor is certainly part of Chong's live shows, "our show is more entertainment than just comedy. Music. Dancing. We do a dance bit." Normally, Chong just opens up what calls his "reminiscence file" and starts talking, relating his experiences from more than 30 years in the entertainment world in a way he hopes keeps the material fresh for himself and an audience who already feels like they know him personally. Going solo after being half of one of the most-renowned comedy teams of the 20th century was stressful, but Chong had forged his own career in music before ever meeting Marin, leading an R&B band called Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers to a 1967 hit on Motown Records, "Does Your Momma Know About Me?" Still, it took Chong a few years to believe "Cheech and Chong" was over, and Marin was actually quitting comedy. "I was in shock for about five years, that he walked away from the job we had," Chong said. "I would have felt better if he walked away and found another partner and stayed funny. But when you walk away from a whole career, including being funny, I was in disbelief. "I met with him once after the breakup, and he came over to my house one time, and I realized he had changed totally. There was not even a shred of the other guy anywhere." That 70's Show CannabisNews - Cannabis Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #1 posted by ksp on July 13, 2001 at 20:09:59 PT |
| "You notice, it's anything having to do with teen-agers, and that goes back to Socrates' time," Chong said. "It's nothing new. Old people, when they see a skateboarder coming down the street, it's such a danger to them. Young people, they're the enemy. Most lawmakers are old, most voters are old." and they vote...and they are easily fear-monged by political people they are taught to respect and believe without real scietific data...among other things, the seniors must be convinced that a significant number of cannabis consumers are their age or a bit younger and pose no threat at all... i wish this was the only barrier to break down, but there's many more. ksp [ Post Comment ] |
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