Cheech and Chong push new video in Whittier
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_15011510
By Tim Traeger and Brandon Ferguson, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/03/2010
Legendary comedic icons Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong descended on
Whittier on Monday to hype their new video, and they couldn't have
picked more fertile ground.
Lines wrapped around the Blockbuster Video store at 11815 Whittier
Blvd., with screaming fans waiting to get their DVDs signed by the
pot-smoking proponents of the 1970s and 1980s whose stoner comedy has
grown with a generation.
As a gray-haired and smiling Chong, 71, emerged from his car and
entered the store, he was greeted by hoots and hollers. He made his
way through the throng and joined partner Marin at a small folding
table, both armed with black Sharpies.
The multi-platform release of their latest movie, "Cheech & Chong's
Hey Watch This," was produced by the Weinstein Company and is being
distributed by Vivendi Entertainment in conjunction with Blockbuster Video.
The 83-minute film features a combination of live performance
footage, songs and characters from their classic movies and albums.
This DVD release marks the first time in 25 years the duo has been
featured in film together. Chong attributed the extended downtime to
a combination of factors.
"Aw, it's just stoner time, you know. Stoner time combined with Mexican time."
Marin, 63, was slightly more circumspect, though no less mischievous.
"We had other stuff to do. We had our own careers. We tried to get
together before and it never worked out. Finally we got some test
results back and (found) we both have a year to live."
When asked why they chose Whittier for their public appearance, Chong
said it all came down to demographics.
"We wanted a place where there would be a lot of Mexican-Americans."
Added Marin, "And you get time and a half knocked off your community
service if you do the Whittier area."
The two are touring the nation, promoting their "Cheech And Chong:
Get It Legal!" campaign to legalize marijuana.
Asked if they thought a proposition to legalize marijuana will pass
muster with voters in November, Chong said, "If you mean the
Republicans are dying out."
Diehard fans braved a line that snaked around the building and
temperatures that reached into the 80s for a brief hello and an
autograph from the comedy duo.
"We've been growing up with Cheech and Chong. They're the godfathers
of stoner comedy," said Ken Wigel, 25, of Whittier.
"They're a big part of my life. Growing up I watched their movies and
I'll wait (in line) five more hours to see them," said Nicole Velez,
21, of Whittier.
Aaron Gallegos, 34, of Whittier fondly remembered smoking pot and
watching such classic Cheech and Chong films as 1978's "Up in Smoke."
Though he said he no longer smokes pot, he still enjoys the films.
"You don't crack up as much. But I've seen (the movies) 20 times
already. (They're) still funny sober. Or maybe drunk."
Though Marin and Chong have worked with such cinematic notables as
Pee-wee Herman, Stacy Keach and Tom Skerritt, they both cited Timothy
Leary as one of their favorite former co-stars.
Leary, LSD guru of the 1960s, appeared in 1981's "Nice Dreams."
Said Chong, "He never acted before, so it was fun."
"Yeah," added Marin, "He had the best dope."
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