Friday, February 29, 2008

Update: a/ka Tommy Chong DVD Release Date

The DVD distributor is getting final clearances for some of the rare video clips that are in the a/k/a Tommy Chong documentary (there are tons of rare clips). As a result, the distributor will not be shipping the DVDs until, at the earliest, late next week.

The distributor also informed us there are "extras" on the DVD including:
"Dave", a rare interview with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong about the origin of the sketch. and
"Tommy at Home", see the dopemaster, himself, at his home.



Since its 2006 release, people have been asking when the award-winning documentary, a/k/a Tommy Chong was coming to DVD. Well, the time has come.


You can pre-order the DVD from Cheech and Chong Dot Com, as well as in smoke/novelty shops. Fans have the opportunity to acquire the a/k/a Tommy Chong, FIRST, grass roots style, before the large retailers receive it. This is our way of saying thanks to all of Tommy's devoted fans.

The pre-release DVD date for Tommy's loyal fans is early March, 2008. The national release date is April 20, 2008 (4/20).

a/k/a Tommy Chong chronicles the entrapment and incarceration of comedic legend Tommy Chong. Josh Gilbert's "a/k/a Tommy Chong" offers a sometimes frightening, often hilarious account of Operation Pipe Dreams, a nationwide drug paraphernalia sting operation spearheaded by former Attorney General John Ashcroft.


After a fully armed SWAT team raided the 65 year-old comedian's home in February of 2003, Tommy Chong was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drug paraphernalia through Chong Glass, a family business specializing in handmade glass water pipes, or "bongs." Of the 55 defendants prosecuted, Tommy Chong was the only one with no prior convicitons to receive jail time. Justifying the 9 month sentance, the prosecutor cited the classic 1978 movie Cheech & Chong film "Up In Smoke" as evidence that he had become wealthy "trivializing law enforcement efforts to combat marijuana trafficking and use."

Review
a/k/a Tommy Chong depicts the government's wrongful persecution of Tommy Chong via Operation Pipedream. I don't care if you're a pothead, college professor, pro-drugs, anti-drugs, or never even heard of Tommy chong...you'll enjoy this film.

For Cheech and Chong fans, they've included tons of rare home movies, Tommy's stand-up act, old interviews and tv appearances. Director Lou Adler, Cheech and Chong's first agent, Chong's family and other people supply candid stories about Cheech and Chong.

For those interested in free speech and politics, the film discusses how Tommy was the only person from Operation Pipedream to receive a prison sentence. The film also talks about how 9/11 and Tommy Chong's bust helped launch US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's career.

The frame job...Did you know that an undercover DEA agent repeatedly called and emailed employee's of Chong Glass trying to get them to ship to Pennsylvania? They repeatedly told him no. Josh Gilbert, this film's director, includes the audio of these phone calls.

The DEA agent called and emailed them approximately twenty times stating that he has a tobacco license and asking what the problem was. The employees kept telling him it's against the law. The agent said he spoke to his lawyer and his lawyer said it was legal.

The DEA agent then visited the Chong Glass factory and ordered anything that wasn't in stock. After creating the glass, the DEA agent said he couldn't make it back there to pick up the order. Unfortunately for Chong Glass, this order was taking up a lot of space in the warehouse and was preventing them from fullfilling other orders. Out of desperation, Chong Glass shipped the order to PA.

Forty-five armed agents raided factory which only had one employee there at the time.

It was a setup from the start. Tommy was completely railroaded.

We could write about this film for hours. There is so much content which is edited together brilliantly. The film is very touching. Check out a/k/a Tommy Chong when it comes to your neighborhood.

Purchase Here

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Update: We are Once Again Taking Pre-Orders for a/k/a Tommy Chong DVD

Due to overwhelming demand, we had to temporarily stop taking orders for a/k/a Tommy Chong. We are happy to say we WILL have enough DVDs and the DVD WILL still be released on March 3rd.



Since its 2006 release, people have been asking when the award-winning documentary, a/k/a Tommy Chong was coming to DVD. Well, the time has come.

You can pre-order the DVD from Cheech and Chong Dot Com, as well as in smoke/novelty shops. Fans have the opportunity to acquire the a/k/a Tommy Chong, FIRST, grass roots style, before the large retailers receive it. This is our way of saying thanks to all of Tommy's devoted fans.

The pre-release DVD date for Tommy's loyal fans is March 3, 2008. The national release date is April 20, 2008 (4/20).

a/k/a Tommy Chong chronicles the entrapment and incarceration of comedic legend Tommy Chong. Josh Gilbert's "a/k/a Tommy Chong" offers a sometimes frightening, often hilarious account of Operation Pipe Dreams, a nationwide drug paraphernalia sting operation spearheaded by former Attorney General John Ashcroft.

After a fully armed SWAT team raided the 65 year-old comedian's home in February of 2003, Tommy Chong was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drug paraphernalia through Chong Glass, a family business specializing in handmade glass water pipes, or "bongs." Of the 55 defendants prosecuted, Tommy Chong was the only one with no prior convicitons to receive jail time. Justifying the 9 month sentance, the prosecutor cited the classic 1978 movie Cheech & Chong film "Up In Smoke" as evidence that he had become wealthy "trivializing law enforcement efforts to combat marijuana trafficking and use."

Review
a/k/a Tommy Chong depicts the government's wrongful persecution of Tommy Chong via Operation Pipedream. I don't care if you're a pothead, college professor, pro-drugs, anti-drugs, or never even heard of Tommy chong...you'll enjoy this film.

For Cheech and Chong fans, they've included tons of rare home movies, Tommy's stand-up act, old interviews and tv appearances. Director Lou Adler, Cheech and Chong's first agent, Chong's family and other people supply candid stories about Cheech and Chong.

For those interested in free speech and politics, the film discusses how Tommy was the only person from Operation Pipedream to receive a prison sentence. The film also talks about how 9/11 and Tommy Chong's bust helped launch US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's career.

The frame job...Did you know that an undercover DEA agent repeatedly called and emailed employee's of Chong Glass trying to get them to ship to Pennsylvania? They repeatedly told him no. Josh Gilbert, this film's director, includes the audio of these phone calls.

The DEA agent called and emailed them approximately twenty times stating that he has a tobacco license and asking what the problem was. The employees kept telling him it's against the law. The agent said he spoke to his lawyer and his lawyer said it was legal.

The DEA agent then visited the Chong Glass factory and ordered anything that wasn't in stock. After creating the glass, the DEA agent said he couldn't make it back there to pick up the order. Unfortunately for Chong Glass, this order was taking up a lot of space in the warehouse and was preventing them from fullfilling other orders. Out of desperation, Chong Glass shipped the order to PA.

Forty-five armed agents raided factory which only had one employee there at the time.

It was a setup from the start. Tommy was completely railroaded.

We could write about this film for hours. There is so much content which is edited together brilliantly. The film is very touching. Check out a/k/a Tommy Chong when it comes to your neighborhood.

Purchase Here

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Cheech Marin Coming to El Paso for Workshop

Cheech Marin will take part in a panel discussion at 4 p.m. March 7 at the El Paso Museum of Art.
The panel discussion is a part of a Regional Arts Training Workshop March 7-8.

The workshop is free for NALAC members and $10 for non members. For a full scope of the sessions and more information please visit www.nalac.org or call MCAD at (915) 541-4481.

Cheech Attends Pre-Oscars Gifting Lounge in Hollywood

Fruits to Remember of Beverly Hills was invited to be a part of the pre-Oscars gifting lounge organized by WOW creations. The two-day event on February 19th and 20th held on the penthouse floor of Hyatt on Sunset received scores of A-list celebrities including Marco Beltrami (Oscar Nominee for the best original score, Oscars 2008), William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal, …), Mimi Rogers (The Golden Door, The Chaos Theory, The Loop, …), Shaun Toub (Iron Man, The Kite Runner, Crash, …), Cheech Marin (Planet Terror, Grindhouse, Judging Amy,…), Tia Mowery (The Game, Hollywood Horror, Girl Friends,…), Omarosa (Apprentice, Queer Edge,…), Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris, Unaccompanied Minors,…), Kyle Massey (Cory in the house, That's so raven, ..) among others.

The event received such a warm reception that had to be extended on Wednesday for an extra hour. The lounge was also visited by a good number of members of the press including members of Associated Press, LA Times and Infolist.com among others.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Video: Cheech in Traveling Wilburys Music Video

Someone posted this video of Traveling Wilbury's Wilbury Twist on youtube. This music video, from 1991, features Cheech Marin, John Candy and other celebs.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Dave's Not Here Animation

Eric Tremblay posted this animation he created for the Cheech and Chong bit Dave's Not Here. He did an awesome job so we figured we'd post it.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Tommy Chong Comments on Chances of Reunion

Tommy and Shelby Chong will be at the Improv in Ontario this weekend. The Press-Enterprise asked Tommy about a possible Cheech and Chong reunion.

"He wants to get back together," Chong said. "But I told him, 'Only if it's my way,' you know? And he doesn't like that."

Good, brief interview.

Read Here

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Jazze Pha Remakes Cheech & Chong B-Ball Song

Hip-Hop producer Jazze Pha and executive Kenny Burns have teamed with TNT Networks to remake the song "Basketball Jones," originally recorded by comedians Cheech & Chong.

The single will be introduced during NBA’s All-Star weekend in New Orleans.

It will also be featured in Tyler Perry’s show House of Payne.

Read Here

Tommy Chong Tour Dates Added

Tommy and Shelby Chong are touring all over the place. Check out the dates we've added under "Current Events."

They're hysterical! Don't miss the show.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Papel Chicano Exhibit May Be Extended

The stay of Cheech Marin's "Papel Chicano" exhibit at The Muzeo in Anaheim, California may be extended.

"There has been discussion of extending the exhibit's stay since we have received such a great response from the community ... but no final decisions have been made," Executive Director Peter Comiskey said at Muzeo.

The exhibit currently runs until May 5th.

Read Here

New T-Shirt and New Size



We have a super cool new Cheech & Chong t-shirt in stock. The Concert T features an image of Cheech & Chong performing Earache My Eye from the film Up In Smoke.

We now also have the best-selling Cheech & Chong Sand Ringer t-shirt in size small.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Video: Revolution from Rude Awakening

Mike and the Mechanics covered the Beatles' song Revolution for the Rude Awakening soundtrack.

This 1989 film starred Eric Roberts, Cheech Marin, Robert Carradine and Rae Dawn Chong (Tommy's daughter) . Unfortunately, this HBO film has long been out-of-print.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Tommy and Shelby Chong Coming to Peoria

This weekend, Tommy Chong and his wife/comedy partner, Shelby, are bringing their hysterical show to the Jukebox Comedy Club in Peoria, Illinois. Journal Star Online interviewed Tommy via phone while on vacation in Aspen.

Regarding the reunion, Tommy said "never say never" and that he's still "in touch" with Cheech's people.

Read Here

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Tommy's Advice for Britney Spears

Tommy Chong gave some advice for Britney Spears to Associated Press.

"Enjoy the attention because it's not going to last," he said. "The serious advice is someone needs to check out her diet, and if cocaine is part of the diet then cut down, eliminate cocaine from the diet."

Read Here

Friday, February 01, 2008

Cheech Receives Award from Mayor of Los Angeles

Yesterday, at the "Evening of Hope" fundraiser, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa presented an award to artists who have contributed to community empowerment.

Honorees included: Antonio Aguilar (posthumously-award accepted by Pepe Aguilar), Cheech Marin, Sinbad, Talaya Trigueros (KTWV The Wave Radio Personality), Felli Fel (KPWR Power 106 Radio personality), and Harold Owens (Grammy Foundation).