Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Cheech and Chong on Stephen Colbert

Last night, Cheech and Chong were on Stephen Colbert.  They weren't guests in the studio, they just read a script, remotely.  I don't know what was worse, the poor writing or Tommy Chong's poor reading.  It was super unfunny.  The audience struggled to chuckle.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Video from Grammy's Museum Cheech and Chong Exhibit

GRAMMY®-winning comedy duo Cheech & Chong will be the subject of a new exhibit opening at the GRAMMY Museum® on 4/20. Titled Cheech & Chong: Still Rollin'-Celebrating 40 Years Of Up In Smoke, the exhibit is curated in collaboration with GRAMMY-winning producer Lou Adler, who UNCOVERED the legendary duo, produced many of their albums, and directed the film.

On display through spring 2019, the exhibit explores what made the world fall in love with East L.A. native Richard "Cheech" Marin and Canadian Tommy Chong, while chronicling the development and success of their first feature-length film, Up In Smoke. Items on display will include the original marked-up script from Up In Smoke, the master tape for the soundtrack album, comedy sketches, an assortment of limited-edition 40th anniversary smoking devices, and selections from Marin's "Blazing Chicano Guitars" guitar-art collection, among other items.

As the first strictly counterculture comics, Cheech & Chong helped change the dialogue, and ultimately attitudes, about marijuana use. As recording artists, they utilized the studio much like musicians do-a place to improvise and experiment as they turned their comedy routines into full-length albums. They released an eponymous LP in 1971 featuring studio sketches including "Dave," "Cruisin' With Pedro De Pacas," and "Trippin' In Court." The album's 1972 follow-up, Big BambĂș, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Comedy Album. The following year's GRAMMY-winning Los Cochinos also charted at No. 2 and included the novelty hit "Basketball Jones." These albums, and those that followed, served as a template for future comedy albums and stoner films.

"Cheech & Chong are arguably the quintessential comedy duo of the hippie generation," said Scott Goldman, GRAMMY MUSEUM Executive Director. "Individually, they've achieved great success, with Cheech becoming one of the most well-known and respected Chicano entertainers, and Tommy making his mark as an actor, writer, musician, and cannabis rights activist. Together, they became a voice for the counterculture, and to this day their hit film, Up In Smoke, is considered one of the best comedies of all time."

"Our Cheech & Chong exhibit will introduce an entirely new generation to one of the most iconic comedy duos to ever exist," said Nwaka Onwusa, GRAMMY MUSEUM Curator. "This experience wouldn't have been possible without the help of Cheech & Chong and our dear friend Lou Adler. We thank them for their involvement, and we can't wait to share this story of comedic success with our visitors."

Just days ahead of the exhibit's debut, the GRAMMY MUSEUM will welcome Cheech & Chong to the Clive Davis Theater for an intimate sold-out Q&A hosted by Goldman on Tuesday, April 17. This exhibit marks the fourth in the Museum's comedy series. Previous exhibits have included spotlights on GRAMMY winners George Carlin, Rodney Dangerfield, and Joan Rivers.

ABOUT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM
Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy™ and AEG, the GRAMMY MUSEUM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music. Paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, the Museum explores and celebrates all aspects of the art form-from the technology of the recording process to the legends who've made lasting marks on our cultural identity. In 2017, the Museum integrated with its sister organization, the GRAMMY Foundation®, to broaden the reach of its music education and preservation initiatives. As a unified organization, today, the GRAMMY MUSEUM fulfills its mission of making music a valued and indelible part of our society through exhibits, education, grants, and public programming.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Unreleased George Harrison Tapes

In 1973, Cheech and Chong released their grammy award-winning album, Los Cochinos.  It was a masterpiece.  Most memorable was the song Basketball Jones.

Cheech and Chong were huge at this point so everyone wanted to be on their album.  Basketball Jones featured an all-star band included George Harrison, Carole King, Billy Preston and Tom Scott, with Darlene Love and Michelle Phillips (The Mamas & The Papas) as cheerleaders.

"We've got a ton of outtakes, where he's trying different things," Tommy Chong tells Billboard. "We've got all of that in the can that we're going to spring on people eventually, one day. That'd be great."

Chong says he and George Harrison used to smoke a lot together.

 

Cheech Marin Chooses Heritage Cannabis Holdings for Canadian Brand

Vancouver, B.C. / TheNewswire / April 19, 2018 – HERITAGE CANNABIS HOLDINGS CORPORATION (CSE: CANN) ( “Heritage ” or “Company ”) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with GLE Brands Inc (“GLE”)., a branding company inclusively representing the ‘Cheech’s Private Stash’ (“Private Stash”), Cannabis brand of Iconic Hollywood actor, stand-up comedian and Cannabis legalization advocate, Cheech Marin. Mr. Marin is widely known for being one half of the comedy duo ‘Cheech and Chong’ which gained prominence in the 70s and early 80s for its public use of cannabis in mainstream movies.

The agreement calls for Heritage to have exclusive rights to use cannabis and cannabis related products utilizing the Private Stash brand throughout Canada for an initial period of two years, with the agreement automatically renewing for an additional year upon achieving various milestones. In addition, Heritage will have the right to supply products for export as GLE executes on their strategy to expand the Private Stash brand to other countries and appropriate export licences are obtained. 

“We chose Heritage based on the strength of their team, and the relationship we’ve had with some management in the past” says Lisa Marcus, President of GLE “We are confident in their ability to execute, and their commitment to quality of product was of particular importance to us. We see Canada as an important next step as we expand the brand.”

Representatives of GLE, as well as Cheech Marin himself, will play an active role in assisting Heritage with the use of the brand, and ensuring the quality of the products meets their high expectations. Current branding and products being used in the USA can be viewed at www.cheechsprivatestash.com , however all Canadian packaging will be altered to meet all Federal Government regulations.

Cheech Marin states “I am excited to see the expansion of my personal Private Stash brand to Canada, I look forward to working with the quality team that Heritage has assembled, in order to help ensure the brand integrity, I have worked to create”. “It Will Always Be Good” - is my personal commitment to all our customers.”

Terms of the agreement include GLE being paid certain royalties depending on retail sales targets, after all taxes and distribution costs are deducted, as well as various milestone payments being awarded upon achieving revenue levels.

“We are very excited to have such an iconic name joining our team” says Clint Sharples, Chairman of Heritage “Cheech’s celebrity, personal brand and name recognition is synonymous with quality cannabis and we have high hopes for launching these products in Canada.”

About Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corporation
The Company is currently listed as a marijuana issuer. It is a Parent and Development Company with strategic plans to continue to acquire Cannabis related companies.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HERITAGE CANNABIS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

“Jag Bal” Jagdip Bal President and CEO For more information contact: Jag Bal Tel: 604-628-1767 jbal@heritagecann.com

Happy 4/20!

Toke, Toke it Out, Man!

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Revisiting the L.A. Locations from Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke 40 Years Later

For it's 40th anniversary, Los Angeles magazine visited Cheech and Chong Up in Smoke shooting locations.  Director, Lou Adler says it was filmed guerrilla-style.  He provided details on the shooting locations.

Great article.  However, Danny Boy's (House of Pain), Delta Bravo Urban Exploration Team, already visited this locations.  And be sure to check out our photos the Green Van.

Pedro's House
4th Avenue, Venice
When they went back to do a reshoot, the house that was across the street had been demolished.

Scoring a Lid
Washington Boulevard and Strongs Drive, Venice

Man's House
1288 S. Oakland Ave., Pasadena

Pedro and Man First Meet
PCH & Looshen Rd.; PCH & Zuma Beach; PCH & Malibu Canyon Rd.; 23755 Malibu Rd.; 23525 Civic Center Way, Malibu

Strawberry's House
3730 Pasadena Ave.; 3870 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park

Tijuana and the Border
1815 Stanford St., Santa Monica; 3510 I-8, Winterhaven, CA

Picking up the Hitchhikers
210 Freeway & La Tuna Canyon Rd., Tujunga

Police Station
421 N. Ave. 19, Lincoln Heights; 2001 N. Figueroa, Lincoln Heights (approx. address); 3351 Riverside Dr., Los Feliz; 11401 Moorpark St., Studio City

The Roxy
9009 Sunset Blvd.; 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Monday, April 16, 2018

Cheech and Chong Receive Key to the City

Today, Cheech and Chong were at The Roxy in Hollywood promoting the 40th Anniversary Release of Up in Smoke.  They arrived in a replica of the '64 Chevy Impala from the film.  George Lopez hosted the event and the mayor presented them with a key to the city.

No word on what George Lopez did with the $1000 in Cheech and Chong merchandise we sent George, which he promised to put in his show, but never did.







Paramount Home Media Distribution has detailed its upcoming 40th anniversary Blu-ray Edition of Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke (1978). Order Now

Note: Nearly all the movie extras were on the previous DVD anniversary edition.



In 1978, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong made their feature film debut in UP IN SMOKE, the outrageously funny classic inspired by their now legendary comedy routines of the early '70s. Following massive success with over 10 million comedy albums sold, four Grammy nominations and a win for Best Comedy Recording for "Los Cochinos," Cheech and Chong took Hollywood by storm when UP IN SMOKE became a smash hit, establishing the pair as the reigning comedy duo of a new generation. Today, the film still has viewers rolling in the aisles and maintains surprising cultural relevance four decades after its original release.

"The greatest thrill is making your first movie and this one has been seen and been influential all over the world for over forty years," said Richard "Cheech" Marin. "Up in Smoke started stoner movies and is still going strong so smoke it up one more time."

"Where did the time go? 40 years ago we made low budget movies that grossed over 100 million and are still being watched all over the world! And it also helped legalize an important medicine," said Thomas Chong. "I am so proud that a movie bearing a title of a simple song I wrote would be so influential for so many years."

In UP IN SMOKE Cheech and Chong play wannabe musicians and stoners who unwittingly smuggle a van made of marijuana from Mexico to L.A. Their drug-laced humor keeps their spirits high as they unknowingly elude the police and meander their way to an outrageous finale at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood where Cheech performs in a pink tutu and Chong plays drums in a red body suit with a Quaalude logo.

The UP IN SMOKE Blu-ray Combo Pack features a brand new short-form documentary entitled "How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40," which chronicles the duo's comedy history, as well as the origins and impact of the film itself. Capturing a complex and fascinating pop culture odyssey, the documentary incorporates new interviews with Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong and producer/director Lou Adler along with archival footage. The Combo Pack is also loaded with previously released bonus material including deleted scenes, commentary, a music video and more.

The UP IN SMOKE Deluxe Collector's Edition is presented in a 12×12 package, limited to 5,000 copies. The set pairs the Blu-ray with the original soundtrack on CD and VINYL LP, as well as a 7-inch picture disc, oversized "Up In Smoke" rolling papers, a film poster, and booklet with new essays by both Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, along with rare and unseen photos. In addition to the new version of "Up In Smoke," the CD also features another previously unreleased version of the song from 1978 with an additional Spanish verse by Cheech.

Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke

SPECIAL FEATURES AND TECHNICAL SPECS:

  • NEW How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40
  • Audio Commentary by Cheech Marin and director Lou Adler
  • Roach Clips with Optional Commentary (deleted scenes)
  • Lighting It Up: A Look Back at Up In Smoke
  • "Earache My Eye" featuring Alice Bowie: Animated Music Video
  • Cheech & Chong's "The Man Song"
  • Vintage Radio Spots
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Presented with: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital, Portuguese Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the Combo Pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles.


Up in Smoke 40th Anniversary Deluxe Collector's Edition (Blu-Ray/CD/VINYL LP)

The UP IN SMOKE Deluxe Collector's Edition comes housed in a 12×12 six-panel gatefold package and is limited to 5,000 copies. The set features the Blu-ray detailed above as well as the following:

CD

  • Original soundtrack album featuring classic Cheech & Chong songs like "Up In Smoke" and "Earache My Eye," other music from the film, and audio clips from the film
  • Previously unreleased version of the song "Up In Smoke" with an additional Spanish verse by Cheech
  • "2018 version" of "Up In Smoke"

VINYL LP

  • Original soundtrack album on vinyl. Back in print for the first time since its initial release in 1978
  • Picture Disc
  • 7-inch picture disc of "Earache My Eye" b/w "Lost Due To Incompetence (Theme From A Big Green Van)" with an image of Cheech from the film on the A-side and the classic "YESCA" license plate image on the B-side

Extras

  • Oversized "Up In Smoke" usable rolling papers
  • 11×17 film poster with original, tagline "Don't Go Straight To See This Movie"
  • Booklet with new essays by both Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong along with rare and unseen photos

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

New Exhibit Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of CHEECH & CHONG's UP IN SMOKE To Open April 20

GRAMMY®-winning comedy duo Cheech & Chong will be the subject of a new exhibit opening at the GRAMMY Museum® on 4/20. Titled Cheech & Chong: Still Rollin'-Celebrating 40 Years Of Up In Smoke, the exhibit is curated in collaboration with GRAMMY-winning producer Lou Adler, who UNCOVERED the legendary duo, produced many of their albums, and directed the film.

On display through spring 2019, the exhibit explores what made the world fall in love with East L.A. native Richard "Cheech" Marin and Canadian Tommy Chong, while chronicling the development and success of their first feature-length film, Up In Smoke. Items on display will include the original marked-up script from Up In Smoke, the master tape for the soundtrack album, comedy sketches, an assortment of limited-edition 40th anniversary smoking devices, and selections from Marin's "Blazing Chicano Guitars" guitar-art collection, among other items.

As the first strictly counterculture comics, Cheech & Chong helped change the dialogue, and ultimately attitudes, about marijuana use. As recording artists, they utilized the studio much like musicians do-a place to improvise and experiment as they turned their comedy routines into full-length albums. They released an eponymous LP in 1971 featuring studio sketches including "Dave," "Cruisin' With Pedro De Pacas," and "Trippin' In Court." The album's 1972 follow-up, Big BambĂș, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Comedy Album. The following year's GRAMMY-winning Los Cochinos also charted at No. 2 and included the novelty hit "Basketball Jones." These albums, and those that followed, served as a template for future comedy albums and stoner films.

"Cheech & Chong are arguably the quintessential comedy duo of the hippie generation," said Scott Goldman, GRAMMY MUSEUM Executive Director. "Individually, they've achieved great success, with Cheech becoming one of the most well-known and respected Chicano entertainers, and Tommy making his mark as an actor, writer, musician, and cannabis rights activist. Together, they became a voice for the counterculture, and to this day their hit film, Up In Smoke, is considered one of the best comedies of all time."

"Our Cheech & Chong exhibit will introduce an entirely new generation to one of the most iconic comedy duos to ever exist," said Nwaka Onwusa, GRAMMY MUSEUM Curator. "This experience wouldn't have been possible without the help of Cheech & Chong and our dear friend Lou Adler. We thank them for their involvement, and we can't wait to share this story of comedic success with our visitors."

Just days ahead of the exhibit's debut, the GRAMMY MUSEUM will welcome Cheech & Chong to the Clive Davis Theater for an intimate sold-out Q&A hosted by Goldman on Tuesday, April 17. This exhibit marks the fourth in the Museum's comedy series. Previous exhibits have included spotlights on GRAMMY winners George Carlin, Rodney Dangerfield, and Joan Rivers.

ABOUT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM
Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy™ and AEG, the GRAMMY MUSEUM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music. Paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, the Museum explores and celebrates all aspects of the art form-from the technology of the recording process to the legends who've made lasting marks on our cultural identity. In 2017, the Museum integrated with its sister organization, the GRAMMY Foundation®, to broaden the reach of its music education and preservation initiatives. As a unified organization, today, the GRAMMY MUSEUM fulfills its mission of making music a valued and indelible part of our society through exhibits, education, grants, and public programming.

Cheech Marin Turned Down Super Mario Job

Note: We here at this site think Cheech was being sarcastic, but other media outlets printed it as truth so here it is.

In yesterday's interview with Forbes, Cheech and Chong were talking about jobs they regret turning down.  Cheech says Nintendo wanted him to be this video game character and it turns out it was Mario of the Mario Bros.  It was because of the mustache and he would have received royalties.

Tommy Chong had never heard this story.

They were promoting the release of the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray edition of Up in Smoke.
Order Now

Monday, April 09, 2018

Tommy Chong Wants to Retire

Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong and Director, Lou Adler, have been doing the press circuit, promoting the release of the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray edition of Up in Smoke.
Highlights from the interview with Forbes:

  • Tommy says he and Cheech have footage from their own cameras they've recorded over the last 30 years.  
  • Regarding the possibility of Up in Smoke 2, Tommy says that because of health issues, he doesn't think he can handle being in a movie trailer for a long period of time. If the right person presented them with a project they’d look at it, but Tommy indicated he’s ready to retire.  
  • Tommy says he regrets turning down the offer to do Lion King.
  • Lou Adler says he had to do a negative pickup with Up in Smoke, meaning that he paid for the upfront costs which would be paid back during distribution.

We'll be posting our review shortly.

Order Now

SPECIAL FEATURES AND TECHNICAL SPECS:

  • NEW How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40
  • Audio Commentary by Cheech Marin and director Lou Adler
  • Roach Clips with Optional Commentary (deleted scenes)
  • Lighting It Up: A Look Back at Up In Smoke
  • "Earache My Eye" featuring Alice Bowie: Animated Music Video
  • Cheech & Chong's "The Man Song"
  • Vintage Radio Spots
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Presented with: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital, Portuguese Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the Combo Pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles.


Up in Smoke 40th Anniversary Deluxe Collector's Edition (Blu-Ray/CD/VINYL LP)

The UP IN SMOKE Deluxe Collector's Edition comes housed in a 12×12 six-panel gatefold package and is limited to 5,000 copies. The set features the Blu-ray detailed above as well as the following:

CD

  • Original soundtrack album featuring classic Cheech & Chong songs like "Up In Smoke" and "Earache My Eye," other music from the film, and audio clips from the film
  • Previously unreleased version of the song "Up In Smoke" with an additional Spanish verse by Cheech
  • "2018 version" of "Up In Smoke"

VINYL LP

  • Original soundtrack album on vinyl. Back in print for the first time since its initial release in 1978
  • Picture Disc
  • 7-inch picture disc of "Earache My Eye" b/w "Lost Due To Incompetence (Theme From A Big Green Van)" with an image of Cheech from the film on the A-side and the classic "YESCA" license plate image on the B-side

Extras

  • Oversized "Up In Smoke" usable rolling papers
  • 11×17 film poster with original, tagline "Don't Go Straight To See This Movie"
  • Booklet with new essays by both Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong along with rare and unseen photos

Tommy Chong and Paris Chong Being Sued

Tommy Chong, his son, Paris Chong, and their business associate, Jon Paul-Cowen are being sued by Evergreen Licensing, LLC.  Evergreen alleges that "cut them out of the profits generated from a marketing plan the plaintiffs established to sell marijuana products and accessories."

Evergreen spent $1 mill on the project.  They allege that Chong and Cowen conspired to "take it all away, even hacking into Evergreen’s Gmail account in order to misappropriate social media sites that plaintiffs created for the project.They cut plaintiffs entirely out of the picture, the project and the revenue and profits the project was going to generate and is generating.”

Jon Paul-Cowen has been the President of Chongson, Inc since 2013.  He's responsible for licensing the Tommy Chong brand.  Oddly, his linkedin profile doesn't show any related experience.
My career has spanned over forty years in the Financial Services industry with proven performance in management, originations, operations, credit, accounting and marketing along with strong written and oral communication ability. My expertise is in providing financial services, primarily leasing originations, to the Fortune1000, International and Middle Market corporations, Small Businesses and the most recent emergence of the Small Office, Home Office segment. I have extensive product expertise is in high tech hardware & software, commercial aircraft, marine, machine, tools, heavy equipment and industrial products, structured finance and medical products and services.

From Evergreen's Facebook page.
"Hello to all my friends and family! The time has finally come for Evergreen Licensing to start its social media presence to the world and would love and appreciate the support to share and like my company profile. For those that are not familiar with the company and what I have been doing, Ill take a moment to explain. I'm very ecstatic and proud to announce that Evergreen has acquired the rights to use Tommy Chongs name for the purpose of branding cannabis related products primarily in California. We plan to announce the major rollout shortly which will showcase all of our products. It has taken many years to get to this point and will take many more to create an everlasting brand that will live long past our grand children. Thank you again to all my friends and family that have supported me in my seemingly endless endeavors. And most of all thank you to the Chong family for believing and entrusting the Evergreen team to carry out this EPIC feat."

Here's a link to the article about Evergreen throwing Tommy a 78th Birthday/Chong's Choice party.

I wish a/k/a Tommy Chong, Josh Gilbert, was still alive.  He had a similar experience with Tommy.  In addition, Josh told us stories regarding agreements they had with other companies that they allegedly reneged on.  And when we owned our previous Cheech and Chong site, Paris and Shelby Chong wanted Paris' friend to hack the site.