Cheech & Chong Do America

In 2008, two of the country’s most beloved comedians — not to mention the most beloved stoners of all time — got back together after decades apart for the Light Up America tour. The reunion with Richard “Cheech” Marin was “incredible,” Tommy Chong reveals. “When I’m out there by myself, I’ve got too much to prove, but when I’m with Cheech, all we have to do is what we’ve always done. And that makes life much easier.”

Now the two are coming together again for the Cheech & Chong: Get It Legal comedy tour, which launches tonight at 8 p.m. at Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado at Boulder’s campus. “I’m a felon right now,” Chong notes (he was charged with selling drug paraphernalia in 2003 and spent nine months in prison). “And the only way I can lose my conviction is to get pot legal. Once I get it legal, then I’ll be free of my felony conviction.”

Beyond the push to legalize pot, what’s new on this tour? “We’re going to do quite a few of our classic bits that have never been seen on stage before,” Chong reveals. “‘Dave’s not here,’ we’ve done maybe twice, and this time, we took our time and rehearsed our scenario. There will be a lot of surprises for us as well as the audience, because we’re going into uncharted territory. Cheech and I haven’t been together for this long, so we literally have to learn how to walk again.”

But together they’ll go far. “I’d just like to add that if people come to our concerts, they will be furthering the cause of humanity,” Chong concludes. “And that if they don’t come, then they will be retarding the cause of humanity.” In other words: Puff, puff, give. Tickets are $39.50 to $49.50; get yours at www.livenation.com or 877-598-6659.
Sat., Jan. 16, 8 p.m., 2010