Pioneering Comedians Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong Getting Their Own Biopic

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Art will soon imitate Cheech Marin’s life…

The 76-year-old Chicano comedian, actor, musician and activist and his former comedy partner Tommy Chong, best known as Cheech & Chong, will be getting the big-screen treatment.

The pioneering comedians, whose 1978 film Up in Smoke has transcended cult status, are partnering with Todd Lieberman’s Hidden Pictures, Underground and Five All in the Fifth Entertainment on a feature biopic about the comedy duo.

Cheech and Chong came to prominence in the ’70s and ’80s, becoming synonymous with stoner culture by riffing on and lifting up the counterculture of the time, from hippies to (of course) cannabis. Their combined output included successful stand-up shows, comedy albums and low-budget feature films, including Up in Smoke, Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie (1980) and Nice Dreams (1981).

Kristian Mercado, who most recently made his feature debut with the 2023 South by Southwest entry If You Were Last, will direct from a screenplay by Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan.

Marin, who worked with Hidden Pictures for Shotgun Wedding, and Chong will executive produce along with David Glickman.

“We are excited to show the world how two dudes from completely different backgrounds got together, changed comedy and made cannabis mainstream!” said Marin and Chong.

Marin currently appears on the big screen in Champions. He also recently appeared on George Lopez’s new series Lopez vs Lopez.

Trailer Released for Netflix’s “That ’90s Show,” with Wilmer Valderrama Returning as Fez

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a reunion to remember for Wilmer Valderrama…

The 42-year-old Venezuelan and Colombian American actor and some of his fellow That ’70s Show cast mates are reuniting to welcome the next generation in the first trailer for Netflix’s That ’90s Show.

Season 1 premieres on January 19.

In addition to Valderrama, who portrayed Fez on That ‘70s Show, other returning stars include Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman and Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman in series regular roles; Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, Valderrama, and Tommy Chong will reprise their roles on the series as special guests.

The trailer also reveals the identity of Michael Kelso (Kutcher) and Jackie Burkhart’s (Kunis) son: Jay Kelso, who is played by previously announced regular Mace Coronel.

In That ’90s Show, it’s 1995 and Leia Forman (Callie Haverda) is desperate for some adventure in her life or at least a best friend who isn’t her dad (Grace). When she arrives in Point Place to visit her grandparents, Red and Kitty, Leia finds what she’s looking for right next door when she meets the dynamic and rebellious Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide).

With the help of Gwen’s friends, including her lovable brother Nate (Maxwell Donovan), his smart, laser-focused girlfriend Nikki (Sam Morelos), the sarcastic and insightful Ozzie (Reyn Doi), and the charming Jay, Leia realizes adventure could happen there just like it did for her parents all those years ago. Excited to reinvent herself, she convinces her parents to let her stay for the summer. With a basement full of teens again, Kitty is happy the Forman house is now a home for a new generation and Red is, well…Red.

The multi-cam That ’90s Show was created by That ’70s Show alum Gregg Mettler — who serves as showrunner — That ’70s Show co-creators Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner, and their daughter Lindsay Turner. The quartet executive produces alongside Rupp, Smith as well as Marcy Carsey, and Tom Werner under the Carsey-Werner Company, which produced That ’70s Show and its offshoot That ’80s Show.

Cheech Marin to Star in the Bobby Farrelly-Directed Film “Champions”

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Cheech Marin is a champion…

The 75-year-old Mexican American actor will lead Champions, a recently-wrapped film that Bobby Farrelly directed for Focus Features and Gold Circle Entertainment.

Marin stars alongside Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson and Matt Cook.

Champions is based on the Goya Award winning Spanish film Campeones, which Universal Pictures International released in 2018.

It centers on a stubborn and hotheaded minor league basketball coach who is forced to coach a Special Olympics team when he is sentenced to community service.

Actors with intellectual disabilities rounding out the cast to ensure authenticity in the storytelling include Madison Tevlin, Joshua Felder, Kevin Iannucci, Ashton Gunning, Matthew Von Der Ahe, Tom Sinclair, James Day Keith, Alex Hintz, Casey Metcalfe, Bradley Edens and Champ Pederson.

Mark Rizzo penned the script.

Focus Features will distribute the film domestically, with Universal Pictures handling its international release.

Marin is an actor and comedian who broke out in the ’70s, alongside Tommy Chong, as one half of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong. He’s appeared in such films as Machete, Planet Terror, Grindhouse, Tin Cup, From Dusk Till Dawn, Desperado, Ghostbusters II, Born in East L.A., After Hours and Up in Smoke, along with series including Elena of Avalor, Lodge 49 and Jane the Virgin.

Fergie Releases the Music Video for Her New Single “L.A. Love (La La)”

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fergie‘s spreading the (L.A.) Love…

The 39-year-old part-Mexican American singer has released the official music video for “L.A. Love (La La),” the lead single from her upcoming sophomore solo album.

As the Black Eyed Peas member rolls around Southern California in her double-decker, Day of the Dead-themed party bus, she’s joined by a random collection of famous people.

There’s Kelly Osbourne, Chelsea Handler playing “the irresponsible raver mom, Hilary Swank, Tommy Chong and Wilmer Valderrama.

Less surprisingly, YG — who has a verse on the song – also makes an appearance in the clip, along with fellow music world stars Mike Will Made It, Rae Sremmund, Taylor Momsen and DJ Mustard.

Fergie’s new solo album will be released in 2015.

It’s Official… Mota to Compete on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Bethany Mota will be shaking her tailfeather on television soon.

The 18-year-old half-Mexican YouTube vlogger and fashionista, as previously rumored, has been selected to compete on Season 19 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

Mota, who recently won Choice Female Web Star at the Teen Choice Awards, is among the 13 new dancers for the upcoming season of DWTS, which will premiere on Monday, September 15.

The beauty guru’s YouTube channel — macbarbie07 (7 million subscribers) — features hair, makeup, fashion and DIY tutorials. It earned her a fashion line at Aéropostale, and she was featured as part of a YouTube ad campaign.

Paired with professional dancer Derek Hough, Mota will compete for the coveted mirror ball trophy against the likes of Olympian Lolo Jones, Mean Girls‘ Jonathan Bennett, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s Alfonso Ribeiro and NASCAR great Michael Waltrip.

Other competitors include Duck Dynasty’s Sadie Robertson, actress Lea Thompson of Back to the Future, Ultimate Fighting Champion Randy Couture, legendary comedian Tommy Chong, celebrated talk show host Tavis Smiley, as well as famed fashion designer Betsey Johnson, Pretty Little Liars actress Janel Parrish and General Hospital alum Antonio Sabato, Jr.

Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews announced the celebrity cast live Thursday morning on Good Morning America in Times Square.

The addition of Julianne Hough, named as the fourth judge last month, will add some pizazz this season. Hough won two mirror-ball trophies as a pro during her DWTS run, and will have a permanent spot at the judges’ table next to veterans Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

Cheech Marin to Perform at Insane Clown Posse’s Festival

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Cheech Marin is about to get his laugh on…

The 66-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian—who gained acclaim as part of the Grammy-winning comedy duo Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s—will reunite with his comedy partner Tommy Chong to perform at Insane Clown Posse‘s 13th annual Gathering of the Juggalos, taking place August 8-12 at Cave-In-Rock, Illinois.

The Detroit rap duo announced the festival lineup with a highly produced 23-minute video on its official web site, portraying the festival as a Walking Dead-style refuge from a zombie infestation that’s taken over the world.

The clip highlights not only the musical performers, but also additional attractions like an expanded comedy tent — headlined by Cheech & Chong with Ralphie May, Jamie Kennedy, Bobcat Goldthwait and others.

In addition to his comedy work with Chong, Marin starred on television as Don Johnson‘s partner on Nash Bridges and as Hurley’s dad on Lost. He has also voiced characters in several Disney productions, including The Lion King, Cars, Cars 2 and Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

Information on the festival and how to get tickets can be found at www.juggalogathering.com.

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