Spark Something

The generations of stoners born in the Eighties realize one thing from those nostalgic VH1 flashback specials: the THC content in Mary Jane might be stronger now, but man, cats in the Seventies knew how to party. Any Cheech and Chong film from the era proves that. The two avowed potheads apparently didn’t suffer from amotivational syndrome — between 1972 and 1985, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong released nine comedy albums (one of which won a Grammy). They also starred in eight feature films, all of which have basically the same plot: Two stoners wind up in a jam, at some point there’s an escape from The Man, high jinks ensue, and —- voilà — our heroes make it out on top with an appropriately hazy grand finale. Who would imagine such a formula would ever get stale? Um, Cheech.

In 1985, Marin called it quits on the drug humor, leaving his old buddy Chong high and dry. Cheech pursued a career in legit films, making notable inroads in the world of animated voices, while Chong played a version of his old self on That ’70s Show, produced a line of smoking paraphernalia (Chong’s Bongs, anyone?) for which he got arrested, went to prison, and wrote an awesome book, The I-Chong. And now, a little more than a quarter-century after their breakup, the weed fiends are back to blaze a new comedy trail. Yup, yup — the Cheech & Chong: Light Up America tour is touching down at The Fillmore Miami Beach. Will they still make you laugh till your sides ache and tears run down your face? That totally depends on how high you are, dude. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7. Tickets cost $59.50 and $39.50, and they’re selling out faster than the dime bags from the dude on the corner, so hurry up and visit www.livenation.com, or holla at your local scalper.
Sat., Sept. 27, 7 p.m., 2008