There's no denying that Cheech & Chong invented stoner comedy as we know it. The duo composed of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong found a wide cult audience during the 1970s and 1980s for their stand-up routines. Watch movies like "Dazed and Confused" or "Pineapple Express," and rudiments of the pair's countercultural imprint can still be found. What's Up caught up with the two during a conference call interview. At 64 and 71, Cheech & Chong's antics and ping-pong dialogue remain the same. Listen to the pair talk and you know that this friendship is golden.ASCAP and BMI should not be allowed to demand licensing fees from parodies of popular music, movies, ads or literature. The Supreme Court of the United States has previously ruled in favor of parody as Fair Use, a doctrine provide by the first amendment of the United States Constitution, and a right that if not upheld, threatens free speech and our right to criticize, comment and present artistic alternative opinions of pop culture, the government and other entities including ASCAP, BMI and the RIAA themselves.
It is unreasonable to ask a parodist to pay to criticize, parody or satire pop work so long as it can not be seen as a substitute to the original, I propose that parody be more clearly defined as a protected use under the Fair Use Doctrine; under federal law in order to protect parodists and comedians who cannot afford to fight organizations such as ASCAP and BMI from strong arm tactics. The 2 Live Crew case must be adhered, ASCAP and BMI must stop crossing the line, and should have to abide by the constitution of the United States.
The United States has a detailed plan for infiltrating Pakistan and securing its mobile arsenal of nuclear warheads if it appears the country is about to fall under the control of the Taliban, Al Qaeda or other Islamic extremists.
