Tagged As: Comedy, Cheech and Chong, Jerry Seinfeld

So in between the forced viewings of Sex in the City on TBS (the cost of being in a relationship in the 21st century) I have been subjected to the desperate plea by the new “Very Funny” cable station to try and get me to watch Ellen on a variety show (Really?!?, What’s next Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are reunited Sonny and Cher style for a two hour special?).

I wish the three day comedy festival would just pass so I could get back to trying to change the channel back the West Coast NBA game on TNT. However, I am interested by the Cheech and Chong Celebrity Roast. The Roast is kicking off the new tour by the dynamic dazed duo from the ‘70s and the early ‘80s. I would not mind tickets to see the two comedians roasted.

I think this could be one of the more interesting attempts to make the Friar Club-style a roast a national phenomenon. I had no interest in seeing a decrepit Hugh Hefner look confused. It’s funnier when people do not know where they are because they are high, not because they are slowly falling into the clutches of senility. I had no interest in watching the roast of Pamela Anderson, the roasters were pretty lame and they took away from the ogling of the roastee. Cheech and Chong are at least comedians and more accomplished actors than the Baywatch beauty.

The show returns to the format of making fun of a target that has been purposefully funny. The lineup doing the roast is interesting to say the least. Instead of Jeffrey Ross hosting or being in some respect, TBS has chosen Brad Garrett to host. Garrett is more than Raymond’s brother, he is an actual comedian (and about a foot and a half taller than Ross).

(Warning: language)

The rest of the lineup leaves a little bit apprehensive. Tom Arnold, Geraldo Riveria, Penn & Teller, Wilmer Valderrama, Greg Giralodo, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Shelby Chong.

There are a few actual comedians (Greg Giraldo and Penn & Teller) and a family member (Shelby Chong), but the rest leaves me uneasy. Tom Arnold has not been relevant in years and all the jokes about his appearance may take away from the supposed targets of the roast. Geraldo Riveria and the Rev. Al Sharpton are two stretches. Is this an obvious attempt to pander by adding a diverse element? Surely TBS could have found funnier African-American and Hispanic comedians. They also might have simply blown their entire budget on getting Ellen and Jerry Seinfeld.

I am far more looking to getting Cheech and Chong tickets to see an actual tour with the two bringing a little bit of the old stoner act to the stage. I might like getting roast tickets to have fun in Las Vegas but the show sounds a little underwhelming. I do not want to see special guests Steve Carell look out of place (he’s funny, but this is the wrong context) and Andy Dick looking insane and inane (Tom Arnold II).

Well, at the very least, the three day comedy festival might be more entertaining than the bad puns on Sex on the City.