Cheech & Chong's reunion tour could have become a reality TV show — but the '70s comedy icons quashed that plan fast.

"Our managers thought it would be a good idea, but Cheech and I know what it's like having a camera in your face. It's no fun. They were looking to do a reality show about the tour, but it turned into the Weinstein movie we're doing, and that's much better," notes Tommy Chong, referring to their in-the-making concert flick.

"You want to know the truth?" he adds. "Without getting too mean — reality shows are about losers, basically. And you wouldn't want to see a couple of guys like us. It would ruin the image if they showed how straight we really are, when they find out that I really am an old man and go to bed at 9:30."

Whatever their bedtimes, the duo is certainly riding high, pardon the expression, with their roasting at the Comedy Festival in Las Vegas scheduled to air as a TBS special Sunday (11/30). Brad Garrett hosts the hour-long proceedings, with roasters including Penn & Teller, Wilmer Valderrama, Al Sharpton, Tom Arnold, and special appearances by Andy Dick and Steve Carell.

They've been playing to crowds who know their old routines "better than we do," according to Cheech Marin — though he figures 80 percent are too young to have heard them during their heyday three decades back. In fact, as we speak, a group of fans in the parking lot below have gathered to serenade Cheech & Chong with their signature "Born in East L.A."

Their stoner humor was taboo for years, but now, not only are they being welcomed with open arms, funny potheads are showing up elsewhere, like the big-screen hit "Pineapple Express." How do they account for that?

"Republicans," says Chong.

"Whenever Republicans were in power, like Nixon and Reagan, there was a war on drugs, and whenever Democrats are in, like Clinton, Carter and now Obama, then there is no war on drugs."

But the movie and their reunion preceded the election.

"We were the advance," says Cheech. "The signs were everywhere."

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE: The future of Fox's updated feature film version of "The A Team" — rumored to have Bruce Willis and Ice Cube circling — became uncertain with the departure of director John Singleton from the project last month. But one thing's for sure: The original "A Team's" Mr. T wants nothing to do with the movie, to be produced by creator Stephen J. Cannell, unless he stars.

Being invited to do a cameo would be, he figures, something like a person who got divorced and then remarried telling their former spouse they could come by to say hello for a few minutes. "It would be insulting," he says. "If I'm not going to play B.A., I don't want to be there."

The old "A Team" team shows up in a clip in Disney's animated "Bolt" — and that, says Mr. T, he's very happy about. "They did a great job on the movie. It's a lot of fun."

ON A LIGHT NOTE: Jack McBrayer's hoping Paul Scheer shows up again on his "30 Rock." "He's my improv buddy from way back," notes the actor, who plays TV-lovin' NBC page Kenneth on the series. McBrayer and Scheer are veterans of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre troupe. "I was so thrilled when they brought him on as my arch nemesis. I think it's fun to see someone Kenneth does not like — it happens so rarely."

THE INDUSTRY EYE: Patricia Heaton will be back in the series game again — if her soon-to-shoot pilot, "The Middle," gets a pickup by ABC. The former "Everybody Loves Raymond"' and "Back to You" leading lady will play a middle-age, middle-class wife and mom in middle America.

Lifetime TV has a Nora Roberts tribute soon to go into production, which is being directed by Martha Coolidge.

Casting is underway for Nasser Entertainment's remake of John Wayne's 1947 chestnut, "Angel and the Badman," about a tough, revenge-minded gunslinger who finds himself being nursed back to health by a sweet Quaker girl (hence the ad line: "He lived only for revenge ... She lived only for his love!") They've been looking for the actor who can fill The Duke's boots. Lotsa luck.

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.