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SEPTEMBER 5, 2000

This is one ticket you won't want to scalp, as the Chiefs of Comedy Tour is getting ready to hit the road after a highly profitable night at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.

Featuring the straight-off-the-rez stylings of Chief Crazy Ho', the elder humor of Gummi Bear, the militant mania of Running Gag, and the urban Indian revelations of Dances with Headphones, the Chiefs of Comedy Tour is banking on the success of the Kings of Comedy, which features four African-American comedians and has grossed more than $37 million.

The Chiefs are already well on their way to repeating that success. After just one night at Foxwoods, the four took in a cool million, although they were required to give 25 percent to the state, due to a contractual obligation and since Running Gag made most of the money playing progressive slots.

Scheduled to open at the Elders Center on the Tulalip Reservation of Washington on Friday, the Chiefs will be hitting all the major venues in Indian Country. The group is making sure to appear on as many reservations as possible and will be calling out bingo for the elders during intermission.

Sherman Alexie, himself a budding comedian, has been approached to emcee the event, but might be writing three new books, a collection of poems, and "relaxing" that night, according to his publicist.

But even without Alexie, the Chiefs can certainly hold their own. The group was recently featured on the HBO's The Chris Rock Show this past weekend.

"When Indian people go to the movies, we're like 'Hey, this is a good movie,'" says Bear, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. "When white people go to the movies, they take your land."

From Washington, the Chiefs will be enjoying the new-found success of California's gaming tribes. They will also tape an episode of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, in which all four will play Chumash Indians who suddenly come back to life, only to face opposition from Proposition 15C, a referendum which would curtail expanded roles for Indian actors in Hollywood.

Hollywood is a sore point for Chief Crazy, who was turned down for a role in Dances with Wolves because he spoke Lakota too well.

"You know, when Indian people watch TV, we're like 'This is a good TV show'," said the Chief, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. "When white people watch TV, they take your land."

This was presented for humor purposes only. Please do not write or call. But you may still send money for tickets.

Relevant Links:
The Chris Rock Show - www.hbo.com/rock
The Kings of Comedy - www.kingsofcomedymovie.com