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Doug Elfman
Joe Rogan still busy, outspoken
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Comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan's marijuana use never keeps him from landing work.
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People say, "Chefs are the new rock stars," or "DJs are the new rock stars." Those things are true. But also: UFC fighters are the new rock stars.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan says the top UFC rock star is still retired light heavyweight champ Chuck Liddell. Women flock to "the superstar gladiator," screaming, "Oh my God, it's Chuck Liddell!"
"You've never seen a more primal response from sluts before. That's Thor. He's at the top of a throne that's on a pile of bones," says Rogan, who performs stand-up comedy Friday at Mandalay Bay Theatre.
"They can't help it. It's their instinct. Their genetics lead them to him," he says. "It's like he's The Beatles all wrapped up in one man, especially when he was in his prime."
Women, with husbands in tow, also ask Rogan whether he can help them meet welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre.
"She's letting her husband know ... she would (expletive) Georges St-Pierre in a heartbeat. It's depressing to watch," Rogan says.
"You see the look on the poor (husband's) face, like, '(Expletive!) I can't believe I have to deal with this.' "
The only saving grace is: Husbands know their wives can't get with St-Pierre.
Rogan is a busy man -- commentating for UFC, doing stand-up and hosting his own podcast.
He just portrayed himself in a mixed martial arts movie (set for a 2012 release) with Kevin James, who has real striking and MMA techniques.
"Everyone knows him as this overweight comedian guy who's like this lovable, cuddly character," Rogan says. "The last time I saw him work out, I was like, 'Whoa!' "
Rogan (who has belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and taekwondo) says another celebrity with MMA talents is Ed O'Neill, from "Modern Family" and "Married With Children."
"Al Bundy is a legit black belt in jiu-jitsu," Rogan says.
So is Sean Patrick Flanery. And Shaq has long trained in MMA.
Rogan is talking with NBC about hosting the return of "Fear Factor," a "fantastic gig" hinging on what NBC offers.
"It (negotiations) is really just about the money at this point, quite honestly. If I don't do it, I'm not upset," he says. "I'm so busy right now. I love everything I'm doing."
For years, Rogan has said he was high on weed about 80 percent of the time on "Fear Factor."
"The whole first season I did sober. Then after that, I was like: 'All right, we need to mix this up a little,' " he says. "I'm not driving a car or flying a plane full of passengers. It's not something I have to be sober for."
Rogan is an outspoken marijuana proponent. It's a personal freedom issue, he says.
If politicians were actually concerned about drugs, they would outlaw tobacco, he says. (Tobacco killed 100 million people in the 20th century, according to the World Health Organization.) Or they would again ban alcohol, he says. (It contributes to one in every 25 deaths in the world, a 2009 Canadian study suggested.)
Like many performers, Rogan is never kept from landing work by his pot use .
"You get away with a little bit more because you're an entertainer," the comedian explains.
"If they drug tested people in Hollywood, it would be a (expletive) disaster across the board -- music, comedy, acting, all of it" -- leaving only terrible actors and musicians, he says.
"We're a drug-using society. We just like sanctioned drugs," he says. "I'm going to have a cup of coffee in a few minutes, and that's a drug."
Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Contact him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.
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Rogan is an a1 assssssssssssssssssssss, that VDude2010 would love to tap.
Now, who wouldn't want to be GSP or Chuck Liddell.
Imagine one of those guys - living in Vegas.
Joe is correct on the drug thing - Politicians only keep Tobacco legal for tax revenues...if it is soooooo bad they should ban it.
I mean Frisco has banned plastic bags, happy meal toys, plastic bottles AND sitting on the sidewalk - what could be worse.
Rogan is an a1 assssssssssssssssssssss
Joe Rogan still busy, outspoken, and still not funny.
....i have yet to hear something from Rogan that i do not agree with....he is spot on with his perceptions and views regarding weed....furthermore, he is right on the money with his comments about gov't, politicians and the like and their stupid stupid stances on legit vs illegal drugs, they and their imbecilic policies are a big reason this country is in the crapper......i think i'll catch one of his shows, and as a matter of fact, it would be the very first "show" that i've been to in 13 years.