With popular docuseries like Weediquette and Bong Appetit, Vice TV was a forerunner in cannabis programming on cable. Now they're back with Tumbleweeds with Killer Mike.
The four-episode series debuted on 4/20, of course. The series is produced by Weedmaps, Wheelhouse DNA and Wheelhouse Labs and distributed by Vice Media Group.
The format is similar to Anthony Bourdain's shows: Go to a destination and sample food. Host Killer Mike describes himself as a Grammy winner, activist and entrepreneur. He won the Grammy in 2007 for the OutKast song, "The Whole World," on which he's featured.
But it's more than about food. Mike's a big weed enthusiast and loves sneakers. The first two episodes are set out West: in San Francisco and Las Vegas. There are three segments per 25-minute show; each features a different comedian (all but one are male). Mike and Ngaio Bealum visit pizza parlor Fig & Thistle where Mike creates his own pizza. "Stoners are the ones who legalized weed," Bealum explains. "They took a minute because stoners move slow. Have some respect."
Next stop is Latin-owned pot shop, Stiiizy. Mike selects an indica preroll and he and Kabir Singh light up in the parking lot. At the sneaker store Bait we learn Mike owns 700 pairs and BIg Boi got him into weed. "We're the new Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor," Mike jokes to Jeff Horste, referring to the film comedy duo from the '70s and '80s.
Episode 2 journeys to Vegas, which Mike declares Is a "great place for the munchies." The tour begins at Cookies (Mike has his own Run the Jewels strain there) with Jozalyn Sharp. About Cookies' co-founder, he says: "Berner gave shit."
The trippy Omega Mart would've been a fine place to get stoned, but Mike and Mat Edgar must have forgot. He heads over to Urban Necessities, which features an extremely high wall of sneakers. Joined by Mu Johnson, the duo riff back and forth, clearly clueing to Mike's other ambition. "Weed, man," says Johnson, who's known for his Blackie Sack character, "it helps with peoples' joints." This cracks them up.
Not to miss a meal, Mike stops by Soul Belly BBQ with DJ Sadhu, where he gets to slice his own brisket. Mike signs off by reminding viewers all current pot prisoners should be released from jail and "have a pathway into the industry."
RELATED: KIller Mike: "We Deserve All the Drug War Reperations"
Watch Tumbleweeds episodes here.
