Cedric the Entertainer explains ‘Doug’ to Doug

I am Doug. The guys in “The Hangover” movies are Doug and Black Doug. There was “Doug” the cartoon, and then came “The Dougie” dance.

This year, Cedric the Entertainer played Father Doug in the hit comedy “A Haunted House.”

No one wanted my name in the 1990s — not even me. I thought about changing it legally to Nick after seeing “The Sure Thing.” I’m not kidding. But Doug has come into its own in some weird way.

Since Cedric headlines at the Mirage on Dec. 29-30, I got Father Doug on the phone to ask him why showbiz stars such as himself have been doing splashier things with my name than I have.

“Doug Doug Doug Doug Doug,” he said. “It’s the new name. It’s the lexicon name of this new generation for the past few years.

“It’s Doug, man. It’s the go-to name. It’s solid. It’s strong. You can permeate funny from Doug. You can believe Doug is a serious person. But it feels like Doug is a good friend.”

I feel like I’m a good friend.

“It’s one of those names that, when people are writing scripts, it’s like: ‘This guy needs to be the best friend,’ and you go, ‘Doug.’ ”

I told Cedric I never liked my name as a little kid, because the only Doug in the movies back then was the frat meanie Doug Neidermeyer in “Animal House.”

“Oh yeah,” Cedric said. “You just hang in there. You’re name’s gonna be hot. I tell all the kids that.

“I tell my little nephew Ewellen, ‘Hey look, man, your name’s gonna be cool one day. You’re not always gonna be Ewellen. It’ll turn into Ewe (pronounced ‘You’) and iDog. Don’t worry about it. You’re gonna be fine.’”

Cedric will reprise Father Doug in next year’s “A Haunted House 2.”

“It’s gonna be funny crazy. Father Doug is back with a vengeance,” he said.

He will also co-star in a Chris Rock comedy in which Rock has cast all his comedian friends, from Seinfeld to Bruce Bruce.

Cedric’s TV show “The Soul Man” just got renewed for a third season. And he is enjoying hosting “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”

The only thing about that “Millionaire” gig is everyone who sees Cedric in public thinks he has a million bucks on him to give out whenever he wants.

He told me to tell you this:

“They only give out a million dollars on the show, guys, so don’t stop me and say, ‘Ced, I knew the answer to that question the other day.’

“People see me in the mall and they think I can give out money at any time.

“Doug can’t give you any money.”

Damn straight.

A SIGHTING STORY

Norm Clarke and I get our sightings of celebrities in various ways. On Friday, I got a fun one.

I was browsing a crazy-expensive store called Jewelry &Mineral of Las Vegas on East Sahara when a guy there told me, “Nic Cage came in the other day. I said, ‘Has anyone ever told you you look like Nic Cage?’ He put his hand out and said, ‘Hi, I’m Nic Cage.’ He’s into crystals. I never realized how many tattoos he has.”

I have really enjoyed Nic Cage sightings ever since he moved to Vegas. It’s funny, there are other celebs here, but there’s something magical about Nic Cage. I mean, he drives a motorcycle on fire in the movies. That’s cool.

Doug Elfman’s column appears on Page 3A in the main section on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He also writes for Neon on Fridays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.