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Click To Get Back To www.newsaskew.com

August 31, 2001
  • The site's been extremely busy for the past couple months, in case ya didn't notice, which hasn't left time for anything but the updates themselves. We're happy to report we're finally catching up on some backlogged stuff though, and are currently putting the finishing touches on our HUGE report from our California trip to the Jay & Silent Bob premiere. You'll find a TON of photos and a huge story where we attempt to capture the moment and describe what it's like to enter into the realm of Hollywood's elite for a few hours. Coming soon, hopefully this weekend!

    Thanks to BBruce for the new poll topic, which you can now place your vote on. As always, please just vote once to make sure we get some accurate results! Let's check out today's news:

  • Well, as some of you may or may not know, Jason Mewes was the subject of a report from a website called The Smoking Gun, where they basically do all they can to humiliate celebrities by digging up as much dirt on them as possible. In this case, the site printed a report stemming from events that happened YEARS ago, yet for some reason felt that right now was the time to report on it. At News Askew, we make it a point to stay away from stories like this, and opted not to run it. However, Kevin's posted a full explanation and cleared the air a great deal, so we felt this was something that needed to be read. Those of you at Smoking Gun should be ashamed of yourselves. Go ahead and get to work on your next target. Hope you sleep well at night. Here's Kevin's post, which addresses this issue and some other odds and ends:

    Kevin, you have no idea! Check out this report we got in on some comments Rivers made on her radio show late yesterday. Can NO ONE take a joke anymore? Anyway, here's the summary:

    Sheesh, it sounds like Joan was MAJORLY bitter (not to mention completely off base...As if Kevin's got anything CLOSE to an ego, ESPECIALLY compared to her). Thanks to Chuck for the summary.

  • Here's the Wednesday box office totals. Jay & Bob has dropped down below a million per day, but we're expecting the numbers to jump way back up today and into the weekend:

    Meanwhile, Box Office Report have posted their weekend forecast, but hopefully we can do even better than that. In some areas, we're still receiving reports that the film has been coming in at #1 locally.

  • Filmforce.Ign.com has a poll on what movie people are going to see over the weekend. Right now J&SBSB leads the way with 36.4% Jeepers Creepers is a distant 2nd with 26.2%. Maybe we'll see a jump in sales this weekend!

  • Speaking of the flick, check out this new print ad for the movie. This is the best so far, really, capitalizing on Affleck & Damon's appearances, the light saber stuff, and the surprise cameos. Check out the Afroman mention in the corner, and note the use of the American Pie cast members in the new print ad. You can definitely see the wheels turning there. Hopefully it'll bring some nice box office in this weekend.

  • Ebert and Roeper will finally review "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back" on this weekend's show. It's syndicated, so check your local listings to find it. Details HERE.

  • In other review news, Rotten Tomatoes now have over 130 reviews listed on their site, which you can read HERE. Here's a few other interesting areas they've got as well:

    We've stored tons of reviews in our Forums area, and also have archived all the press stories from the past few weeks over at our Scooping The Monkey website.

  • Box Office Mojo's soundtracks area reports that Jay & Bob have darted up to #3 on the soundtracks chart. Also, if you're up for an interesting little read, check out this article about the "Plastic Jesus" song that was discovered on Napster and now appears in the film.

  • Film Threat is running an ode to swearing in the movies, written by Chris Gore and featuring Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and also a glowing review of Clerks. Check them out at their site.

  • Popular rookie underground movie review site Movie Freak has a very brief question and answer session with Kevin Smith. The interview and subsequent review are obviously from a fan's perspective, and even include a couple references to last year's Vulgarthon.

    August 30, 2001

  • There's still a few articles and interviews left over, probably conducted before the film was released but not put together until now. Check out these pieces on Kevin, GLADD, Mark Hamill, and a new interview:

  • Here's the Tuesday box office totals:
      1 Rush Hour 2 NEW LINE $1,346,746 $185,953,460
      2 American Pie 2 UNIVERSAL $1,341,725 $111,974,035
      3 Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back DIMENSION $1,174,638 $13,447,335
      4 The Others DIMENSION $998,553 $48,071,291
      5 Rat Race PARAMOUNT $918,803 $27,224,839
      6 The Princess Diaries BUENA VISTA $832,388 $84,004,239
      7 Summer Catch WARNERS $742,813 $8,536,498
      8 Captain Corelli's Mandolin UNIVERSAL $475,540 $14,954,630
      9 Planet of the Apes FOX $399,507 $168,592,674
      10 John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars SONY $392,203 $4,595,292

  • The ultimate in hate reviews for Jay & Bob has finally come out - The famous CAP Alert review. We first found these guys during Dogma, which probably game some of them heart attacks. Their job is basically to police movies and list everything in them that goes against the Christian way. Thank goodness we have a free country and don't have people like this dictating what we can and can't see. This review is a real gem though, one of the best moments reveals: "Restricted movies typically require two to three recording logs-this movie took five." You can also now urge folks to check out the film to hear "at least 224 uses of the most foul of the foul words". Read all the scripture and propaganda HERE.

  • Want to own a BIG piece of View Askew History? How about the van that carried Jay, Bob, and the girls around in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back? Online auction site BidBay is currently offering the actual van to the highest bidder. It's currently going for $7,500 but hasn't got a bid yet. Read all about it HERE!

  • Michigan residents can currently win two free tickets to J&SBSB at www.freemovietickets.cc.

  • Finally today, here's some fan art from an article on J&SBSB...A pretty cool sketch of the duo!

    August 28, 2001

  • According to IMDB, Jay and Silent Bob Strike back had the HIGHEST per-screen average box office this past weekend. J&SBSB earned $3,985.00 per screen while American Pie 2 earned $3,965.00 per screen. So, chances are if Jay & Bob were on the same amount of screens as Pie, it could have taken the #1 spot. Of course, Pie was on over 3,300 screens, a really crazy number. In Canada, the film came in at #5 last week.

    Box Office Mojo is tracking the flick's daily box office, including percent changes in business.

    Yahoo Movies reports that Jay & Bob moved up to Number TWO after Monday's box office takings. The gap between it and American Pie 2 is roughly $40,000, a far cry from the $1.5 million over the weekend! Cumulative total: Almost $12.3 million after 4 days.

    This weekend, the new blood comes from Lion's Gate's "O", which we actually screened last night and dug, as well as Jeepers Creepers, which promises a return to the horror genre in its purest form. Both flicks will likely bring in some crowds, but they also cater to different audiences than J&SBSB, so expect Jay & Bob to bring in some more cash as well, especially if the word of mouth from last weekend carries on.

  • For those of you that once checked it out, or those of you that have yet to try it, we'd like to announce that we've debugged our News Askew online chat module and it's back online and easier to use than ever. News Askew Chat uses regular internet IRC servers, so you can connect to us in one of two ways: Through our web login, or through your standard IRC client at irc.starchat.net:6667.

    Best of all, we've made the name registration OPTIONAL, so, if you want to protect your nickname, you can still register to chat, but if you'd rather just stop in and check it out without a password, you can do that as well. Just input a username and leave the password field blank. Simple as that.

    News Askew Chat gives you the chance to talk real time with other View Askew fans. We're working on getting some View Askew celebs lined up for some interactive Q&A sessions as well. Look for more news on that soon. Until then, be sure and try it out!

  • Last minute appearance! Kevin will appear on Live with Regis & Kelly TOMORROW, Thursday, August 30th! As it's a live appearance, it should be a lot of fun. We'll have all the details and hopefully a live capture of this for ya online tomorrow.

  • J&SBSB Soundtrack Update: The soundtrack will be at #28 on the Billboard chart this week, jumping up about 35% from last week. It looks like last week's sales were 45,532, up from 27,582 last week. Also, don't forget, Afroman's full-length record "The Good Times" is in stores as of yesterday!

  • Here's a new interview with Kevin that appeared in yesterday's Dallas Morning News. Here's a preview:
      "I just felt like it was time to get while the getting was good. Over the course of the last four movies, people have really grown to love the characters," he says. "Sooner or later, there will be backlash, and I would hate to see that happen to a couple of characters that people seem to dearly love at this point. It just felt like it was right to kind of push back from the table before we overate, so to speak."

      Still, it's hard to say goodbye, and Mr. Smith says he'll miss the guys.

      "Oh, absolutely. I'll miss writing for Jay's character. It's great to write a creature of the id, a creature that has no filter, somebody that just speaks as they think," he says. "That's kind of liberating, because you don't get to do that much in real life. I'll definitely miss writing for him, but I won't miss putting on that coat."

  • FameTracker, the self-proclaimed "Farmer's Alamac Of Celebrity Worth", gives their "fame audit" of Kevin in their update today. Their nutshell opinion: "Kevin Smith is as famous as he should be. But Kevin Smith should be more famous than he is." Read all of it HERE.

  • While You Were Sleeping magazine features Jay & Silent Bob as Garbage Pail Kids (of all things) illustrated on the cover of their latest issue, along with a preview of the full story at their website which discusses one of the cuts Kevin had to make to Jay & Bob to get the "R" rating.

  • Cinescape has the "Top 10 Real Reasons GLAAD is upset over Kevin Smith's JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK" featured currently. It can be found on the lower right-hand corner of the site, near the bottom of the page.

  • Apparently The Phantom Editor, that dude who created the now widely bootlegged "Phantom Edit" of Star Wars, met with Kevin on the set of J&SBSB. Details are at his site.

    August 28, 2001

  • An anonymous scooper tells us that Kevin will narrate and appear in this upcoming DVD that explores the Star Wars phenomenon, "Starwoids". It seems the same company that's slated to release Drawing Flies later this year is also working on this one. Here's his story:
      I work for a DVD authoring house and we just received a rush order to author a DVD for a film titled Starwoids that is narrated by Kevin Smith. The film is a documentary about Star Wars fans and according to these notes, won the Nodance Film Festival, and played the San Diego Comic-Con. The company putting it out is IndieDVD, a guy named Jonah is in charge of the project. They are trying to get everything done in time for the "Star Wars Phantom Menace release on DVD" but in the video business they don't have very much time to market it. We're usually done three months before the product is available and Oct. 9th is just around the corner. From what I've seen the documentary is hilarious and it features an great interview with Kevin Smith about why he's obsessed with Star Wars.

      The film follows two lines that form 42 days before the tickets to Star Wars Episode One, go on sale. In those 42 days mini governments form to stave off the Police who try to shut it all down. One line forms outside of the Mann's Chinese theater and that line gets the support of dot-com money and soon becomes a circus. Another line is formed by a high school kid who gets his High School equivalency test just to stay in line. The two lines compete with each other and themselves throughout the film. The film also takes sideways trips into total obsession, from rapping Boba Fetts, to people getting trampled on the first day the toys are for sale. One group tries to sneak onto Skywalker Ranch and a fan takes his toys out to the original Star Wars locations. Uncle Owen's even in it!

      The film is great, I just hope that they don't shoot themselves in the foot by not having enough time to get it on the shelves. I think this is newsworthy, I just thought that you might want the first word on it, I know you like to have insider information whenever possible.

    If anyone's got any confirmation or official news on this, let us know!

  • Could it be...A sooner UK release date for Jay & Silent Bob? According to Buena Vista UK, the official UK distributors of J&SBSB, the UK release date is, at the moment, November 30th, NOT Dec 21st as mentioned on the Internet Movie Database. Apparently, it never has been Dec 21 - that was an invention. The first official release date given is November 30th. Good news for those of you across the pond.

  • A couple more articles of interest: First this, new Chicago Tribune article called "He's One Of Us" discusses Kevin's dedication to the fans. Check it out, it's one of the better articles we've read lately.

    Also, there's this piece from the International Herald Tribune, which is a combination of the Washington Post, the New York Times, and AP/Reuters wire, and the most respected American newspaper abroad.

  • Last night, Extra ran a story on J&SBSB. They mentioned it's number three spot and that it made a big impact at the box office this weekend. The cast was mentioned, along with Kevin's other films. If anyone caught it on tape and can send us a capture, let us know.

  • Alternative star Moby gives Jay & Bob a BIG thumbs up at his official website this week. Here's his thoughts:
      so let's talk about culture, ok?

      high culture. fine art. fine film. a fine film on the surface of a pond.

      i just saw what is without question the best movie of the year, 'jay and silent bob strike back.' i haven't laughed that much in a long, long time. so, karmically, kevin smith has done a good thing in that laughter strengthens peoples immune systems. so he has contributed to my health and well-being.

      'jay and silent bob' is outstanding. flawed, of course, but charming for its flaws. but so funny. -moby

  • Here's that scan of the ad that replaces Lee and Ferrell with Eliza Dushku and Ali Larter. Looks like a quick change just for the print ads, so we doubt there's another one sheet that exists in this fashion.

    August 26, 2001

  • Kevin checked in today with his thoughts on the weekend and J&SBSB's performance. Looks like good news and smiling faces all around. Here's Kevin:
      Close, But No Cigar...

      First off, the day we mourn an 11.1 million dollar opening is the day I want out of this business.

      Yes - first place would've been nice. Shit, it was almost do-able. But it wasn't in the cards, apparently, and that's okay. Opening to double digits with a movie this inside is a-okay in my book.

      And the real tale, anyway, will be told next week. Let's just pray it doesn't repeat the 'Dogma' second week drop (51%), and instead, hold in there with a 30% or less drop.

      But remove the figures and all (because, let's face it - the movie's going to make it's money back and then some; especially with video) and concentrate on what really matters...

      Were you entertained?

      I've been combing through the last few boards (good Lord, we're going through them quickly lately, aren't we?), and the majority of you were, indeed, happy with the flick. Some cats weren't (hey, what do you want me to say? No flick's for everyone), but largely, folks dug it. That makes us here at the home office very happy.

      Many thanks to those who did double and triple duty (hell, even single duty). You're posters are waiting for you when you send in your stubs.

      If you feel so inclined, hit the flick again next weekend. That'd be nice.

      So please - no long faces. We've done well. I'm happy. Very, very happy.

      And while it was nice to have the number one movie in the country for a night, to be honest, it didn't alter my existence. All I cared about was if you guys dug the flick, and beyond that, if *I* dug the flick.

      And I did. Very much. Always have, and always will.

      But now it's no rest for the weary, and right back to the drawing board. If all goes smoothly, we'll be shooting again in Feb/March - just as 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' should be hitting the video stores (unless Bob decides to go for the Christmas release).

      And then, of course, there's the cartoon flick next year.

      Which, if you think this movie was for the fans...

      Hoo-boy, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

    Jennifer also checked in with a personal thanks to all of you:
      Hi Board,

      Sending out a huge thanks to all of you for the amazing support this past weekend. You already know how proud I am of Kevin, but he really out did himself this time. Under the pressure of his largest budget (coupled with even larger expectations of turning a hefty profit), he made the movie that he wanted to make. He didn't sell out to win over the masses, but instead he put his heart into making you, his fans, laugh. For this and a million other reasons he doesn't need to top the box office to be #1 in my book.

      Love, Jennifer

    Thanks from all of us to Kevin, Jennifer and the entire View Askew crew for putting together a great flick that, regardless of any kind of money it ends up taking in, was truly a film for the fans and appreciated by us all. Congrats!

  • The IMDB has posted these new shots from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, the first we'd seen these anywhere. Keep in mind that you can find out entire archive of photos from the set over at Scooping The Monkey, all archived for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

  • Check out the prize pack offered in this new contest from the excellent e-mail zine ZENtertainment. Here's the full mailing that we received today...Sounds like a great reason to subscribe, not to mention Sean doesn't even ask for a set amount, just a donation:
      Recently, ZENtertainment became a voluntary-based subscription service. Like Public Television or Radio, we'll be here for you for free each and every week but we too desperately do need the support of our readers to keep going.

      And like those other services, from time to time we'll be choosing one of our paying subscribers to win a mess of goodies. ZEN is excited to announce the first such prize giveaway will give you a big pool of items related to filmmaker and comic writer Kevin Smith. The prizes include:

      - A JAY & SILENT BOB logo movie poster
      - A J&SB logo T-shirt
      - A pair of J&SB action figures
      - A Mooby baseball cap just like Kevin is known to wear
      - A Mooby beanie baby toy
      - A Buddy Christ statuette
      - A CLERKS open/close store sign
      - A signed copy of CLERKS: THE COMIC BOOK
      - The DAREDEVIL: VISIONARIES trade paperback featuring an intro from Ben Affleck
      - The CHASING DOGMA trade paperback
      and last but not least
      - The CLERKS: UNCENSORED DVD featuring the complete animated ABC series (The best DVD in the world, by the way... If not just for the simple fact that ZEN is mentioned by name on the audio commentary track...)

      If you're one of the 400 or so people who've already subscribed, you rule; sit back and wait until issue #491 on September 11th and keep your fingers crossed that we draw your name. And if you haven't yet subscribed, well, the odds are still pretty darn good, and you'll be giving a much-needed shot in the arm to a service we hope you'd agree is worth it.

      And if you haven't signed up, well, what are you waiting for? There is no set price on the donation - I've suggested $6 a year, but readers have been sending in anything from $6 to $200. Our preferred method of payment is via check or money order made out to Sean Jordan sent to ZEN's new headquarters at 24360 Vista Hills Road, Valencia, CA, 91355. Or if you'd prefer, you can click over to the www.ZENtertainment.com website and click on the AMAZON or PAYPAL logos you'll see right up front to securely contribute via credit card or other means.

      And that's that! Remember, ZEN remains a free service and not subscribing will in no way affect you receiving issues in the future, trusted we figure some other way to keep the lights on around here. Times are tough in the advertising, freelancing, and dot.com world and your assistance will not only ensure ZEN reaches issue #500 but maybe even #5000.

      In closing, ZEN would like to thank Kevin Smith, CLERKS: TAS producer David Mandel, and the good people at GRAPHITTI DESIGNS, ONI PRESS, MARVEL Comics, and DIMENSION Films who've contributed to this prize pool.

  • Slashdot, a very popular internet website that takes in over a million unique hits a day, ran a positive story/review on J&SBSB yesterday, saying "It will still probably be the funniest movie you've seen all summer". Check out the full story HERE. Could get some more butts in the seats next weekend, considering there's only a couple new releases on the 31st.

  • A new AICN article reports that J&SBSB is not being sceened in Freeport, Bahamas, it's been declined by their film board! Check it out:
      Freeport, Bahamas, August 24th. Having anticipated 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' for several months, I was happy that it was premiered here at the same time as in the U.S., something that usually only happens with bigger, star-driven releases. (In fact, due to our limited number of screens, you won't see most movies until several months later, when it's released for rental/sale/satellite broadcast.) So, armed with my wife and friends, we headed down for the late show only to be informed that they would not be showing the film due to the fact that our Bahamas Film Board (I am unsure of the exact naming), our ratings board had decreed that the film should not be allowed to be shown in the Bahamas. Apparently, it came down to one member, who is a nun, who objected to what I can only assume from the trailers is the scene where Jay goes down on a Nun played by Carrie Fisher. In case anybody's scratching their heads, we are officially a christian country. We're the ones who won't let gay cruises dock at our ports. There is absolutely no separation of church and state, so I'm not particularly surprised. HOWEVER... This is censorship, this is a violation of my human rights, etc...And It is a major bummer. I've been a big fan since Clerks came out, and was really looking forward to being front and centre, popcorn in hand, to see Kevin, Jason et al finishing the saga in style. Hell, I had already planned to go see it again tommorow night. Now I'll have to wait till next year and bag a DVD, unless someone has a spare reel. And a projector. Anyway, I'm going to get more info on Monday and I will fight this as hard as I can, or at least piss a lot of prudish people. Either way, I'm up for it, and I'll let you guys know how it's going.

  • "Because I got High" by Afroman is due for release in the UK either the 1st or the 8th of October, but no firm date has been released yet. The song is also beginning to get radio play there as well.

  • A promotional videotape featuring the Afroman & Stroke 9 videos, as well as the J&SBSB trailer, has been spotted at record stores. Ask the employees at your local shop, maybe they'll hook ya up!

  • Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is already number 39 (at presstime) on the IMDB's list of top 50 comedies of all time. The film currently carries an 8.1/10 after 34 days of submitted reviews. Check out the full list HERE.

  • Some newspaper print ads for J&SBSB featured slightly different poster art, with Ali Larter and Eliza Dushku replacing Will Ferrell and Jason Lee. No idea if this was an alternate one sheet, or only done for print ads. If anyone has a scan, send it in.

  • Some may have noticed that the video of Jay's Rap 2001 on the J&SBSB soundtrack (\data\videos\jaychant.mov) can't be played outside of the interface presented to you by the software on the CD. Those who want the option of viewing the media they've lawfully purchased in the way they prefer can play it directly in QuickTime by adding this key to the Media Keys section of the QuickTime prefs:
      Category: SorensonVideo
      Key: nickelbag

    If you know how to modify these settings, go for it...If not, best not play around too much. We're not responsible for what you might mess up in the process.

  • Finally today, it looks like the influence of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back is already spreading...Check out this web comic for a reference.

    August 26, 2001

  • The weekend's still not over, so even though current ESTIMATES put Jay & Bob In 3rd place for the weekend, it's a REAL close race and the film could jump up to at least number two overall if a lot of folks head into theaters today. While everyone was hoping for a #1 bow this weekend, Jay & Bob pulled in some nice numbers among some varied competition this week, currently holds the #2 per screen average JUST behind AP2 (which was on around 600 more screens than J&SBSB), and was the #1 NEW film released. Not only that, it's going to easily turn a profit due to its moderate budget and should go on to be the biggest success for View Askew Productions thus far. Not too shabby at all. But hey, why not go and check out the film again today, or even next week or weekend? The word of mouth on the film has been very good, and audiences are loving it (well, except for one demographic, according to these Cinemascore survery numbers):
      Male/Female
      Under 21 A/A-
      21 To 34 B+/B
      35 And Up B-/D+

    Here's a look at the AP story that's running today on the weekend's box office, slightly trimmed down:
      Audiences continue forking over for 'American Pie' amid weak new releases
      By DAVID GERMAIN
      AP Movie Writer

      LOS ANGELES (AP) - ''American Pie 2'' continues to out-gross all challengers. Amid a weak field of new films, the gross-out comedy remained the top movie for a third straight weekend. Taking in $12.8 million over the weekend, ''American Pie 2'' pushed its total take to $109.6 million in 17 days, according to studio estimates Sunday. ''Rush Hour 2'' remained the No. 2 film with $11.4 million, raising its 24-day total to $183.3 million. Among a rush of new movies, ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'' drew the biggest audience. The comedy from writer-director Kevin Smith was No. 3 with $11.1 million.

      The baseball flick ''Summer Catch,'' starring Freddie Prinze Jr., debuted in sixth place with $7.5 million. The sci-fi thriller ''John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars'' opened weakly with $3.8 million to finish at No. 9. Woody Allen's ''The Curse of the Jade Scorpion,'' playing in far fewer theaters than the other new films, had a so-so debut of $2.5 million to come in at No. 11.

      ''Bubble Boy,'' a comedy about a youth with a deficient immune system, did not even break into the top 12, opening with just $2 million. Hollywood is in the midst of its typical late-summer doldrums, when movie-going trails off.

      ''It feels like summer is over,'' said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations, which tracks the box office.

      The industry is creeping toward its all-time summer revenue high of $3 billion set in 1999, a record Hollywood should break by next weekend. While it was a slow weekend compared to most of this summer, the overall box office still rose compared to the same weekend last year. The top 12 movies grossed $82.5 million, up about 10 percent. ''Jay and Silent Bob'' drew the steadiest crowds among new films, averaging $4,014 a theater in 2,765 locations. The movie stars Jason Mewes and Smith as the title characters, who were supporting players in his previous four movies, including ''Dogma'' and ''Chasing Amy.'' The movie drew heavily on Smith's cult following, but distributor Miramax hopes it will find a broader audience.

      ''It's a very satisfying comedy on a lot of levels,'' said David Kaminow, Miramax senior vice president for marketing. ''Hopefully, we'll get some non-Kevin Smith fans to come and sample what we think is a great comedy.''

      ...

      Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures are to be released Monday.

      1. ''American Pie 2,'' $12.8 million.
      2. ''Rush Hour 2,'' $11.4 million.
      3. ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,'' $11.1 million.
      4. ''The Others,'' $8.6 million.
      5. ''Rat Race,'' $8.3 million.
      6. ''Summer Catch,'' $7.5 million.
      7. ''The Princess Diaries,'' $6.7 million.
      8. ''Captain Corelli's Mandolin,'' $3.9 million.
      9. ''John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars,'' $3.8 million.
      10. ''Planet of the Apes,'' $3.5 million.

    Some other stories on the weekend box office can be found at Box Office News, and Box Office Report. Plus, we've gathered up a couple more summaries from around the web. Most sites and reports due note that, while the film is tracking for third place, audiences loved the movie and that it's still the biggest success for a View Askew production to date:
      "This week's talk of town, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back pulled an all right but not spectacular debut this weekend, as the new Kevin Smith comedic adventure earned $11.1 million in ticket sales. Playing in 2,735 sites, Jay averaged $4,059 per-cinema. While exit polls were solid on Friday night, its Saturday drop-off suggests most fans either saw it on Friday night or at the sneak preview last Saturday (where all sneak preview money went towards The Others) and doesn't hint a very encouraging holdup for next week. Nevertheless, with Jay & Silent Bob's budget set at $15 - 20 million, the comedy's $11.1 million scores as Smith's highest debut ever and will likely become View Askews biggest success."

    Then there's this one, from Box Office Mojo:
      The force wasn't with "Jay and Silent Bob" to win the weekend, despite being number one on Friday. Kevin Smith's fifth picture from his View Askewniverse delivered an estimated $11.1 million from 2,765 theaters. That bests the $8.7 million of "Dogma" to mark Smith's best bow to date, though, so the $15 million comedy does give him something to say "Snootchie-Bootchies" about.

    August 25, 2001

  • Be sure and read below for some important stories, including a note from Kevin about seeing the film again TONIGHT. Jay & Bob is tracking in at number one right now, though it seemed like a lot of the world took the weekend off from the movies. Where the heck is everyone? Get out there and buy more tickets!

    Many folks wrote in to say they spotted Kevin, Jennifer, Vincent, & Bryan at the Monmouth Mall last night to check out the crowds for the flick. Apparently, it was standing room only out there, and some folks even spotted Kevin buying one fan a ticket. Too cool. Kevin's also recently alluded to a possible Vulgarthon 2001 this November or December in Red Bank, New Jersey.

    Alright, got some more stuff to catch up on for this Saturday update:

  • Here's a couple more clips for your enjoyment today...First, that Opie & Anthony call-in of Kevin's that happened last week. It's in MP3 format, so WinAMP, Windows Media, or any other MP3 player should have no trouble with it. It clocks in at 1.5 megabytes and runs 9 minutes. Download it HERE.

    Also, 96.5 The Point have posted a RealMedia version of their radio interview with Kevin, which you can check out HERE. Enjoy 'em, folks!

  • Here's the latest crop of interviews and articles that have popped up on the web surrounding Kevin and the release of the new flick. Look for these to drop down quite a bit into next week, and check out any you might have missed over at STM. Keep in mind, some of these may have spoilers inside, but if you haven't seen the flick by now, you're either out of the US or just plain crazy!

  • If you've seen J&SBSB (or even not) Here's one of the most amusing reviews/pieces you'll find on the flick. Kevin and crew probably never even took these statistics down, now they can have these for their records. Check it out HERE.

  • Kevin will be appearing at the Maui Writer's Conference this Labor day weekend. That's all the info we have on that at the moment. If you live in the islands, and have more info, send it on in.

  • Finally today, this interesting J&SBSB tidbit from Page Six:
      "JAY and Silent Bob Strike Back" star Carrie Fisher wasn't the first choice for the role of an affronted nun - or even the fifth. "We went to Sally Field first," says director Kevin Smith. "We thought, she's a genius and she was a huge 'Chasing Amy' fan. She didn't want to do it. Then we tried Wendie Malick, Kathy Najimy, all of the obvious nun candidates. Then I thought of Carrie, who's really acerbic. And Carrie thought the part was funny - even after six people had turned it down."

    August 24, 2001

  • Well here we are, folks, the big opening day. Don't forget, bring your family, your friends, your friends friends, and anyone else who needs a laugh. There's no way you can't walk into this film and not find stuff to laugh at. Promise them a good time at the movies! They'll thank you on the way out. Let's make J&SBSB the runaway comedy hit of the summer. Spread the word, see Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back...Now playing in theaters EVERYWHERE!

  • Mysterio's logged his final report with AICN. After covering the entire shoot of the film, and interviewing a ton of the cast and crew, he winds up with some parting thoughts and an excellent sit down with Ratface, who did some incredible production design on the flick. Here's a preview, just a taste of all the inside jokes and stuff that are up on that screen (and reason to see the film again and again this weekend):
      Ratface: Ok, well also in The Bluntcave you’ll see ‘The ROCKETEER’ jet pack is in there (next to the “Blunt saber”) – that’s the newest thing that’s in there, but some of the machines are older than that. There’s stuff from ‘BATMAN’ and things like that and all those labels, things Jay would say but in the ‘Batman”-style. In other scenes, there’s the diner in front of Vasquez Rocks called the “Arena Diner” from the ‘STAR TREK’ episode where Capt. Kirk fights the lizard monster; there’s things like, “Marshal Willenholly” from ‘LAND OF THE LOST’ and we decided to do “Sleestak” County, Utah on all the badges and police cars. There’s just things in every scene.

  • The clips just keep on comin'! We're proud to present the full length appearance of Kevin on yesterday's The Daily Show with John Stewart (who has a quick cameo in J&SBSB, of course). And then there's ALSO Kevin's stint with Bryant Gumbel on the CBS Early Show today. Thanks Will. Fire up your RealPlayer and check them out:

    Kevin Smith on The Daily Show (08.23.01)
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    Sam Rubin Talks About Kevin Getting Jenn on 97.1 FM KLSX (8.23.01)
    Part 1 , Part 2

    Kevin Smith on The Early Show (8.24.01)
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    We have yet to hear a peep regarding an appearance on MTV's TRL, though Kevin had HOPED to show up yesterday or today, we just have no confirmation on that. You may wanna watch just in case, though. We're not sure which coast Kevin is on at this point...He probably doesn't even know himself.

  • You guessed it...More articles on Kevin are out there today, including general news, interviews, and more.

    Remember, we're keeping articles seperate from reviews. All reviews must be posted over in the forums. Also, if you're into reading just official critic reviews that came out in print, the place to go is Rotten Tomatoes. They've already got well over 50 reviews up. Our database has most of these as well, only mixed in with fan reviews also. Enjoy.

  • In his latest e-mail newsletter, Mike Avon Oeming says:
      Although Bluntman and Chronic are running late, the movie will be out this weekend, and if you look close, not only will you see my art, but even a special thanks from Kevin at the end. Very cool.

      I've attached the inside of the J+Sb Soundtrack, which has some Blunt and Chronic art on it. I couldn't fit it all, but here you go! Kevin also dropped my name there.

    Here's that art in case you've yet to see it. Good stuff.

  • Continuing on with the box office predictions: Box Office Report www.boxofficereport.com is predicting Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back to open up at number 1 with a weekend gross of 18.0 million. The Hollywood Reporter feels similar.

  • Rumor has it that Kevin MAY appear on the Mitch Albom show TODAY. This is a radio program out of Detroit (760 AM in Cleveland) that airs between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. You can also catch the show on MSNBC from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

  • Shannon Elizabeth stopped by Jay Leno last night. We didn't catch it as it was apparently a last minute change. If anyone wants to summarize the appearance, please send it on in.

  • This website wickedcoolstuff.com is selling some pretty cool Bluntman and Chronic t-shirts, different the the stuff at the Stash, so we're not sure how "official" it is, but you may wanna check it out.

    August 23, 2001

  • Things have been so hectic here that the week FLEW by and, believe it or not...Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back opens in theaters across North America TOMORROW! That didn't take long at all, did it? Anyway, we realize that a ton of you have already seen the flick, but urge you to check it out again this weekend and bring your friends. Being someone who saw the film twice in the span of 3 days, I can honestly say that it holds up and is just as fun to watch again, especially with a big audience. Take advantage of your chance to see Jay & Silent Bob's last live action adventure on the big screen while you still can.

    As always, we've got a MASSIVE update today, including a ton of multimedia, like Kevin's short but fun appearance on The Tonight Show last night (which was really fun to watch), news on the MTV2 special, more press for the film...You know, just another normal day here at News Askew! Let's take a look:


    Van Explosion

    Jay Emoting

    Watching Playback
  • The "hate site" JayandSilentbob.Com (and all the sister sites) have revealed some new behind the scenes footage from the film! This stuff will likely be featured in the huge DVD documentary that they're putting together. There's 3 clips in total, including the explosion sequence, some of Jay's acting chops, and Kevin and Jay checking out some action on a monitor. Check them all out HERE!

  • FX Guru Vincent Guastini, who did all of Dogma's and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back's practical visual effects, checked in with this press release and some photos from the set. We're blurring the thumbnails as they will spoil a few very minor jokes in the film, so, if you've yet to see it, you may wanna wait. This text that follows, also, contains some minor joke spoilers, so read at your own risk:
      Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back" was no walk in the park, it was a challenge, but I really loved working on this film," says Special Make-up Effects Artist and Creature Designer Vincent Guastini. His company, Vincent Guastini Productions, has done effects or such films and TV projects as " Requiem For A Dream", "Dogma", "Virus" "The Last Of The Mohicans" Stephen King's "Thinner" "Man On The Moon", and "Saturday Night Live", as well as early concept designs for films including "Hannibal" and "Below" as well as many others.

      "We went all out on the apes for this movie" Guastini remarks. "There's a scene in Kevin's film where he does homage to the first Planet of the Apes. He recreated the opening of that film in his movie. I really wanted to go elaborate, so the main gorilla's on horseback was actually a full animatronic mask. Full brow movement, snarl you well name it. I knew the new movie was coming out but I wanted to have an original look to the apes, which both had a feel for the old ones, but with a new modern twist. Also for the film we had the pleasure of turning Star Wars' Mark Hamill into a character called "COCKKNOCKER" he has this huge hand and he does battle with Jay and Silent Bob. We also made a full orangutan suit that doubles for the real monkey in the film.

      In addition, we created this fun over the top gag of Brian O' Halloran's (CLERKS) brain being operated on by real chimpanzees in a flash back sequence in the film. We also made some outrageous braces for actor Sean William Scott (AMERICAN PIE)."

      "Only disappointment for me in the movie was that the Scooby Doo sequence was dropped a day before the dog was to be shot. The original scene involved the dog getting high and attacking Jay & Bob and getting quite horny and humping a van window. It was a fully animatronic robot Scooby Doo dog. It could bulge and move it's eyes, ear movement, talk, smile, breathe, hump, wag its tail, full working and swelling genitals, as well as move it's tongue forward so far it could touch its nose and lick it. Hopefully in the DVD you'll get to see what could have been."

    Damn if that pooch ain't realistic, too! Nice work all around, Vinnie.

    Kevin Smith on Howard Stern (08.22.01)
    MP3
    Real Audio

  • Kevin made another fantastic appearance on Wednesday morning's Howard Stern radio program. After playing sound effects guru Fred in a trivia contest, he's joined by Jennifer, Jay and Afroman. We've got an MP3 version, which is over 6MB and 35 minutes long, but people who are on a slower connection should be able to paste the address into Winamp (Ctrl+L) or their other favorite media player and it should be able to stream without much of a problem.

    If you prefer, we also offer a RealAudio streaming version, which should also suit as well and work nice for slower connections. Enjoy!

    Kevin Smith on Jay Leno (08.22.01)
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  • Here ya go, folks, clips of Kevin's historic appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night! It was a short but fun interview, where the two exchanged a few jabs at one another, discussed the film, and showed a highly edited clip of the film (The Holden, Jay & Bob scene at the interet). Was it past your bedtime? Were you out getting blitzed? Don't worry, Will's got the clips encoded for us right here. Check them out with RealVideo in 56k or 150k speeds.

    Kevin Smith on MTV2 (08.22.01)
    56k Part 1 , 56k Part 2 , 56k Part 3
    150k Part 1 , 150k Part 2 , 150k Part 3

  • Thge MTV2 channel (you know, the one that actually shows VIDEOS) is airing a special where Kevin hosts an hour of his favorite videos. It's already aired a couple times, and we've got some clips online, but you'll probably prefer catching it on TV. Here's the upcoming airtimes:
      Silent Bob & Jay, Aug 24 02:30pm
      Silent Bob & Jay, Aug 25 08:00am
      Silent Bob & Jay, Aug 25 01:00pm
      Silent Bob & Jay, Aug 29 12:00pm

    You can also catch the edited versions of Stroke 9's "Kick Some Ass" and Afroman's "Because I Got High" during this special and throughout the day on MTV2. Thanks again to Will for the clips!

  • You guessed it...More major newspapers and websites have stories on Kevin and the new film today. We've got them all for your perusal right here:

    Remember, STM's got the entire archive!

  • Now THIS is cool. Moviefone's put their "Guide To The Askewniverse" online. This one's so good, we might hafta ask to steal it for the News Askew archives. Send anyone who's planning to see the film this weekend without seeing the other flicks first to check this out for sure. You'll dig it, too. Check it out HERE!

  • Kevin called in to the nationally syndicated Opie & Anthony radio show yesterday around 5:15 PM. He called from his residence in LA and mentioned last night's Leno gig. He really just called to plug the movie but he also joked around with O&A and Jerry "The King" Lawler (who also called in before Kevin). It was a short call but he got his message out and O&A were behind him 100%. They said he didn't need to plug the movie because they know it's going to be a huge opening and everybody is already going. A good sign for sure. Due to Lawler's involvement, wrestling websites such as this one are also picking up the story.

  • We told ya we'd keep track for ya, and the news is good: The Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Soundtrack is the 'Pacesetter' for the week, moving up to #55 from #92. Next stop, the top 25!

  • Another appearance we missed: Shannon's appearance on Craig Kilborn Tuesday night. She promoted the film quite well, as they chatted about the film, her jewel thief character, and Kilborn did his "5 questions" with her. She was on there quite a bit, and they mentioned the flick a number of times. A good appearance.

  • Starz News: STARZ CINEMA spotlights Kevin Smith's two films prior to JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK tomorrow night - DOGMA & CHASING AMY - at 8 and 10:15pm, respectively. Thanks to ZENtertainment for the news. Also, at 7:30 PM, before the flicks start, watch Starz! Movie News for footage from the premiere and...A NewsAskew plug! Exactly one week later, they'll have a 6 minute Kevin Smith Profile, which will cover his career and how writing comics has effected his film work. More information right HERE.

  • In this press release, Kevin is cited as one of the reasons for the incredible jump in attendance at this year's San Diego Comic Con.

    August 22, 2001

  • Reviews of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back continue to be overwhelmingly positive, with some of the latest being a glowing piece from Peter Travers at Rolling Stone. You can check that one out HERE. A reviewer over at Guerilla Film gives Jay and Silent Bob an "A'' and declares it "The Best Film I've Seen All Year."

    The good news continues as reviews for Bubble Boy are starting to trickle in around the web and they are generally horrible. Check out Dark Horizons for a couple of those today. Jay & Bob is clearly the film to see this weekend, and hopefully the moviegoing public will recognize that.

    You can read and contribute to our huge J&SBSB Review database over at the News Askew Forums!

  • Yep, you guessed it...More press for Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back today! We're not really checking these things for spoilers, repeat content, and the like...There's just no time. So read at your own risk, and don't be surprised if there's not a lot of new information in them. The word sure is getting spread around, though, today's group features a couple pieces from Canada as well as the usual U.S. outlets:

  • Rumor has it that the story for the Bluntman & Chronic comic story script is not quite complete, thus, the book will not be out this month. This is unsubstantiated, but also possible due to Kevin's busy schedule these past couple of months. We'll try and learn more, as the book was originally set to arrive right before the J&SBSB film, and obviously won't be on shelves in time for that. The book was set to tie directly into the film itself.

  • We'd like to thank Access Hollywood for featuring shots of the News Askew site on a story regarding Kevin and the GLADD stuff in last night's program. It was nice to see an objectionable piece as well as the site during primetime TV. Good stuff. We'll have the clip online soon.

  • According to this Fox News story, Afroman's "Because I Got High" will now air on MTV, with direct references to pot smoking censored out.

  • Hollywood.Com has a Jay & Silent Bob page dedicated to the new film now, which you can find HERE.

  • Check out Entertainment Tonight this evening, as they have promised a piece on Afroman and his involvement with J&SBSB.

  • There's a piece with Carrie Fisher and James Van der Beek in the latest issue of Interview magazine. If anyone has a transcript, send it in, otherwise, check it out at your local newsstand.

  • More online polls: www.boxofficereport.com is running a poll on which film will open at #1 next week. Jay and Bob have the lead easily at presstime. You can place your vote HERE. AOLers should check out Keyword: Movie Meter to vote in the "This Weekend's Hottest Movie" poll.

  • Jay & Silent Bob appear in cartoon form at the Celebritoons website HERE.

  • Apparently Mewes gets a mention on this strange Pokemon-like "adopt a character" site HERE.

  • Sounds like she's doing a little press for the film after all - Shannon Elizabeth had an interview with the morning radio show (98 ROCK) in Baltimore, MD this morning. She spoke well of working with Kevin and the crew.

    August 21, 2001

    Kevin Smith on P.I. 8/20/01

    DOWNLOAD
    56k Part 1 , 56k Part 2 , 56k Part 3
    150k Part 1 , 150k Part 2 , 150k Part 3

  • Will does it again, this time with high quality clips of Kevin's appearance on Politically Incorrect last night. Yet again, you'll need the RealPlayer to view these things, and have the choice of noth 56k and 150k. Look for stuff from the FX network stuff soon, as well as tomorrow's Howard Stern, Daily Show, and TRL tomorrow! As always, News Askew is proud to be your web source for all the latest media appearances for Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back!

    Aside: Will Ferrell's appearance on The Late Show last night turned out to be a pretty poor plug for the flick, as it was mentioned only in passing and without a clip, sadly. Therefore, it's not online. Believe us, you're not missing anything. Will was funny as always, just not much of a promotion.

    Finally, if you'd like to read along (or just read) a transcript of the PI appearance, you can access that online right HERE.

  • For those of you who have been following the saga over the years, Film Threat writer Ron Wells continues to drag on the whole Kevin vs. Film Threat issue with his latest piece at Film Threat, which attempts to review the film but gets off on so many tangents we can't even figure out which way he's going with things. When he finally reviews the film, he seems to enjoy it and give it a begrudgingly good score. Go try and make heads or tails of the whole tirade HERE.

    Wells seems to think that J&SBSB came out of his experiences and reviews of Kevin's past stuff, and seems to completely miss the point that, if ANY similarity at all, the film is taking shots at the anonymous fans who post in areas like AICN's Talkback section...They KEY word being ANONYMOUS. The flick doesn't so much skewer the reviewers who put their names on their opinions, rather, the folks who hide behind surnames as they bash peoplke. So honestly, where exactly did Wells get the notion that the film came out of HIS particular reviews and comments? We're not sure. Check out the piece and judge for yourself.

  • Yepm you guessed it...The web continues to pick up on the trend with more new stories on Kevin and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. Here's today's additions, STM's got the full archived list:

    By the way, the CNN site also mentions a live online CHAT with Kevin that you can participate in, taking place TOMORROW NIGHT, August 22nd, at 12 noon EST. Details HERE.

  • Check out this blurb from the IMDB on the new TV commercials for J&SBSB:
      Faced with the dilemma of how to produce a TV commercial for a movie in which one of the two lead characters hardly utters a line that doesn't include a four-letter word, Miramax/Dimension decided to produce special TV spots featuring the characters, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Monday). In one of the spots for Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, which opens on Friday, Jay, played by Jason Mewes, tells Silent Bob, played by Smith, that the movie has "hot chicks, jokes about getting it on, it's got cursing." In another, Jay replaces the four-letter words by saying "bleep," then remarking, "I'm censoring myself. We're on TV."

    And also from that site today:
      "Saying that he had hoped that his appearance in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back would have been treated as an uncredited cameo, Mark Hamill has expressed dismay that it is instead being used to promote the film in trailers and TV spots. "I really didn't think people should know I'm in the movie," Hamill told today's (Tuesday) Calgary Sun. "I felt it should be a big surprise and one that not everyone would necessarily get. I'm in enough of a disguise that some people might wonder if it really is me or someone spoofing me." But Smith told the newspaper that he had been a Star Wars fan since childhood and had wanted to work with Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford "from the day I dreamed of being a filmmaker." (Fisher also appears in the movie; Ford does not.)"

  • The Marked Fool has set up a VERY NICE Character Guide to all the folks in the Askewniverse that appear in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. Surf over and check it out, or send folks there as a primer before they check out the new film if they're behind on their Askew history.

  • Speaking of character guides, check out this new one that we'll probably add to the summaries. It's a View Askew character web that tracks all the relationships between characters over the first 4 films. Sure, there's a TON of connections, but the color coding makes it simple to read and it seems fairly accurate as well. Check it out, it's an interesting experiment.

  • A new interview with Mark Hamill on J&SBSB appears online HERE, courtesy Canada's Canoe website.

  • We were unaware of this appearance, but Jon Stewart was on the Today show this morning, interviewed by Matt Lauer. He was there officially to promote Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, but didn't really talk about the movie too much, besides saying that he plays a fake newsman in it, much like he does on the daily show. One of his quotes went something like "Kevin Smith saw my tape and realized that I couldn't act, so he decided to have me do what I already do" (fake anchorman). That about sums it up.

  • Want to catch the Afroman video on television? If you've got satellite or digial cable and Canadian music channel MuchMusic, you're in luck. Last night, on "Ed's Big Wham Bam" starring Ed the Sock, he mentioned that, even though "Because I Got High" has been banned in most countries, Much will still be playing it. In fact, they played it last night. Tune into the network (probably late night) to catch it.

  • The August 20th edition of www.imdb.com has this article:
      "Miramax movie boss Harvey Weinstein loves acting so much he begs directors to let him appear in their movies. Cult director Kevin Smith reveals the movie mogul is such a budding thespian he pesters directors to give him cameo roles in their movies. But when Smith finally relented, Weinstein turned down the offer to play himself in his latest flick Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. Dogma director Smith explains, "He's been asking me to put him in one of his movies for years. "He's an excellent gentleman, but so incredibly egocentric I thought he'd do it in a heartbeat." Smith soon found out why Weinstein turned down the offer - he wanted a part alongside George Clooney in Steven Soderbergh's latest film Oceans Eleven. Smith jokes, "Harvey's kind of a starf***er. There's me down here and Soderbergh and a cast of stars up there.""

  • Famous Players is hyping the upcoming release of J&SBSB, and have a Kevin Smith movie poll currently online.

  • One fan is having a promotional J&SBSB stunt at the Essex Green 9 in West Orange, NJ. He's planning to stand out front of the theater all day this Friday, opening day, dressed as Silent Bob & smoking. He's asking others to show up as View Askew characters for the film as well. If you're planning to attend, maybe you wanna give it a try (assuming the cops don't grab this guy before the film starts to roll).

    August 20, 2001

  • We've been getting quite a few questions about this so we figured we'd take a quick moment to answer it in public - We do have a huge wrapup coming explaining our trip to Los Angeles, all the info on the premiere and the afterparty, a large collection of pictures from the event, and lots more. The reason that this is not done yet is simply because updates have been so expansive that they have been taking every spare moment of the day just to get online. When the updates are done, there's just no time left to work on these additional areas. Something has to give. So, in the meantime, in the interest of keeping up with all the news and events, our coverage of the premiere and our review of the film will need to be delayed just a while longer. It's all on the way, though.

    It seems that all of you are enjoying the film, and that's great to hear. It's just such a fan-centric picture, it's easy to love. Please spread the word about J&SBSB and bring a big crowd with ya to check it out this weekend. We're sure that everyone will thank you for taking them. It's not often that a comedy delivers this many laugh-out-loud moments these days. Let's give everyone who worked so hard on this picture a HUGE take at the box office this weekend. Just four days until the official release. Speaking of that do NOT miss your chance to vote in our new poll topic (thanks to Jason for the idea.

    Dimension reported strong sneaks this weekend, with theaters reportedly at 70%-75% capacity. Of those surveyed, patrons gave the film high marks, with 85% in the top two boxes and 75%-80% definite-recommends.

    We've still got a TON of stuff in the inbox, some stories from a few days back that we just weren't able to get to until today, so let's take a look and see if we can get more of this stuff taken care of:

    Kevin Smith on KTLA5 8/20/01

    DOWNLOAD -- 56k , 150k

    STREAMING -- 56k , 150k

  • Will's faster than Walt Flanagan's dog lately at getting us Kevin's TV and radio appearances captured, so we're now proud to present Kevin's telelvision appearance on KTLA (Los Angeles) this morning. We've got streaming and downloadable versions of the clips for ya right here...Don't forget to grab and install the latest Realplayer if you've yet to do so!

  • We're continuing to compile as much press coverage on J&SBSB as we can. Below you'll find links to more articles and scans of articles from across the land on the flick:

    We've also got scans of a couple of Jason Lee articles that we couldn't locate anywhere online for your viewing pleasure, and the pics that ran with the Jersey pieces, which included a new one of Kevin and one of the J&SBSB filming inside the Stash. Check out the complete archive at Scooping The Monkey.

  • Got a lot of scoops on this one, so we've added it to the Countdowns: The Australian release date for Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back has been officially announced as November 15, 2001.

  • A new off-topic, yet oddly revealing interview that asks quite a few off the wall questions to Kevin is now online over at joblo.com. Read it all HERE.

  • Many of you caught the big news yesterday regarding Kevin's next project with the Green Arrow team - You can learn more info about it in this new article from Russell Lissau at Comic Book Resources.

  • Box Office: Comingsoon.net is running a poll about which movie will be tops next weekend, and so far JSBSB is running away with it! Zap2It.com ran this article on the View Askew box office history:
      A View Askew at Kevin Smith's Box Office Track Record

      HOLLYWOOD (Zap2it.com) - When "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" opens at around 2,000 theaters, it will mark the widest release of writer-director and reticent half of the dynamic duo Kevin Smith's career. At $15 million, it's also the biggest budget he's ever had to work with, a pittance when one takes into consideration that the average Hollywood production costs $55 million. But Smith's movies have never been big at the box office, despite the devoted fanbase his View Askewniverse has garnered, especially on the Internet.

      Though it was made on a shoestring budget of $27,000, Smith's debut "Clerks" cost an additional $230,000 for post-production after it was picked up by Miramax Films. Immediately creating a stir among film buffs with its distinctive voice when it was released on Oct. 19, 1994. It started with a solid $31,665 from two theaters. Ultimately reaching 96 venues, it enjoyed an extended run, ending up with $3.2 million total.

      His second picture "Mallrats" opened a year later on Oct. 20, 1995, but it did notregister with audiences in the same way. Produced by Universal Pictures via its now defunct division Gramercy banner on an exponentially larger budget of $6.1 million, it was downright rejected, debuting to just $1.15 million from 852 theaters. It couldn't even double that by the end of its run, quickly petering out at $2.1 million.

      For "Chasing Amy," Smith returned to Miramax and his micro-budget roots, spending a mere $250,000, though he carried-over actors Jason Lee and Ben Affleck from "Mallrats" for the lead roles. The results were his best reviews and box office yet. Going back to a platform release pattern after the "Mallrats" debacle, "Amy" opened to a solid $52,446 from three venues on the weekend of April 4, 1997. Expanding to 553 theaters at its widest point, it grossed $12 million total.

      Labeled blasphemous by various Catholic groups, the release of Smith's next picture, the $10 million religious comedy "Dogma," was delayed. Miramax's parent company Disney buckled under the pressure and ditched it, despite the presence of the post-"Good Will Hunting" team of Affleck and Matt Damon. Canada-based distributor Lion's Gate Films snatched up the rights and opened "Dogma" nationwide on Nov. 11, 1999. It bowed to $8.7 million from 1,269 theaters, and went on to earn $30.7 million total.

      "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" stars Smith's most popular characters in what is understood to be their last movie appearance, at least in live-action form as they'll appear in a planned animated follow-up to "Clerks." As such, chances are they'll go out with a bang by Smith standards, likely delivering the director his biggest box office returns to date.

    Check out the contest HERE if you'd like to predict the box office of the flick and win some prizes. Bikkit.com's "Guess the Gross" contest also offers you a prize: Your choice of movie posters. Good luck, folks.

  • There's an article on front page of Life section (D) in today's USA TODAY about Joseph "Afroman" Foreman and a mention of "the breakout hit off the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack.

  • Jeffrey Wells presents a very cool little piece on Jay Mewes (which also features an appearance by Matt Damon on the day of the premiere last week). Here's a snippet (ONE SPOILER INSIDE, END OF FIRST PARAGRAPH):
      Welded at the hip throughout Jay and Silent Bob with Smith's mostly (but not entirely) non-verbal, Greek chorus-like character, "Jay" never flinches or hesitates. He speaks only in raw fundamentals. When he runs into Jason Biggs toward the end, he says without hesitation what each and every one of us would probably say to ourselves but would never have the crude honesty to articulate: "Hey, you f***ed the pie!"

      And with Smith's dialogue to work with, he's funny. This is an article of faith among Smith fans. Watch this film with a group of them and you'll see what I mean. As Gen-X/Gen-Y culture goes, it's not inappropriate to call Mewes "legendary."

      One definition of a movie star is someone who essentially plays the same character over and over, which people are happy to pay to see over and over. By this standard, Mewes is starting to qualify. Or will qualify, I should say. I expect Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back to get lots of repeat business, which Mewes will be able to take some credit for.

    Read the whole piece and check out some new pics of Mewes himself right HERE.

  • The Entertainment Weekly Fall Preview lists October 12th as the current release date for VULGAR.

  • It's a Jay bonanza! Here's another article from Page X on Mewes:
      "Jay By Jay"

      by Mark Voger
      Page X Writer

      Same face, same slur, same flair for expletives deleted. But Jason Mewes is not Jay, the dim-witted stoner he embodies in "Jay and Silent Bob Stike Back".

      Jay, the character, has come a long way since birth in a 1994 low-budget indie. Jay became a cartoon, and action figure, and a comic-book hero. Mewes, the actor, has likewise ascended. He and writer-director Kevin Smith are reviving that fossilized movie genre, the comedy team. Roll over, Abbott and Costello.

      In "J&SBSB", opening in seven days, the title characters descend on Los Angeles to thwart a film adaptation of "Bluntman and Chronic", superheroes based on their likenesses. Mewes is asked to characterize who he has played in five films by Smith.

      "He just seems like someone that just is really oblivios to a lot of stuff.," Mewes tells PAGE X. "It chnages, really, in all the movies. He gets his mind set on something and he just does it. Something really silly.

      "Like, in 'Mallrats' (1995), he really wants to bust up the stage. He's set on doing that. That was it. Like, nothing else that came up - like, he wasn't even thinking about anything else.

      "In this ('J&SBSB'), like, in one scene or another, Holden (Ben Affleck) was talking about the ('Bluntman and Chronic') movie and how they're not talking about Jay and Silent Bob - they're talking about the characters. And Jay's just sittin' there, thinkin', like, 'So, all we have to do is stop the movie and they'll stop talkin' ---- about us!' "So it's just getting there and stopping them movie from getting made, even though there was other stuff. They're always on a mission, it seems like. Always wantin' to just be obnoxious and hang out and harass people and stuff."

      In the new film, Mewes is top-billed for the first time.

      "I mean, it's awesome," says the former roofer, 27, who attended Henry Hudson Regional High School, Highlands.

      "I was psyched when Kevin told me that we're the main characters and our names are on the title. It's been awesome. You know, a lot of dialogue, which was great for, like, a test for me and stuff. And also, hopefully, it'll help getting other jobs. I'm out there more and stuff."

      Mewes says he has something better than a tuxedo in mind for the film's premiere.

      "I have some new gear that I like to wear when I go out," Mewes says shyly. "So - see if I can get away with wearing that."

      Er, what kind of gear is that?

      "Pimp gear. Me and my friends been goin' out to, like, bars and ---- on the weekends in this gear. It's cool-lookin'. So maybe we'll try to get away with goin' with that."

    We can confirm: Mewes indeed did get to show up all decked out in said "pimp gear".
  • For the curious, here's what a pass to a J&SBSB preview screening in NYC looked like.

    August 14, 2001

  • This excellent piece appeared in this weekend's New York Post, discussing the flick and Kevin's relationship with Mewes. Here ya go, folks:
      'SILENT' PARTNERSHIP

      By LOU LUMENICK

      THEY may be the unlikeliest comedy duo ever to appear in a movie, let alone five, but the partnership of Kevin Smith and his longtime pal Jason Mewes looks like it's finally going to pay off big.

      Writer-director Smith, whose hilarious "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (opening Friday) features Smith (a.k.a. Silent Bob) and the inarticulate Mewes (Jay) as a pair of none-too-bright dopers in their first starring roles, is getting the best audience-rating scores in Miramax history.

      "I've resisted putting them front and center, like forever," says Smith, 31, over a pork-roll sandwich at a diner near his office in Red Bank, N.J.

      "I felt they worked best in small doses, but there's such an audience awareness of the characters. They've got a lot of good will. We're both relatively young, but not getting any younger. It just felt like if you're ever going to do it, now's the time."

      Mewes, 29, and Smith made their first appearance as Jay and Silent Bob as a kind of Greek chorus in Smith's first movie, the 1995 ultra-low-budget sensation "Clerks."

      Smith planned to play one of the leads, "but I decided at the last minute I'm not an actor and I couldn't memorize all of the dialogue. I still wanted to be in the movie, just in case it was the only one I ever made."

      Jay and Bob reappeared, with increasing prominence, in Smith's "Mallrats," "Chasing Amy" and "Dogma."

      They now have the leads in the highly self-referential "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," in which the dimwitted duo invade Miramax's Hollywood studios to stop production of a movie about characters based on themselves.

      "When I saw the poster, I had to chuckle. There's Mewes, sitting front and center, and behind him peeking out are Ben Affleck, Chris Rock and Shannon Elizabeth," says Smith.

      "Mewes is not the most self-aware gentleman I've ever met, but there were moments of clarity when even he realized it's a $20 million movie and it was all riding on his shoulders."

      Having briefly met Mewes on the set of "Jay and Silent Bob" earlier this year, I can attest that this outrageous motormouth is the most incongruous of potential movie stars. Having a coherent conversation with the man is impossible.

      "He doesn't know how to talk about movies or himself, because he doesn't think it's a big deal," Smith said. "He makes movies because he likes getting free breakfast burritos for 60 days, $200 a day in cash for spending money and free T-shirts."

      Yet, Smith challenges the widely held assumption that Mewes is essentially playing himself in Smith's movies.

      "Jay is a highly romanticized version of what Jason was like when I met him at age 14, when he would help me put together Sunday newspapers at the convenience store where I worked," Smith said.

      "But he's really blossomed as a performer. He really thinks as the character in the moment, of course without using those Stanislavsky-like terms."

      "Here's a guy who could be as big as Affleck or [Matt] Damon, but he just can't get it together. When he isn't making a movie, you can usually find him on my couch or imbibing somewhere.

      "Knowing Jason for 12 years was the best training for fatherhood I could ever get. There's nothing [his 2-year-old daughter] Harley could do that would surprise me as much as that kid has surprised me.

      "For a while, he was working at my comic book store [Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, in Red Bank], but he was supposed to open up at 11 and wasn't showing up until 1 o'clock.

      "So I had to fire him from the store that bears his name. I mean, he's irresponsible to an unbelievable degree."

      Smith hopes that "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" will be a hit so "somebody else will figure out a way to use Mewes.

      "If you pay attention to the Internet, he has a huge cult following. This could make him the next big thing, though he's been around for seven to eight years doing the same shtick."

      Jay and Bob will appear in an upcoming feature version of the "Clerks" cartoon, which was canceled by ABC last year after only three episodes aired.

      But Smith swears there will not be any more live-action Jay and Bob movies.

      "Look at what happened with 'Scary Movie 2' this summer," said Smith, who plans to segue into a small film based on his experiences as a father.

      "I'd rather push away from the table while people still like the characters rather than make 'Jay and Bob in Outer Space' or some such nonsense."

    You can also read the piece at the Post's website HERE.

  • Ratface gets a much deserved mention in the intro to this piece on J&SBSB, from Newsweek's August 27th issue:
      A Phatty Boom Batty Flick

      With his new movie, director Kevin Smith says thanks to family, friends and, yes, those nutty fans on the Web

      By Devin Gordon
      NEWSWEEK

      Aug. 27 issue — The first person you meet on the set of Kevin Smith’s new movie, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” is a guy named Ratface. He is Smith’s production designer, a job usually held by extravagant Italians or tasteful women. Ratface, ne Robert Holtzman, is just an old buddy of Smith’s. Like everybody else here. In today’s scene our heroes, played by Smith (“Chasing Amy,” “Dogma”) and childhood pal Jason Mewes, learn that a comic book based on their lives is being made into a movie—and the boys aren’t seeing a dime. At the moment, the crew is on a break.

      PRODUCER SCOTT MOSIER (a film-school classmate) sips coffee while Smith smokes a cigarette and gripes about a nasty post he got on his Web site. Some guy blasted him for failing to include an actress from “Clerks,” his cult-classic debut, in the cameo-heavy new film. Smith, his accuser claimed, was forgetting his roots. “Come on,” says the director, 31. “You can say a lot of s—t about me, but that’s gotta be the last thing. I mean, look around!”

      The man’s got a point. “Jay and Silent Bob,” or “J&SB,” as cyberfans have dubbed it, is Smith’s cinematic thank-you to everyone who helped make him what he is today: arguably cinema’s funniest writer about sex, certainly its most candid. In bit parts over four films, his twin creations have become minor heroes—like C3PO and R2D2, only perpetually stoned (hence the title, an allusion to “The Empire Strikes Back”). This time they’re the stars, clearing room for cameos by old friends from Ben Affleck to Brian O’Halloran, who played Dante in “Clerks.” Today’s shooting location, in fact, is Smith’s own comic-book shop in Red Bank, N.J., his hometown, where he still lives with his wife and infant daughter. Fans get their nod as well: Jay and Silent Bob embark on a voyage to stop their movie after reading bad buzz about it on the Internet.

      In case it’s not clear from the screwball plot, “Jay and Silent Bob” isn’t exactly a good movie. Unlike his last two films, the straight-gay romance “Chasing Amy” and the polemical religious comedy “Dogma,” here Smith has less than nothing to say. Still, the movie is damn funny—even if the terms “snootchie bootchies” and “phatty boom batty” mean nothing to you. And after “Dogma,” which prompted death threats for its critical take on the Roman Catholic Church, that’s all Smith wants to hear. “Biting your nails, not being able to open your f—king mail—after a while, I was like, ‘Hey, why don’t we do something light next time?’ ” With this movie, he says, “either you laugh or you don’t.”

      Succeed or fail, Smith is bound to get an earful from his fans—and he’s looking forward to it. It’s three months after the shoot in Red Bank, and Smith is sitting in a dim recording studio in Los Angeles, working on the “J&SB” score. Or, rather, everyone else in the room is working on the score. Smith, eating a tuna sandwich, is surfing the Web on his laptop. He stops first at the movie-gossip site Ain’t It Cool News to check out an interview he gave. Then it’s on to Smith’s home page, ViewAskew.com, where he’ll post an update on his movie’s progress.

      He launched the site in 1996, and a love affair was born. Smith is a warm, chatty soul whose portly frame and sloppy clothes are the outward signs of a guy who couldn’t pull off phoniness if he tried, and he tingled at the idea of meeting some kid in Idaho who loved his work. It slowly dawned on him that it was also shrewd business. Smith’s films are not blockbusters—his budgets are tiny, and his biggest hit to date, “Dogma,” grossed just $31 million. But he always turns a profit, largely because his rabid fan base is champing at the bit by the time his movies open.

      Easy access doesn’t come without a price, though. “People who don’t like your s—t will hunt you down and tell you—behind the anonymity of a modern-day CB handle. I honestly don’t mind if someone says, ‘You suck.’ But have the courage to say who you are. It’s fascinating to get a three-page analysis of your work from some guy named Wampa12.” Smith stops to take a drag on his cigarette. He’s not done. “Some days you just wanna pick up the phone, call Magnum P.I. and say, ‘Get me the address of Wampa12’.” At the end of “Jay and Silent Bob” the boys do exactly that, showing up on the doorstep of their slanderers and beating them silly. For that one, Kevin, the thank-you is on us.

    You can find the full story online HERE.

  • We thought we'd dodge a bullet by having you guys post the fan and celebrity reviews for us at the forums, but little did we know that there would be THIS many newspaper articles on the flick. WOW! We'll be covering the major ones on the front page here, but you'll need to click these links and scans below to read the rest. Here ya go, folks, quick and easy:

    In light of all this incredible press, we're also archiving all this stuff for you over at our J&SBSB site, Scooping The Monkey. You should be able to catch anything you missed right there in one easy place. Enjoy.

  • In case you've yet to see it, the new J&SBSB commercial is now over at Scooping The Monkey. Thanks Will.

  • A small and positive review of the J&SBSB soundtrack appears online HERE.

  • Speaking of the soundtrack, here's a small article from Launch magazine on Afroman.

  • Here's some cool South Park-ish charicatures of Bluntman & Chronic found at this website. http://bounce.to/impala63casa Click the thumbnails to get a better look at these cool little dudes.

  • Radio stations FM96, Energy Radio, and AM980 in London, Ontario (Canada), are giving away tickets to see JSBSB on Monday, Aug. 20th (tomorrow)! Listen in for your chance to win there.

  • A small mention of the flick in a piece on Will Ferrell at TVGuide.com:
      Ferrell doesn't really have to worry about rubbing anyone the wrong way (the folks at GLAAD included) in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (opening Aug. 24), which finds him playing a dim-witted federal wildlife marshal. As the 34-year-old concedes, the part wasn't much of a stretch. "I've played some bumblers," he admits. "I guess it would be fun to play somebody intelligent. But I have fun being a bumbler — especially one who doesn't know that's what he is."

    August 14, 2001

  • The new Entertainment Weekly, dated Friday August 17th, features a full one page article on J&SBSB called "Mr. Smith Goes To Hollwyood". The story focuses mostly on the GLADD incident, but also gives the film some nice press and some photos. We've included a scan here, click the pic above to enlarge and read it.

    LoveLine from 8/14/01

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    Kevin & Bean Show from 8/15/01

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    Late Night with Conan 8/17/01

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  • Now that we're back on the east coast, we can finally get caught up on some of these larger file updates. Thanks to Will Wilkins, we've got copies of all the latest appearances for your listening pleasure. First, we've got Realaudio clips of Kevin and Jennifer on the Loveline radio program, and Kevin on the Kevin & Bean morning show in Los Angeles.

    Next, hot off the presses, it's Kevin's appearance last night on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, in RealMovie! You'll of course need the latest version of RealPlayer to check this stuff out. Click below and check them all out. We're working on getting more multimedia for you, including the stuff on the premiere that aired late last week, soon. Be sure and visit our Multimedia Area at Scooping The Monkey for ALL the latest (and past) J&SBSB stuff.

  • More UK J&SBSB distribution news: The FilmFour website has the film slated for the 21st of December, but doesn't mention whether or not they are distributing it.

  • Stroke 9 is out and about to promote the film: On Thursday, they appeared live on the air at 99X in Atlanta, Georgia to talk about J&SBSB's premiere and play an acoustic version of "Kick Some Ass". They also opened the show with a 2-3 minute montage of sound clips from the film and plugged the soundtrack.

  • We've added a fan variation of the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back logo to our wallpaper area at at STM.

  • We forgot to mention, during all the excitement, that Ben Affleck celebrated a birthday on August 15th, the day of the J&SBSB premiere. Happy belated, Ben!

    August 14, 2001

  • A few more overseas dates have been announced, but not confirmed. UK residents: The Internet Movie Database currently has the film listed as having a December 21st release date. This date has not been confirmed anywhere else, though. A recently aired program called Liquid News aired footage of the J&SBSB premiere, and mentioned a NOVEMBER UK release, so perhaps the German release (see below) will coincide.

    The film will be also disturbed by the company Highlight Film in Germany under the Title: "Jay & Silent Bob Schlagen Zurück". A release date of November 11, 2001 is set. More info can be found HERE.

    It appears that most of the 1000+ theaters who've got the J&SBSB preview screening this Saturday night will show "The Others" afterwards. We're hearing GREAT things about that flick, so there's your chance to see two really cool flicks for one price. A fantastic deal. Check with your local theaters and ask them about the screening! We're receiving reports of screenings selling out all over the country, so get those tickets TODAY! Yahoo! probobly has the best database for finding sneak preview locations for Saturday. Most seem to be showing between 7 and 7:30. Movietickets.com is another nice spot to look for such info. Hopefully you can all catch the flick early this week, and will go again to see all the jokes and references you missed again NEXT weekend.

  • Kevin's here with a post from earlier this week to address the new televion spots, the Austin premiere, and more. And we hope folks will take our lead on this and listen to Kevin - Catch the movie in advance, see the sneak preview this Saturday, but DEFINITELY bring all your friends and pay to see the flick on opening weekend. Grab people off the street. Spread the word! Here's Kevin:
      I Now Officially Own Austin, Texas

      Kidding.

      But we did have a great show last night. Wonderful, packed house (over 1300, I'm told, with every seat sold). Great, responsive crowd. Terrific Q&A. T'was all good. Many thanks to Richard and the Austin Film Society for having us over.

      So, yes - Bob's decided to "sneak" the movie this weekend on a thousand screens (see post below for the math). I guess I should be happy about it, because it means he's confident in the playability and word of mouth of the flick. But you'd better believe it was tough to give up what could be a million and a half in opening weekend bucks.

      However, Bob's the man, and he seems to always know what he's doing, so I'm taking a leap of faith here.

      So if there's a "sneak" near you on Saturday, by all means go. It's good for us. Really.

      Especially if you go again the next weekend when we officially open.

      And you bring a couple friends.

      And then you go right into the next showing after the flick's done.

      In other news, I've been reading all the lamentation about the TV spots. Well you'll be happy to hear there are about four new spots debuting between now and the opening. One's called "Warning", and can only be shown after 9:00pm. It's pretty funny. The other's called "Wanted", and may be airing already today. Next week, we've got the spots that Jay and I shot at the Quick Stop on Friday, with Jay talking to the camera. They're pretty funny as well.

      See? You talk, I listen.

      But remember - these spots aren't aimed at the Askew fan. We're kinda counting on you guys and gals going. These spots are aimed at folks who aren't familiar with our weird little world, and tend to sell less Jay and Bob and more everyone else in the cast (and the broader humor as well). The tracking numbers show that the spots thus far are working, as the definite interest and the first choice numbers continue to rise weekly. With the new spots, we may just be able to break out by opening weekend.

      Either way, those are just numbers. The important thing is that the audiences thus far who've seen it are digging it big time.

      And that's why we made the movie: to make motherfuckers laugh and laugh hard.

      Keep your fingers crossed, folks.

  • Mysterio continues his J&SBSB interview series over at AICN with his extended interview with the Velma-esque character in the film, played by Jane Silva. He also sits down for a brief Q&A with God herself, Alanis Morissette. Here's a quick snippet:
      Mysterio: Explain what your casting process was like for this film?

      Jane: It was right before Christmas and I got a call from the casting associate. My picture got to her through my sister who works for Miramax in New York.

      Mysterio: Ah, so indeed nepotism is alive and well then.

      Jane: A little bit, but that’s not why I got the part because Kevin didn’t know that. So the casting associate called and asked if I’d come in and read for "Beauty" and "Bookish". I read for those parts and they put me on tape and then I didn’t hear anything other than they were possibly going to change the part and have it be a little more involved then it was. So that’s when they called and asked if I was ok with a kiss (with "Beauty"), which wound up being cut. So I auditioned in December and didn’t find out that I got the part until March; it was so long that I kindda blew it off thinking I didn’t get the part.

    You can read the interviews and check out a few new photos from the set right HERE.

  • Just a reminder, our review database over at the News Askew Forums continues to grow at a HUGE rate. There are, at presstime, 94 fan and critic reviews over there, of all shapes and sizes. Remember, if you spot a critic review or have your own review of the film you'd like to share, that's the place to do it. If you want a website that's got a really nice system, www.rottentomates.com also has started a database of critic only reviews, and the flick's doing quite well over there. Be sure and check out our Forums area. We don't think you'll find a larger collection of reviews in one place. Remember, the user that posts the most LEGIT reviews in that area is going to win two videocassettes, containing the uncut Stroke 9 and Afroman videos directly from the studio. Cool stuff.

  • The Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack debuted at #92 on the Billboard album chart. It will likely climb quite a bit higher than that as well. The Top Soundtracks chart in today's Hollywood Reporter, however, shows the J&SBSB soundtrack debuting at #10, with 16,125 units sold. (For comparison, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" is at #1, with 71,125 sold last week.) VH-1 also gave props to the soundtrack and showed a minute or so montage about it during their "Rock Accross America" show. We'll keep tabs on it for ya here.

  • Don't forget, Jay & Silent Bob take over the FX network on August 21st! The full press release, complete with a full schedule, can be located HERE.

  • We'd like to thank the New York Post for this plug for the Scooping The Monkey website. Our J&SBSB sometimes official site has been referenced in this piece they ran earlier in the week:
      "Director Kevin Smith's new comedy "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (due Aug 24), starts out much like a typical road movie. Our heroes set out from New Jersey for Hollywood to prevent the production of a movie based on their lives and encounter an amorous hitchhike (George Carlin), a quartet of female jewel thieves and an orangutan. Typical. But the film's "nonstop crude and sexual humor," in the MPAA's phrase, is guaranteed to offend various segments of society. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has already protested alleged homophobia in the film. Smith, no stranger to controversy, reached a truce with GLAAD by donating $10,000 to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, but refused to apologize because, he says, the film's objectionable characters are "Idiots." The movie's Web site, www.newsaskew.com/va5, has a rundown of the entire brouhaha, with links to various commentaries and articles by opinion makers. It also contains interviews with Smith about filmmaking and links to discussions with co-stars Chris Rock and Mark Hamill."

  • A recent E! News Daily aired a bit on cameos in J&SBSB which revealed some footage and Kevin talking a bit about hosts Jules and Steve's appearances in the flick. If anyone has it captured, let us know, as we missed this one.

  • A recent Countingdown.com article on American Pie 2 has some of the actors, (Seann, Shannon, and Jason), mentioning their roles in J&SBSB:
      What else do you guys have coming up?

      Shannon - I have Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and then around Halloween I have 13 Ghosts. JSBSB is really cute, I really liked it and I am not usually a big fan of my films. I was surprised how much I liked it. And Kevin Smith is the best.

      Sean - I was in it in a scene too... it was fun... then I did STARK RAVING MAD. My first dramatic movie. There were some funny moments in it. I am really excited about it. The producers are from "From Dusk Till Dawn", "Pulp Fiction", and "Reservoir Dogs". It's a bank heist movie that takes place at a rave. It comes out early spring.

    Read the full article HERE.

  • Chicago's Rock station Q101 is giving out tickets to the Chicago Premiere of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, which takes placeon next Monday the 20th. You'll find details HERE.

  • Stroke 9 was caught playing "Kick Some Ass" during the X-Games inline skating events on ESPN2. They were live and did a slightly different version of the song from the video. No mention of the flick, though.

  • There's always a lot of fan art that comes from Kevin's stuff, but this one is certainly one of the cooler things we've seen done lately. Here's his vision of an alternate one-sheet for Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, a nice composite job of some of the pics we've released here at the site.

  • Here's the finalized ratings for J&SBSB in Canada: (1) AA in Ontario (This means Adult Accompaniment (AA) Viewing should be restricted to persons 14 years of age or older or to persons younger than 14 who are accompanied by an adult), (2) BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan has an 18a rating (Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult), (3) Martimes (14A), and (4) NWT/Yukon/Numuvet (Fallow Albert and BC guidlines).

  • A Philly DJ for radio station Y100 recently did an interesting stunt...As part of their Top 25 countdown, he played Afroman's "Because I Got High" as EVERY slot, 25 times in a row! At the end of the show, the DJ offered Tickets to a screening of J&SBSB for the first caller to name all 25 songs in order.

    August 14, 2001

  • Once again we're jet-setting our way to the west coast, this time for the very exciting Hollywood premiere of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back! We'll be there to cover the event itself, the party afterwards, and all the other excitement. This will be the first time we screen the film, as we've been avoiding as many clips and spoilers as possible to give a first opinion on the final product. We're quite excited to be joining the ranks of the big stars and players tomorrow, and promise a lot of coverage, pics, a review, and lots more upon our return. Updates might be slow for the next couple of days, as between jet lag, recovering from surgery, and a busy schedule out west, it's gonna be rough. Keep the e-mails coming, and we'll do our best to get everything caught up later this week. Before we run, here's a second edition of NewsBites to bring everything up to date. Catch ya later, folks!

  • A new interview with Kevin appeared at our favorite online movie site, Dark Horizons. Check it out:
      Kevin Smith remains one of America's most iconoclastic filmmakers, offering a somewhat skewed view of contemporary Americana, satirising pop culture at every turn. Those elements are more prevalent than ever in his hilarious new flick, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and this time, nothing is sacred. Paul Fischer talked to Smith recently.

      After Kevin Smith took on what some critics felt, was a ponderously philosophical tone in Dogma, the director whom his fans know and love has bounced back in true irreverent style, with his satiric Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. It is clear when looking at the film, how much fun Smith had in poking fun at all aspects of American pop culture, a feat he happily admits having worked towards "from Clerks right through this movie." Looking a bit paunchy and eagerly puffing on a cigarette, the recently married director admits that "the funniest aspect of doing this movie was constantly turning to the audience going: I can't believe you're still here; I can't believe you're still watching this." What Smith revelled in, with this film, "was just criticising the movie as we went along. There was an earlier joke at one point during the movie where we were going to stop it cold, and invite a critic like Roger Ebert to come in and review the movie thus far, but I thought that was too precious." Smith does laugh at himself, not only as we watch this film, but as he happily criticises what he has done, admitting, "that when I watch it I realise it's me pulling myself for 90 minutes; a real homage which I hope people will at least people will chuckle through. It seems to work as the audiences seem to dig it."

      Smith's latest New Jersey-set comedy has Jay and Silent Bob learning that a "Bluntman and Chronic" movie is being made featuring their comic book counterparts, drooling at the thought of fat movie cheques rolling in. But when the pair finds that there won't be any royalties coming their way, they set out to sabotage the flick at all costs. The often stoned pair makes the cross-country trip from New Jersey to Hollywood and along the way they meet up with a quartet of sexy diamond thieves, an orang-utan, and up crashing their way on the Miramax studios sound stages with hysterical results, culminating in a Star Wars-style duel with Mark Hamill no less. "Working with him was pretty cool", says this die-hard Star Wars fan. "Mind you, I was more a Darth Vader fan than a Luke Skywalker fan, which was why it was fun to fight him", he says smilingly

      Asked how Jay and Silent Bob have changed since their first appearance back in Clerks, and Smith happily concedes that they haven't. "They haven't grown or matured one bit", Smith retorts. "They've grown FATTER, as I have, but they haven't changed, which I think is what is charming about them." Further defining their appeal, Kevin adds that "Jay is a creature of the Id, who has no filter as to what to say; he just says what's on his mind. So what's funny about the character is his lack of moral boundary. He says what he says without thinking of the repercussions, and I'm there to just roll my eyes." Smith believes that Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back "is probably my least mature film to date", an accomplishment, he says, he is very proud of. "We did two films back-to-back that dealt with weightier subjects [Chasing Amy and Dogma] so it was nice to make a movie that just had NO weighty subject matter to it whatsoever. Even the satire is below-the-belt." Smith, who is a huge fan of the web, also pokes fun at the Internet "which I'm most proud of, going after the fucking armchair directors of the Internet, and even that is still low-blow stuff, not sharp satire, just satire which is dark and blunt."

      Satire, however, that is an antidote to his much-criticised and controversial Dogma. "After dealing with the controversy surrounding Dogma, not to mention the 400,000 pieces of hate mail and death threats, I really wanted to make a movie where the worst thing that could happen at the end of the day, was somebody would write on a web site that 'Kevin Smith sucks cock' and spell 'cock' wrong. That's the worst that could happen on THIS movie, while Dogma was such a trial." So much of a trial, that Miramax dumped the movie, but happily, the brothers Weinstein made up with Kevin, and with Jay and Silent Bob, Smith has taken pleasure in satirising the studio with some choice moments. "I think the reason I was able to get away with doing that, was payback; they felt bad about dumping Dogma, so they let me bash them a bit in THIS movie, and they were cool with it. I think their philosophy was: If anyone's going to make fun of us, it might as well be one of our own." Smith is unconcerned that the film's plethora of inside jokes pertaining to Hollywood will not cross over to a broader audience. "It's not like you're sitting through The Player; this is a pretty broad comedy about Hollywood."

      Smith fans will be sad - or relieved- that Kevin is putting Jay and Silent Bob to rest. "If EVER there was a Silent Bob era, this is the end of it, to say the least. I might still continue to work on him in the comics, because that way, he'll never age, not to mention stay the same weight." So a new phase for Mr Smith continues, with a new film based on the Fletch private eye films, or an autobiographical comedy on fatherhood.

  • Though it's not really packed with a ton of NEW information, this article entitled "Therapy with Jay and Bob", dsicusses the Dogma controversy and leads it into the creation of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. Thanks to canada.com for the article.

  • The 'Box Office America' movie preview of J&SBSB that screened on UK TV turned out to present the most footage of the film on television so far. Most of Carrie Fisher's scene (and its preconcept) were shown, the extended Affleck scene, and the extended fight scene. The show was very positive about the film, though we still have heard NOTHING about a release date for the film in the UK. Obviously demand is quite high, though we assume opening day may depend on how well the film fares here. We'll keep you posted.

  • Kevin will be on KROQ’s morning show in Los Angeles tomorrow morning, premiere day, during the Kevin & Bean show.

  • The Amazing Colossal Website have posted a review of the J&SBSB soundtrack. Check it out HERE.

    August 14, 2001

  • More Sneak Preview opportunities...Could Dimension be doing a nationwide sneak peek at the film this weekend? We're not sure. It's quite possible though. Check with your local theater. A lot of times, these things aren't advertised, but it's your chance to see the film a week early and then stay to see another flick afterwards for free. We heard about a couple already, and assume there will be a LOT more. If you hear of them, please post them in the talkbacks for this story instead of mailing them in, there's no way we'll be able to keep track of them all!

    The two we heard about today: Keresotes Northwest Cinema in Muncie, Indiana (Ya can't help but think of 'The Hudsucker Proxy' when ya hear that) will be having a J&SBSB sneak peek this Saturday at 7:30 PM. ALso, a local theatre in Columbia, MD, will screen the flick on Saturday the 18th as well. Good luck folks, this could be the chance to catch the movie an entire week early! This is likely the decision that Dimension made to get word of mouth going, instead of the Wednesday opening.

  • The film's big Austin, Texas premiere happened last night, with Kevin and Scott flying in to show the film to an audience for the first time with credits intact! Sounds like a fine time was had by all, and that Kevin again delivered another marathon Q&A session afterwards. Feel free to use the talkbacks to post your own reports, here's one that came in to us this morning:
      The Austin premiere of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back went off like gangbusters. Kevin came out and introduced the movie. He stated that though the Austin premiere was officially a regional premiere, it was the first screening shown of the movie in its final cut with credits. The crowd response to the movie was incredibly positive. I know that I probably missed some of the jokes due to my own and everyone else's laughter. The Q&A following the showing was great. Kevin treated us to a 2 hour Q&A. One of the standout anecdotes was one about Mewes' first day of rehearsal on the set of Dogma. Kevin and Jason Lee were rehearsing Azrael's lines when there was a knock at the set door. Kevin answered the door to Mewes dressed only in a read waiters jacket and holding a silver serving platter. Mewes then asked Kevin if "anyone had ordered sausage." All in all the experience was great and if the screening was any indication, J&SBSB will be a big box office hit for ViewAskew.

    A final note; Don't forget to STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS when you see J&SBSB!

  • We'll be doing our best to keep that promotions chart at the top of the site up to date with the latest appearances happening on radio and television. Please note that today's update includes some new stuff as well as some changes to other airdates. Here's a rundown:
    • The Reel Comedy J&SBSB special on Comedy Central has been moved to Thursday, August 16th, at 7:30 PM. This is bound to be one of the best promotional specials for the film, so be sure to catch it.

    • Chris Rock is scheduled to be on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (NBC) on August 21st.

    • Will Ferrell will appear on Craig Kilborn (CBS) on August 22nd. Ferrell was also scheduled to appear on Fox News Live this morning to promote J&SBSB. If anyone caught a capture of it, let us know! We found out about this a little too late to catch it.

  • A local Vancouver, BC local radio station here is giving away advanced screening passes to a Thursday showing of J&SBSB. Check out their site HERE for more information on how you can win.

  • Here's the artwork for the upcoming J&SBSB score soundtrack CD, due for release from Varese Srabande on September 11th.

    August 9, 2001

  • E!'s Behind The Scenes special on Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is scheduled to air on August 24th, August 26th, and August 27th. Here's details:
      Behind the Scenes
      Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
      30 min.
      A look at "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," Kevin Smith's big-screen comedy about two friends who set off for Hollywood after a film that was based on their lives becomes a hit. Smith, Jason Mewes and Shannen Doherty star.

      Rating: TV-PG
      Category: Entertainment & Magazine Shows
      Release Year: 2001

    Doherty? The E! channel must really love that girl.

  • Kevin will be hosting the entertainment segments of the KTLA morning news on Monday the 20th, for those in the Los Angeles area. Don't miss it! In fact, if anyone can capture the segments for us, that'd be great.

  • Roger Ebert again brought up Jay & Bob negatively in his response to a viewer question in his Answer Man column last weekend:
      Q. I think you misunderstood Chris Tucker's racial tirade in the casino, in ''Rush Hour 2.'' He was being obnoxious on purpose (and doing an excellent job, I agree) to distract everyone from Jackie Chan's attempt to get inside the room that had the counterfeit plates. Perhaps you were so put-off you failed to notice.

      Ginny Shook, Palm Desert, Calif.

      A. In a movie like ''Rush Hour 2,'' the plot points are not--well, the point. A scene like Tucker's tirade is not necessary. There were countless other ways to distract attention, and some of them might have been funny, while his was not. Tucker could have invented some sort of odd, eccentric or peculiar behavior that did not involve accusing an innocent person of racism. It left a bad feeling in the room. I think the whole riff (black guy goes ballistic with allegedly funny charges of racism) is getting stale. Chris Rock does more or less the same thing in "Jay and Silent Bob." It's time to move on.

  • There's a positive review of the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack online HERE.

  • There will be a screening of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back on Tuesday, August 14 (TOMORROW) at 7:30 at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Passes are available at Excalibur Comics (and probably elsewhere).

  • In this IGN interview with Seann William Soctt, he describes his character in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. It's more American Pie 2 focused, but you might wanna check it out anyway.

    August 9, 2001

  • Quite a few fan reports came in last night saying that new, expanded J&SBSB commercials were airing during Mad TV. Keep your eyes open and remember spread the word! It's less than 2 weeks until J&SBSB opens...

  • Mark Hamill was interviewed by The Bob & Sheri Show (A central Pennsylvania Howard Stern clone). He chimed in on the"Attack Of The Clones" and what it was like to work with Kevin. You can listen to the clips from the show right HERE.

  • Entertainment Weekly (#609) ran a cover story called "If We Ran Hollywood.." where they give their opinions on how the movie business should run. One section of the article is called "Pirates of Penance" where they accuse celebrities of certain "crimes" and give their verdict. Here's what they said:
      MICHAEL BAY. Crime: The slick Pearl Harbor director is charged with a cruel and unusual amount of hollow cinematic gloss and thimble-deep characters. Community Service: Six months' confinement with Kevin Smith in a New Jersey comics store to learn the joys of snappy dialouge---and to teach Smith how to make a film that doesn't look like it was shot on crumpled wax paper.
  • Kevin (8/14) and Afroman (8/13) are scheduled to appear on the syndicated Loveline radio show this week.

  • J&SBSB gets a mention in the Flick Picks section of September's issue of Stuff Magazine. Here's the whole thing:
      Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

      August 24

      Kevin Smith (Dir), Jason Mewes, Joey Lauren Adams, Eliza Dushku, Shannon Elizabeth, Ali Larter, Mark Hamill

      The Pitch: Jay and Silent Bob make it to the big screen, but they're not going to see a cent of profit, so they had to stop the production. Mark Hamill is in it, but it's kind of weird. Guess he'll always be Han Solo to us.

      How We Feel Inside: (shows a drawing of Quick Stop with the caption "Clerks was funny.")

  • AICN's Moriarty checked in with his review of J&SJSB yesterday. Here's an excerpt:
      ...And make no mistake: if there’s anything this film is “about,” it’s friendship and the enduring power of it. It’s both text and subtext here. As you watch Smith’s various friends all making return appearances, you realize just what an extended family he’s built over the course of making his New Jersey films, and it’s hard not to be jealous of the experience. It’s rare enough in this business to be able to tell your stories your way, but to be able to build an ensemble of actors who you know you can call on anytime, for any reason... that’s a beautiful thing.
    You can click HERE to read the whole thing.

  • Here's a weird one. In Canada, Alliance Atlantis Films is sending out RED RUBBER BANDS with the J&SBSB logo and the August 24 release date on them. The bands are being sent out to theatres across the country. We're not sure what exactly the tie-in is supposed to be, but we'll try to find out.

  • We've added some custom-made interiors for all you fans of "The Sims". Check them out over on our Files Askew page.

  • MTV debuted a new special today this weekend called "Kiss And Tell: 20 Years Of Making Out On MTV". The infamous Kevin Smith / Ben Affleck kiss from a couple of years ago makes an appearance in the special. There's no new footage, but if anyone wants to try and catch the special anyway, there'll surely be at least 100 reruns throughout the weekend and next week. MTV's schedule is right HERE.

  • The soundtrack for J&SBSB at last check was #3 on the IMDB's hot soundtracks.

  • A scooper sent this information in about free tickets to see J&SBSB in New York City. If you are in the area, check this out:
      I work at a movie memorabilia store in NYC. We recently recieved a bunch of passes for a screening of Jay & Bob that will take place on Tuesdya, August 14 at the Loews Kips Bay (2nd Ave & 30th St) at 7pm. To pick them up, drop by

      Jerry Ohlinger's Movie Materials Store
      242 W14th St.
      Between 7th and 8th Avenue
      (212) 989-0869

      We're open everyday from 1pm to 7:30pm. Feel free to stop by and pick one up.

  • Radio station 102.1 "The Edge" in Dallas, TX is having a promotional weekend for J&SBSB. All day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday they are giving away Advanced Screening passes, Jay and Bob comics, and Jay and Bob action figures.

  • Movie-List.com is holding a contest that will give away 2 J&SBSB soundtracks and 2 Afroman single CD's. Go over and enter today!

  • Here's some UK TV News : Chasing Amy will be on Wednesday night at 11:55PM on Channel4.

  • And finally today, a glimpse into the future? Well, here's one fan's take on a possible DVD cover for J&SBSB. Catch you all later!

    August 9, 2001

  • The Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back score CD composed by James Venable has been bumped back from August 21st to September 11th. We can't get any further info on this delay, sadly, it seems as if production is just taking a bit longer than anticipated. This has disappointed folks who were eagerly anticipating the score disc, since they'll hafta see the flick before having the score CD in hand, but hey, look at it this way -- At least we're GETTING a score disc AND an original soundtrack this time. A first for a View Askew production! We're sure it'll be worth the wait, don't forget about the soundtrack album out NOW!. We'll keep you posted on the release and have more info soon.

  • There's a bit of confusion regarding the WizardWorld schedule in Chicago and when the best times are to catch Kevin & Jay. Let's try and straighten it out a bit. Keep in mind, this is what Kevin and their schedules have revealed, it doesn't necessarily mean that they might be available at other times as well. These are what's definite, though:
    • FRIDAY - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Jason Mewes ("Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back") will be signing at the Wizard booth from 12-2 PM.

    • SATURDAY - VIEW ASKEW PANEL - 2:00 - 4:00 PM - Kevin Smith sits down to fill you in on what’s coming up with his latest film project, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (opening Aug. 22) as well the future of View Askew in both comics and film!

    • SATURDAY - ACTOR AUCTION - 6:00 PM - Lots of rare items including original Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back props will be auctioned off to benefit the ACTOR charity.

    • SATURDAY - 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM - TWO J&SBSB ACTOR Charity Screenings. $15 per ticket. Tickets go on sale after Kevin's Saturday afternoon panel. Kevin and Jay will be in attendance for both screenings.

    • SUNDAY - 2:00 - 3:00 PM - GREEN ARROW HITS THE MARK - What makes the super-hot relaunch of DC’s Green Arrow so freakin’ good? Find out from the crew who make it happen -- writer Kevin Smith, artist Phil Hester, inker Ande Parks and editor Bob Schreck!

    You can find all the details and LOTS more at the official WizardWorld site HERE. Kevin will liekly hold a signing session either before or after his panel, and may even sign on Friday or Sunday as well, if he's around. Check around when you're there, and have fun next weekend!

  • This site is holding a contest where you can win J&SBSB soundtracks. Just put your name in the random drawing for your chance to win, simple as that!

  • Here's a RealAudio post of Kevin's recent interview with Seattle's Andy Savage (107.7 The End's morning guy). You can listen to the entire interview (it runs about 10 minutes) HERE.

  • In this new article from the Austin Chronicle, Kevin discusses internet critics, identifying with his films, coming to Austin, and more. Here's a clip:
      AC: Is Jay and Silent Bob for the fans?

      KS: If you're a fan, you can look at this movie as a valentine to you, to the people who have supported us for the last seven years, because there are nods to everything we've been involved with over the course of that seven years. ... The general sentiment you get from people who see it is that they feel it was made for them. I think that's really sweet.

      I think there's always been this weird identity factor with the movies we've made that the audiences who support them really feel like they see themselves in the movie. I think that's great. 'Cause that's kind of why I wanted to do it in the first place. Not so much for the audience, but for me. ... For years I would watch movies and enjoy the hell out of them, real popcorn-type flicks, but never really see myself represented in them. And I could go and enjoy a flick like Die Hard, but I don't identify with John McClane. I would never shoot somebody, I'd never jump off a building, and I'd never take my shirt off in public. So it's nice periodically to see yourself up on the screen. And I think that's what our movies to date have been -- movies where the audience absolutely sees themselves. And that's how we cultivated a fan base, because we make movies that people identify with.

    Read all about it right HERE
  • A couple of J&SBSB screenings in Canada are coming up: Toronto Radio Station 102.1 The Edge will be hosting a Toronto screening of the film on the 20th of August. ALSO...In Calgary, Alberta, "The Calgary Herald" is advertising a contest to win tickets to an advanced screening of J&SBSB on August 16th.

  • We're hearing reports that Star Tickets are still selling tickets for the Austin premiere online. This may have changed again by presstime, but if you wanted to attend the Austin benefit, you might still be able to get in.

  • Here's the latest in the line of View Askew WinAMP skins, for the WinAMP MP3 player. This one features Kevin and Jay as Bluntman & Chronic. Download your copy from SCOOPING THE MONKEY.

    August 9, 2001

  • We were unaware of just how big this appearance was when we ran it yesterday, thus it was just a newsbite. However, we've now been made aware that the Austin, Texas J&SBSB premiere will be a full-blown event with Kevin in attendance, a Q&A session, and an afterparty! This premiere benefits the Austin Film Society and happens at the Paramount Theater on Monday, August 13th.

    Lower level (Orchestra) seats and Balcony seats are for sale now through www.startickets.com. The Q&A happens right after the film, and an afterparty will happen at Antone's for Orchestra level ticket holders.

    Orchestra level seats are 30 bucks and the balcony is around 15-20 bucks. Startickets is not selling tickets online anymore but you might try calling 1-888-597-7827 and asking if they've got some left. Get them before they're gone!

  • A new cut of the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back commercial has started to appear on a couple networks. Look for it to kick into higher gear after Dimension stops their big push for the Nicole Kidman flick "The Others". As we'd hoped, this new ad goes into more detail on the film's plot, and does feature some Mark Hamill lightsaber action. Good stuff. We'll have a copy for you to check out online ASAP.

  • Local comic book shop The Zone in Louisville, Kentucky is giving away free prescreening passes to "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back". The screening takes place on August 20th.

  • "Starz Movies News" will be running a profile of Kevin Smith for one week starting Friday the 24th. The piece is expected to run about 6 minutes in length. As we did the last time, we'll have it online for ya over at Scooping shortly after it airs.

  • We've added a new fan-made Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back screen saver to SCOOPING THE MONKEY. Check it out if you're looking for a change.

    August 7, 2001

  • Just a quick note before we kick off the update today...Thanks to all of you for your e-mails, scoops, comments and the like lately. They're all still being read one by one and responded to. If responses seem quick and short, it's only because the site is receiving over 200 e-mails a day right now, due to its growing readership and of course the new film. We're going to continue to bring you the personal touch and communication that we always have, but please don't take offense if you get a fairly short reply back. Your e-mails are always appreciated here. Thanks!

  • Remember when we said no more GLAAD comments unless something really good comes up? Well, critic Richard Roeper (Roger Ebert's new on-air partner, in case you didn't know) has written a quite intelligent and supportive article on the subject. It certainly echoes a lot of what's been said on the situation over the past couple of weeks. A point he makes about "Rush Hour 2" was going through my mind as I sat in the theater last weekend, actually. We got a lot of mail on this, and thought we'd post this (hopefully) last story on the subject. This appeared in today's Chicago Sun-Times newspaper:
      Gay group should take its cue from Silent Bob

      BY RICHARD ROEPER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

      Memo to GLAAD: Lighten up. Jay and Silent Bob are not your problem. Jay and Silent Bob are harmless cretins.

      Harmless fictional cretins.

      For those of you not familiar with Kevin Smith's oeuvre, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Kevin Smith) are two stoner-slackers who spend their days holding up the wall of the Quick Stop convenience store in Leonardo, N.J., dealing and ingesting drugs while watching the world pass them by, in every sense of the phrase. Jay pesters customers, cusses up a storm and sings the praises of getting high, while Silent Bob remains mute for 99 percent of his waking hours. (For all you parents offended by Jay and Silent Bob, I've got three words: Cheech and Chong.)

      After cameos in Smith's previous films, the dimwitted duo take center stage in the upcoming release "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." Not to give away my review, but suffice to say that when the nominations for the Academy Awards are announced on an early morning next February, everyone connected with this movie can sleep securely without worrying about being awakened by a phone call.

      There are tons of "homo jokes" in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." Tons. Jay delights in tormenting and embarrassing his lifelong buddy--and about 80 percent of his arsenal consists of jokes insinuating that Silent Bob is actually Gay Bob. As for Silent Bob, he recoils in horror at these "you're gay!" jabs and shakes his head furiously to let everyone know that he's 100 percent hetero. There's also a hitchhiker played by George Carlin who has a sexual tryst with a burly truck driver, and a studio lot security guard who wants to watch Jay and Silent Bob, um, dance together, if you will.

      Even before "Jay and Silent Bob" hits theaters, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has started with the protests. First the organization's "entertainment media director" (now there's a job title that probably didn't exist in the Old West) released a statement that read: "The audience members who think a) that Jay and Silent Bob are cool, and b) see Jay and Silent Bob making anti-gay jokes may think that they can be cool, too, if they are intolerant and cruel toward gay people. This is not OK, and GLAAD has an obligation to speak out against representations that pose a threat to gay and lesbian people."

      A threat? Jay and Silent Bob? Come on. Audience members who think Jay and Silent Bob are cool are a) smart enough to know these guys are caricatures and b) not impressionable zombies who will go out and ape Jay's stupid banter.

      I love the GLAAD folks, really I do. But don't they realize that when they make statements like that, they sound just like Orrin Hatch? I thought it was the intolerant, humorless, judgmental conservative crowd that fears art (and Kevin Smith's films) because of its unlimited power to pollute the mind and influence behavior. You can't blame the right wing for targeting "Ellen" and then turn around and target the stuff you don't like. That's being a liberal only when it's convenient.

      GLAAD asked the film's distributor, Dimension Films, to make a donation to the Matthew Shepard Foundation (named for the Wyoming student beaten to death in a homophobic slaying in 1998). Smith himself said he'd make a contribution to the foundation--and he's also agreed to add a disclaimer after the main credits.

      In a statement released Friday, GLAAD's media director guy said: "As a result of the constructive dialogue between Kevin and me, Kevin will include a brief comment during the end credits of the film, indicating that use of the film's anti-gay slurs in real life is not acceptable."

      I wish Smith hadn't caved on any front, but at least he did say he wasn't sorry and that he was making jokes at the expense of two characters who are "idiots."

      Exactly. Cartoonish and buffoonish as they are, Jay and Silent Bob happen to be representative of a certain segment of the doper-loser population who would indeed find it funny to slather their banter with anti-gay jokes. (Then again, there are a lot of lawyers, baseball players, construction workers and yep, journalists, who do the same.)

      I find it curious that GLAAD is voicing its displeasure of "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," but not saying a word about the Jeremy Piven character in "Rush Hour 2"--a mincing and stereotypically gay clothing salesman who prances around while expressing his lust for Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, who seem to have their own issues. When the cops refer to themselves as "partners," the salesman thinks they're partners in love--much to their horror. God forbid anyone think they're gay!

      At least Jay and Silent Bob are clearly meant to be laughed at and ridiculed for their stupidity. Tucker and Chan are the heroes in "Rush Hour 2," so shouldn't their homophobia be more objectionable?

      Or better yet, shouldn't GLAAD realize these are just stupid movies and concentrate on more important concerns?

  • It's back, folks! We're returning the old pre-Dogma tradition and now will provide a table of upcoming J&SBSB promotional appearances happening on television and radio. We'll do our best to keep this updated with the latest dates, times, and information, so you can catch as much of Kevin, Jay, and the rest of the cast as they spend the next few weeks promoting the hell out of the new flick. If there's something missing from the list, let us know so we can get it on there ASAP. Be sure and provide as much info as you can. Thanks.

  • An incredibly flattering three star review of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back appears in the September 2001 Premiere magazine. The reviewer exclaims "I laughed until my face hurt" (a very good quote for marketing material, we'd say), and goes on to say, "I, for one, wouldn't mind another Jay and Silent Bob movie - or four". A ringing endoresement from a very widely read film magazine! Here's a clip:
      Clearly, Smith's been having a problem shaking these characters. Remember back in the day, when Clerks, Mallrats, and Amy were supposed to have been Smith's "Jersey" trilogy? Well, now we're on film number five, and those two Jersey boys-- played by the almost preternaturally obnixious Jason Mewes and Smith himself--are now the title characters. But that's okay--this is really, really, really the last time. Or so Smith assures us: He's conceived Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back as a kind of purgative, a way to get these guys out of his system. So, unlike Amy and Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back has no brief, except to be as funny as humanly possible. Which it is.

    Alas, we've just got scans of the 2 page review, and an additional page of a short Q&A session with Kevin as well. You'll need to click the thumbnails above, enlarge them, and read them that way. They're quite good though, don't pass them by! If anyone wants to transcribe the Premiere review for the Reviews section at the Forums, please do.

  • Don't forget, the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back official film soundtrack is now in MOST stores around the country. Most folks seem to have gotten a copy, but we're also hearing some random reports of area stores not having received their shipments. The CD was released on schedule yesterday, so if your local CD shops don't have them yet, just ask them what's going on. IF you preordered from the Stash or otherwise, the discs should be shipping or already in your hands.

    MTV 2 has also been running an extended commercial for the soundtrack CD, which features scenes from the film, the videos "Kick Some Ass" and "Because I Got High", aand more. It touts the special features on the disc: Dialouge from the movie, CD-ROM movie trailers, and "Jay's Chant 2001".

  • "Kick Some Ass" was the most added single at radio this week (meaning more stations added it to their regular playlists than any other track). This story also features some nice quotes from Stroke 9 about the J&SBSB flick:
      Stroke 9's "Kick Some Ass" is the first single from the "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back" soundtrack, released yesterday (August 7). The latest film from Kevin Smith is slated to hit theaters on August 22.

      Stroke 9 bassist Greg Gueldnersaid the band was treated to an advanced screening of the movie. "We did see it. We got to do a screening at home in San Francisco with 50 of our friends, got a keg, got some sushi, you know; we watched it last week. It was good. It was funny. It's the most cursing I've ever heard in a movie. More than South Park. More than anything, yeah."

      The band is a big fan of Smith's movies, which include Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma.

      Stroke 9 is getting ready to release its self-titled follow-up to Nasty Little Thoughts on October 9. It includes the most-added track "Kick Some Ass." The band's forthcoming effort was produced by ex-Talking Heads keyboardist turned producer Jerry Harrison.

  • Here's the full length J&SBSB taped interviews that some shows have been using clips of, in RealVideo format. They feature Kevin, Jason, Shannon, Mark, Jennifer, Eliza and others. Check them all out HERE.

  • Yet more chances to win free J&SBSB tickets and more if you live in the Texas area. Dallas radio station 102.1 KDGE (The Edge) is having a "JAY AND SILENT BOB" weekend coming up, giving away the soundtrack, action figures, sneak preview passes, and more. Listen for your chance to win.

  • Do you live in the Washington, D.C. area? Wanna see J&SBSB in advance (August 20th) AND for free? Enter the Washington Post's online contest RIGHT HERE! Two grand prize winners win a View Askew DVD price pack! Wow. Get those entires in now!

  • Kevin is scheduled to appear on the syndicated radio program "Loveline" with Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew sometime next week. We'll add it to the calendar as soon as we have some solid info.

  • Commercials for "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back" continue to air all over the place. Dimension's certainly putting the marketing bucks behind the film, as this is far greater exposure than Dogma ever had. Unfortunately, ads have been promoting the film with an AUGUST 24th release date (Friday), not the Wednesday that the film was bumped up to. Hopefully, Dimension will cut a different commercial with the proper August 22 release date. Might we even be so bold as to suggest including some of the Hamill footage to raise some eyebrows?

  • IGN Movies spoke with Chris Rock recently, and asked him a bit about his role in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. You can check out a video of the interview right HERE.

  • In other UK news, J&SBSB is getting a review on 'Box Office America', airing on ITV this Friday night.

  • As an addition to our MuchMusic story yesterday about the "Kick Some Ass" video, you can inundate this e-mail address of the channel's request line to try and get the video aired more often: ondemand@muchmusic.com.

    August 7, 2001

  • Around 8:45 this morning, as promised, Kevin appeared on the FOX News Channel to promote "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back". The show he appeared on, "Fox & Friends", didn't allow him to say much, and most discussed his earlier work. The two hosts (who one scooper referred to as "chipmunks on steriods (chattering away and not really waiting for an answer from Kevin)" had to rush through the segment due to it being at the end of the show. The whole thing runs only around 2 minutes, and we've got it over at Scooping for ya. Surf over and check it out.

    In the clip, Kevin mentions Slacker as his inspiration and they quoted the figures on Clerks - $25k to create, ended up making $3.1million. Kevin, always humble, pointed out that Blair Witch was a bigger success. They also praised Dogma for its controversy, and mentioned the fact that Kevin was a former altar boy. Once again, Kevin described the movie as very pro-faith. They then began to talk about J&SBSB and ran the trailer underneath their conversation. The clip begins with a slight SPOILER (moreso if you haven't seen the theatrical trailer): About 30-45 seconds of the fight scene between Silent Bob and Cockknocker. The hosts also mentioned the old August 24th release date, unfortunately.

    Check it out over at Scooping The Monkey, our pseudo-official J&SBSB site!

  • A few press pieces on "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back" have revealed more footage than has ever been seen anywhere, including the theatrical and internet trailers. First up, we've got a capture of a bit from Movie Television, a syndicated show that airs in Canada.

    And then, there's also a 6 and a half minute piece airing on iFilm@IFC about the flick that's the best so far. Here's a list of the clips (MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD, WATCH OUT!)

    • Brodie telling J&SB to find Holden to get their movie check. "and on that note... cue the music."
    • Cockknocker busting through the wall into the Bluntcave and hitting Jay in the crotch.
    • The girls joking about how Jennifer slept with the director to get the part.
    • Holden saying to J&SB: A Jay & Silent Bob ... who'd go to see that? (they all turn to the camera as if to the audience).

    The story aired as the lead piece. The show airs again TONIGHT at 10:30 PM but it may be a different episode. For those of you without the Independent Film Channel, we'll try and capture the video for ya. This segment shows more footage of the film than has ever been seen elsewhere, and also includes interviews with Jason Lee, Kevin, Shannon Elizabeth, and a bit with Jennifer. Don't miss it!

  • The J&SBSB score soundtrack is complete and is being mastered as of today. It still has to go through copying, packaging, and all that other stuff before it hits stores. We'll keep ya posted. The J&SBSB score CD will be released by Varese Saraband.

  • Speaking of the soundtrack, The Stroke 9 "Kick Some Ass" video showed up on MuchMusic yesterday, during their "Oven Fresh" show. Those of you with satellite systems can catch it. You can vote on MUCH's website to keep the video or kick it off the air. Help keep in on there, folks, the promotion always helps! Here's some more info:
      The Stroke 9 video for "Kick Some Ass" is now airing on MuchMusic USA's show "Ovenfresh" which airs weekdays @ 2:30pm, 7:30pm, & 1:30am EST. Viewers can go to mmusa.tv and go to the OvenFresh section and vote to keep or lose the video. Currently the video only has a keeper rating of 30%.. hopefully this will go up if Kev's fans head over to the site and vote to keep it :o)

      Then at the end of the week, MMUSA airs Ovenfresh Keepers, which is a collection of all the videos that have been voted as keepers for the week. This airs on Friday @ 7:30pm & 1:30am, and there's several showings on Sat & Sun as well.. but i don't know the times.. of course, depending on the voting the video might never make it to the Keepers show, but perhaps we can change this!!

    August 2, 2001

  • Howard Stern has been promoting Kevin's upcoming appearance on his daily morning radio show, and discussed it in more detail again today. Last we heard, Kevin was scheduled to go in on the day of the film's release, Wednesday, August 22nd. Kevin will play "Win Fred's Money", a takeoff on "Win Ben Stein's Money" where Kevin will attempt to answer 7 rapid-fire questions in under 60 seconds. Then, Fred Norris, Stern's longtime friend and sound guy, will take a stab at the same 7. Fred's proven to be tough competition in the past, but Kevin's got a lot of knowledge as well, so it should be a fun \ battle. Kev takes away 10 grand with him if he's victorious -- Could come in useful for making a certain donation that was promised, eh? Too perfect. We'll keep ya posted on that appearance, which will likely be a moderately short interview along with the game, but ya never know with Stern. Still, it's great press for the flick to a key demographic.

    By the way, Stern continues to play Afroman's "Because I Got High" and today gave away tix to the artist's NYC show. He never seems to mention the soundtrack though, so hopefully Kevin can set the record straight on all that stuff.

  • As reported earlier this week, Kevin appeared on "Public Interest With Kojo Nnamdi" on NPR (National Public Radio) this afternoon. We've got a scooper's summary of the appearance below, and also a link to the whole darn thing if you'd like to give it a listen:
    • BIG NEWS? Kevin's stated that his next film will be the "Chasing Amy-like drama" he has been mentioning in interviews and the Wizard special edition, which Kev revealed will be about fatherhood. Following THAT film will come Fletch Won, and in the future there will be the full length Clerks animated feature.
    • (MINOR J&SBSB SPOILER) Jay Mewes: Kev revealed that the Jay charecter falls in love in the new flick and learns "to stop using that b word in refrence to women", but Kev claims that "saying that he's grown in this movie isn't really saying much". Later in the show Kev also said that he dosen't belive that Mewes is type-cast as Jay, and that he has "blossomed" as an actor.
    • Kev restated what happened in refrence to GLADD.
    • Carlin got payed scale for the past two films, and Kevin stated, "I couldn't make a movie without the guy now".
    • Smith's future films; Kev will not begin a new universe, he wants to be able to move from movie to movie, not using the previous films to refer back to like he did with the Askewniverse.
    • Magnolia: Smith cleared up that he does not hate Magnolia, he said that it was an "open wound" of a movie, like Chasing Amy, and that he(Smith) did not believe that an emotionally driven film like Magnolia or amy should not be a big budget film, like Magnolia was.
    • Film school: smith expressed his disintrest in film school, he told the same story that was found in the Wizard special edition.
    • The Internet: Smith talked about how he used the internet as a tool to get real reviews from people who payed to se the film. News Askew got a good mention (thanks Kev!).
    • Fame: Smith talked about getting recognized in person, saying that he can go to the mall and only about 5 people come up to him, usually saying "You're Silent Bob, hey what's Kevin Smith like as a director?" or "You know who you look like? Kevin Smith" to which Smith said he replies "Yeah, I get that a lot."
    • 37: One caller called in and said that he had seen all the films 37 times, when asked by the host if he was surprised, Kevin stated that 37 related to something in each of films and that he found it to have been a funny statement. The host then asked what 37 referred to; Kevin stated that it was something he couldn't talk about on NPR.
    • Indie: Kev doesn't consider himself an Independent filmmaker, but rather a cult filmmaker. He also did some Q&A. Most questions were movie related, but the most memorable moment was when a caller asked Smith's advice for budding filmmakers. Kev's response: "Get out of filmaking, its overcrowded and I don't need the competition." After having a laugh, he then gave a serious answer.

    You can listen to it all right HERE.

  • Mysterio's HUGE new interview with Jason Lee is now online over at AICN, with new pics, stories, and more. There's a ton of fan questions answered by Lee in this one yet again. Here's a sampling:
      "How did you approach playing Banky differently than Brodie? And as you grow as an actor, does your preparation for a movie change? Any tricks you might’ve learned?" – Michael Edmond

      Jason Lee: Um, not so much tricks, but with each film, your confidence increases and with Banky I had to think about it more where with Brodie most of the focus is on the dialogue; that being my first film was what I was used to. So Kevin pulled me aside one day on the set of CHASING AMY and said, "You know were gonna have to put more thought into this and take it one step further because there’s a lot more going on. It’s not just wise-cracking Brodie Bruce at the mall." And that’s when I got my first taste of having to really think about it and, "…oh, that makes sense and that’s why I have to do this…" and that kind of started that for me.

    You can check out the entire interview HERE.

  • According to the Sunday Philly inquirer, "Writer-director Kevin Smith says he will will include a brief comment during the end credits of his new film, 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,' "indicating that use of the film's antigay slurs in real life is not acceptable."

  • A brand new piece on Kevin and the movie appears HERE. The story comes to us courtesy of regional magazine NEWS4U. There's a lot of old info, but some great new quotes and tidbits as well. Recommended reading.

  • On August 28th, Kevin and Jason will be on the cover on High Times magazine. You can check out the cover above and get more information HERE.

  • Movie-list.com is having a giveaway where the winner will get either a Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back Soundtrack or the new Afroman CD. Get your entires in HERE.

    August 2, 2001

  • Great reviews continue to come in, and our Forums contest has the J&SBSB review database growing by leaps and bounds. If you want to check out a review, including the big new Upcomingmovies.com four star review (WATCH FOR SPOILERS THOUGH), you can find them all over there!

  • That Philly Inquirer story we mentioned yesterday is now online! You can read the entire text HERE. The article is a compilation of stuff but features Kevin quite a bit. Check yesterday's news for the full story as well.

  • The NPR appearance will happen tomorrow! Kevin will be on their air tomorrow at 1 PM, scheduled for Public Interest with Kojo Nnamdi. The writeup:
      1:00 - Kevin Smith

      His first movie was financed on credit cards. It earned millions at the box office. Kevin Smith's intelligent, yet disenfranchised comedies, like "Clerks," "Chasing Amy," and "Dogma" are well received, but often spark controversy. Find out why during a conversation with filmmaker Kevin Smith.

  • Ali Larter was on Craig Kilborn late last week and did plug J&SBSB along with her other projects, and about what she had coming up. It wasn't a full-blown appearance JUST for Jay & Bob though, look for more stuff along those lines soon, though.

  • This small snippet from FHM magazine was sent to us as a scan, and it's already too late to be transcribing, so check out the scan for the text. Notice the comment under the heading 'FHM says:' "Kevin Smith is still the best kept secret in the movies. Get in on the gag before it becomes old hat". Good stuff.

    Created By : Michael D Friedman (http://gtf.org/hrivnak) Created By : Michael D Friedman (http://gtf.org/hrivnak) Created By : Michael D Friedman (http://gtf.org/hrivnak) Created By : Brian Wilson (bgwilson89@home.com) Created By : Jay Hanson (jhanson@ados.com)
  • Finally today, got a couple more fan-submitted J&SBSB-based wallpapers for your desktop. Give them a try, you can find the full collection and tons more in our SCOOPING THE MONKEY downloads section.

    August 2, 2001

  • The official site from Universal Music on the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack is now online and can be found right HERE: http://www.jayandsilentbobmusic.com/. You can download clips of all the songs, watch the videos, and more. Check it out, and buy your own copy of the soundtrack this Tuesday.

  • Here are the scans from that huge interview and J&SBSB promotional piece that ran in Sam Goody's "Request" magazine. You can click the thumbnails above for a better look. On most machines, they should be readable. That's the best we've got right now. Enjoy.

  • Tickets have gone on sale today for "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX. Tickets are available by calling Star Tickets at 512-469-7469 or by going to their website HERE. Tickets are $15-$30, as this event benefits the Austin Film Society as well. The screening will again take place on August 13th at 8 PM in Austin.

  • The Rotten Tomatoes website, which tracks reviews for films, has set up their reviews page for Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back HERE. Remember, any of those reviews there or anywhere else that you find are fair game in our ongoing contest for the most reviews posted in our own News Askew Forums "J&SBSB Reviews" topic. Remember, the user to post the most original reviews before September 5th gets two videotapes, containing the original uncut Afroman & Stroke 9 videos.

  • There will be a special "hit bound preview" look at Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back on the UK television show "Box Office America" next Friday, August 10th, in the early hours of the morning (2-3 AM). It looks like they will be showing the theatrical trailer and maybe a bit more. This is one of, if not THE first mention of the film on UK TV.

  • Starz Cinema is running a new 2-3 minute J&SBSB spot featuring clips and a pseudo-interview with Kev, basically telling the story of the genesis of Jay and Bob in the movies, and recounting the Rickman/Mewes Memorization tale on the set of Dogma. Apparently this Starz channel is spotlighting Kevin during August as their "Hollywood Hyphenate" and playing Chasing Amy and Dogma thoughout the month.

  • Rumor has it that Kevin might appear on NPR (National Public Radio) sometime next week. If anyone hears more, let us know.

  • Speaking of radio, Tracy Morgan continued his promotion circuit and was heard on 92.3 (KSJO - A San Francisco bay area radio station), where he gave out some info on his J&SBSB role. (SMALL SPOILERS AHEAD) He says his character's name is Pumpkin Escobar and that he's a drug dealer in the Union. He said he wished he had a bigger part and was able to hang longer on the set.

  • A blurb in CitySearch mentions J&SBSB and gives their prognosis for the film's release later this month:
      The Coming Attraction

      Figuring into all of Smith's films to date, Jay (Jason Mewes) and his "hetero lifemate" Bob (Smith) finally get the spotlight in the director's farewell to the Garden State. When the two find out that Miramax has made a movie about them without permission, they head to Hollywood to kick a little executive butt. Many of the characters from other films turn up, including Ben Affleck and Jason Lee reprising their "Chasing Amy" and "Mallrats" roles.

      Our Prediction

      While he's had cult status for years, Smith has yet to have a major hit. That could change with this one, through sheer star-power alone. The long list of cameos includes Matt Damon, Jon Stewart, Salma Hayek, Jason Biggs, Carrie Fisher, James Van Der Beek and Judd Nelson, who's rumored to be appearing as Bender, his character in "The Breakfast Club." Let's hope Smith's alter ego goes out in style.

  • In the new YM (with the American Pie 2 cast on the cover) there's a top 10 list and J&SBSB is number six on the list of 10 anticipated Summer movies (not in any particular order). There's also a pic from the film with the text "The stoners, who inspired the comic book Bluntman and Cronic, set out to ruin the movie adaptation when they dont get any money from it."

    August 2, 2001

  • We're doing our best to keep up with stuff, folks, but here's just a fun fact we thought you might want to be aware of - For the first time in News Askew history, no matter how fast we work, it's become impossible to keep up with the scoops! Yep, that's right. The scoops are coming in faster than they can possibly even be written into an update. That's how hard everyone's working to get the flick's name out there. Wow. Anyway, expect multiple day updates for a while, and if your scoop isn't used immediately, it might have just been passed over for another day. There's just too much to even stay on top of at the moment! Thanks to everyone for being so diligent with the scoops, and please bear with us as we attempt to keep our heads above the water. Let's get started!

  • The saga continues regarding GLAAD's objections to Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, with debates appearing all over the place on the web, more articles (today's Hollywood Reporter did a blurb about it, taking Kevin's side of the issue, there's also pieces on DVD File and even a blurb in USA Today), and it doesn't look like the press is going to stop anytime soon. At this point, we're pretty sure that neither Kevin OR GLAAD wanted things to get this out of hand, so we're going to say some final words on the subject and then, that's the last you'll hear of it here in the headlines (unless something REALLY major happens). At this point, it doesn't seem like there are any ill feelings, personally, between Kevin and GLAAD. Their discussions were very amicable and things were settled. The press, however, smells a big story so expect some agencies to report facts, expect others to take sides, and expect even others to spin the story to their liking. As far as we're concerned, we believe both sides regret the amount of media attention and conflict that came from it. GLAAD has their right to object to the film, and Kevin has his right to respond. Hopefully, others (you included) will take a cue from us, put all of this aside and move on. That's what we plan to do. Best of luck to Kevin, GLAAD, and everyone else involved on getting this all settled. This marks the end of our coverage on the situation. After all, we've got a new film to promote - In theaters in less than 3 weeks. Let's see what else is in the news today...

  • While he's yet to give his official review of J&SBSB, Roger Ebert gives a somewhat negative comment about the film in ' his review of Rush Hour 2. Could this be a hint of a negative review for the film, like he did with Mallrats? Or perhaps this was just a small incident and he otherwise liked the film. Time will tell. Until then, check out this snippet:
      There is a belief among some black comics that audiences find it funny when they launch extended insults against white people (see also Chris Rock's embarrassing outburst in the forthcoming "Jay and Silent Bob"). My feeling is that audiences of any race find such scenes awkward and unwelcome; I've never heard laughter during them, but have sensed an uncomfortable alertness in the theater. Accusing complete strangers of being racist is aggressive, hostile, and not funny, something Tucker demonstrates to a painful degree in this movie--where the filmmakers apparently lacked the nerve to request him to dial down.

    Read the full Rush Hour 2 review (which gives the potential blockbuster only 1 and a half stars) HERE.

  • Now here's a couple new items that a lot of you will want to purchase. They won't break the bank, either. The first one is a simulated "movie prop" from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. It's a Wizard Issue #120, except with a variant cover that was designed for the film (the one that Jay & Bob hold up, and that you've seen pictured here at News Askew and Scooping The Monkey).
      JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK EXCLUSIVE MOVIE PROP

      Through the success of Green Arrow and Daredevil, Kevin Smith's popularity is at an all time high. With his next movie, JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK, set to debut this month, now is the time to capitalize on sales. In stock now from Wizard Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors has many products to satiate your customers' appetites. This includes the limited cover variant of WIZARD: THE COMICS MAGAZINE #120 with the exclusive cover used in the movie JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK. (See the movie for one of the best product placement scenes of all time.) It is also available, at a special price, bagged with the WIZARD PRESENTS KEVIN SMITH SPECIAL. Still need more of the WIZARD PRESENTS KEVIN SMITH SPECIAL? Diamond has them. Both the Photo Cover and the Bluntman & Chronic cover are still available for Reorder.

      JUN015049W WIZARD BLUNTMAN & CHRONIC EXC MOVIE PROP CVR #120 $4.99
      JUN015093W WIZARD #120 & KEVIN SMITH SPECIAL 2-PACK $8.99
      MAY011863W WIZARD PRESENTS KEVIN SMITH ED PHOTO CVR $4.99
      MAY011864W WIZARD PRESENTS KEVIN SMITH BLUNTMAN & CHRONIC CVR $4.99

    The ordering information above is for distributors, just stop in your local comic shop or contact the Stash and ask how you can get one. This is one collector's item that you surely won't want to miss!

    And, if that wasn't cool enough, you can now preorder your very own J&SBSB screenplay! Here's the details:

      The Viewaskewniverse Jersey Trilogy comes to an end in this final installment - but don't leave your laughs at the movie theater - bring them home as you read the brilliant shooting script for the movie blockbuster that will win the summer movie wars. The 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' Screenplay is written by Kevin Smith and contains all the lines you missed because the audience drowned them out with laughter. Also included in this package are photos from the flick and an introduction from Kevin.

    $10.95 gets you that one, another must-have item for any fan.

    If you haven't been to the Stash online site lately, check it out. There's going to be a ton of new swag added and there's probably some stuff you've missed that you want. If anything, you can get your Christmas list started early.

  • CD Now's website now offers audio samples of EVERY track on the soundtrack, including all the dialogue clips! Each sample is around 30 seconds (except for the ones that are too short, so you get the whole thing) and are in both Real Audio and mp3(mpeg) format. Check out the clips HERE and buy your own copy of the soundtrack, in stores on Tuesday the 7th! Don't forget, each soundtrack comes with a coupon to save yourself 5 bucks on the admission to the flick too, so ya can't miss!

    By the way, those of you in the UK will be happy to know that you can order a copy from Europe's Play247.com for only £9.99 with FREE shipping! Check out that deal HERE.

  • There's six pages of an interview with Kevin and a bit with Jay in Sam Goody's free promotional Request magazine. The duo also appears on the cover. We're working on getting some scans for you of the photos. The interview/article may show up at www.requestmagazine.com soon.

  • Don't forget, they're still giving away free tickets to J&SBSB left and right at TheForce.Net! Surf over for your chance to win. Thanks also to JediNet for their links to us on their References page.

  • Afroman is scheduled to be interviewed TODAY between 11 AM and 3 PM on WBCN 104.1 Boston. WBCN has begun to put "Because I Got High" into major rotation. Kevin's name and the movie will likely come up.

  • The creator/writer/publisher of Battle Pope Mayhem comics, Robert Kirkman, contacted us regarding the scan we posted yesterday. Apparently he's a huge Kevin Smith fan and tries to toss in references all over the place. Apparently, in the back of issue 2, a character buys cigarettes from Dante and Randal. He also hears that there is a scene that was filmed in Jay and Silent Bob Strike back where someone is holding a copy of Battle Pope. He's not sure if it's in the final cut, but it WAS filmed. Cool stuff. Everything comes full circle!

    August 2, 2001

  • The whole fiasco that's arisen from the GLAAD protests again Kevin and the movie is starting to escalate, exactly what we'd hoped wouldn't happen, but of course knew would. Today's edition of the nationally syndicated Opie & Anthony radio program brought up the issue, where they read the letter that Kevin was sent and defended him quite well. They also took some calls from listeners, gay and otherwise, some who were in favor of Kevin, others GLADD. We've got a copy of the entire discussion for you HERE (20+ minutes) in MP3 format. Enjoy.

    Futhermore, E! Online picked up the story today and basically ran a summary of the exchange between Kevin and GLAAD. It's a fairly benign and accurate report on what went on between them, but nothing new for those who have been following. So far, it looks like nothing's been blown out of proportion or "spun" oddly. Here's a clip:

      Both Smith and Seomin say they've been cordial in their discussions about the film; Seomin says he was even sitting in Smith's office when the director posted his Web message. To his credit, Seomin says, "Kevin responded. A lot of filmmakers wouldn't."

      GLAAD, however, believed there was no possible way for Smith to change his film, and instead suggested that the director make a donation to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization aimed at educating kids about the dangers of homophobia and founded by the mother of the slain gay student from Wyoming. Smith complied, donating $10,000 to the cause.

      But the no-so-silent filmmaker insists his donation shouldn't be mistaken for an apology. "I'm not sorry--because I didn't make the jokes at the expense of the gay community," Smith wrote. "I made jokes at the expense of two characters who neither I nor the audience have ever held up to be paragons of intellect. They're idiots."

    Check out the full story HERE Yahoo News has picked up the same piece as well.

    Also, it looks as if GLAAD have posted a point for point response to Kevin on their website, which you can read HERE. This doesn't really look too good for the organization, as it's pretty obvious that they're not willing to let this one go and that they're looking for more press.

    Finally, here's a scan of that Entertainment Weekly piece that's going to appear in tomorrow's issue (Kevin mentioned this in an earlier post). The blurb really makes it sound as if GLAAD brought the issue up just for donations, whether that's the case or not, it's as if they're saying they're offended, but pass them a donation and they'll feel better. It's okay to have an opinion and be offended by the flick, but to turn it into a fund-raising drive just doesn't make their objections seem that sincere. Just an opinion. Feel free to chat about all this stuff in the Talkbacks.

  • Today's Hollywood Reporter ran a small blurb on new film MPAA ratings. Jay & Bob is rated R for "nonstop crude and sexual humor, pervasive strong language, and drug content". Sounds about right to us!

    August 2, 2001

  • Congratulations and best wishes to Kevin on his 31st birthday today. We're sure we speak for everyone when we say we hope you have a great day, and can take a break from everything that's going on, relax, and celebrate with your family and friends. Happy a happy one.

  • Here's Kevin with a rundown of some of the press he's got set up for next month. Look for this list to get even longer! We've added all of it to the countdowns, so you can keep an eye on this stuff and catch it. The FX night sounds like one not to miss, and seeing the ABC mallrats edit is a real treat, as the changes they made are just laughable at times. Here's the birthday guy himself with the run-down:
      On a lighter note...

      FX has been kind enough to turn the station over to us for a night of programming they're calling 'Jay and Silent Bob Take Over'.

      It'll run Tuesday, August 21st - the night before the flick's release.

      Here's the run-down...

      9-10pm Back 2 back epsiodes of SON OF A BEACH w/Mark Hammill

      10-10:30pm THE TEST, with Kevin, Jennifer Schwalbach, Jason Mewes, and Mark Hammill.

      10:30pm-12:30am CLERKS

      12:30-2:30am MALLRATS -(pending network clearance)

      'Clerks' is not being edited, however they're going to drop out the audio under the diassaproved language (which means you'll hear about three lines of dialogue in the whole film). Here are the words you will not hear: pussy, cunt, fuck(motherfucker, fucking),cock & shit.

      'Mallrats', I believe, is the ABC cut of the movie - the one in which Jay is sometimes voiced by someone who isn't Jay.

      I believe the Comedy Central special 'Reel Comedy with Jay and Silent Bob' airs first on August 15th.

      I'm doing Conan's show on the night of the 17th.

      I think I'm also lined up for 'Politically Incorrect' and Craig Kilbourne's (sp?) show.

      And the 'Entertainment Weekly' in which the GLAAD story appears hits stands Friday.

      Joy.

      More as I learn about it.

      And remember, folks: civility, please.

    The list's only going to get longer, folks. Excuse us while we go and break government regulations now and try to figure out a good way to clone ourselves to keep up! Stay tuned for more announcements on press from the rest of the cast, as well. We'll keep you posted on it all.

  • The promotional fun continues, with a few domains suddenly appearing full of hate material similar to what appeared at Moviepoopshoot.com. These new sites take a more realistic stance, though, not attacking the fictional Bluntman & Chronic movie, but rather, Kevin and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back themselves. You can check out the following three domains (all the material is the same at each, though): www.jayandsilentbobstrikeback.com, www.bluntmanandchronic.com and www.jayandsilentbob.com. Fun stuff! Check them out today.

  • The positive reviews just continue to show up all over the place, including this highly positive, 4 STAR review that just came in. Check it out, watch out for a few minor spoilers inside (skip ahead if you are staying away from everything about the plot), and read the text afterwards to learn how you can win a cool prize:
      JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK
      A film review by Steve Rhodes
      Copyright 2001 Steve Rhodes
      RATING (0 TO ****): ****

      JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK, Kevin Smith's swan song to his two most famous characters, is the best received comedy that I've seen since THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, which is a tea party in comparison to the foul-mouthed humor in JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK. The audience didn't just laugh; they went wild with boisterous laughter and heavy applause throughout. In short, if you like really raunchy humor, you may find it, as I did, to be the funniest movie of the year. (On the other hand, if you are one of those who walked out in disgust with Smith's DOGMA, then JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK is not the movie for you.)

      In one of the fastest paced movies of the year, the story has Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith), a pair of card carrying drug dealers, traveling from their New Jersey convenience store home to Hollywood so that they can stop a movie. It seems their comic book alter egos, Bluntman and Chronic, are being used in a movie without Jay and Silent Bob's consent. Jason Biggs and James Van Der Beek are slated to star in it. JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK has more and better used cameos than just about any movie that I've ever seen. Among others, they include Carrie Fisher as a bible-toting nun, Mark Hamill as a comic book version of his famous alter ego and Gus Van Sant as a director too busy counting his money to yell, "Action!" Best of all are Ben Affleck and Matt Damon who mock themselves and their movies.

      The film stops several times to make fun of itself and of the audience who was "stupid" enough to buy tickets to this movie. (Actually, purchasing tickets to this film is extremely smart given that it delivers more laughter per dollar than anything in recent memory.) The film even skewers people who write about movies on the Internet. Guilty.

      Although it's filled with inside jokes, you'll still be laughing even if you only get some of them. It's easy to understand enough so that they are still funny.

      Jay is a motor mouth who hasn't met a subject that he couldn't vulgarize. His favorite topic is oral sex, but, being an equal opportunity profaner, he's willing to make crude jokes about absolutely anything. But it is his buddy, the aptly named Silent Bob, who is responsible for most of the movie's success. His reaction shots, with his wildly exaggerated eye movements, are comedic gems.

      The story's main subplot concerns four animal rights activists, Justice (Shannon Elizabeth) and her three sexy buddies, Sissy (Eliza Dushku), Missy (Jennifer Schwalbach Smith) and Chrissy (Ali Larter). These Charlie's Angels types give a ride to our heroes on their trek to LaLaLand to stop the picture. Jay tries to put the moves on Justice, but he doesn't stay in command of the situation for long. One of the funnier sight gags has the women using a pink, clam-shaped, birth control case that contains high tech gadgetry.

      Granted, it's not the movie for everyone, but, if you like Kevin Smith's brand of humor, you'll find that this is his best. And, as I said earlier, it's the funniest movie of the year thus far. No, wait. Forget, "thus far." It's bound to be the funniest movie of the year. In a time when almost every movie feels obligated to come in at PG-13 so that they can rake in the maximum cash, it's great to see a filmmaker with the guts to target only a mature audience.

      JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK runs a lightening fast 1:35. It is rated R and contains pervasive crude humor and language and sexual situations. It would be acceptable for high school seniors and older.

      The film opens nationwide in the United States on Wednesday, August 22, 2001. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.

      Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com

      Email: Steve.Rhodes@InternetReviews.com

    Be sure to hit the Forums to post any reviews of the film that you come across. We've got 13 of them up so far, and we're sure there's a LOT more out there. Fill up that board, folks. In fact, we've got a pair of ORIGINAL, direct from the studio copies of the UNCENSORED Afroman "Beacuse I Got High" video and the Stoke 9 "Kick Some Ass" video. These things are rare, original, and come to you courtesy of Universal Music and News Askew. The contest runs from now until September 5, 2001. The person that posts the most legitimate reviews on the film (no, making up 15 reviews of your own doesn't count) will get the tapes. Surf over to the forums, check out what's there, and start scouring the net for more. Be sure and read the top post, which gives you the format to post your review topics in. Good luck, everyone!

  • The GLAAD controversy continues, with many folks coming to the web board, forums, talkbacks, and sending letters of suppoort for Kevin into the organization. Matt Drudge even has a link on his Drudge Report website to Kevin's original posting about the whole situation. Other websites are even joining the cause. Here's an e-mail that was in the box this morning:

    You can read everything that's been going on over the past few days in our News Askew archives if you're just joining us. Remember, if you send a letter supporting Kevin into GLAAD, keep it civil, intelligent, and coherent. There's really no need to copy us on the letters, as many have been doing, things are so busy we really won't even have time to look at them. Let's hope this all settles down real soon. Some will argue that this is more free press for the film, but it's obvious that Kevin would rather it never happened at all. It's no fun getting press that way.

  • KROQ has NOW announced that Kevin's appearance on the Kevin & Bean morning show has been postponed for a couple of weeks. This is probably to keep the flick more fresh in the mind of the listeners closer to its release date.

  • We're unable to confirm, but this website claims alternative rock star Liz Phair makes her film debut in "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back". This is the first we've heard of this, and are sure her apperance would be brief. Phair contributed a tune, "California", to Chasing Amy.

  • The Afroman hype continues! A new interview with the man appears HERE. Howard Stern is also prepping plans for him to come into the studio to perform the song live. We'll keep you posted on that one.

  • Tracy Morgan appeared on Boston Rap station Jam'n 94.5 this morning, promoting J&SBSB and of course, SNL. Here's a summary of the appearance we received:
      He and the DJs talked about the stereotypical role for a black man to play a drug dealer. Morgan said people should just relax about it and that this is a funny movie. The DJ informed Tracy that whenever they play the Afroman song from the soundtrack, stoned people always call-in to show their love. Tracy left off by saying that the movie is very funny and we should check it out.

  • It's an incredibly busy day here, we might be back with more later! Thanks for stopping by...

    August 1, 2001

  • Many of you have already begun mailing letters to GLAAD reagarding the issues they've got with Kevin's portrayal of the gay community in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. As we mentioned yesterday, if you do so, PLEASE make the letters very civil and intelligent. Countingdown.com posted this excellent editorial, that we thought we'd share with you today. This is an excellent example of support and backs up exactly what Kevin was conveying with his post in yesterday's news:
      In Defense Of Kevin: GLAAD vs. The People And Kevin Smith

      The following is an editorial comment, and NOT the opinion or view of Countingdown.com

      My name is Antony Teofilo. I am editor of Countingdown.com’s Countingdown To Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. As an editor, it’s usually my responsibility to make sure that news posted here isn’t generally opinion oriented. A situation has arisen in which I, as editor of this page, have chosen to take a rare opportunity stick my neck out in support of Kevin Smith.

      In Defense of Kevin

      Like Kevin Smith, I am straight, white, chunky, and a lover of the cinema.

      Recently, Mr. Smith, in good faith, sat down with Scott Seomin, Entertainment Media Director of GLAAD [the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation] to discuss GLAAD's concerns that J&SBSB propagates negative stereotypes of the homosexual community. During said meeting, both parties amiably expressed their viewpoints. At the end of that discussion, Kevin Smith, in good faith, made a $10,000 donation to Matthew Shepherd Foundation as a way of continuing his support in the fight against homophobia.

      Now, news has surfaced that GLAAD has gone to the press, continuing their campaign against Smith, openly labeling him as a homophobe. This after he had gone to pains explaining that such a moniker in his case is impossible to apply, never mind the gift Smith made.

      GLAAD is an important organization. They fight hate, bigotry, intolerance, violence, and most importantly, fund educational efforts meant to foster understanding between all types of people. It is the humble opinion of this cyber-geek that the negative perception issue here is not Kevin Smith, but GLAAD. To sling mud in the direction of an artist that has already expressed his direct SUPPORT for your cause seems not only petty and a blatant attempt to media-grab, but in light of Smith’s generous gift, outright extortive. To paint Smith’s gift as an apology or admission of guilt belittles a generous charitable gesture of good will. Continuing a smear campaign in Smith’s direction could paint a far more negative picture of GLAAD than the other way around.

      Like Mr. Smith, I support the gay community openly. I stood by as my best college chum through his own painful but ultimately essential coming ‘out’ process, never mind the fact that we lived together in a single room in a ten story college dorm full of homophobic rednecks. I knew that his coming out could affect my own reputation, and it did. I was perceived has being homosexual. There were times other guys would rush out of the bathroom when I entered. There was name-calling. Does my support of my friend make me a hero? Not in the slightest. I did it because it was the right thing to do.

      How did we get through it? We laughed. A lot. When it was all over, because of our refusal to give credence to bigotry, acceptance became the rule, instead of the exception. Laughter is one of the most powerful tools against Hate. It saddens me to see an artist who has exhibited himself as so openly supportive of the gay community being dirtied with the label of homophobe.

      Chasing Amy, anyone? Duh.

      Kevin Smith is a satirist. Sometimes, he says things in his films that are inflammatory, sometimes insightful, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes outright ridiculous. Often, the point of satire is to generate dialogue by aiming laughter at the foibles of the human condition. That laughter can enlighten us to our own shortcomings, our own narrow perceptions, and yes, our own prejudices. Satire can make the process of personal or global revelation and the changing of one’s own opinions less painful; la vie satire’!

      I hope that this situation will not deter you from going to see J&SBSB, which ironically, is about as far away from social commentary as a movie can be. I have seen J&SBSB; it’s a movie about two guys going across the country on about as idiotic a journey as two counter-culture heroes can take. At times, it’s shocking. At times, (not often, mind you) it’s thoughtful. At times, it’s sexual, and its characters make allusion to the fact that they may or may not be homosexual.

      Are Jay and the Bob funny? All signs point to yes.

      Are Jay and the Bob gay? WHO CARES?

      It shouldn’t make a difference. The message to be learned from this whole overtly unpleasant situation is that we must decide for ourselves who we are and what we’ll tolerate…and that hopefully, our individual choices fall towards compassion, and tolerance. If two slacker dope-heads (and one chubby New Jersey filmmaker) must peddle that message to the world from an unremarkable convenience store by beating us over the head with blunt object of our own absurd prejudice, so be it. At least someone is speaking out.

      You go, Kevin. CD2J&SBSB supports Kevin Smith, and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.

  • KROQ has announced that Kevin's appearance on the Kevin & Bean morning show has moved to Thursday (tomorrow).

  • Washington, DC Radio Station DC101 is holding an 'exclusive premiere' of J&SBSB. Want to go? They're giving away tickets to those who sign up at their website TODAY (so enter NOW!). The station has also announced that the one and only AFROMAN will play at their Labor Day Show, which is held annual at a contest winner's home. Get those entries in, DC area residents!

  • The Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX is planning to announce sales of tickets for an advance J&SBSB screening on Thursday. You can reach them at 512-472-2901.

  • Promotions continue for the film and soundtrack. Television commercials are being spotted all over the various networks, both the big 4 and cable, on shows like WWF Raw, Fox's "Murder In Small Town X", and more. Another scooper spotted a large painting of the Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack cover on the wall outside of a large record shop, Benway Records, in Venice Beach, where a ton of traffic passes by. Sounds like both the film and the soundtrack are getting a HUGE promotional push, even with a few weeks (3 exactly) until release.

  • Here's a scan from In Focus magazine. The picture most of you have seen before, but the full cast list and the gross list on the left hand side is sorta interesting. Click the pic for a better look.

    August 1, 2001

  • Well, with under a month to go until Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back sees release, for the second time in a row, a View Askew Production has some controversy brewing around it. This time around, it seems that GLAAD (The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has some problems with some material in the movie. After receiving a letter, Kevin quickly took action to contact the organization. Here's his complete account of the events that have transpired so far. Settle in, it's quite a lengthy story:
      Some bad, bad news concerning me and GLAAD

      I figured I'd address this here before it's made public next week.

      'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' is being taken to task (wrongly, I believe) by GLAAD - the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (for those unfamiliar with the acronym). Below is the letter, verbatim, that I received from Scott Seomin, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director.

      _________

      Dear Kevin:

      Two colleagues of mine from GLAAD joined me last evening at a screening of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. We were overwhelmed by the potential negative impact for the film with what we would assume is a large share of its target audience: teen and young adult males. We will be public and aggressive in our condemnation and will provide substantiation for our opinions.

      Here are the points to which we will object and our reasons for doing so:

      - As one of the principal characters states, the film is a "big gay joke", but the joke is at the expense of the stereotyped category of people;
      - All references to gay men reinforce them as objects of acceptable ridicule and dehumanization;
      - Specific epithets for gay men include not only traditional slurs but also have the potential to introduce an expanded vocabulary of defamatory words and phrases;
      - When sympathetic characters substitute the word "gay" for something that is wrong or stupid, it validates a common slur used by school-age youth to mean anything unacceptable.

      We, or course, are familiar with your work as a writer and director and understand that satire is a large part and object of you expression. The intentional excesses of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and over-the-top characterizations and situations are fundamental to its nature. However, we believe that satirical sophistication is not a fundamental expectation of an audience bombarded by fag jokes and gags revolving around genitals and simulated sex acts.

      Also, the inclusion of various other potentially offensive material (e.g. the bits about the acronym CLIT, racism, child abuse) for laughs does not excuse or dilute the omnipresent backdrop of the "big gay joke". While I will not fall as far back as the Hays Code, at no time is there any retribution or remorse for gay-bashing "humor". Again, to write off the behavior of the lead characters, especially Jay, with a what-do-you-expect-from-someone-so-dumb shrug truly trivializes the impact.

      I wanted to state our position strongly here before I request a meeting with you to discuss this. I will be in New York from August 2nd to 6th and either can come to New Jersey or arrange a time at your convenience if you are in the city. Because I realize there are no changes you could make to this film to satisfy our concerns, I still believe we could discuss how you will be interviewed (for) this film and how GLAAD moves forward with its concerns.

      Please let me know as soon as possible of your interest and availability.

      Sincerely,

      Scott Seomin
      Entertainment Media Director

      ___________

      Needless to say, I was crestfallen.

      You all know me. You all know how big a fan I am of the gay community. You all know the respect and fascination I have for gay culture and practices. I've said in many an interview, from 'Chasing Amy' onward, that the only reason I never dabbled in homosexuality when I was younger was because I wouldn't know what to say to a guy after he blew a load in my mouth - a sentiment that says more about my social awkwardness than any socially awkward stereotypes that've been unfairly hung on the gay community.

      Gay or straight has never been a big issue with me. Sex is sex, as far as I'm concerned. Some cats dig on the opposite gender, and some cats dig on their own. Sexual identity will always be as mystifying as why 'The Dukes of Hazzard' was once the number one television show in our country: there's no point in getting bent out of shape about it; it just IS. Some cats will always gravitate toward Daisy Duke, and some will always pine over Boss Hogg.

      I've been knee-deep in gayness for the better part of my twenties and up (I just know THAT'S going to be printed out of context somewhere: SMITH SAYS HE'S "KNEE-DEEP IN GAYNESS"). For those who'll recall, we made a movie called 'Chasing Amy'. Bob Hawk (he who was most responsible for exposing the world to 'Clerks') is about as gay as they come (no pun intended), and he lived with me for three years. My brother's gay. There are prominent members of this board community who are gay. The list goes on and on.

      Now lest you all think I'm pandering, I'm not trying to save face with the View Askew Gay All-Stars list above; I'm just trying to give some context as to why I was so crushed to receive Scott Seomin's GLAAD missive. So as soon as I read it, I called Scott Seomin (who joked about how hard it was to grow up gay with a last name like Seomin) to address his concerns. He was a sweet guy who, after talking to him for an hour, admitted that in his heart, he knew I was not a homophobe. But he couldn't cotton to the disparity between who I am and some of the humor in the flick.

      I pointed out that the jokes in the movie, while funny at face value, do far more than evoke chuckles at the expense of the gay community. I believe that they teach tolerance to the same audience that Scott feels won't get the humor. When you have two main characters who've both - at one point or another - hinted at or flat-out copped to homo-erotic escapades, how on earth can that be considered "gay-bashing". It's more than you get in most "buddy" flicks. Did Murtaugh and Riggs ever cop to getting dreamy over the male anatomy? I think not.

      But this is nothing new for us. Recall, if you will, the scene in 'Dogma', when Jay asks Rufus to tell him something about himself (Jay) that nobody knows. Rufus points out that when Jay masturbates, he thinks about guys. When that movie came out, the board got flooded with angry posts, demanding "How can you make Jay gay like that?!" I would answer "Why on earth would that bother you?", pointing out that Jay's sexual proclivity should never effect how the viewer accepts the character, and that if it did, then perhaps some soul-searching was due on the objecting viewer's part. If you liked Jay before that scene, why the hell wouldn't you like him afterwards? The long and short of it: that scene sparked healthy discussion about tolerance and acceptance - as well as made a lot of people laugh.

      If you believe Scott's stated position that the target audience for our flicks is "teen and young adult males", then you have to allow that some of these impressionable youngsters will have to come to grips with the fact that the character they hold very dearly as one of "their's" has, in fact, expressed homosexual tendencies. And either those folks stop being fans at that moment, or accept that a character they identify with engages in behavior they may not approve of (if you work under the assumption, of course, that ALL "teen and young adult males" are terrified of the gay community). If they can accept that in a fictional character, some - not all, mind you, but some - will carry this newfound tolerance into their daily lives. Suddenly, I can do more than just entertain with even a flick that purports to have nothing on its mind apart from making you laugh; I can also educate in some weird way. That's the heart of "satire".

      However, as Scott points out in his letter, sometimes, satire may fall on deaf ears.

      During the '70's, Norman Lear created 'All in the Family', a show with a protagonist who was, essentially, a bigot. Some people understood this and enjoyed the show because of its well-observed satirical content. Some people misconstrued it and enjoyed the show because Archie Bunker didn't like black people... just like them. Did that make Norman Lear a hate-monger? Nope. Norman Lear wasn't responsible for how white America dealt with race issues. Norman Lear just showed us how stupid white America can be when it came to race issues. He held up a mirror to our culture. In essence, he was just the messenger.

      But then, we all know what happens to the messenger...

      The gay jokes in 'Jay and Silent Bob' satirize a young male culture terrified of any cock that isn't their own. I accept the fact that some folks seeing the flick may not get the joke behind the joke, and just walk away thinking "Jay and Silent Bob don't wanna be gay, man! Just like me!" However, I also KNOW - based on posts I've read on this board, following the release of 'Chasing Amy' and 'Dogma' - that some folks in that same demographic will walk away from this movie a little more tolerant toward the gay community. But just because there's a threat that the message of tolerance-through-humor falls on some deaf ears, should I not endeavor to reach ANYONE? No can do. Because if even one person is made more tolerant of that-which-isn't-him-or-her by watching a film I've made, then that means more to me than whatever the box office may wind up being - or whatever any protest group hypothesizes about my motivations.

      That being said, I can't claim complete altruism in making the jokes we make in the flick. Gay sex is funny... just like STRAIGHT sex is funny. Just like making fun of racism is funny (I assume Scott'sreferring to Chris Rock's white-hating director character when he mentions racism in his GLAAD letter). Just like making fun of bad parenting is funny (a young Jay and Bob are left outside the stores by clearly bad mothers early on in the flick; I'm assuming that's the "child abuse" Scott was talking about in his letter). Just like the homophobic mind-set, while frightening, is also fodder for ridicule (indeed, we make fun of the exact thing we're being accused of in the Biggs and Van Der Beek scene in 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'). Just like Miramax making 'She's All That' is funny. Just like all the things we make fun of in the movie are funny. I mean, this is a movie that mocks ITSELF as it goes along, for crying out loud. No one escapes unscathed.

      Anyway, I told Scott all of this during the course of our conversation, and asked what we could do to allay his (and GLAAD's) fears. He said he'd be asking Miramax to make a substantial donation to the Matthew Shepherd Foundation (Matthew Shepherd is the Wyoming student who was beaten to death for being gay in one of the worst hate crimes in recent memory; the Foundation's aim is to educate the public on the dangers of homophobia). I said I'd be happy to make a donation as well, as it's a great cause, and one I believe in strongly. He asked how much I'd like to donate. I queried how much he intended to seek from Miramax. He said two hundred grand. I admitted I don't have pockets as deep as Miramax. He suggested I donate ten grand, and I said "Done."

      We spoke further about how important a film he thought 'Chasing Amy' was, and he informed me that if he'd been at GLAAD at the time the film came out, he would've given it a GLAAD award. It was nice to hear, as I was always kind of bugged that we didn't receive much GLAAD attention on 'Amy', considering how pro-gay the flick was. He said he wanted to meet me in person to shake my hand, and I invited him to the office on Tuesday to do so, as well as pick up his check. I bid him adieu, and thus ended a very friendly conversation that resulted in a couple of guys enlightened as to one another's feelings about some potentially thorny issues, as well as the Matthew Shepherd Foundation being ten g's richer.

      Then, yesterday afternoon, I fielded a phone call from Rebecca Ascher-Walsh of 'Entertainment Weekly', asking me to comment on how GLAAD (in the person of Scott Seomin) was "horrified" by the homophobia on parade in 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'. I was taken aback, as Scott never once expressed being "horrified" by the jokes in the flick we'd discussed at great lengths on the phone Friday. He said he was merely concerned.

      Suddenly, I was being painted as homophobic by GLAAD.

      This I can't quietly sit by and let happen.

      Neither 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' nor myself are homophobic. Fuck, if anything, we're overtly gay-friendly.

      In regards to the film, the openly gay journalists who saw it during the junket didn't express one iota of a reservation in regards to the content of the flick. In fact, two of them thought it was pretty daring of me to have Silent Bob admitting that he'd have gone down on Jay (see the flick). The even better barometer for me was Bob Hawk - a man whose opinion I trust more than almost anyone on the planet. Bob watched the flick and never flinched, aside from laughing very, very heartily. And believe me - if anyone was going to call me on the gay jokes in the flick, it was the producer of 'Trick' himself. But he didn't, and I can't believe it's because he's self-loathing or afraid for his job (as Scott suggested the journalists at the junket must have been in order to not be insulted by the movie).

      But most importantly, *I* don't feel the film's homophobic. I would never (nor could never) make a homophobic film. I'm not that guy, and here's why: I grew up fat. Even though I'm a white male, being fat my whole life still puts me in a minority category as well, and has made me the butt of jokes my entire life. Trust me - I know how hurtful or damaging it can be to be called a name or two. The last thing I'd ever want to do would be to mock others for who they ARE (except Ben Affleck; I can mock him incessantly and never feel guilty about it, because a) he's my boy and it's done with affection, and b) he's Affleck, for God's sake).

      What really burns me about all this, though, is that now my donation to the Matthew Shepherd Foundation is going to be sullied in the process. Based on what Rebecca Ascher-Walsh told me, my donation is now being portrayed as an admission of some sort of culpability; that by giving ten thousand dollars to this worthy cause, I'm essentially saying "I'm sorry I made some gay jokes."

      And that's horse-shit.

      I'm not sorry - because I didn't make jokes at the expense of the gay community. I made jokes at the expense of two characters who neither I nor the audience have ever held up to be paragons of intellect. They're idiots. Funny idiots, yes, but idiots all the same. And by making them and other mental midgets in the film so leery of homosexuality, I'm making fun of a mind-set that exists in our culture - a mind-set, mind you, that I didn't create nor condone. And making fun of said mind-set doesn't legitimize it, in my opinion; it de-fangs it.

      I swear, I caught it from the right wing on 'Dogma', and now I'm catching it from the left wing on this flick. Which am I, people: a bleeding heart liberal or a Bible-thumping conservative? And when the hell do I get to make a movie in which I don't have to explain myself afterwards? When the hell do I get to make a movie that some special interest group won't demonize? I sweat - it's like all that's left is to walk that thin, boring line down the middle that makes for really bland cinema. Because no matter what you do and say, no matter how good your intentions are, sooner or later, you're going to offend SOMEBODY.

      So I could use a few good character witnesses. If you folks wouldn't mind, can you drop GLAAD a CIVIL line and let them now that I am not now, nor have I ever been, a homophobe? Please - no immature comments for these folks, alright? I've got enough troubles without anyone reinforcing the worst suspicions Scott Seomin and GLAAD has about our fans. They can be reached at glaad@glaad.org.

      In closing, I'd like to leave you with an excerpt from the Jay and Silent mini-series that was re-released by Image Comics last week under the title of 'Chasing Dogma'...

      JAYWhat the fuck is this country coming to?!?
      First, we're accused of brown-humping each
      other, and then we get kicked to the fucking
      curb for having a smoke! You know, there was
      a time when a man could fuck his friend, AND
      enjoy a goddamn toke, and nobody said shit!
      Where's the so-called freedom for the pursuit
      of happiness?! What if I WANTED to fuck you,
      Silent Bob?
      (quieter)
      I'd never, because I fucking love chicks man -
      even though I know you think about cuddling
      up to my three-piece set all the time.
      (continuing)
      But what If I was all pent up, and all I needed to
      keep me from going postal on that bus was to
      bust a nut in your dark and stinky? That's the
      problem with the climate of consciousness on
      this planet today! Everyone gives too much of
      a shit about who fucks what! The moral majority
      has to wake up and realize that it's better to have
      two guys stink-dicking or two chicks gargling clit,
      than it is to have four complete fucking lunatics
      nine millimeting random people from a rooftop
      because they're not allowed to 'unpack their bags'
      in whatever 'hotel rooms' they want, so to speak!
      And by that token, I should be able to scream - if
      I so desired - from the bathrooms of the buses
      that traverse the unending roads of this great
      country, to the bathrooms of the public parks
      and rest-stops that dot the landscape like a
      thousand points of light...
      (second balloon)
      "I'M HERE! I'M QUEER! GET USED TO IT!!!"

      Homophobic indeed.

    Now, if you've made it this far...A few closing thoughts. It seems like Kevin's spelled it all out pretty well here. If you do choose to drop GLAAD a line, please note the word CIVIL up there. Be kind, intelligent, and vouch for the fact that Kevin's a good guy. From the sound of things, though, it's not GLAAD that's really going to escalate this, but the press themselves, since he seems to have sat down and settled it. Hopefully the press will handle this tactfully, and allow the situation to stay settled, rather than throw more fuel on the fire. We'll be watching...

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