The release of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr’s report on President Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky led to a blush-inducing national debate about whether oral sodomy [sic] is “sex.” President Clinton contends that it isn’t.

In all fairness, however, a major theme of Kevin Smith’s witty ultra-low-budget 1994 film “Clerks,” hinges upon the same topic. Near the film’s beginning, convenience-store clerk Dante Hicks gets into a fight with his girlfriend Veronica, who previously had told him that she had only had sex with three men. During a conversation, she admits that she engaged in oral sex with one friend of his and, after further questioning, 36 other men. When he appears angry, she protests: “Going down on someone isn’t having sex.” Dante, wisely perhaps, doesn’t buy her explanation and he dumps her.

Nonetheless, Veronica’s claims put the issue into public debate, reductio ad absurdum, four years before Clinton’s current concerns about what sex is.

And how does one satirize that?

What goes on? Weeeeeeeeeelllllll!!!

Little early P.E. for you there, folks.

So the Nike spots we shot last week – the ones that were supposed to feature Vincent Gallo? We wound up going another way, and as of October 4, you’ll start seeing a very familiar face plugging Nike Tuned Air…

Mewes.

He did quite well, and the clients (that’d be Nike and FootLocker) loved him. The spots are pretty funny. Look for them first week in Oct.

Scott and I are into reel three on the second pass of ‘Dogma’ (there are nine reels total). We’ve already cut out fourteen minutes, bringing the running time to 3 hours, three minutes. Hopefully, we’ll find at least another fourteen to shave before handing in our ‘Director’s Cut’ (though I was kind of hoping to get it down to at least 2:45 for the first ‘Max screening).

We’ve also cut a boss, two minute trailer for the flick which I wish to God we could post here. Perhaps in a few months, if we get permission. It’s very dialogue light, ironically enough, but good Lord, does it excite.

Short of that, no new tales to tell.

Recently I had the opportunity to be a Production Assistant (PA) on the set of a new movie directed and starring the writer of “Liar, Liar,” Mike Binder. It also features the return of Mariel Hemmingway, Steven Baldwin and Kevin Pollock. I didn’t realize until yesterday that it features a famous character from Kevin’s almost-a-mastery, “Mallrats.”

Tricia “Trish the Dish” Jones was played by Renee Humphries. She plays Didi, a bisexual ditzy nymphette in this movie, “The Sex Monster.” It never struck me who it was because she is older (about 23 now) and was made to look older, sexier and more mature in “The Sex Monster.” Her part is large and she is funny and sexy in this comedy coming out next year.

The Internet Movie Database doesn’t even have this info. They list her as Renee Humphrey however all of my casting sheets direct from the set of this movie list this Hollywood Hills native as Humphries.

Criterion does it again! It’s no doubt that you’ve heard about the excellent extras and hilarious audio commentary that accompanies the theatrical feature on this disc. Now own your own AUTOGRAPHED copy! And autographed by whom you might ask? This disc is signed by three of the stars of this movie – Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and none other than BEN AFFLECK. Disc one contains the theatrical release of Chasing Amy along with a running audio commentary. Pop in Disc Two and be treated to a multitude of cut scenes, outtakes, the trailer and introductions. A must have even if you don’t own an LD player!

Quantities are limited. $70.00 + shipping
Please see The Criterion Collection for more info on the disc itself.