Kevin Smith’s 1994 debut comedy, “Clerks,” became a cause celebre when Miramax successfully challenged the MPAA’s initial NC-17 rating for vulgar language. The fact that the movie was a funny, tiny-budget underdog didn’t hurt.

Urman also argued that Smith’s Catholic-themed spoof “Dogma” was helped by a well-publicized history that included the movie’s being condemned by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, dumped by Miramax on orders from parent company Disney and bought by Lions Gate.

“It came into the marketplace with an enormous level of exposure, and it created a tremendous amount of press coverage thatyour average comedy–including your average Kevin Smith comedy–wouldn’t enjoy,” Urman said.

“Dogma,” which stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, grossed about $30 million domestically last year, a high figure for an independent film and double the take of Smith’s previous film, “Chasing Amy.” Yet Andrew Hindes, editor in chief of the Web site IFILM, isn’t ready to credit the uproar for the film’s success.

“With `Dogma’ it’s hard to see that controversy over Catholicism would attract viewers,” he said. “I think it was the stars.”

Indie god Kevin Smith challenges Catholic doctrine in his film Dogma- and not just by casting Jay & Silent Bob as prophets! If you’ve been wondering just how the curious duo got to Illinois from New Jersey and what happened to them along the way, now’s your chance to find out. Preorder Dogma and you’ll automatically be entered to win one of five copies of Jay & Silent Bob: Chasing Dogma, which explains how the characters got from the world of Chasing Amy to that of Dogma. Plus, it’s signed by Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and Duncan Fegredo! Or, you could win one of 10 sets of the Jay & Silent Bob comic book series (volumes 1-4). It’s all the Jay & Silent Bob you can handle!

We should all go on hiatus…

…until there’s something to talk about. As it stands, we’re still mere inches away from making an announcement about future stuff, so all’s quiet around here. Believe me – it’s a welcome respite. And it’s not like I’m not being productive either; I’ve been doing a lot of writing…

Anyhoo, what to talk about? Oh yes – the road trip.

Just got back from a tour of the southern states. Alright – that’s a bit high-falutin’. I spoke at Tulane in Louisiana, then flew to Florida for the wife’s friends’ engagement party (Boca, to be precise). The parties were nice (I don’t think I’ve ever been to an engagement party before), but what was outstanding was that ‘Dogma’ was playing on Spectravision. I think that’s a first for one of our flicks. Very cool. Didn’t order it, though (I’d already ordered it last weekend, when we stayed up in NYC at the Four Seasons for Jen’s Birthday).

Tulane – great school, wonderful people, but a very rigidly run venue. The folks who control the theatre booted us out way earlier than I would’ve liked, or am used to. And then they also cut the line off when I was signing afterwards. If I was a Tulane student who didn’t get the long show I’d read about here or at NewsAskew or have my shit signed, I’d bitch up a storm. You guys pay a student activities fee for these things, and shouldn’t have someone else dictating when the show ends or the hall closes. Normally, I stay until the last person’s had their shit signed afterwards, so my apologies to anyone who got short-changed. For what it’s worth, it wasn’t me; nor was it the student activities group who brought me there. It was the guy who runs the theatre.

As per the NewsAskew suggested guidelines on these college gigs, I agree with them wholeheartedly. If you’re going to show one of the flicks, do it a day before the appearance; that way, we have as much time as possible for Q&A. And start that show early – probably around seven or so. That way, we can go for a good four to five hours. And don’t forget to leave time afterwards for signings – preferably indoors, near the stage, so it’s convenient for those who’ve stuck around ’til the end. Just some suggestions.

That being said, I thought it was a good show. The crowd of over a thousand seemed into it. Just wish I could’ve gotten to sign all their stuff.

In the new Premiere, there’s an article I wrote about being a judge up at Sundance. It’s a tongue-in-cheek piece that the mag was kind enough to run (maybe as consolation for not being included in their annual Power 100 list; apparently – as per usual – I am powerless). Check it out if you’re so inclined. Ashley Judd’s on the cover.

The pair on announcements on the horizon are a pretty interesting. One’s kind of expected, but the other comes way out of left field, and benefits the denizens of this board directly. As soon as I can, I’ll spill the beans.

For those into comics and comi-cons, I’ll be attending the two biggies this summer: San Diego and WizardCon in Chicago. I’ll more than likely be bringing along an episode of the show (which may be the only place to spot it…)

The wife and I are coming up on our one year anniversary (April 26th, to be exact; but please – send no gifts). This (perceived) downtime has been nice for us, as the first half of the year was spent rushing around the globe, chatting up the flick. I know it probably goes without saying, but aside from really being in love with Jen, I genuinely like her. She’s a curious cat who I look forward to hearing from every day, if for no other reason than simply because she’s never boring, and more often than not, always enlightening. I enjoy being married to this woman; I’ll enjoy it for the rest of my life (which will hopefully extend into our mid-eighties). She’s my boo.

It also doesn’t hurt that she’s a nasty little girl as well, if you catch my drift.

Ahem…

Anyway, announcements soon. Promise.