• When it rains, it pours. Yes folks, we’ve hit another milestone here at News Askew, a big FOUR MILLION VISITORS. The big number took a while to get to this time, which we attribute a lot to our new counter scheme (we don’t count multiple hits on the homepage within certain time frames, reloads, and stuff anymore) plus things have been a bit slower with less updates happening after Dogma. But hey, that’s all in the past now – Four million hits in 2 1/2 years ain’t too shabby at all!

Thanks to all the folks who mailed in the big news as they feverishly tried to hit the magic number. We didn’t have any set prize or contest this time around, but we’ll see what we can work up for the big five million. By the way, my girlfriend Aimee is the one who hit the big number. Yep, she swooped right in there and stole it from you guys. So maybe it’s good that we didn’t have a prize, though I’m sure she’d have given it up to the one that came closest…Well, unless it was something really, really cool anyway. 😉

Finally, and most of all, thanks to all of you for your continued visits, support, scoops, and general e-mails. If it weren’t for you (Yes, YOU, that’s right) this site wouldn’t be around. We know there’s just 2 names over there on the left under the webmaster heading, but this site continues to operate and stay current because fans like you make it possible. Sincerely, thanks very much. Now let’s get started on that next million, shall we?

• Happy Halloween, folks! It hardly feels like it, maybe because things were so busy with Vulgarthon, or maybe because all the trick-or-treaters came around last Thursday in this area (anyone want an extra 50 or 60 candy bars that I’ve got left over?). Anyway, we usually like to do something fun with the site on Halloween usually since the both of us dig horror flicks so much, alas, this year due to the ‘thon activity it’s been tough to throw something together. Forgive us. Still, there’s bound to be some great movies on tonight around the pay channels…Oh, and DO NOT FORGET – The Simpsons will air a BRAND NEW TREEHOUSE OF HORRORS (some of the most classic episodes are the Halloween shows) TOMORROW NIGHT (That’s Wednesday) on FOX. Check your local listings and do not miss this one. And speaking of Fox shows, I hate to ask this, but if anyone taped Boston Public and Ally Mcbeal on Monday night, I stupidly forgot to set the VCR timer and was at the ‘thon at the time, so sadly missed them. Drop me a line, I’d be happy to reimburse for tape and postage costs.

On to a few other things – The update last night made it over to Aint It Cool News, and we thank them very much for the plug. It’s great when things we do here get picked up elsewhere on the web, as it brings in some new fans, or even some existing ones who never knew that the site was around. So thanks to Harry and everyone else over there for that. We only wish ourstory was a bit cleaner (though at 1:30 AM after 14 hours of movies it’s kinda tough to write). We neglected to mention that Clerks star Marilyn Ghigliotti will NOT return in VA5. We’ve added that tidbit and cleaned up the story a bit below, so take a look for that, especially if you missed the original posting.

The Vulgarthon wrapup’s coming, along with lots, lots more, so stay tuned. For now, enjoy your Halloween. Here’s a small treat in the meantime: Some non Vulgarthon related newsbites to tide you over:

• Kevin politely asked folks at Vulgarthon not to tape any of the Q&A sessions, as that stuff usually is kept reserved for the folks in attendance, however, a classic 20 minute story from Kevin on the Superman Lives fiasco (from his appearance at the San Diego Comicon) has been posted a link to Hollywood On-Set via
  MSN. Msn offers the file in three parts, in 100k and 300k streaming versions for Windows Media Player. Those of you who have seen Kevin talk about the flick in person before probably know what to expect, but those of you who missed that are in for a real treat. Enjoy!

Chasing Superman Kevin Smith gives us the unabashed,uncensored truth on the superhumancontroversy.

CLIP I CLIP II CLIP III

• Dark Horizons ran a scoop on a new role that Jason Lee is tipped to be offered: “On Angels Wings” is the latest scriptfrom “Cold Hearts” writer/director Robert A. Masciantonio and follows a man whose son is killed in a drive-by shooting – a tragedy so devastating it unhinges the guy who decides to deliver his own brand of justice in the costume guise of an angel. Shooting happens in Philadelphia in early 2001. We’ll let you know if Lee gets the offer and climbs on board.
• And finally today, Jay Mewes as Shaggy? DVD-Depot would love to see it:

• And so, another big event in View Askew history has come and gone. Vulgarthon 2000‘s in the history books, but our coverage is just heating up. Due to our lack of time and talent when it comes to photography, we’re relying on YOU to send in your pictures from the event for the massive wrapup page we’re in the process of throwing together. We can’t use EVERY shot we get, but we’re hoping to throw up a variety of stuff…Especially candid shots you may have caught of folks outside or around, but of course the usual Q&A shots as well. Anything you think would be a welcome addition to the recap. Also, if you’ve got a funny story to tell or would like to share your tales from the event for possible inclusion in the wrapups section, please feel free to do so. Depending on the response, we’re not positive we can post each and every one, but we’ll get as much up there as we can.

It was great meeting everyone, thanks to all who attended for making it another memorable event. For those of you who missed this one, fret not, there’s more planned from the sound of things. And, as mentioned above, our own coverage of the event is coming soon…As soon as things settle down and the haze of only sleeping for 2 hours last night wears off. Until then….

• Well it almost seemed like the day was going to fly by without any View Askew 5 news to share with ya – Luckily, Kevin ran down the cast for the new flick by allowing audience members to shout out actors names and confirming or denying their involvement with View Askew 5. And boy oh boy, do we have some great casting news for you:

• The thon’s over now, by the way, and we’re tired as hell. It’s close to 2 AM and we’re gotta get up at 6 AM so I can be at work at a decent hour tomorrow. Before we go, though, here’s a few more VA5 tidbits. Enjoy!
• Randal and Dante will serve as bookends and open and close the movie.
• The budget for the film is estimated at 15 million, the highest budget for a View Askew production so far (Dogma came in around 10 million).
• The majority of the filming will take place in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, with the final week of filming taking place in New Jersey. Extras will be needed and Kevin plans to announce how to be a part of that sometime in January. We’re not sure if extras will be needed on both coasts or just for the California stuff. We’ll keep ya posted.