• Hey folks…Just a quick reminder on a policy we’ve got here. We try and be a positive site, and to keep the very personal affairs of our friends in the Askewniverse off the site. Regardless of the size of the news, we just like to use some journalistic integrity and keep that type of stuff off the page. Thanks for understanding.

• 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:

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).

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:

$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.
• Looks like Mallrats is airing earlier than expected on FX (and perhaps all month long!). It ran at noon today, and will likely run more this month. Check your local listings for dates and times, we’ll try and dig some up for ya too.
• 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!
• A few minor mentions in Stuff Magazine: On page 46, they list some of their favorite movie lines and have Jason Mewes quoted from Dogma, “I feel like I’m Han solo, you’re Chewie, she’s Ben Kenobi, and we’re in that fucked up bar!”
• Attention UK residents: Chasing Amy will be aired on Channel 4, Wednesday the 15th at 23:55. It’s being shown in widescreen. They’ve got quite a big write up on their web-site as well:

• There’s a new poll up at Premiere.com. “Kevin Smith – Stud or Dud?” At presstime, he seems to be quite the stud (100%).
• Chris Rock’s Australian promotional tour for “Down To Earth” continues. This Wenesday (the 8th of August) the Comedy Channel (http://www.thecomedychannel.com.au) will air a special on him at 9 PM. Some Jay and Silent Bob footage was shown in the promo, so there will likely be a mention of the new film.
• Finally today, sounds like Quick Stop might have gained themselves a new hire. This story comes to us from The Scoop News: