Metro Toronto: “Smith’s Degrassi high: Director’s stint on series fulfils dream”
“…”I called up (Degrassi: The Next Generation executive producer) Linda Schuyler and said, ‘I would kill or die to write and direct and episode,’” he
told Metro. “She said well, you can’t, you’re not Canadian … I’ve been told no before, but that was the best time.”
Smith understood the Telefilm rules which restrict key roles in government-funded Canadian productions to Canuck talent, but he managed to come up with a
backup plan. He would play himself in three episodes written around a fictional sequel to his film Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, which Smith would film
at Degrassi High. The director would also bring along his potty-mouthed friend and perpetual co-star Jason Mewes (Jay of Jay And Silent Bob fame) along to
Canada to make the fictional movie.”
CTV: “Kevin Smith lives out his Degrassi fantasy”
…”In tonight’s episode, Smith has Alanis Morissette in his fictitious movie starring as a hoser high school principal. The Canadian superstar musician
has appeared before in a Smith movie, in a small but pivotal role in Dogma. Smith says he was sure she would work with him again.
“I mean, she owed me for heaven’s sakes: I did cast her as God. I always hold that over her head. I’ll be like, ‘Can you come out and do something?’ ‘No.’ And I’m like, ‘I cast you as God!’”
“I told her I was going to be doing the Degrassi episodes. She knew what a huge fan I was, so she was like. ‘I gotta be there. If you’re going to geek out, I’ve got to see that.’ It’s not like she was even in town doing something. She flew up exclusively to do that and took off afterwards.”
Smith adds it’s a pleasure to work with Morissette.
“She is just a phenomenal person, very bright, smart, wonderful, gorgeous, sexy, an incredible spirit. Most people don’t know because they just listen to the music, but she’s really funny.”
The final episode starring Smith will air next week, on Valentine’s Day, at 8 p.m. ET.
