…Earlier this year he did two new things: first, he started offering additional podcasts, both from himself and others. It was mainly the rotating cast of close friends of Smith, many of whom have appeared on previous SModcasts, doing their own podcasts, and putting together a Smodcast podcast network. And, I’ve actually become hooked on those as well — even though I never thought I’d care what Smith’s friends had to say on anything (though, ironically, on a recent episode of one of these podcasts, the Tell ’em Steve-Dave show, the hosts came out supporting John Mellencamp on his recent confused anti-internet statements, with Walt suggesting that anyone who downloads unauthorized content should have their computers destroyed on the spot). The second thing he did was he took SModcast on the road, with a series of live shows at various venues (including the Improv in Hollywood). Yes, this was basically still him sitting around, chatting with Scott Mosier about whatever he felt like chatting about… but people were paying to see them do it live.

Once again… giving away the infinite goods for free… and realizing he could sell the scarce good (seats/access). In fact, as expected, the infinite goods help make those scarce goods more valuable. The reason why people want to go see Kevin Smith literally have a random conversation with a close friend is because of all those free Smodcasts they listen to.

And now he’s taken even that to another level. After the success of some of the other podcasts and the live shows, Smith set up a Smodcastle theater in Los Angeles, where he not only will regularly perform Smodcasts, but has a whole host of other podcasts being recorded as well. Hell, he’ll even host weddings there for a large fee — where he’ll turn your wedding into a podcast where he’ll interview the bride and groom before officiating their wedding. Seriously.

See TechDirt for the whole thing, a highly recommended read.

And while you’re getting your free fix, don’t forget, even if your cable or satellite provider doesn’t offer Epix, you can sign up for a FREE TRIAL and watch Kevin’s “Too Fat For 40” on demand, online RIGHT NOW at their web site. And if your provider doesn’t have the channel, give them a buzz and ask them why (or call to sign on up, the content is fantastic).

Another quality RED STATE evenin’. Tonight, we badger Matt Jones. 45 mins of footage cut. We’re halfway done. Parks & Leo & ALL crushing it.

Via @Stevezie “Filming?” 10 days left. Editorially, I’m current w/what’s shot – so at the wrap party, the crew can watch the entire flick.

Act 2 is all about self-sufficiency: relying solely on one’s own abilities to achieve & satisfy. No more intermediates; no more middle-men.

Via @thewoodyatt “Happy with RED STATE so far?” SO fucking happy. There’s not a weak link in this bunch… #FilmmakingTheWayItShouldAlwaysBe

As of today, “Red State” finishes filming in just 8 days. Yep, it’s gone by THAT fast. Given the total genre change, the lower budget, and the great casting, we can’t remember the last time we were this excited to see new footage and film from Kevin — We love the boldness of this project, and can’t wait to cover more as it all comes together. Next stop should be a final edit of the film, and then, a release date. We’ll keep you posted.

Listen to a brand new JAY & SILENT BOB GET OLD: http://www.smodcast.com/getold Then come see us in VEGAS! http://jayandsilentbobgoallin.com

On Fridays, nothing sucks – especially not @BryAndWalt on a brand spankin’ new TELL ‘EM, STEVE-DAVE! http://smodcast.com

Stick a brand new #SMODCAST in your ears! SModcast 139: SMod 3D Double Platinum! 2 episodes in 1! Listen in: http://smodcast.com/main.html

Learn about the TRANNYFORMERS (robots in disguise) in a brand new HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON – with me & @RalphGarman: http://smodcast.com/babbleon

You wanna go, pretty-boy – or are those Jofas cemented on? #PuckNuts 4 is ready to drop the gloves: http://www.smodcast.com/pucknuts

Hear this week’s episodes of SMODCAST – PUCK NUTS – and HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON! Free-for-nothin’! http://smodcast.com

Don’t miss all the latest episodes, still 100% free, available via the SModcast network. And, of course, you gotta come see the castle up close and personal. Tickets available today.

So, here’s the wrapup: Kevin had a first that night, of taking just a single question, which was “What was it like directing Bruce Willis?”, and working it into a full 3.5 hours of extended new stories…Some told at previous live gigs, some brand new. At the end of that, Kevin rolled out a fantastic 3D birthday cake, made into the likeness of his famous self-photo taken on Southwest Airlines, then left the stage.

Immedately after, Kevin was BACK on stage for an encore, which took form of a more rapid-fire Q&A with audience members…Almost like an entire second show, which ran another couple of hours. If any of you have photos or highlights to add from the Q&A segment, be sure to drop us a line.

Above, you’ll find a photo of that awesome cake from Kevin himself, as well as some photos courtesy of EpixHD, who will be airing what we presume will be an edited version of the event, featuring mainly the 3.5 hour “stand up” portion and then perhaps some highlghts of the Q&A. Details to follow on that.

As the photos show, a highlight of the show was the amazing custom built set. Now, the Basie is giving fans a chance to own a piece of it! To bid, surf here for all the details. Items include the main store signs, window decals, poster, and more. Details on how to bid are included on the page, but it basically is being done silent auction style via e-mail, except with high bids to be revealed a few times each day at this link. The auction will run through Friday, August 13th, at noon. This is a historic show and a beautiful set, and best of all, 100% of the proceeds will benefit the fantastic Count Basie’s restoration fund. Good luck!

Whether you’re a local, or just a Vegas fan who gets to town, you might want to schedule your next trip and have a chance to catch the guys doing their thing, live. The location can’t be beat (it’s in a newly finished area just north of the MGM Grand, right on the strip, and next to an ABC liquor store). Get to Vegas, get your tix, and walk on in. You won’t find a funnier night’s worth of entertainment anywhere in town.

The first shows kick off this August 12th and 13th, and go on sale this Friday, June 10th, at 10 AM. At $37.50 in advance and $42.50 at the door, it’s a real bargain, especially for a Vegas show.

More details at Las Vegas Broadway World.

Via @OnslaughtSix “doing a horror movie w/John Goodman?” His first day’s tomorrow! We start him off by showing him the whole flick thus far.

Halfway through an awesome night on RED STATE. Day 1 of John Goodman had to be on a Friday: as we all know, he don’t role on Shabbos.

Via @OhDominickWhy “Is John Goodman awesome as we all think?” The entire crew was behind the monitors today, watching. The man is BELOVED…

Via @comicwizard “are you filming in chronological order” Pretty much. We’re at around 52 minutes right now, with 8 days left to shoot.

Via @NicoleJane_x “Kyle Gallner’s in RED STATE?” In it, on it, all over it. He sprayed it all over the flick’s face & rack, too. It was hot.

In the 70’s, they made exploitation flicks about devil worship. We flip it on RED STATE – so it’s an exploitation flick about angel worship.

Via @Moosack “So it’s a…Churchploitation?” More like Christploitation – a concept that, sadly, extends far beyond a dopey film genre…

Via @Photo_Tony “do you have a distributor for RED STATE?” Nah. Sundance in January, if possible. From there, we’ll see the lay of the land.

Via @GWBiscuit “what’s the expected runtime of RED STATE?” Feeling like 80 or 85 mins, when all’s said & done.

Via @LuredoMarbery “Think critics will dissect RED’s moral content?” They pay to see it, they can dissect whatever they want.

Via @ToastedSchizo “How graphic so far, violence-wise?” You won’t forget our first kill. Guar-an-teed…

RED STATE UPDATE: Up north fighting some inclement weather for 1st day of Cooper Compound. Just down the road, JJ’s SUPER 8 works in secret.

Empire Online also continues to piece together nice articles about the film using the tweets and quotes from Kevin. If you’re an avid follower here at News Askew, there’s not really anything new there, but it’s a neatly-packaged update on the latest from the world of “Red State”. We’ll of course keep you up to date here — Expect news of a wrap later this week, and then, festival plans to come soon after. It’s times like this that we really hate living on the east coast, as we’re betting we might be able to worm our ways into an early screening out west once Kev has this sucker chopped together.

In anticipation of the premiere, Kevin will take part in a Q&A, streamed live at epixHD.com on the same day at 3:00pm ET. You’ll be able to watch LIVE and pose your own questions for him to answer about his past and future works, and the standup special.

For a preview, check out this exclusive clip of Kevin talking talking about his infamous incident with Southwest Airlines:

You don’t have to be an Epix subscriber for the Saturday afternoon Q&A, but we WOULD like to offer our readers a free, two week sneak peek of Epix (which includes the Kevin special) by using this link: http://epixhd.com/freetrial. That will allow you to see the full performance this Saturday as well.

For more clips, visit the offical site, which features a new tour through Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash and other looks at the special.