…The personal connections continued in the episode “Drivers Ed,” in which Veronica returns to the convenience store and meets clerk Duane Anders, played by writer/director Kevin Smith (”Clerks,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma”).

Smith comes to “Mars” because of his friendship with producer Dan Etheridge, who has acted in three of Smith’s films: “Dogma,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” (with Smith as Silent Bob) and “Jersey Girl.”

“We were talking about the show,” Smith says, “and I said, ‘Hey, dude, I’ll be happy to go on any time you want me to come on.’ He said, ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’ A week later, he’s going, ‘OK, how about the second episode?’

“When you meet me, I’m a guy who works at a convenience store that was the last stop for the driver before he went off the cliff. I’m capitalizing on the disaster. It’s not that I’m a mean guy, but I’m kind of a capitalist.”

After filming, Smith found time to actually watch season one of “Veronica Mars.” Calling in after seeing six episodes, he says, “It’s awesome.

“It’s proof that TV can be way better than movies. It’s phenomenal. Kristen’s a great actress, cast is really tight, great writing, crisp plotting. I think it’s the best show on TV right now.”

Hollywood star Ben Affleck plans to turn his back on his acting career in the future and concentrate on politics. The Good Will Hunting star, who is expecting his first child with his wife Jennifer Garner, has been an outspoken supporter of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, and he showed his political leanings when he attended last year’s Democratic National Convention. He tells Fox News, “I’m interested in politics and like to be involved with them.”

“There is a line halfway through the new NBC series “My Name is Earl” (Tuesdays at 9 pm/8 pm Central time) that perfectly captures the show’s ludicrousness and its hope. Earl, the hero, is a shifty-eyed no-gooder. One day, he wins the lottery, has a life-threatening accident, and decides (with an assist from the Carson Daly’s late-night show) to right every wrong he has ever done in his life. He begins with Kenny, the elementary school geek whom he tortured for the better part of their childhood. Kenny now has a good job and a nice home but no companion. Enter Earl, intending to rectify the situation.”