• Big news today for a longtime friend of View Askew, and one of our favorite Askewers: Yes, JASON LEE will be starring in a new pilot sitcom for NBC! Where’d THIS come from? We’re floored!

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Jason Lee, a frequent collaborator with filmmaker Kevin Smith, has been tapped to play the title role in the NBC comedy pilot, “My Name Is Earl.”

The show centers on a low-rent crook (Lee) who, after winning the lottery, decides to use his limited yet oddly effective intelligence to right the wrongs he has made in his life.

Lee’s work with Smith includes “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy” and “Dogma.”

Wow, does this ever sound like the perfect fit for Lee. Let’s hope Jason is one of the Vulgarthon guests and we can all grill him on this big announcement in person soon. Stay tuned…

• Now available for preorder only from the Stash, with a special signed Vairant cover exclusive to us:

Order it HERE!

• Apparently, Clerks was playing in a stage version
  in Ireland a few weeks ago. One fan has a brief report:

• Kevn has just revealed the 4th of the 5 programs to screen at Vulgarthon next month…Our personal favorite View Askew production: “Chasing Amy”. A really excellent choice, in our opinion. Here’s Kevin’s announcement, then we’ve got more to talk to you about:

Alright, now, let’s summarize this event in what we know for fact, what we are guessing, and some big rumors. For a fact:

• 5 films: 4 of which are “Chasing Amy”, “Big Helium Dog” (first time on the west coast), “Now You Know” (first time on the west coast), and “Oh, What a Lovely Tea Party” (The Jay & Bob documentary, first time seen ANYWHERE).
• TWO Q&A sessions recorded for inclusion on DVDs: The Chasing Amy 10th Anniversary DVD Q&A, and the “Now You Know” Q&A. THREE Q&A sessions yet unknown for the other features.
• Something related to “Clerks 2” is going to happen at the event.

Alright, let’s try and connect some dots now. Please remember all this is just speculation, however, a VERY strong possibility:

• ALMOST CERTAIN to be celebrity guests, in addition to Kevin, in order of probability: Jason Mewes, Jen Schwalbach, Scott Mosier, Jeff Anderson, Brian O’Halloran, Jason Lee
• POSSIBLE BIG GUESTS (due to the reveal of the Chasing Amy Q&A): Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Dwight Ewell

Now, the above stuff we gotta say is pretty darn likely. Then there’s the big surprises that Kevin always likes to save for the event itself. We expect big announcements regarding the Clerks sequel, at the very least. Will there be some footage for us to see? Will something for the film actually be filmed THERE? So many possibilities.

To help assist those of you attending the event in connecting with other fans, and finding fun things to do the weekend before showtime, we’ve set aside a special section of the News Askew Forums meant ONLY for those of you attending the event. Feel free to discuss anything about the ‘thon in there, and use the three sticky threads at the top for posting about Saturday events, Sunday events, and lodging. Let us know if you have any other topics you’d like to see stuck at the top of the forum. We’ll do our best to answer any questions there that we can as well. By the by – We’re still putting together our own travel plans, but WILL be attending this event and providing full real time coverage for News Askew. Can’t wait to meet you all.

We can say one thing for SURE: This is the can’t miss View Askew event of 2005. We have no idea how many of the 850 seats are gone, but we’re expecting that we’ll be posting up that SOLD OUT sign any day now, so don’t delay — Get your tickets reserved before you regret missing out.

• Yes, Kevin’s first episode of Degrassi has come and gone on CTV, premeiring last night. While we sadly can’t give you the episode to
  download here at News Askew, we’re happy to have some screencaps for your viewing pleasure. If anyone catches wind of a torrent or other means of grabbing
  the episode, we’re sure talkbackers everywhere will be your new best friend (hint hint!).

And, in case you’re looking for more of a Canadian TV fix before the next episode airs, Kevin will be appearing on the Vicki Gabereau talk show in
beautiful Vancouver this week. It tapes today and will air on Thursday at 1pm P.T. on CTV. The taping and airing schedule is online
HERE.

And finally, kind words on the episode from Canada’s “The Globe And Mail”:

• Vincent Pereira will appear at the Carolina Film and Video Festival to screen his modern Askew classic “A Better Place”. At 2pm on
  Thursday, February 24th, ABP will be screened in the Jarrell Lecture Hall on the campus of UNC Greensboro (free admission). Immediately following the
  film, Vincent will answer questions and lecture. See this page for more info. If you’re in the area,
  you’ll have a blast — See a great film and meet Vincent, all for free!
• Jason Mewes is appearing on MTV’s The Osbournes this week. In the episode, the whole family takes a trip to Hawaii. Mewes is a friend of
  son Jack, and seems to have been along for the ride. Several shots throughout the episode show Jason throwing the moves on a couple very attractive
  strippers the boys met at a local club (what a surprise!).
• We think we see a Buddy Christ in the last frame of web comic Sinfest today.
• Starz has begun to show Jersey Girl in their promos for films coming soon to air. We’re guessing it’ll begin airing uncut there sometime
  late this month or in March. We’ll keep ya posted! Later for now!

• Alright, so you’re on the fence with ‘thon and keep debating buying your ticket. Maybe you think the price is too much for flicks you’ve already seen? Maybe you’re not sure you can get away from work? Well, let’s just clarify a few things, as this latest announcement from Kevin confirms that this is a CAN’T MISS EVENT. Not only has he confirmed 3 films that we’re almost POSITIVE you’ve yet to see (including one WE haven’t even witnessed yet), but promised amazing special guests and 2 more surprises (the words “Clerks 2” have been whispering through the offices)…Yes, this is the ONE EVENT a fan will not want to miss. History will be made. Here’s Kevin:

Order at our official order page or the store page. Both will work. Remember: ONE TICKET per order (but order as many times as you like) And TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!

We’re working on travel plans for the event as we speak, and also plan to open up an area of our forums exclusively for those of who will be attending the event. Stay tuned for a lot more Vulgarthon coverage, as the exciting event is now less than 2 months away.

• With today being the big premiere of Kevin’s Degrassi episode stint, more press on the big event has been coming our way. Here’s the
  latest piece from Canoe.com’s Jam:

• Kevin did a few quick minutes on the Kevin & Bean Show in Los Angeles this morning (sorry for the late notice, we know a lot of you
  may have missed it)…But hey, we’ll make good on it. We’ve got the full audio in MP3 format of Kevin’s chat with the DJs, where he announces Vulgarthon,
  and hints at BIG GUESTS (Jason Lee, perhaps?) — Plus, we didn’t know the Arclight had a BAR INSIDE?!?!? Hmmmm! Could get ugly. Click
  HERE to listen to the bit, which runs around 6 minutes total.
• Check out what we BELIEVE will be the the bad ABC TV edit of Mallrats on Thursday at 8am EST on the USA Network (we’re not sure if they got just the
  bleeped version or the ABC edit). It doesn’t air much anymore so it’s worth a shot. This cut has some alternate, different scenes from the theatrical cut,
  as well as some HILARIOUS overdubbing. Don’t miss it if you’ve never seen it.
• In his Sundance wrapup, Roger Ebert cites the lack of excitement at
  Sundance this year, naming Kevin as being in attendance but longing for someone of his celebrity to actually be presenting at the festival.
• Vulgarthon’s so big, it even made the newswire today! See ya next
  time…And read just below for Vulgarthon ticket info. Yes, they’re on sale…But how long til they SELL OUT!??!!? Better buy NOW!

• Just a reminder, folks, or in case you missed the big news on Friday: VULGARTHON WEST IS ON, and tickets are NOW ON SALE!!!! This is the
  most exciting event to come up in a long time, and for west coasters, probably the most exciting View Askew event…EVER! We hope to see folks from all
  parts of the country (heck, the WORLD!) represented, but only 850 of you are gonna get a ticket in time. Ready? Here’s details:

Vulgarthon 2005 at the Historic Arclight Cinerama Dome!

After years of bitching and moaning “When, Lord?! When’s it gonna be our time?!” the West Coast is finally getting in on all the sweet, sweet Vulgarthon action! A little piece of Red Bank comes to Los Angeles, as View Askew takes over the historic Cinerama Dome for one day only – Monday, March 28th, 2005!

Peep out 5 flicks never before screened in the Dome! Marvel as special guest speakers provide A’s for your Q’s after each screening!

And what flicks and which guests are in store for you? Sorry – we’re keeping it all a secret ’til showtime! But we promise: the flicks and the guests will be gooooooood…

“Seventy five fucking bucks?!” you’re asking. “I mean, Jesus – do I get a blowjob with that entry fee, or what?!” Well, no – but you do get a sweet, souvenir t-shirt!

The Details:

Date: Monday, March 28th, 2005

Time: 10:00am – Midnight (ie – all day)

Location:

The Historic Arclight Cinerama Dome

6360 West Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, California

Tickets:

Tickets for this event are $75.00 each and are only available at:

http://www.viewaskew.com/vthon2005

or

http://store.vulgarthon2005.com/vu20ti.html

LIMIT ONE TICKET PER ORDER!!

Do not call the Arclight or the Cinerama Dome for tickets.

VULGARTHON 2005 TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!!

There are only 850 seats available, so order now!

So, uhhhh…If you want a ticket – GO NOW! No, don’t read the next news story! Come back and do that later! GET THAT TICKET NOW! Look forward to meeting
all 850 of you folks out there. As long as we can find an air carrier reasonably priced enough to have us. Stay tuned for more Vulgarthon 2005 coverage,
news, etc right here. News Askew and View Askew are your official V-Thon 2005 headquarters on the web!