- We made the correction, but in case you missed it — Kevin’s “Kevin and Bean” appearance was actually on the Tuesday, November 6th program. Hope we didn’t lead anyone on a wild goose chase, there. The link from yesterday is still valid.
- An immediate answer to our Clerks II inaction figures query from yesterday — Current targets have the new set showing up in late Spring, 2008. So, sorry, not in time for the holidays this year. We’re sure that the gang wants a quality product, so the wait will be worth it. These things actually go through a lot of testing and approvals with test molds before the final models are produced. We’ll keep you posted on the progress.
Author Archive
New Stash Swag & Fantastic Specials!
- New swag’s shown up at our online superstore, Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. Now’s the time to get those early holiday orders in and beat the rush. Now shipping in late November and up for pre-order are the sure to be popular View Askew Christmas cards. These cards are rare, and never before available for anyone but friends, family, and staffers. $19.95 per set.
Two new Clerks II shirts also quietly showed up this week, including Jay’s famous moment and an unforgettable image from that great dance sequence. Shirts are black and run $18.00 and up.
The choices are more staggering than ever at the online store, with prices suited for budgets large and small. Heck, you can get an authentic Mooby’s cup for just $1.99. Signed copies of the new book. Signed DVDs for movies Askew and non-Askew. Tons of exclusive variant action figures. If you haven’t been to the store in a while, surf on over.
While you’re there, make note of the fantastic closeout specials on the front page, including one of the best bargains we have ever seen — These ceramic bookends adorn both our offices at home and are among the pride of our collections. A total steal at $29.99, marked down over 75%!
Finally, we know that you’re as anxious as we are to get your mitts (or a look) at the Clerks II inaction figures. At presstime, we still can’t confirm any release or pre-order dates, but we’re hopeful that if Kevin and Ming have a moment, they may share some new info with us (or maybe some more pics). We’d sure love to see them making their way under fan’s trees this holiday season. We’ll keep you posted, as we cruise into the busiest swag sale time ‘o the year.
View Askew NewsBites™
- Attention, Facebook recruits! If you ran over to Facebook to join up with Kevin’s new site, you might need to move to his new location. The original account was a lower level that permitted only 5,000 friends, which of course Kevin had in no time. So, move your butt over to the new location with unlimited accounts, as the original one will be closing up shortly. We do apologize for any inconvenience.
- Kevin called into KROQ radio’s “Kevin and Bean” morning show on Monday to discuss the writers’ strike. Podbean now hosts podcast (MP3) versions of the program, so the call-in can be heard at their library. It’s the show dated November 6th, 2007. The site allows you to download or stream. Kevin’s appearance is mentioned in the loglines for that day.
What’s Up With Stash West, Zack & Miri, & More…
- Stash West returns to California in mere days, as part of the great Laser Blazer DVD store in LA. Certainly sounds like a match made in heaven to us — Now, a one-stop shop for your comics, Askew goodies, and the latest DVD releases. Wow. Kevin says:
We’re re-opening Nov. 19th at our new location!Anyone who’s read “My Boring-Ass Life” knows that I’m a big, fat DVD junkie, and that my pusher is Ron, who runs Laser Blazer – the best DVD store in Los Angeles (if not the world). As you might’ve read in the last big blog entry, rather than see us close up shop on the West Coast, someone offered the Secret Stash West a new home. That someone was Ron. That home is inside Laser Blazer.
So for the last two weeks or so, Ron’s been pulling out all the stops, demolishing a large section of his store to make room for the Stash…
We’re betting they’ll plan something very special for fans kind enough to attend the grand opening — Watch this site for details on what’s to come, in just a bit over 2 short weeks. It’ll be the perfect chance to pick up some Christmas gifts for you and yours. Congrats to Stash West on the new location!
More on Kevin’s week over at the Myspace blog. This week, he reveals he’ll once again (alas) miss the chance to direct an episode of the awesome “Battlestar Galactica” due to the “Zack and Miri Make A Porno” shooting schedule. The Pittsburgh production office is now officially open, so let the production talk begin! No confirmed casting yet, though we can bet the floodgates are going to open any day now — Not just with the two leads, but some nice supporting roles as well. The guys manage to do very well with the faces in the flicks, we’re expecting some pleasant surprises.
Myspace friends – Check out Kevin’s new Facebook account. Spread the word! For the uninitiated, Facebook is the new contender to Myspace — Pretty much the same services, just gaining popularity.
Auctions Askew Brings More Exclusives!
- If you want to be the envy of your pals, the way to go is Auctions Askew — Exclusive View Askew trinkets from cinematic history, with certificates of authenticity to prove it. Plus, the joy of watching your favorite Askew flicks and pointing and stuff that’s sitting in the room right in front of you. Fun, right? This time around, a new round of history, featuring props from Clerks II, Jersey Girl, a Dogma cast and crew shirt, even an ultra-rare triple-signed promotional poster from Kevin himself. We’re really digging that authetic notebook from Jersey Girl, complete with all the pages intact relating to the scenes.
View them all and place those bids at the Auctions Askew website. Join the legions of happy fans who own authentic View Askew props. Most studios lock these sorts of things up, never to be seen again — Major “props” to Kevin for giving his biggest fans the chance to take home a piece of history for themselves.
View Askew NewsBites™
- SModcast returns with another new episode today — Writer’s strikes be damned! Kevin returns with special guest Jason Mewes for a Jay & Bob-cast, another near-hour of entertainment and musings. While it’s unsure on what the schedule will become when “Zack and Miri” kicks into full gear, it’s nice to see Kevin keeping with the scheduile, the best reason to look forward to Mondays every week. This edition:
SModcast 36: I’ll Stop the World and Melt with Mewes –In which a pair of relics from mid-90’s pop culture talk about getting old and boring, examine the conditions under which sexual congress with the breathing challenged might be acceptable, discuss the alternative brances of a family tree, and take “Paper or plastic?”to a whole new level.
Note – SModcasts that have started airing on XM during the weekends have, for some reason, had some or all of the music contained in them removed. We assume this may be a rights issue. Next episode brings us SModcast #37, which we can’t help but think will have some sort of significance and surprises. - Props come in today from a fan who enjoyed Malc’s “Small Town, Gay Bar” via the new Netflix streaming media player — The quality’s as good as getting the DVD, but immediate and direct to your PC as a Netflix subscriber. Check out the technology, and Malcs acclaimed documentary, today!
- We’re big Jason Lee fans around here, so we’re always happy to report new film work for the guy — Especially this latest one, “The Other Side”, which looks to be a fantasy film for adults , a big change from all that kid-friendly fare he’s been doing lately. The loglines, cast, and fantasy nature have us intrigued. We’ll keep you posted on the latest updates.
- Speaking of stuff to watch DVD, check out the funny turn by our own Jason Mewes in “The Tripper”, now in stores for rental or purchase. The horror/comedy marks the directorial debut of David Arquette, and the first in a recent string of genre turns for Mewes.
Zack Is Locked…Miri’s Close!
Graves Mini-Interview: Luke Esterkyn
AN INTERVIEW WITH LUKE ESTERKYN (FROM THE BAND STROKE 9)
BY CHRIS GRAVES
Chris Graves: Can you give me a little background on the band Stroke 9 and yourself?
Luke Esterkyn: Stroke 9 was born out of a great assignment back in high school in Northern California. The idea was tocreate a band and write a few tunes in order to learn another side of the creative process. It was alot offun and because of it I found out what I wanted to do with my life. The class ended but a few of us kept theband going pretty much all through college and as time went on the band was pretty happening in the San Fran scene. We had some great times back then. San Francisco was rife with rock, all kinds of bands and I guess there was somewhat of a S.F.”sound” developing and it was great being a part of that. Lots of fun…
CG: Is there a special meaning behind the band’s name?
LE: The name Stroke 9 comes from T.S. Eliot poem called “The Wasteland”. It just seemed like a cool name. Since it came from something literary it was kinda like we weren’t your average everyday rock and rollers. We figured, “Hey,we quoted T.S. Eliot dude” so we must know what’s up. Oh, to be young and naive again.
CG: How did Stroke 9 get involved with both the film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and the film’s soundtrack?
LE: The Jay and Silent Bob deal came through cuz I guess Kevin Smith had been looking for a “theme” type song for that particular scene in the movie. Apparently he heard the song and that was it for him. The song had an apt title as well. “Kick Some Ass” doesn’t really leave that much to the imagination. It’s right in your face, no? The “Kick Some Ass” sequence is one of the more memorable parts in the film so we hit on the idea to have them in the video we shot for the song as well. They were such cool guys and we had a blast working with them.
CG: What was your experience like on set with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith during the filming of the “Kick Some Ass” music video?
LE: Well like I said before, working with those two was so much fun. Stroke 9 has always had that tongue in cheek element to the band, so we all got along famously. It’s good to see professionals who take their craft seriously but not themselves so much. We worked very hard but it was all worth it.
CG: Did the placement of the song “Kick Some Ass” in the film’s ending bring a smile to your face?
LE: We had somewhat of an idea what he was using the song for in the movie but when we saw it, you couldn’t help but smile. Classic scene. It’s amazing how many people have that movie on their personal favs list. It’s very gratifying to have been a part of it.
CG: Do you have a favorite View Askew/Kevin Smith film (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back excluded)?
LE: Hmmm that’s tough. Besides the obvious choice cuz we were a part of it, I would have to go o.g. and say Clerks. That scene between Jay, Silent Bob and Olaf the Russian cousin singing “Berserker” is all time.
CG: What is Stroke 9 up to these days?
LE: Stroke 9 has just released a new album called “The Last of the International Playboys”. Among fans it’s really becoming a favorite. The album has such a cool vibe about it. Everyone seems to be responding to this album in the most positive way. Every review of “Playboys” has been stellar so far and we are just so proud of it. Recording it took a while but the band really stuck it out and we produced a wonderful record. Go check it out. You will NOT be disappointed! Stroke 9 has also started recording the follow-up so hopefully that won’t be as long in the making. On top of that, we will be touring this year and next in support of “Playboys” so come check us out! It’s a helluva good time!
Once again, thanks to the boys on both sides for another good sit-down. More to come.
View Askew NewsBites™
- What’s Kevin have to say about the “Heroes: Origins” cancellation? This simple line:
May be temporary, may be permanent. Either way, I’ve still got three quarters of a script done (we weren’t gonna be shooting ’til March), so if they decide game on at a later date, I’ll be ready.
We’re betting the story will see the light of day, eventually, somehow. Even if it’s only in a NBC-funded comic form. We’ll keep you posted on the project, of course. - If you’re missing the coolest new show of the season, now is the time to catch up! “Reaper” has now been made available for purchase and download this week on iTunes. All episodes so far are now up there, including Kevin’s and the 5 subsequent episodes. The show’s starting to run its larger arc now, with some interesting subplots carrying over each week. Now’s the time to get on board if you’re not already watching.
- A slight correction to our Alanis newsbite from last update — In regards to your recent post about Alanis. After J&SBSB and Dogma, she did appear in one more film. While dating Ryan Reynolds, she had a role in his movie “Just Friends”. Oddly enough, that movie takes place in Jersey. Enjoy your weekend. We’ll check back in with any breaking news.
That “Zack & Miri” Title Thing…
- More fuel to the speculation regarding a title change for the new flick came today, when Variety called it “Zach and Miri” in their article running down all the films that have been greenlit (some in very short order) to get them in the pipeline pre-strike. IMDB has been running a similar title. So what’s the deal? Here’s what we know and think.
Kevin mentioned that he was “on it” when a board user recently pointed out the title change at IMDB. Could the word “Porno” be a bit too edgy in today’s film world? While we can see that it would raise eyebrows, this is a R-rated raunchy comedy we’re talking about here — Certainly not any more taboo than using the word “Virgin” in the title of a very recent blockbuster. Heck, around 20 years ago studios released a flick called “Whore”. So, we expect and hope that the title will stick. As for the whole Zack/Zach thing, with the double spelling, it could go either way. Kevin’s early drafts used the K version, though we noticed that both zackandmiri.com as well as zachandmiri.com were purchased for online use a few months back. So, we’ll see. We’re hoping for good news with the title, as just the names don’t sell it as well. At least, in our opinion. Sure, the movie will still be the same movie, but we think “Zack And Miri Make A Porno” immediately lends itself a lot of press and notice. Never a bad thing.
So, the writer’s strike continues to make stuff interesting — With the news that a new X-Files movie will debut this Spring, this writing strike has all kinds of crazy stuff going on, doesn’t it? We’ll keep you posted on the View Askew world and what, if any, the strike will change. So far, business as usual.