• Crave Online gives the book a glowing review. Here’s a snippet:

  “…Unabashedly raw and completely unapologetic, Kevin Smith pushes the low-brow humor to an all-time high with his Mosier chats.

  A few random Smodquotes:

  – “I’m the kind of guy you want to cut open like a f*****g Tauntaun and sleep inside of!”

  – “If you’re too old to believe in Santa, you can’t believe in magic…. or Jesus.”

  – ” I could eat that. It tastes like pee, but I’ll eat it…”

  – “Better a gay Batman than no Batman at all.”

  If you don’t laugh out loud while reading this book, you’re either illiterate or Kathie Lee Gifford is your brand of humor. The easily-offended certainly need not apply. If you’ve seen Smith’s films, you should know precisely what to expect from a man who’s already sold millions of copies of a book where he recounts his morning bowel movements in excruciating detail.”

• GeeksOfDoom.com runs their own exclusive excerpt from the book, and offers up 3 chances to win your own copy. Their bits come from SModcast #54: “SModder’s Day”.
• Finally, MTV News refers to the man as “Funny, Rauchy and Cool” during a recent 60 minute interview they conducted.

More SModcast press as it comes in — This has all been fantastic exposure for Kevin’s work, appearances, the book, and of course, the SModcast show itself. As they march towards historic episode #100, we can’t help but guess of what might be planned. With Kevin touring the nation, it might even just be another standard episode, and you know what – that’s just fine with us. Thanks for the continued free entertainment, guys — And congrats on the book.

• Via @PHazy87 “how is editing of the new flick going?” We’re down to 1:44. I’ll show the studio near end of October, then start testing it.
• Dear @jimmyfallon, Thanks 4 putting me on TV last night. But fair’s fair: next time, I wear the blindfold and YOU shove balls into MY mouth.
• Via @hudo59 “any plans to come to australia for a evening with? big following down here” Waiting for opening at Sydney Opera House. Serious.
• Granted, I worship at the Varadi St. Temple, but this is the best piece I’ve read about Gretzky’s stepping down: http://bit.ly/10mX2c

Read it all, including a 6-tweet congratulatory message to Alyssa Milano, more appearance details, and the aftermath of Kevin’s stint in goal today, here at News Askew and of course, instantaneously via the magic of Twitter.

“(SModcast) is my favorite thing in the world right now,” Smith said. “If that’s taken away by virtue of the fact that … money gets involved, I mean we’ve got enough money from our other jobs, we don’t need money for SModcast. Let’s keep that pure and simple and fun. And you know, I don’t know, there’s something kind of neat about it.”

When he’s not catching up with Mosier, Smith also uses SModcast to showcase other friends and collaborators, such as artist (and manager of Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in Red Bank) Walt Flanagan and writer-director Bryan Johnson, as well as Smith’s wife, actress Jennifer Schwalbach, and their daughter, Harley Smith.

“People, for the last two years we’ve been doing it, have been like, ‘Hey, bring in Ben Affleck and bring in Alan Rickman (who both co-starred in Smith’s 1999 film ‘Dogma’),'” Smith said. “On the last movie (the upcoming ‘A Couple of Dicks’) we were shooting with Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan and they’re like, ‘Well do a SModcast with them,’ but that’s not the point. It’s not like a fucking late night show, … it’s just two people sitting around talking, and it’s nothing new, it’s not reinventing the wheel, but we just don’t feel the need to bell and whistle it up, because we feel like, and based on all the reaction from the people who listened and wrote in comments over the last two years, we feel like the special effect or the magic is the content of what’s being talked about.”

Speaking with Smith, it becomes clear that he’d gladly give up his day job for a life of SModcast.

“It’s definitely the purest thing I’m involved in. … It’s beautiful, it’s my favorite thing I do right now, way more so than the films. If I could get away with just doing SModcast for a living, I totally would. Unfortunately, like the (‘An Evening with Kevin Smith’) Q & As, the filmmaking side of what I do for a living fuels it.

“Like, without that filmmaking gig I don’t know if I have anything, really, to talk about. That’s not true, I know I have tons to talk about, I just don’t know if anybody gives a shit at that point. So I stay involved in the film thing, you know, because A: it’s my passion (and) B: it’s what I do, it’s my vocation, but for me the best thing we do right now is SModcast, it just kills me, it’s phenomenal. And it all started just because I wanted to hang out with Mosier a little more.”

Kevin Smith is getting so good at his public speaking ventures, it’s become a second career for him at this point. Hell, he could retire as a director and just tour around the country with his modified stand-up act, entertaining people across the country. You should know that Smith is a talented writer so he’s combined that skill with his gift of gab for the book “Shootin’ the Shit With Kevin Smith” which is out in stores as we speak.

In freewheeling conversations with his friend and producer Scott Mosier (as heard on their top-rated podcast, known as SModcast), we discover — to pick just four random examples of the riches therein — the genesis of Stalin’s Monkey Soldier army, the horrifying tale of Kevin vs. Steak Tartare, how to make bukkake eggs, and how Kevin was once willing to let Alanis Morissette get mugged…

We’ve got an exclusive excerpt from the book below, a conversation titled “Little Outhouse on the Prairie.” I’d like to think we’ve covered a wide range of topics here on JoBlo.com in the 11-something years since we’ve been up-and-running, but I think this is the first time we’ve had a discussion on using a corn cob to wipe your ass on the site.

You can read said passage at JoBlo, or in your very own copy of “Shootin’ The Sh*t with Kevin Smith”, which should be on your nightstand or bookshelf right now, dang it. Get yourself
a signed copy from the Stash.

Fallon’s official site lists Kev as well, so we’re pretty sure this is gospel. Get the popcorn ready and set up those Tivos! Kevin on LATE night where the harbor is a little less safe as far as what’s allowed to be said on TV should be a blast. If you record it, don’t forget this is TECHNICALLY Saturday that Kev will be on, as the time will be 12:35 AM EST/PST.

“Toronto Uh-Oh: it sucks, but I have to cancel and re-schedule Thursday’s T-Dot press and Indigo signing. DICKS is close to the point when I can turn it over to other for temp mix and prep for test in Nov while I go on tour. Edit needs 24 hours of undivided attention.”

Kevin currently predicts he’ll return in late October or early November to sign your books, and hopes to ALSO bring a Q&A into the mix as an added bonus for your patience. We’ll keep ya posted of course.

Smith completed the first six issues and will begin writing another batch of six. “We’re breaking it up into a volume 1, volume 2 kind of thing,” Smith continued. “So the first six issues happen, then there’s a break, and then the next six issues happen, but I don’t know. DC’ll probably ultimately wind up going, ‘Why don’t we just make it two separate miniseries? 1-6 is one thing, and call the next one something else.’ So we may do that. I don’t know, but I know we’re going to stop at six for the time being and take a little break. Then whether or not the next issue is 7 or a new number 1 for a volume 2 miniseries remains to be seen.”

Keeping the audience entertained between sets was Jason Mewes — famous for playing Jay, a pot dealer in the Jay and Silent Bob flicks.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s been great,” said Mewes, between signing autographs for a huge lineup of fans. “(There are) a lot of cool bands (and) a lot of cool people here.”

Between acts, Mewes dutifully told the crowd to “drink water, be safe, recycle and Jesus loves you.”

• Comic Book.com ran a very nice, but spoiler filled, review of Batman : The Widening Gyre #1.
• The St. Louis Examiner also ran a little piece on the first issue right HERE.
• Today’s issue of the Toronto Star ran 2 stories about Kevin’s involvment in the latest Degrassi TV movie and Degrassi as a whole. Check them out HERE and HERE.
• The Kansas City Star is running a poll to determine the best cult film of all time. CLERKS is currently is last place, let’s all get over there and vote to correct this thing.
• And finally today, here’s a uplifting story from the set of A COUPLE OF DICKS courtesy of the Echo Press:

  A DAY WITH DIRECTION

  By: Jo Colvin, Alexandria Echo Press

  Cody Saurdiff never imagined his wildest dream would come true. But it did.

  He got to hang out in a hotel room eating cupcakes and pizza with a guy in a T-shirt, shorts and a bathrobe. What more could a 16-year-old boy wish for?

  Of course, the fact that he was eating junk food with his idol Kevin Smith, a famous film writer, actor and director, in a penthouse suite in New York City with a view of the Statue of Liberty after spending an entire day watching Smith direct a film and getting to act in a scene himself was the icing on the cupcakes.

  We got as much out of that day as we possibly could, said Cody, son of Bob Saurdiff and Barb Saurdiff, both of Alexandria. I spent from 10 a.m. to midnight with my hero. I felt so fulfilled.

  How Cody got there wasnt so fulfilling. But typical of this easy-going, eloquent teen, his quirky sense of humor and his positive attitude helped him take the bumps on the road to New York City in stride.

  MAKING THE BEST OF IT.

  I just kind of accepted it for the most part, Cody said.

  Brave words coming from a kid who just whipped cancer twice.

  Two years ago, Cody was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The tumor was removed and the cancer did not spread. About a year and a half later, a cancerous lump was found in his abdomen.

  The lump was removed, but this time chemotherapy was in order. Complicating this treatment was the fact that Cody doesnt have a very good heart.

  Born with a heart defect called tetralogy of fallot, Cody had heart surgery at 6 months old and pretty much grew up around doctors.

  His five chemotherapy sessions caused him to miss the last two months of his sophomore year. But he didnt let the nausea and hair loss get him down.

  I thought I could have some fun with it, he said of losing his hair. Eventually I had to shave my head. I invited everyone I knew into my basement and I had a friend shave my head. I tried to make the best possible out of an awful situation.

  In the meantime, Bob was trying to do the same thing. He wanted to do something special for his son, so he turned to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for advice never imagining that Cody would qualify.

  I was looking for more help than having them do it, Bob said, thinking that Make-A-Wish was only for terminal illnesses. But they called back and said he was qualified and his wish was granted.

  FILM FREAKS

  Cody didnt hesitate at all when his dad asked what wish he would like granted. He wanted to meet Kevin Smith writer, actor and director of some of Codys favorite movies.

  Referring to his family as film freaks, Cody had been exposed to all types of film in his childhood. But Smiths movies called to him, and made him want to write screenplays himself.

  He has a quiet and intellectual humor he has drawn down to a level that people can understand, Cody explained. His ideas are really fun but really out there. The guy is so articulate. Ive always thought his work was the best thing in the world.

  Only two months after Bob contacted Make-A-Wish, Cody received a letter saying his wish had been accepted. Two weeks later, it was already set up.

  Kevin Smith said yes right on the spot, Cody said.

  On July 23, Cody, his parents and brother, Dillyn, took off for Minneapolis. The next morning a limousine arrived at their motel to transport them to the airport. And when they arrived in New York City, another limousine was waiting.

  You wouldnt believe what they [Make-A-Wish] went through. There was a limousine service everywhere we went and contacts everywhere we went, said a grateful Bob. Someone was with us to help throughout the whole trip. We pretty much didnt have to do anything but show up.

  The first day in the Big Apple, the Saurdiffs played tourist visiting Manhattan, Park Avenue, Central Park, The Museum of Art, Ground Zero and Grand Central Station.

  But that paled in comparison to day two of Codys big adventure when he visited a movie set, met his mentor and acted in a movie all in one day.

  That one day made it the best trip we have ever had, Cody said.

  A REGULAR GUY

  Cody wasnt expecting much. Smith was a busy man. He was in the middle of filming a movie titled A Couple of Dicks. The teen figured he would visit the movie set, shake hands, exchange a few words, and be on his way.

  He was sorely mistaken.

  It started with a car accident and a bald guy.

  This car came screeching to a stop, and Bruce Willis got out. It turned out to be Bruce Willis and a stunt double, Cody said, noting that because Willis is bald, so were all the stunt doubles. I was right at home. Everybody was bald.

  The Saurdiffs scored the best seats on the street, right behind the directors chair. Then came Smith.

  He had a big old smile, waved to us and talked to us for a bit, Cody said, impressed with Smiths kindness and genuine welcome. Then he leans back and says, Hey, do you want to be in the movie?

  The Saurdiffs were amazed to learn that Smith had rewritten part of the script to accommodate a part for Cody.

  In the scene, Cody plays a teenage student driver who hits Willis with a car. Although it would be a 20-second scene, the Saurdiffs spent eight hours on the set.

  After he was done filming, Cody got out of the car and the film crew gave him a standing ovation.

  They took a shining to Cody, said his proud dad. They loved this kid. He was holding cameras and everything. They couldnt do enough.

  Everyone there was super nice, Cody agreed.

  When the filming wrapped up, a satisfied, overwhelmed Cody expected to shake hands and say goodbye.

  Then it got even better.

  He invited us to go to his editing room, Cody said incredulously.

  And of course, we were so busy, we said, Well, maybe, he joked.

  Smith showed the Saurdiffs the editing room and explained the process. He ordered pizza and shared the cupcakes his daughter baked. He listened to Codys cancer story and listened to his opinions. And he sat and joked around with them.

  At 9:30 p.m. it was finally a wrap. Cody had experienced the best day of his life.

  I had a crush on him before, but I fell in love with him afterward, Cody joked. Anything I experienced with him that day made everything about him better, if it could be better.

  HOT DOG!

  The Saurdiffs had one more day to tour New York City, but it was anti-climactic. Not even seeing the Rockefeller Center or getting bumped to the front of the line at the Statue of Liberty held a candle to the previous day.

  We did have this really good hot dog, Cody teased, pondering the highlight of his New York adventure. It was something. I was mesmerized by the taste.

  But the best hot dog hed ever tasted couldnt even compare to his day on the movie set and everything he learned. And it wasnt just about making movies.

  I realize how some people in this world can be, he concluded. Make-A-Wish did everything they could for us. Kevin Smith did everything he could for us. They were the nicest people we could ever imagine.

  I learned a lot about the goodness of peoples hearts.

Kevin and Scott Mosier will be recording a live podcast at The Prince Charles Cinema!

07/10/09 at 18:00 Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier

Tickets (which are going to sell out fast) will be available at

www.viewaskew.com/events/uksmod

We are not aware when these will go live

Please keep in mind this has not yet been officially announced by View Askew — But hopefully we’ll be able to confirm soon.

Speedy Coming to SMALLVILLE

The Green Arrow has become a staple player in the ranks of characters featured in ‘Smallville’. He’s been unsuccessful in one endeavor on the show though: recruiting Clark as his full-time partner in crime-fighting. Well. KryptonSite suggests there may be a remedy for that, as season 9 of the show will introduce Arrow’s original sidekick Speedy.

Well, not the original, exactly. Mia Dearden is set to appear in an upcoming episode. She was introduced in Kevin Smith’s revival of Green Arrow back in 2001 and went on to take up the role of sidekick archer.

Check out KryptonSite’s description of episode 7 for more on the ‘Smallville’ version of Dearden.

CHASING AMY: Homosexuality proved to be passing fancy and sign of sexual deviance.

CLERKS: Aimless loser remains in dead-end job, abusive “friendship.”

GOOD WILL HUNTING: Underemployed genius squanders prestigious job opportunity to chase trim.