SModcast 56: And Now a Word from Our Sponsor –


In which our heroes try to manufacture road rage, enter handy negotiations, draw the line at what they’d do for a Make-a-Wish kid, and catch up with an old bathroom buddy.

What’s it all mean? Find out now, FREE, with your MP3 download at QSE. Enjoy.

“Not so. It’s unlikely to see DVD because Buena Vista Home Video wasn’t interested in doing it upon the initial release of the flick on home video, and then really wasn’t interested in doing it once the Harvey/Bob/Miramax/Disney breakup happened. Cost doesn’t have anything to do with it; it’s pure spite, at this point. So weird.”

Those of you who watched it with us at Vulgarthon West know what folks are missing with this one, as the extended cut added quite a bit of richness to the story, especially with the Ben/Jen relationship, sadly lost to the cutting room floor in theatrical and DVD releases. Here’s hoping Kevin dusts this one off once again for the rumored 2009 Vulgarthon event.

So where do you come in? Well, the winner is being decided via an online vote. To vote, head to http://www.milb.com. Then, look to the bottom right for the voting form. You want to vote for OPTION 1! It looks like the logo we’ve tossed above.

Take a second and cast your vote – We’d love to see Ming win this one. He’s already doing great, and hardly needs our help anyway since the logo’s our favorite anyway — But hey, let’s make it a landslide! Show your support and help Ming out with a vote for his logo today.

However, we owe it all to “Spaced”, which ran in the UK back in 1999 and 2001 for an all-too-short 14 episodes (the British know how to keep fans wanting more). The show was fanboy love personified in its characters, all memorable, making for a one-of-a-kind show that nothing has come close to touching since (an American remake was briefly thought of, but without the blessing of Wright, Pegg, or Hynes, put down). The show is one of our all-time favorites, and now, thankfully, coming to American DVD (previously only available on UK imports). “Spaced: The Complete Series” collects every single episode along with a boatload of extras, including commentary from our own Kevin Smith.

Sold yet? You gotta have the DVD, sure, but we’ll do ya one better – On Wedesnday, July 23rd, from 12:30 til 2:30, all 3 stars/creators, Hynes, Pegg, and Wright, will join Kevin live, in person, at Secret Stash West and Laser Blazer, the greatest DVD/Video and Comic Book shop in all the land. They’ll all be signing copies of the new DVD for the bargain price of $49.98 – $10 off retail! That gets you the DVD and all 4 signatures! It’s extremely rare that this group will sit together in a room for an event like this again, so we’re telling you know — Get to Laser Blazer, tell your boss you need the day off, whatever it takes. Don’t miss this event, and line up early! If you’re coming to town for ComiCon, this happens RIGHT BEFORE IT. Perfect timing.

Oh and by the way, want anything else signed? You can have up to 3 items signed, but that’s it — Gotta keep the line moving — So bring them along if ya like. But you MUST purchase the “Spaced” DVD to get into the event. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY! We’re telling ya now. Full details on the disc:

Spaced DVD retail price $59.98. Laser Blazer in-store price $49.98.


DVD features include:


* Exclusive feature length documentary.
* “Spaced Jam” music video by Osymyso.
* Commentary with stars Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes, Nick Frost, Mark Heap, Julia Deakin, Katy Carmichael, director Edgar Wright, producer Nira Park, Plus guests Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino, Matt Stone, Diablo Cody, Bill Hader, and Patton Oswalt!
* Footage from the UK Spaced marathon’s Q & A session
* Homage-O-Meter that tracks every pop culture reference!
* Out-takes, raw footage, deleted scenes, and more!


Spaced revolves around two idle twentysomething flatmates – immature skateboarding would-be comic artist Tim (Simon Pegg), and moody, responsibility-shy Daisy (Jessica Stevenson), and their self-induced lack of success in employment, relationships and life in general. Together with their oddball assortment of friends and neighbors, Marsha, Brian, Mike and Twist, they exist in a world perched precariously on the edge of normality.


* Spaced DVD must be purchased at Laser Blazer to participate in the signing.
* The line may be capped at any time. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!!
* No more than three items signed per customer.

For more details on “Spaced”, see “Spaced Invasion” or the IMDB.

Laser Blazer/Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash are located at 10587 West Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90064. Call (310) 475-4788 for details. There’s a limited amount of parking behind the store — Otherwise, you’re on your own. This is one of the coolest events we’ve ever seen, folks — You never know who might show up to meet these fantastic folks. Be there!

Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009

Location: The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Mortensen Hall, 166 Capitol Avenue. Hartford CT 06106


Phone: 860.987.6000

Prices are $42.50 & $36.50

Watch News Askew in August for the ticket sale announcement. Hartford is one of the more rare stops of recent memory, so we’re betting on a quick sell-out for this gig. You’ll want to buy in early to ensure you’ve got seats taken care of. Tell your friends!

We’re such massive fans of the work of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, words cannot express how cool this upcoming event at Secret Stash West inside Lazer Blaser is — But we’ll try. “Spaced” was the first creative effort of stars and creators Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg, and Edgar Wright — Wright and Pegg went on to create quite possibly the best horror comedy ever, and easily one of the best of this decade so far, “Shaun of the Dead” in 2004. In 2007, the duo returned for cop buddy comedy “Hot Fuzz”, once again twisting a new genre on its ear in a unique way. We recently LOVED the “Don’t” trailer that bridged the two “Grindhouse” flicks, which the guys also hand a hand in.

However, we owe it all to “Spaced”, which ran in the UK back in 1999 and 2001 for an all-too-short 14 episodes (the British know how to keep fans wanting more). The show was fanboy love personified in its characters, all memorable, making for a one-of-a-kind show that nothing has come close to touching since (an American remake was briefly thought of, but without the blessing of Wright, Pegg, or Hynes, put down). The show is one of our all-time favorites, and now, thankfully, coming to American DVD (previously only available on UK imports). “Spaced: The Complete Series” collects every single episode along with a boatload of extras, including commentary from our own Kevin Smith.

Sold yet? You gotta have the DVD, sure, but we’ll do ya one better – On Wedesnday, July 23rd, from 12:30 til 2:30, all 3 stars/creators, Hynes, Pegg, and Wright, will join Kevin live, in person, at Secret Stash West and Laser Blazer, the greatest DVD/Video and Comic Book shop in all the land. They’ll all be signing copies of the new DVD for the bargain price of $49.98 – $10 off retail! That gets you the DVD and all 4 signatures! It’s extremely rare that this group will sit together in a room for an event like this again, so we’re telling you know — Get to Laser Blazer, tell your boss you need the day off, whatever it takes. Don’t miss this event, and line up early! If you’re coming to town for ComiCon, this happens RIGHT BEFORE IT. Perfect timing.

Oh and by the way, want anything else signed? You can have up to 3 items signed, but that’s it — Gotta keep the line moving — So bring them along if ya like. But you MUST purchase the “Spaced” DVD to get into the event. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY! We’re telling ya now. Full details on the disc:

Spaced DVD retail price $59.98. Laser Blazer in-store price $49.98.


DVD features include:


* Exclusive feature length documentary.
* “Spaced Jam” music video by Osymyso.
* Commentary with stars Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes, Nick Frost, Mark Heap, Julia Deakin, Katy Carmichael, director Edgar Wright, producer Nira Park, Plus guests Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino, Matt Stone, Diablo Cody, Bill Hader, and Patton Oswalt!
* Footage from the UK Spaced marathon’s Q & A session
* Homage-O-Meter that tracks every pop culture reference!
* Out-takes, raw footage, deleted scenes, and more!


Spaced revolves around two idle twentysomething flatmates – immature skateboarding would-be comic artist Tim (Simon Pegg), and moody, responsibility-shy Daisy (Jessica Stevenson), and their self-induced lack of success in employment, relationships and life in general. Together with their oddball assortment of friends and neighbors, Marsha, Brian, Mike and Twist, they exist in a world perched precariously on the edge of normality.


* Spaced DVD must be purchased at Laser Blazer to participate in the signing.
* The line may be capped at any time. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!!
* No more than three items signed per customer.

For more details on “Spaced”, see “Spaced Invasion” or the IMDB.

Laser Blazer/Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash are located at 10587 West Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90064. Call (310) 475-4788 for details. There’s a limited amount of parking behind the store — Otherwise, you’re on your own. This is one of the coolest events we’ve ever seen, folks — You never know who might show up to meet these fantastic folks. Be there!

“Heath Ledger didn’t so much give a performance as he disappeared completely into the role,” filmmaker and lifelong comics fan Kevin Smith said on his MySpace blog after seeing “The Dark Knight.” “I know I’m not the first to suggest this, but he’ll likely get at least an Oscar nod (if not the win) for best supporting actor.”

Can July 18th come any sooner? Our prediction – Movie of the summer. We can’t wait.

Thursday – 7/24
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Kevin will be moderating the Spike TV Scream panel discussion called ‘Scream’ Like a Girl: Spike Salutes the Women of Sci-Fi (check con schedule for location).


Friday – 7/25
5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. – Kevin’s taking part in Entertainment Weekly’s panel – “The Visionaries: Filmmakers” panel in Hall H
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Kevin’s Main Q&A panel in Hall H (ED. NOTE – “Zack & Miri” Footage is likely!)


Saturday – 7/26
2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Kevin will be participating in the Battlestar Galactica panel (check con schedule for location)

We can’t see why you’d want to miss any of these events, all fantastic topics — We’re once again incredibly envious of the Galactica gig, what a blast and what a fantastic job Kev did at the last one. Plus, the Friday night event in Hall H will likely be the hottest ticket of the entire con – Line up early, and make sure that you can get it. The hall ALWAYS fills to capacity when Kev’s in town. All times are subject to change, so if anything moves around, we’ll let ya know.

Thursday – 7/24
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Kevin will be moderating the Spike TV Scream panel discussion called ‘Scream’ Like a Girl: Spike Salutes the Women of Sci-Fi (check con schedule for location).


Friday – 7/25
5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. – Kevin’s taking part in Entertainment Weekly’s panel – “The Visionaries: Filmmakers” panel in Hall H
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Kevin’s Main Q&A panel in Hall H (ED. NOTE – “Zack & Miri” Footage is likely!)


Saturday – 7/26
2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Kevin will be participating in the Battlestar Galactica panel (check con schedule for location)

We can’t see why you’d want to miss any of these events, all fantastic topics — We’re once again incredibly envious of the Galactica gig, what a blast and what a fantastic job Kev did at the last one. Plus, the Friday night event in Hall H will likely be the hottest ticket of the entire con – Line up early, and make sure that you can get it. The hall ALWAYS fills to capacity when Kev’s in town. All times are subject to change, so if anything moves around, we’ll let ya know.