• A few more words about George Carlin, and a link to the Newsweek story.

• Incredibly high praise for “The Dark Knight” and “Wall-E”. Both must-see in the theater.

• Another fantastic test screening of “Zack & Miri Make a Porno”, this time in New Mexico: “We tested again in Albuquerque, New Mexico last week (where I did, in fact, make a left turn I knew I shouldn’t have made), and scored almost exactly the same as we did in the Kansas City test screening the month before - which is to say really, really well. A poster and a theatrical trailer should be making their way to theaters soon.”

• Four panels in San Diego confirmed for next month at the con, including one which should debut a clip or two from the new film (in other words, line up REALLY early).

• Crazy 4 Cult II - The coolest art show in the land, coming back on August 22nd. Kevin and Scott will host the event, featuring movie-inspired art for sale.

• On the east coast - Another poker tourny on Saturday July 12th, and of course the big appearance in Red Bank on November 7th. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW BEFORE IT SELLS OUT.

• Smodcast - Back tonight/tomorrow. We’ll have the linkage.

• Finally - If you have not yet ordered our favorite ever piece of Askew swag, get your Monroeville Zombies hockey jersey today. Now in stock!

You’ll of course want to view the entire blog over at Myspace or the official blog.

Seth Rogen (Really) Makes a Porno


Kevin Smith’s upcoming comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno, with Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen, may actually be a porno. No, seriously. The MPAA is trying to slap it with an NC-17 rating, meaning you’d have a tough time seeing it down at the megaplex.

So what’s in this thing that makes it so, like, porny? We asked Seth, and here’s what he said…

“It’s like a romantic comedy,” Rogen told us this week, at the press day for The Pineapple Express, which opens in August. “It’s a romantic relationship movie—with a lot of porn and balls.”

Wait, whose balls? “My balls are not in it,” he clarified.

Still, Smith is fighting for an R rating, as he did when Clerks first got slapped with an NC-17—simply for dirty language. “You can disembowel someone in a youth hostel in Romania, but you can’t show people having sex,” Rogen said. “I think it’s weird.”

If Zack and Miri does get an NC-17, Rogen thinks his hit flicks Knocked Up and Superbad should have, too.

“This is not anything outside of what we’ve done before,” he told us. “The word porno is in the title, and that kind of freaks people out.”

Well, that and the balls, maybe.

Doesn’t look like any new quotes, just more from the MTV Interview. We haven’t heard any definite confirmation from Kevin other than a hint that this may indeed be happening. The MPAA rating process remains one of the most secretive and elusive in ths biz, so we imagine we’ll hear the results of this once the dust has settled. We’ll keep watch for ya.

Busy year for me at the Con this time; I’m doing four different panels, including my usual gig (Friday night, 6:30 to 8:00pm).

No details on the Con’s official site just yet, but we will have the full schedule right here as soon as it’s revealed. We can only assume one of the other panels may be as moderator (perhaps a Heroes or Galactica panel?), and perhaps a few other surprises. The San Diego Comic Con runs July 24-27 and is arguably the best Con in the world. A MAJOR media event for not just comics, but now the latest in film and television as well.

Ben Affleck has now joined the ranks. Ben spent time over the last year traveling to the Democratic Repulic of Congo in the hopes to bring notice to the plight in this region. Tonight, ABC’s “Nightline” will feature a segment with Ben that we hope you’ll all tune in for.

We’ve got the details straight ahead direct off the AP wire. Ben’s also penned an essay which is the first link you’ll see below, followed by several other links to video which you can watch right now.

NEW YORK (AP) — “Nightline” will focus on the humanitarian crisis in the Congo with the help of an unusual correspondent — Ben Affleck.

The 35-year-old actor took a “Nightline” crew on his recent fact-finding mission to Africa with the goal of spreading the word on a story that gets relatively little notice in the United States. His essay airs 11:35 p.m. Thursday on ABC.

He’s been to the Congo three times in the past year. He said his motive was to learn about the war and hunger that have killed thousands of people per month in the past decade in hopes that the outside world would be moved to help, and his celebrity opened some doors.

“It’s fairly clear that in the modern age that there is a currency to celebrity, or celebrity is a currency, really,” Affleck told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “I’ve discovered that you can spend it in a lot of ways, or you can squander it. You can be taxed, as well. I really started thinking long and hard about how to use that currency as long as I had it.”

His representatives approached “Nightline” with the idea of reporting on his journey. Affleck said he was impressed by “Nightline” stories in 2005 where “Hotel Rwanda” actor Don Cheadle visited that country.

“Nightline” executive producer James Goldston admitted to skepticism. ABC News took heat a decade ago for letting Leonardo DiCaprio interview President Clinton, and the idea of a concerned celebrity taking on a world problem has become a news staple.

“I was quite persuaded by how candid he was about the cliche of it, or the potential cliche,” Goldston said.

Affleck deals with that issue in the opening of his essay: “I want to try to bring people along to learn and if they might not tune into this unless there was some celebrity involved in it, either because they’re interested in the celebrity or because they want to see the celebrity kind of make a fool of himself, then so be it,” he says.

He doesn’t act as a reporter, Goldston said. The idea was to present the story as a personal journey, following Affleck as he met with survivors of the conflict, relief officials and even some warlords.

“Nightline” hasn’t done its own story on the Congo since 2002, although Cynthia McFadden recently took a trip to Africa to report on several issues there.

Affleck said one “Nightline” piece isn’t likely to change much, but the goal is to spread the word and hope that people in the United States can identify with some people who are suffering.

Perhaps then they could be moved to help, he said. Affleck hasn’t identified himself with any particular relief organization that is helping the Congo.

He believes people will respond to this approach.

“I don’t think people respond particularly well to being hectored, or being made to feel guilty, or being made to feel as though they’re kind of callow or insensitive for the life they’ve been leading up until then,” he said.

Turning World’s Eyes and Ears to Congo: More Than Four Million Lives Lost in African Country in the Last Decade (GUEST ESSAY by BEN AFFLECK)

PHOTOS: Ben Affleck’s African Journey

Ben Affleck: “Share What I’ve Seen” (On third trip to the Congo, Affleck hopes to “bring people along” the journey.)

“They’re in a Living Hell”: Affleck discusses the devastation

Major kudos to Mr. Affleck for taking the time and effort to bring this dire situation to light here in the USA. Our country needs more like you, sir. Please tune into ABC Nightline at 11:30 PM tonight, and if you have the means, see what you can do to help the cause.

On Saturday night, NBC will offer up their own tribute to the man, airing the classic first ever episode of Saturday Night Live — Yes, Geroge Carlin was the host. SNL normally does not run entire episodes from the archives like this on NBC, so it’s a rare treat and absolutely worth tuning in or setting the DVRs for. The premiere is a fun watch, whether you’ve seen it before or not.

Aint It Cool News has a few more details.

‘A God Who Cussed’

Director Kevin Smith remembers George Carlin

They say you should never meet your heroes. I’ve found this a good rule to live by, but as with any rule, there’s always an exception.

My first exposure to George Carlin was in 1982, when HBO aired his “Carlin at Carnegie” stand-up special. When I saw the advert—featuring a clip of Carlin talking about the clichéd criminal warning of “Don’t try anything funny,” and then adding, “When they’re not looking, I like to go …,” followed by a brief explosion of goofy expressions and pantomime—I immediately asked my parents if I could tape it on our new BetaMax video recorder.

That was a hilarious bit. But when I finally watched the special, Carlin blew my doors off. Whether he was spinning a yarn about Tippy, his farting dog, or analyzing the contents of his fridge, Carlin expressed himself not only humorously, but amazingly eloquently as well. I was, as they say, in stitches.

And that was before he got to the Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television.

I was 12 years old, watching a man many years my senior curse a blue streak while exposing the hypocrisy of a medium (and a society) that couldn’t deal with the public usage of terms they probably employed regularly in their private lives. And while he seemed to revel in being a rebel, here was a man who also clearly loved the English language, warts and all—even the so-called “bad words” (although, as George would say, there are no such things as “bad words”). I wouldn’t say George Carlin taught me obscenities, but I would definitely say he taught me that the casual use of obscenities wasn’t reserved just for drunken sailors, as the old chestnut goes; even intelligent people were allowed to incorporate them into their everyday conversations (because George was nothing if not intelligent).

From that moment forward, I was an instant Carlin disciple. I bought every album, watched every HBO special, and even sat through “The Prince of Tides” just because he played a small role in the film. I spent years turning friends on to the Cult of Carlin, the World According to George, and even made pilgrimages to see him perform live (the first occasion being a gig at Farleigh Dickinson University in 1988). Carlin influenced my speech and my writing. Carlin replaced Catholicism as my religion.

Sixteen years later, I sat across from the star of “Carlin at Carnegie” in the dining room of the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. It was a meeting I’d dreamed of and dreaded simultaneously. George Carlin was the type of social observer/critic I most wanted to emulate … but he was a celebrity, too. What if he turned out to be a true prick?

What I quickly discovered was that, in real life, George was, well, George. Far from a self-obsessed jerk, he was mild-mannered enough to be my Dad. He was as interested as he was interesting, well-read and polite to a fault—all while casually dropping F-bombs. But most impressive, he didn’t treat me like an audience member, eschewing actual conversation, electing instead to simply perform the whole meeting, more “on” than real. He talked to me like one of my friends would talk to me: familiar, unguarded, authentic.

I made three films with George over the course of the next six years, starting with “Dogma” and his portrayal of Cardinal Glick, the pontiff-publicist responsible for the Catholic Church’s recall of the standard crucifix in favor of the more congenial, bubbly “Buddy Christ.” A few years later, I wrote him a lead role in “Jersey Girl”—as Bart Trinke (or “Pop”), the father of Ben Affleck’s character. It called for a more dramatic performance than George was used to giving, but the man pulled it off happily and beautifully. (Something most folks probably don’t know about George: He took acting very seriously. The man was almost a Method actor.) Sadly, I consider that “Jersey Girl” part my one failing on George’s behalf, and not for the reasons most would assume (the movie was not reviewed kindly, to say the least). No, I failed because George had asked me to write a different role for him.

In 2001, George did me a solid when he accepted the part of the orally fixated hitchhiker who knew exactly how to get a ride in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” When he wrapped his scene in that flick, I thanked him for making the time, and he said, “Just do me a favor: Write me my dream role one day.” When I inquired what that’d be, he offered, “I wanna play a priest who strangles children.”


It was a classic Carlin thing to say: a little naughty and a lot honest. I always figured there’d be time to give George what he asked for. Unfortunately, he left too soon.

He was, and will likely remain, the smartest person I’ve ever met. But really, he was much more than just a person. Without a hint of hyperbole, I can say he was a god, a god who cussed.

Some have asked us if Kevin may have had Mr. Carlin in mind for a part in “Red State” given his desire to take evil turns on film. Sure would have been interesting. From two fellow Carlin disciples to Kevin and the rest of his fans, we sure wish we could have seen him back here in the Askewniverse once again.

I just attended Horror Hound Weekend in Pittsburgh last weekend. Jason Mewes and Brian O’ Halloran were in attendance. Two of my buddies and I went Friday evening. Brian was one of the first people we met. He’s just an awesome guy. He’s so laid back and friendly. He even took three pictures with us. One with me and then one with each of my friends. Jason was there but stepped out for a moment. We chatted a bit with Brian and made our way through the convention room.


After meeting several celebrities such as Doug Bradley (Pinhead), and Danielle Harris (Halloween 4, 5, and Rob Zombie’s remake) we headed back to Brian and Jason’s table. We knew Jason was back because of the huge crowd gathered around the table. When we finally met him, he was just as nice and cool as Brian. We talked about the Zack and Miri wrap-up party I attended at the Pittsburgh Improv a couple of months ago. I didn’t get to meet him then because he had to leave early. I’m just glad I got a second chance to meet him.


The general consensus from everyone that attended is that Brian and Jason were a great addition to the con. Apparently, one attendee brought the DVD covers of every movie Jason has done.


And apparently Brian did some mad karaoke at the hotel during the weekend.

Like we always say, when you have a chance to meet these guys, take it — They’re great with the fans, always. Thanks to our scooper for filling us in on his time in western PA, home of “Dogma” and “Zack & Miri Make a Porno”.

The good news - they launched their first full episode a few months ago. It was profiled in ‘Viral on Veoh,’ and the show got one million hits. YouTube chose it as a ‘Featured Video’ and it became the #1 YouTube video in 19 countries, including the US. Congrats, guys. The second full episode premieres this Monday, 6/30 @ 9 pm EST at www.oceans711.com.

I recall getting HBO as a kid, when the channel was still in its infancy, excited to finally have uncut movies at home. What I’d soon learn is that HBO wasn’t just about movies, though — Their “One Night Stand” and similar programming were among the first to bring the art of stand-up comedy to the masses. Keep in mind, this is years before the concept of “Comedy Central” was thought up. So whose would be the first stand-up routine I’d ever see? None other than George Carlin. I believe it was the “stuff” routine that got me hooked, though his most famous, the “Seven Dirty Words”, also rose to fame in that era, and remains cited and quoted even today. I became a stand-up junkie, and Carlin was a big reason.

Carlin became a member of the View Askew family back in 1998 during the filming of Dogma — 10 years ago. Following his role as Cardinal Glick, one of the largest of his film career, he re-appeared for a hilarious cameo in “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back”. While he went on to do voice work in a few movies afterward, his final big screen live appearance was in 2004’s “Jersey Girl”, where he played Bart Trinke, father to Ben Affleck’s character, in another substantial role.

It’s hard to imagine that we’ll ever see another comedian as brilliant and groundbreaking as George Carlin in our time, quite possibly ever again. What he did transcended just taking the stage and spouting one-liners. His routines managed to be topical, poignant, insightful, controversial, and absolutely hilarious — all at the same time. The man was a pioneer and a genius, a master of his trade, and will be missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him or his work. Our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and fans of this legendary talent. Rest in peace, George. You will be missed.

Thanks to all who wrote in with the scoop and condolences, the list is way too long to list you all. The talkbacks are a great place to express your thoughts on this brilliant man.