Kevin Smith / Jason Mewes to appear on Degrassi

[Guest BrokenWings]

American filmmaker Kevin Smith remembers being smitten the first time he watched an episode of the original teen drama Degrassi Junior High.

 

Growing up in New Jersey, Smith started watching Degrassi to help escape the drudgery of working as a cash register clerk at a local convenience store.

 

"The first time I watched it, I thought this is insanely melodramatic and by the end of the episode I was weeping."

 

Ever since then, he's been hooked. He's even fallen head over heels for the Degrassi: The Next Generation, which airs on CTV Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

But Smith is taking his love of the show much further. He's signed up to appear in a three-episode storyline featuring "a fictionalized version of myself," and Jason Mewes, better known as Jay from the 'Jay and Silent Bob' duo Smith popularized in his films.

 

Smith, 34, says he introduced the show to Mewes years ago when it appeared on PBS. "It was one of those bonding opportunities. I had just started hanging out with Mewes a year before that."

 

"The show that was on right before it was Silver Spoons with Ricky Schroeder. No one could identify with that, not then, Smith said. "This show was a window into a more pleasant version of a world he (Mewes) was from that he could recognize and identify with."

 

Smith said he fell in love with Degrassi because "I love story arcs and I also love challenging material. Stuff that they're doing they'd never do on American TV."

 

"Even the abortion episode on the old show was fab. All the issue shows were great, but I'm also a fan of continuity shows, there was a lot of continuity. It's kind of like a soap opera, but a really good soap opera.

 

Out of the blue Smith called Epitome Pictures, who produces Degrassi, and offered to direct an episode but was told he couldn't because the show is a 100 per cent Canadian production. He then offered to write an episode but was again told no, because of the Telefilm funding condition.

 

Instead, Linda Schuyler, the co-founder of Epitome, approached Smith about doing a cameo. "I said I don't do cameos, but could I do a three-episode arc? She was cool with that. So here we are."

 

Smith has a lot of praise for the show's staff, saying Executive Producer Aaron Martin and Story Editor and Writer Shelley Scarrow did a great job "writing my little world into their little world."

 

In the three-part story arc, Jay and Silent Bob are introduced to the series as directors looking for locations to shoot their new film, called Jay and Silent Bob Go Canadian, Eh?

 

Smith also hinted he may get the chance to live out an adolescent fantasy. He's long had a crush on the Caitlin Ryan character (played by Stacie Mistysyn).

 

"I want to get in between Joey and Caitlin," Smith joked with reporters.

 

"We can make that work," Schuyler said.

 

Smith made a name for himself on the indie film circuit with Clerks, based on his own life as a convenience store clerk in New Jersey. The movie heralded Jay and Silent Bob's first major motion picture appearance. They play drug dealers who loiter outside the store.

 

He followed that up with another cult classic, Chasing Amy, in which Joey Lauren Adams plays a woman who comes between two comic book artist friends. The movie was a smash hit among young adults in the late 1990s. It also starred a young Ben Affleck, who has remained friends with Smith.

 

Smith joked that he might try to get his Hollywood pal to join him on Degrassi. "Affleck, honestly, could use the work right now. What better way to reboot your career than starring in a Canadian melodrama?"

 

Perhaps Smith could bring Affleck to Toronto, a city he calls his "adopted home planet." Smith says he feels a kind of kinship here.

 

Smith told reporters he's also a huge fan of the way Degrassi's producers revived the show. "At first, I thought, 'Don't mess with perfection.' I liked the show so much I thought it was a mistake."

 

But Smith says he likes the new version of Degrassi even better than the original. "They took all the best parts of the old show, some of the old characters, and updated it. I didn't think I'd get into the young kids in the new show, but I did."

 

Smith said when he re-discovered the show, he started watching "religiously."

 

Even though his involvement in the show isn't exactly what he had in mind at first, Smith is delighted to take part.

 

"This show is truly a soft spot for me," he told reporters. "There are very few fascinations I've been able to carry with me to adulthood."

 

Even so, he may have a hard time convincing other adults to watch the show. "I was trying to get my wife into it, but she was like, 'They're 14, these people. Watch a different show.'"

 

The last three episodes of the show's fourth season will feature Smith and Mewes. They'll be aired on CTV in 2005.

 

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...b=Entertainment

 

--

 

I don't know if there are any fans of the show, but while I'm not a religious watcher, I do check the show out if I'm around and it's on.

 

I'm fairly surprised that Smith himself is a fan, and I think this will be very cool. I wonder how they'll handle the Jay and Silent Bob characters, and I'm interested in seeing how they'll be able to get worked in to the show.

 

Also...I think there's money in Jay and Silent Bob Go Canadian, Eh?

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Dude...

 

[starvenger 0]

Smith also hinted he may get the chance to live out an adolescent fantasy. He's long had a crush on the Caitlin Ryan character (played by Stacie Mistysyn).

Hey, Smith, get in line behind all the Canadians who had a thing for Caitlin.

 

Tangential Degrassi question - Spike and Snake never dated/showed interest in each other during the original Degrassi right? Or did I miss that episode?

[Black Lushus 0]

That's what I was wondering...in fact, did they ever really interact at all? I only remember Spike hanging with the lesbian chick that Joey thought was easy all the time...

 

Side Note: The N is a stupid channel, like we don't know that's Rick that brings the gun to school...

[CanadianChris 0]

That's what I was wondering...in fact, did they ever really interact at all? I only remember Spike hanging with the lesbian chick that Joey thought was easy all the time...

The second-last episode had Snake asking Spike to the prom, but ditching her when Michelle asked him to go with her later. That's about it, as far as I remember.

[1234-5678 0]

He's got a weird thing for chicks who say "aboot".

[Exslade ZX 0]

That's what I was wondering...in fact, did they ever really interact at all? I only remember Spike hanging with the lesbian chick that Joey thought was easy all the time...

 

Side Note: The N is a stupid channel, like we don't know that's Rick that brings the gun to school...

Well....considering the commercials on the N tells you he does, how could you not know.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Not crazy about the show, but I always get stuck watching it with my girl. That Emma chick's annoying as hell.

[Black Lushus 0]

That's what I was wondering...in fact, did they ever really interact at all?  I only remember Spike hanging with the lesbian chick that Joey thought was easy all the time...

 

Side Note:  The N is a stupid channel, like we don't know that's Rick that brings the gun to school...

Well....considering the commercials on the N tells you he does, how could you not know.

Damn, see now I gotta go back and watch the N, i thought the commercials I saw were just of the teaser variety...

[Black Lushus 0]

Not crazy about the show, but I always get stuck watching it with my girl. That Emma chick's annoying as hell.

Yes, Emma is the worst character of the entire history of Degrassi, but my has that actress gotten a lot cuter over the years...

[The Czech Republic 0]

Degrassi Junior High > Next Generation

 

ALL THE WAY WITH STEPHANIE KAYE!

[starvenger 0]

Degrassi Junior High > Next Generation

As if that's even up for argument.

[NoCalMike 0]

I watched the original series Degrassi Jr High, and then watched when the cast went to high school. As far as the new school episodes. Never seen 'em besides 5mins of one of the episodes and it was so terrible I haven't watched since.

[art_vandelay 0]

Some of the new kids are annoying as fuck, but seeing adult versions of Joey, Snake and Wheels is just so awesome.

[MooreMark 0]

I love this show. Hazel <3.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The theme song is what clinches it for DJH. Next Generation has some stupid

 

If i try! I know I can make it too!

 

or something. I don't even know it. But everyone knows the old one

 

Wake up in the morning

Feelin' shy and lonely

Gee I gotta go to school

I don't think I can make it

Don't think I can take it

I wonder what I'm gonna do

But then I look around and see

That someone is smiling right at me, wait!

That someone's talkin' to me, hey!

I've got a new friend!

Everybody can succeed

All you need is to believe

Be honest with yourself

Forget your fears and doubts

C'MON! Give us a try, at

DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH!!!!!!!!!!!

 

that was all by memory.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

So...now the Askewniverse will cover the Jersey Trilogy, Dogma, J&SB Strike Back, Scream 1,2,& 3 (they were in the third one...so all of them count) and now the Degrassi world...

 

That makes the Askewniverse a pretty big movie/tv reality, if i do say so myself. I don't think anything really tops it (outside of possibly the Friday 13th/NoES worlds...which thanks to FvJ is now incredibly large, putting both of these evil characters in the same reality and thus connecting all 20+ or so films)

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

The Bond films cover a much large portion of the world than either of those franchises, which only cover the U.S.

[The Czech Republic 0]

DeGrassi > Bond

 

get it right

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

Some of the new kids are annoying as fuck, but seeing adult versions of Joey, Snake and Wheels is just so awesome.

Wheels is back?!

 

Shit I remember at the end of Degrassi High his life went to hell...

[Black Lushus 0]

he was on one episode of Degrassi TNG, I want to say the second season...he showed up to cheer up Snake who was going through chemo (sp?)...they bowled together with Joey and we got to once again hear their Zit Remedy song "Everybody Wants Something"

[dubq 0]

People actually watch the new Degrassi show?

[Black Lushus 0]

pathetically, yes i do...

[Alro 0]

I do, too.

[BUTT 0]

Me too.

 

But I've never told anyone.

[starvenger 0]

I don't, because I don't get Noggin and I'm not in Canada when they show it on CTV. I did see the first few eps though.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Did anyone see the movie, after DH ended?

 

Czech, are those the correct lyrics? I remember hearing that Caitlin helped sing the theme for it, but I am not sure.

[Guest BrokenWings]

Did anyone see the movie, after DH ended?

There was a movie?! That's the first I've heard of it!

 

Can someone summarize what basically happened, please?

[bob_barron 0]

Whoa- that's like my school and stuff.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

Did anyone see the movie, after DH ended?

There was a movie?! That's the first I've heard of it!

 

Can someone summarize what basically happened, please?

Degrassi: School's Out

 

Anyways, school ends. Caitlyn and Joey are seeing each other but Caitlyn is really busy at work so they don't get to see much of each other and Caitlyn doesn't put out. Joey decides to fuck Tessa Campinelli on the side. Joey finally fucks Caitlyn too and I even think Joey and Caitlyn maybe get engaged (maybe not).

 

Snake's life is shit because he can't get laid and is not getting any chicks at all and Joey and Wheels constantly harp on him about it.

 

Wheels is turning into this big alcoholic who only cares about fixing up his car. "Wheel's, that's like your third beer today!"

 

None of the other characters really fucking matter.

 

Anyways, summer ends with a huge party at Lucy's cabin. Snake lets it slip about Joey fucking too chicks and Caitlyn heres so Joey gets fucked over at the party and Snake and Joey are all pissy at each other and maybe they even tussle. Snake, however, ends up saving the lives of those two chicks who never got any lines.

 

Wheels, meanwhile, drinks and drives with Lucy in the car. Wheels crashes and kills some family and I think Lucy gets pretty fucked up but doesn't die.

 

And that's pretty much it. I think Simon and Alexa get married. The central focus of course is the Zit Remedy trio.