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Elston Gunn Reviews Clerks
SPOILER ALERT !!
Hi folks, El Cosmico here, our pal Elston Gunn was kind enough to send in a review of the new Clerks series, coming oh so soon...many thanks to you Elston. Here, readers, is the review. As Mr. Gunn notes, there are minor spoilers ahead:
"Clerks," Wednesday, May 31 at 9:30pm EST. **Minor Spoilers**
It must be hard to make a TV show based on a movie, or vice versa. You
have to respect the original fan base, but you also want to make it
enjoyable for the "non-fans." I didn't watch "X-Files" prior to seeing the
movie, but I did become an "X-phile" shortly thereafter. It's an
interesting phenomenon. For those of you who haven't seen Kevin Smith's
1994 film CLERKS, or, for that matter, didn't like the film, don't let that
deter you from watching the animated television show. It's made for a much
larger audience in my opinion.
The show focuses on the two clerks from the movie: Dante (pretty much
the straight man) and Randal (the crazy one). Dante is a clerk at the Quick
Stop while Randal can occasionally be found at the RST Video store next
door. The movie didn't allow for the two to stray too far from the stores,
but the cartoon, naturally, places these characters in wacky places for
wacky adventures: a freezer, a courtroom, their high school reunion, even
the Matrix. The dangerous duo of Jay and Silent Bob (also from the film)
are the show's comic relief's comic relief. You'd be surprised how the
characters from CLERKS translate well on the small screen in animated form.
It also helps that the original actors from the CLERKS film (Brian
O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes) do their respective characters'
voices here.
Like the pop references? You'll love the show. Among some of the
many funny homages are "Speed Racer," Indiana Jones, THE LAST STARFIGHTER,
OUTBREAK and, of course, STAR WARS. Several celebrities lent their voices
as well: Alec Baldwin, Charles Barkley, Gwyneth Paltrow--just to name a few.
Baldwin plays Leonardo Leonardo, an evil rich guy who comes back to Jersey
to put up a Quicker Stop in front of the Quick Stop.
One of my favorite aspects of the show include a short vignette at the
end of most of the episodes-usually featuring Jay and Silent Bob. I won't
spoil them for you, but they reminded me of the lessons you saw at the end
of "G.I. Joe" cartoon, but, of course, funnier. Remember? "And knowing is
half the battle."
Take note: ABC is airing the shows in a different order than they were
produced: 4, 2, 3, 5, 1, 6. This is not uncommon for an animated show,
however there will be a few lost jokes as a result. For example, episode 2
is a clip show referencing the first episode. (Get it?) But now the first
episode will be aired fifth. It won't make as much sense as originally
conceived, but the comedy is there nontheless. The fourth one is airing
first because they believe it is stronger than the original pilot (even the
show is over after six episodes anyway.) Indeed, the fourth show is better
than the pilot. It takes place within a courtroom with the honorable Judge
Reinhold presiding and a jury of NBA all-stars. It's a funny episode.
Another favorite is episode 6, which pays tribute to the movie by
keeping Dante and Randal in the store for practically the entire episode.
CLERKS girl Caitlin makes a few funny appearances in this one. Also, look
for Patrick Swayze in the OUTBREAK episode. It makes you wonder what he's
been up to over the years.
Enough from me, check it out for yourself. You'll laugh, or you won't.
I laughed more often than not. It really holds its own with the other
animated shows out there. I hope ABC airs all six. If it does well, Smith
may deliver an animated film in the future. Stay tuned.
Elston Gunn
P.S. Check out www.newsaskew.com and www.viewaskew.com for more info.
Hard to understand why ABC is airing these out of sequence, but, the world seldom makes sense. Such things are the least of our worries. Thanks again, El Ston.
Love and peace,
-El Cosmico
You could mail me if you wanted to...at: elcosmico@austin.rr.com
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How very, very droll.....if that's the highlight of an episode, then count me out.
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its not the highlight of the episode, its just one of the many funny moments.
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I forgot to mention Dave Mandel (Seinfeld, SNL) executive produced the show with the View Askew duo of Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier. Mandel and Smith co-wrote almost all of the episodes. Thanks.
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is a necessity.
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I am frothing at the mouth. I have been telling everyone I know to watch because it will be over in six weeks and it could be great. Don't quit the movie biz Kevin! Love your writing.
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Kevin Smith is a talented writer, so this will be something to look forward to. Hey, Kevin, why didn't you offer Eisner some chocolate pretzels, you tubby bitch?! Snoogins!
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ABC made the right choice. I've enjoyed all of Smith's films - I'm even a big fan of the underrated Mallrats - but this has to be one of the lamest half hours to ever darken the small screen. I may have had one forced chuckle during the Judge Reinhold dream but that's IT. Weak stuff. Only for the die-hard Kevin Smith sychophant.
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I admit it, for the first five minutes or so, I was underwhelmed. I think it took a bit of getting used to (for whatever reason - loved the cartoon style though). This comedy had PACING, it was like a great carnival ride ... you start by going up the big boring ramp, pulled on a chain, waiting for something to happen - but then the fun starts. Before long, the show was dropping pop-culture references at a mile a minute. The humour got more and more surreal and offbeat. "Who is driving car?!? Oh no! Bear is driving car!" Hahaha. "Who is making great show?!? Oh no! Kevin Smith is making great show!". I'm looking forward to the next five like nothing else I've looked forward to on TV for the longest time.
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Jun 01, 2000 4:26:48 PM CDT
An idiot, sure. Just not the idiot who thought this lame show wa
by veidt
I probably should watch more TV. It'd probably lower my standards just enough to really enjoy something like Clerks. Actually, I'm glad it's a dud otherwise I would have been pissed that it's only going to have a six episode life-span.
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