Jay and Silent Bob poke fun at sequels with a sequel

This Sept. 25, 2019 photo shows Jason Mewes posing during an interview in Los Angeles to promote the film "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot." (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
This Sept. 25, 2019 photo shows Jason Mewes posing during an interview in Los Angeles to promote the film "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot." (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

When Kevin Smith made "Clerks" and the character "Jay," he had his buddy, Jason Mewes, in mind. Mewes was working as a roofer at the time. When Smith made "Mall Rats," again with Mewes and "Jay" in the cast, Mewes was delivering pizzas and doing some construction.

Mewes said he didn't think about things like a career in film, or even that he might make a little extra money from the experience.

"We shot the movie at night, and then he went off and did his thing. I thought, 'Oh, cool, I got to shoot a movie.' I'd deliver a pizza and the guy would say, 'Weren't you in 'Mall Rats?'

photo This Sept. 25, 2019 photo shows Kevin Smith posing during an interview in Los Angeles to promote the film "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot." (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

"No big deal. Then we started hearing people saying, 'Jay and Silent Bob are the best part of the movie.' We weren't even on the posters," says Mewes.

Then they attended Comic Con in the mid-'90s and Mewes said they were stunned to see hundreds of people lined up to meet them.

If you go

› What: Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Roadshow with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith› When: 8 p.m. (Sold-out) and 11:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15› Where: Walker Theatre inside Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.› Admission: $27.50-$53› For more information: 423-757-5580

"Oh, my god. This is a thing. This is crazy."

It's been crazy ever since. Mewes has replayed his Jay character in "Chasing Amy," "Dogma," "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," "Clerks II" and now "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot."

He and Smith will join an audience for two shows (8 p.m. is sold out) Friday night, Nov. 15, in Walker Theatre for two screenings of "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot" followed by a question-and-answer session.

Mewes said they have done similar events over the years, and the two friends love talking to fans who seem to identify with his say-anything character. Mewes said he and Smith enjoy seeing their films with an audience, and between the various Comic Cons and podcasts they do.

"I love interacting with people, and people are so lovely. A good number of people come up and say they have a friend like Jay who speaks his mind. Or a cousin, who has a life mate like that."

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6354.

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