Comedy / Interview
Interview: Jason Mewes
On May 21 screen icon Jason Mewes (of Jay and Silent Bob fame) brings his hit stand-up show to Bristol.
Jason Mewes is best known as the potty-mouthed vocal half of Jay and Silent Bob, the on-screen comedic duo who first appeared in Kevin Smith’s seminal 1994 indie film Clerks. Mewes would reprise the character five more times on the big screen from 1995 to 2006, becoming a sort of James Bond of mid-90’s low budget film – a fast-talking, foul-mouthed, over-sexed but ultimately harmless and likable guy.
It’s in the incredibly popular award-winning podcast Jay & Silent Bob Get Old where Mewes truly shines. For nearly seven years, Jason has told the story of his tumultuous life on stage every week. Here he is to tell us more ahead of his Bristol gig.
is needed now More than ever
Tell us about the podcast: how it began, your and Kevin’s hopes for it, how it has evolved…
It began with me wanting to be part of Smodcastle, a 50-seat blackbox theatre that Kevin had opened. Kevin was doing three or four other podcasts there, and it seemed like so much fun. When we started Jay and Silent Bob Get Old, we had no idea how long it would last or how far it would reach. We’ve performed our podcast in Australia, UK, Ireland, and all over Canada. In short, we exceeded our expectations.
Mews is best known as the talkative half of cult screen comedy duo Jay and Silent Bob
How much do you enjoy doing stand-up, as compared to acting or podcasting?
Very much. It is at my own pace, and I only have to answer to ME.
I watched the final episode of your Road to Reboot clips with Kevin. You both get quite emotional. You’ve been on quite a journey together, haven’t you?
The journey has been surreal, between travelling the world and getting to work with and meet some of the people I admire. It has been amazing but also intense and challenging, but we have always been there for each other. He is my hetero life mate for sure.
How do you think your life might have panned out without Jay and Silent Bob?
That runs through my mind often. There are many roads I could have travelled…
At one point I wanted to own a roofing business. That was my goal. Not sure I would have achieved that.
Do you have a favourite moment / memory from the whole Jay and Silent Bob world?
In Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back there is the scene where Will Ferrell and I were in a tunnel at the dam. I was humming a song, and someone grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. It was Will Ferrell, he started humming with me and we were dancing together, and I was thinking ‘wow this is awesome, I am dancing with Will Ferrell’.
Jason Mewes Live is at the Anson Rooms, University of Bristol Union on May 21. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.bristolsu.org.uk/groups/bristol-su-live/events/jason-mewes-live-c443
Read more: Interview: Lou Sanders (Bristol Improv Theatre, May 18)
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