‘Canadaphile’ Smith appeals to broad audience
Comedian and ‘Canadaphile’ to do standup performances in three cities
REGINA Comedian and filmmaker Kevin Smith is scheduled to perform in three Saskatchewan cities this weekend.
He’ll be in North Battleford Friday night, Swift Current Saturday night and Saskatoon Sunday night.
“That is actually personally one of my favourite parts of the job, is getting to bring some big names to some of the smaller communities in Saskatchewan,” said Shannon Josdal, the entertainment buyer for the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), which booked Smith for shows at three of its seven casinos.
“Kevin Smith was exciting because I think he appeals to a surprisingly broad demographic,” added Josdal. “I think it’s a quirky sense of humour and … I think he’s paid homage to Canada in little ways, like appearing on Degrassi and things like that.”
Smith did not respond to an interview request, but has expressed his affinity for Saskatchewan in the past.
During a visit to Regina in February 2016, he filmed a cameo in the Wolfcop sequel, Another Wolfcop. The main purpose of that trip, though, was to scout locations for Moose Jaws, the third film in his “True North Trilogy” of Canadiana-inspired horror movies.
This would be the first of the three films to shoot in Canada, as well as being set here — “in Saskatchewan of all places ( birthplace of #Wadewilson)!” Smith posted to Facebook at the time, referencing Deadpool.
He characterized Moose Jaws as “Jaws but with a moose instead of a shark” and called it the favourite script he has ever written.
Smith’s 2014 film Tusk starred Justin Long as a “brash and arrogant podcaster (who) gets more than he bargained for when he travels to Canada to interview a mysterious recluse … who has a rather disturbing fondness for walruses.” That’s per the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) description.
The 2016 followup Yoga Hosers is set in Winnipeg. It’s about two friends named Colleen, “yoga enthusiasts (who) team up with a legendary man-hunter to battle with an ancient evil presence that is threatening their major party plans.”
Both movies included Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, and Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lilyrose Depp, as the Colleens, who work as part-time store clerks.
That was a nod to Clerks, Smith’s first feature film, which he directed, wrote, produced and acted in.
His character in that movie, Silent Bob, made recurring appearances in some of his subsequent films — including Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Smith, who grew up in New Jersey, calls himself a “Canadaphile.”
In May 2018 — three months after he had a massive heart attack and almost died — he told an audience: “Moose Jaws, we have money for it. Isn’t that crazy? That just happened in the last two weeks. More when I know, and I’ll know very soon.”
In August, he tweeted, “I just have to get #Moosejaws made one day …”
On Jan. 1, Smith tweeted that another of his projects, a Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, is in “pre-pre-production.”
Spend An Evening With Kevin Smith at North Battleford’s Gold Eagle Casino on Friday, Swift Current’s Living Sky Casino on Saturday, and Saskatoon’s Dakota Dunes Casino on Sunday. All shows start at 8 p.m.
Tickets to all three events were still available on Tuesday at tickets. siga.sk.ca — $40 for Saskatoon and $50 for the other two locations.