Saturday, March 2, 2002
by Kevin Lang

Jeff Anderson looks like the type of guy that you'd expect to see wherever a good time is happening, surrounded by friends, and always waiting to get a few laughs, while at the same time attempting to maintain a certain level of "cool." I observe Jeff Anderson as I wait for my chance to approach him. I can almost feel the cautious excitement that has been building within him since he spoke a couple of hours earlier at the screening of his first film, "Now You Know." Even still, he seems more nervous than half of the fans with whom I watch him traverse. I mean, c'mon, this is Randal from "Clerks." Yet, our King Randall exudes no arrogance or cockiness. He was given the keys to Hollywood, and he has so far used them to open doors to opportunity, not to an elated ego.

So, I watch and I wait. I wonder how he will react to us, myself and the rest of the CTF crew. With camera in hand, we approach the modest Anderson. I know that he can see us coming. I feel the urge to at first say something about the film like, "What a piece of shi%. Dude, what the hell were you thinking?" I think that would be funny, but I don't know him well enough to know just how he would respond to that type of humor, so I restrain myself. Besides, I want the interview. Within the proximity of Mr. Anderson, I decide to begin with a complement instead.

CTF: Jeff, your film ("Now You Know") was really good. After I saw "Jay and Silent Bob" I went straight back and saw it again and again. I would do the same for this.

J. Anderson: Your not saying it's better than "Jay and Silent Bob?"

CTF: I'm not saying it's better, but I mean…

J. Anderson: Don't get carried away (smile).

CTF: It's gonna go far. Honest, it's gonna go far.

J. Anderson: Cool. IMDB.com (Internet Movie Database.com).

CTF: We will be there (to post positive reviews). The alcoholic scene was brilliant like no other.

J. Anderson: Dude, that's so cool. If you say good things about the film I'll make a porn for you! (Jokingly, Jeff proceeds to make a thrusting motion against our one and only, Steve. I fear that we have awakened Jeff's inner Randal.)

CTF: Where have I seen Rashida Jones before? What was she in?

J. Anderson: "Boston Public."

CTF: Ah, that's where I know her from. She's Quincy Jones'…

J. Anderson: Quincy Jones' daughter. She's awesome. I love her.

CTF: Was Jeremy Sisto your first choice for Jeremy (Jeremy the character)? We overheard you mention something about Joey Lawrence?

J. Anderson: He came in and auditioned for Jeremy, and when he walked in I'm like, how do I know this guy?

CTF: Awe man! You mean Joseph Lawrence now right.

J. Anderson(after laughing): and then, it occurs to me, and I'm like (Jeff lets out a snickering laugh of shocked embarrassment as he recalls his realization). He did the best f**king audition for Jeremy. For the first two days of auditioning I didn't see one person I liked. Joey Lawrence came in and f**king nailed it, and he walks out of the room, and I turn to my agent and my casting guy and I'm like, f**k, he was good but it's Joey Lawrence. I can't have him starring in my movie. So, then I felt bad. I'm like, it's not fair, he did a good audition. So, we called him back, and we said, hey, will you come back for Shane, and he came back in and he f**king nailed Shane. Man, you know it just sucks that it's Joey Lawrence, but man, I sware to God, two completely different characters and he's awesome in both of them.

CTF: Look at the Olsen twins. They're huge now.

(Jeff considers my point and then he laughs.)

CTF: Again, the film was great. We were so relieved and happy for you. Were you happy with the response?

J. Anderson: I didn't decide to do this until Wednesday of last week. Kevin (Smith) asked me two months ago, and I was guarding that tape (he pretends to be holding it close), like, it sucks. It's not ready to be shown. Like, I've seen the print of it, and it looks so much better when you see the
print. I mean, I had to change tapes, and it's not the right music.

CTF: It sounded good to me.

J. Anderson: Guns and Roses wrote like a whole CD, twelve songs, when we were in the studio, and sent the whole CD to me. Matt Storm is going to release the album.

CTF: That's cool. I'll look for it.

It's getting late, and I can see other people in the distance waiting for a chance to talk with him. I have to let him go. He's given me more than enough of his time. However, I must still make one final request.

CTF: There's a big inside joke between me and my friends having to do with this thing that your character says on the Clerks cartoon. When you say "Do you remember your father's birthday?" Dude, that is priceless. If you said it now it would make my night.

(He looks at us, growing more aware of the camera.)

J. Anderson: That was a big joke because I couldn't say that line (smile).

CTF: Awe, c'mon.

I began to wonder if I was right about him. Maybe he wasn't the good time guy that I thought…then suddenly…

J. Anderson: "Do you remember your fa-ha-tha's birthday?"

"Yes!" he exclaims with us while clenching his fist and moving his elbow back and forth, realizing that he just received unanimous acclaim. Another filmmaker has been born.