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Rogen Makes a Porno

Sounds Vaguely Cock-Blocky / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | November 19, 2008 | Comments (58)


Variety is reporting that, after starring in the critically well-received Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Seth Rogen and his writing partner, Evan Goldberg, are teaming up to exec produce a “porno-based comedy” for Showtime. The details are sketchy, but the show will apparently revolve around three twentysomethings who run a porn store, where they learn about life and love. Because that’s obviously where life and love are learned about.

I’ve got a couple of problems with this premise. First: Porn stores are a dying breed. Zoning committees have run half of them out of town, and the Internet has run off the other half. And you know that, during a recession, the first thing that corporations cut is advertising (damn you!), and the second thing is the porn expense accounts. But then again, television usually has little to do with reality.

But the biggest problem I have with it is that … well, it feels toe-steppy, you know. Maybe even a little back-stabby. Like, if Ellen Page decided to produce a drama about a pregnant teenger, or if that pretty boy douchebag in Twilight decided to create a show about teenage vampires. It’s one thing if you make a movie and are part of the creative process, and then decide to make a television show in the same realm. But if you starred in a porn-based movie, and you’re going to make a porn-based television show, maybe you oughtn’t cut out Kevin Smith, who wrote and directed the porn-based movie you just starred in. I bet that was a weird phone call, too.

Seth: Hey, Kevin! What’s up, brother?
Kevin: Snootches.
Seth: So, listen big man. Me and Evan, we had this idea. We’re gonna do a television show for Showtime.
Kevin: Cool, dude. You need any help? I can direct your pilot. I’m there for you, kid. Anything you need.
Seth: No, no. It’s not like that. See, the show is about these guys who work in a porn shop.
Kevin: (uncomfortable silence)
Seth: Yeah. You know. It’s a comedy. But it’s got a lot of heart. I just wanted to run it by you, and you know, make sure it’s cool with you.
Kevin: Er. Yeah. Sure. I mean, why wouldn’t it be?
Seth: Oh, I mean, I’m not even sure why I’m asking. It’s not like, you know, you’ve cornered the market on porn-based comedies … it’s just, you know. I just wanted to make sure it was cool with you. Cause of that … well, you know? I mean, this is totally different.
Kevin: Cool.
Seth: Thanks, man. That’s what I thought you’d say.
Kevin: (uncomfortable silence). Right. So, I’ll talk to you later, then.
Seth: Cool.
Kevin: (click) Tubby bitch. I want my motherfucking TV check.


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Comments

Where are the "sirs" in Kevin's dialogue?

Posted by: SofĂ­a at November 19, 2008 9:17 AM

I know I'm in the minority, but I thought Superbad was just sort of cute and really nothing to write home about. I'm not excited to see another derivative project by Rogen and Goldberg. Rogen's charming but I don't think I'd go as far as to say he's talented.

Posted by: becks at November 19, 2008 9:18 AM

Actually, the porno stores in Orlando are doing great. They're like Walmarts, only everything is kinky. Toys, games, clothing, costumes, electrical equipment, whips and chains, lingerie, books, magazines, lunchboxes with Betty Page on them, and a few DVD's. If you go during the week, it's all businessmen in ties and construction workers in wifebeaters. If you go on Saturday morning, it's all grandma and grandpa holding hands. If you go Friday or Saturday night, it's all young horny couples who you know are going right home to try this stuff out. The first time I went, there was a businessman asking for something that wouldn't set off the metal detector at the airport. Unfortunately, I was too embarrassed to get close to see what he was trying to buy.

I think this show could work, if it doesn't focus on video porn, but all the other stuff.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 19, 2008 9:26 AM

I'll give you my porn expense account when you pry it from my cold unfeeling hands.

Actually, you could probably take it right now if you wanted, as I've been sitting on them for the past 10 minutes. I was planning on giving myself a Stranger when you interrupted me.

Posted by: branded at November 19, 2008 9:31 AM

Yeah, our local sex shoppe seems to be doing fine. I don't exactly hang out there on weekends but I've stopped by for a laugh.
But the real laugh that I got from this was the idea of a wonderful world where Kevin Smith answers the phone with "Snootches"

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 9:32 AM

BWeaves, you have a point. Hopefully we'll see more sex toys than cheap DVDs.

Can you imagine the episode where the new artificial vagina comes in, and the pretty girl who works with them for some reason happens to walk in on Rogen in the supply closet "testing it out"?

Oh, the hijinks.

Posted by: Macafee at November 19, 2008 9:32 AM

But Mr. Show and "Amelie" have already shown us the lighter side of the sex shop, haven't they?

Posted by: Jay at November 19, 2008 9:33 AM

Now BWeaves I'm all for the adventurous forms of, shall we say, making the toes curl. But how often do you visit this store to now what the particular clientel is on any given day?

And the really important question is, of course, who visits on Sunday. I'm betting its good church going folk who have just confessed all their sins so they can start fresh Sunday afternoon. Roooowr!

Posted by: admin at November 19, 2008 9:36 AM

I am fairly sure that in either the "Evening" DVDs or in one of the commentaries, Kevin mentioned that he was going to make a pilot about Jason Lee working in a porn store, but it never got off the ground. Anyone else remember him saying that?

Posted by: Returnofthesmith at November 19, 2008 9:38 AM

Minneapolis has our quaint little SexWorld. It's a lot like BWeaves' place, except for the extremely creepy private movie booths on the second floor. I hope their employees get hazard pay.

Posted by: branded at November 19, 2008 9:42 AM

Small world, branded. My wife used to work at Sexworld, she has a LOT of great stories.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 9:51 AM

"I hope their employees get hazard pay."

Jesus. No shit. It's hard to believe there are still little boothes for hard-ups to get their hards off.

Posted by: grendel at November 19, 2008 9:52 AM

*SexWorld

One time, this really skeevy customer came in and was trying to talk to her about his favorite videos, and suddenly had a coughing fit in her face. She said it was like a slow-mo moment, seeing this glob of phlegm come out of his mouth and fly directly onto her forehead. Yum.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 9:53 AM

The reason that porn stores are dying is because with the advent of the internets you can be a perv in the confines of your own home without getting caught up in any legal entanglements. But porn stores will never truly die as long as there are married women out their who refuse to satisfy their hard working husbands sexual desires. It pisses me off when women want to hold on to their pussies like it's the hope diamond or something, then they get upset when men don't want to talk about their feelings, maybe if they gave it up once in a while men would be inclined to talk. I'm not a big fan of showtime, but this project sounds funny.

Posted by: Pookie at November 19, 2008 10:08 AM

Let me guess, one of Rogen's "stars" on the show will smoke pot, too. The guy's a one trick pony that needs to be humanly destroyed. I hope, for all our sakes, that this doesn't come close to fruition.

And "Zach & Miri..." was "critically well received?" Being a little generous, aren't we? I don't believe a lot of 2 or 2 1/2 star reviews at best can be called "well received" - unless maybe you're comparing that to Saw V?

Posted by: Bri Bri at November 19, 2008 10:09 AM

Porn stores alive and well in Houston as well. They have big billboards up around town, and the one by my house is on the fringe of a really good neighborhood on a major thoroughfare so their rent must be sky high and they're still in business.

I'm not a Rogen fan. I feel like he's the kind of guy that's around a lot of really talented people and thus becomes associated with their talent, but really he might as well be part of the set. He may be a decent writer, though.

My fun porn store story is that my teammates and I were coming home from Mini Baja and everybody was a little cramped and loopy from the long car ride, so somebody decided it would be amusing to stop in DW's porn shop outside Dallas. We come in and there isn't a soul to be seen. Then the door to the bathroom opens and a woman's voice says "I'll be right with y'all." My head instinctively snapped to the sound and I swear she was getting down in the bathroom.

Posted by: Eep at November 19, 2008 10:15 AM

The porn stores in Orlando actually advertise aimed at housewives. The show how clean and well lit the stores are, and how fun it is to shop there. My husband complains that they actually have way more stuff for women than men (well, straight men, anyway). We probably go once or twice a year for shits and giggles.

We always go before Halloween because they have the best costumes, and not porno costumes either. We're talking $500 captain of the pirate ship costumes with full 18th century coats, vests, tricorn hats, pants, boots, and swords. Really cool stuff.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 19, 2008 10:22 AM

You people glorify porn stores like they are sacred temples, but when I talk about my women selling business you guys call me all kinds of names. Why the double standards you fucking liberals?

Posted by: Pookie at November 19, 2008 10:31 AM

Heehee, porno stores. My office used to be next door to one. In fact, our lunch room shared a wall with them.

One day, about 3 weeks after I started my job and was still all awkward and nervous, I was sitting there having lunch with the other new guy and our boss. As we were quietly sitting and eating, we heard, loud and clear from next door: "Yup, nothing says Merry Christmas like a fucking dildo."

Well...it sure was a good ice breaker. All I could think to say to my new co-workers was, "Aha! I've been wondering what to get my grandma!"

Posted by: meaux at November 19, 2008 10:38 AM

Damn Meaux, your grandma's a freak.

Posted by: TK at November 19, 2008 11:14 AM

My West Virginia college town has two porn shops, one right around the corner from the other, plus another, more general-interest store (new and used CDs, beer etc.) up the street that sells some porn magazines. They're all hanging in there. Don't know how, but then I don't have the time to go see who the clientele is.

Posted by: bucdaddy at November 19, 2008 11:30 AM

*heehee* She is actually the sweetest, most stereotypical baking/quilting/sewing grammie on the planet, TK. I think she'd drop with shock if she opened up one of those on Christmas morning.

So, I did not get my grammie a dildo for Christmas after all.

Many memories of the porn shop next door are coming back to me! Like the shocked looks people gave our sweet young receptionist when she mentioned that there were great deals on toys at the shop next door (meaning the actual toy store just down the road)...or the time one of our guys came in to work at quarter to eight in the morning, only to see some desparate-looking soul huddled up by the porn shop door, patiently waiting for it to open....

Dammit, I miss being next to the porn shop!

Posted by: meaux at November 19, 2008 11:36 AM

Bri Bri, Rotten Tomatoes ranks "Zack and Miri..." at 64% - not ground-breaking, but enough to rank as "fresh".

Posted by: Shay at November 19, 2008 11:38 AM

Dammit Pookie, you're right. All our preoccupation with sexual objects makes us forget the true sexual object.
Tis the Riddle of Pocket Pussies. Pocket Pussies are not strong! Flesh is stronger! There, on the rocks. That beautiful Girl. ... I tapped that. *Girl Falls to her Death* Dammit! Why do they keep doing that!

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 11:43 AM

A coworker of mine was at her 86 year-old mother-in-law's helping to pack the place up after she was brought to a nursing home (dementia). She was cleaning the bedroom and opened up the bedside cabinet and found two dildos and a Penthouse from 1992. Older ladies need (self)lovin too.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 11:43 AM

Nothing suvives recession quite like porn!

Posted by: Audiosuede at November 19, 2008 11:44 AM

I have no Sex Shop Stories, but I do think it's kind of meh that Rogen's capitalizing on a good idea by dumbing it down and packaging it for cable.

Also speaking of Sex Shop Excursions, how are things going with the classy wooing of the lady down the hall, Rhyme.

Also, Jay nobody could do adorable elements of a sex shop like, Amelie. But also, that movie is French, so, it's guaranteed to keep the sexy times classy.

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 11:53 AM

Ahahahaha! Bucdaddy, you and I live in the same town! Select Books & Video and The Other Bookstore seem to survive on some of the more prominent businessmen of this town.

Posted by: AbbyNormal at November 19, 2008 11:53 AM

Kayanne, I'm not sure. See, I think the main competition is between myself and my roommate and while I'd argue that I have more in common with her, he has no shame and is down there all the time in what I can only imagine is a CSNY style "Can't Be With the One you Love, Love the One your With" gambit. We'll see. Keep the schemes coming though. I listen to all of them.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 12:01 PM

I don't know if it could be considered "dumbed down," Kayanne, as it's being planned for Showtime, not "regular" cable.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 12:11 PM

Snath isn't Showtime giving us crash: the series!?

Also, Optimus, you gotta through down the gauntlet. Maybe kick your roommate in the balls?

No, but seriously, if you think you're the better man, be a little more active about pursuing her. You may also want to talk to him about it. The fact of the matter is, she probably doesn't even know you may be interested because he's the only one she sees.

Just be your sweet and charming self, but start giving hints about the fact that you're into her. And get more face time.

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 12:36 PM

Pooks, you are en fuego today. Seriously, you've really elevated your game. I'm impressed.

Posted by: TK at November 19, 2008 12:52 PM

Actually no, Kayanne, that would be Starz. Showtime gives us the glories of Weeds, Dexter, and Californication.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 12:59 PM

Optimus - Love the One You're With is by Stephen Stills, not CSNY.

I love that fucking song.

Posted by: tamatha at November 19, 2008 1:06 PM

And to bring it full circle...

Snath, isn't Starz a porn name? Like Bunay or Asshlay?

I apologize for confusing that mess of a channel with Showtime, but sadly I'm broke and don't have either. Maybe it'll be a good show after all, but I still won't be able to watch it, yo.

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 1:11 PM

Tamatha you can't be my lady because you have a habit of correcting your man in public, and that's a no no.

Posted by: Pookie at November 19, 2008 1:15 PM

Pooks - that's the best news I've heard all week.

Posted by: tamatha at November 19, 2008 1:16 PM

Pookie - Bringing mysogyny back, one "Woman you best make me my dinner!" at a time.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 1:44 PM

Wow, Tamatha. Calling me out. I'm fairly sure they perform that song in concert as my father is a huge fan and owns the box set which I currently am listening to as to check if it's really just him singing. ((As I know how much they love to harmonize.) You seem to have won this round. But we'll see. Oh. We Will See.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 1:55 PM

I can totally picture Kevin Smith doing one of his college talks and bitching out about Seth Rogen, in some rambling (but hilarious) story completely unrelated to the question he was just asked.

I fucking love Kevin Smith. I just spent about 4 hours watch An Evening With Kevin Smith and I'm completely smitten. Head-over-heels in love with that fat guy.

So he better get paids, yo.

Posted by: figgy at November 19, 2008 1:57 PM

Porn stores do pretty well in my city. Especially the high end ones with toys/accessories and clothes. My friend's aunt runs such a store and holds bridal/bachelor and such parties that involves trying on lingerie and testing out clit creams. My spouse is most impressed at the thought of the girl-on-girl orgies that (surely in his mind) happen on a regular basis.

Posted by: grinder at November 19, 2008 2:06 PM

Snath because you used "mysogyny" [sic] I am allowed to mention how my college newspaper pissed me off this morning.

The paper said, and I quote, "the way the statue was disfigured makes him think it was a misogynistic..." Now, the context of this is that a sculpture that was meant to be given to our campus was defaced in an awful manner, but it pisses me off more that on the front page of our newspaper an adjective was used in place of a noun.

"a misogynistic"??!!?!! WTF student journalists. W. T. F.

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 2:08 PM

AWWWWWWW MAN. I hate when I fuck up my spelling and grammar. Thank you Kayanne, I knew it didn't look quite right. Boo.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 2:26 PM

Hahaha, Snath I don't mind bad spelling, as much (i.e. see my "through" instead of "threw" when speaking to Rhyme). And this is also a blog comment.

But on the front page of a newspaper? And a noun/adjective mix up? Oh, nay nay nay, I say.

Plus, how many days do you hear misogyny brought up; let alone, in both instances, incorrect?

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 2:30 PM

Our local porn store does very well and I think their prices on toys, lubes, etc. are a lot cheaper than online. My friends like to have sex toy parties with the in-home demonstration of the lotions and such, but I just go for the alcohol because I think they're way overpriced.

And yes, I've shopped around for my vibrators and flavored lubes. In this economy it would just be foolish not to!

Posted by: Austin at November 19, 2008 2:34 PM

Optimus - I don't think I "called you out" per se, so much as simply corrected an innocent misunderstanding of the original performer of the song.

Posted by: tamatha at November 19, 2008 2:55 PM

As the saying goes, bad grammar makes me [sic].

Posted by: branded at November 19, 2008 3:01 PM

I don't know Kayanne it sounds like something stupid I wood do if I had to right an article for a collage noosepaper.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 3:04 PM

That was all in good fun Tamatha bit of overreaction is all. *Turns into Hugh Grant for a moment* T-Terribly sorry.
And Kayanne you say they called the person a "misogynistic"? As in just the adjective? In lieu of a noun? This is what makes me want to write for my college newspaper. (My laziness is what makes me NOT want to write for it.)

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 4:02 PM

"Love the one you're with" was written and originally performed by Stephen Stills in 1970. It was later covered by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in 1971, because, hey, Stills was in the group.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 19, 2008 4:38 PM

So:

a) You're both right. Both performed the song.

b) Damn, I'm old.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 19, 2008 4:43 PM

Just well aged,BWeaves, you're like a fine wine. If you're a quirky elderly woman, I'll be your Bud Cort any day.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 5:48 PM

the best part was the fake phone conversation between Seth and Kevin...on everything else? All bets are off...

Posted by: ph at November 19, 2008 5:56 PM

Optimus, yes, yes that is exactly what I'm saying. Even though our newspaper just won some huge prestigious award.

For serious.

Also, your reasons are the same as mine. Which is pathetic, since I'm a Comm major, but I am involved in the marketing agency on campus so, trade-off, maybe.

Also, I need to find a job. Any one have a suggestion as to where or what?

Preferably not in a sex shop or Pookie's brothel.

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 6:12 PM

I'm applying at the school library. I took the class and everything. Plus my brother works there so I should be good.
Oh! Hey, Jay can I put you as a reference? I know you're the librari-man.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at November 19, 2008 6:20 PM

Weirdly enough, I currently work in the library, but I work in a software support field. I came to the interest meeting thinking I was going to learn about being a cool lil' librarian but thought the software support job would be cool.

Eh, it's cool sometimes. I like teaching the workshops, but sometimes things can be rather frustrating.

I'm talking about a legitimate career. Ya know, like *whispers* real world stuff.

Posted by: Kayanne at November 19, 2008 6:53 PM

Rhyme I love you to death but I feel as though pussy would be wasted on you.

Posted by: Pookie at November 19, 2008 8:33 PM

When I was in school I worked at the biomedical library. My entire job consisted of going to get a stack of medical journals, finding articles and photocopying them, and then putting the journals back. I LOVED that job, and I seriously miss it.

Posted by: Snath at November 19, 2008 10:55 PM