Posted by Midwest at archon-216-68-47-215.fuse.net on January 13, 2003 at 00:32:17:
Look, I love the characters of Jay and Bob. But I'll tell you what, I love the idea that K. Smith & friends might move in a new direction more. K. Smith has it in him (I believe) to grow as a filmmaker. Please note, though, that this is not to suggest that there was anything wrong with Jay and Bob. But K. Smith nailed it on "An Evening With . . ." when he basically said, "Hey, these characters have run their course." Plus, Jay and Bob will show up in the cartoon movie (and maybe more comics).
Don't get me wrong, a lot of people love Jay and Bob and they have every right to lament their retirement. But I think it will be really interesting to see where things go. Like many of you, I'm eagerly awaiting _Jersey_Girl_ and look forward to the new directions. Retiring Jay and Bob is an inestimatably wise move on K. Smith's part. Besides, who's to say that more characters won't come down the pike that we love. He did it once and I'll wager he'll do it again.
What he's doing here really takes balls. Another Jay and Bob movie would maybe hit really big (over 30 mill) but letting them go (as sad as that may be) shows the kind of bravery we sorely need (witness Austin Powers).