Long before Hot Fuzz and even before Shaun of the Dead, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright collaborated on a British sitcom called “Spaced” which starred Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson (now Hynes) as a pair of strangers who pretend to be a couple in order to move into a relatively inexpensive flat. It aired over two seasons in the UK between 1999 and 2001, but has only been seen here irregularly on BBC America.
After many years of working out all the rights and other issues, “Spaced: The Complete Series” is finally being released on DVD in the United States on July 22, collecting all 14 episodes of the series with tons of extras and guest commentaries. You can order that here, but the really big news is that Pegg, Hynes and Wright will be doing a one-week “Spaced Invasion” mini-tour across America to promote the DVD with free screenings and events starting in New York, going to L.A., stopping in San Diego (at Comic-Con) and Austin, and ending with an appearance by Pegg on “Late Night with David Letterman.”
One can expect plenty of mayhem and mischief as the trio hits New York on July 21 with a special FREE screening of three episodes of the show with a Q ‘n’ A to follow. They’ll do a signing at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square from 2 to 4 PM before heading out to L.A. on Wednesday, July 23 to do the same at Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash West. That night, they’ll do another three-episode FREE screening at the Arclight Hollywood and that Q ‘n’ A will be moderated by none other than Kevin Smith! (Sorry, New York, you only get former New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell.)
Already regular fixtures at Comic-Con International in San Diego, the threesome will conduct a panel during the day on Friday, July 25 at 12:30 in Room 6A and then that night, they will air three more episodes, these one picked in a poll of favorites on the Spaced Invasion blog. The “Spaced Invasion” tour wraps up in Austin with a marathon of all fourteen episodes at the Alamo Drafthouse on Sunday, July 27 and then it’s back to New York for Pegg’s Letterman appearance.
The full press release is below, but you can get more up to date information and links to the Facebook events pages by going to the Spaced Invasion blog. Go out and show your support for the visiting Brits and maybe you can even catch “Ye Olde Weekend Warrior” at a couple of ’em (if he can get in!):
BBC Video announced today a four city tour to celebrate the DVD set release of Spaced: The Complete Series, available for the first time in North America on July 22. Creator-stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson) (Shaun of the Dead, Son of Rambow) and director Edgar Wright will travel to New York, Los Angeles, Comic-Con and Austin for special screenings, a marathon, panel sessions and signings for fanboys and fangirls.
The weeklong tour kicks off in New York City at the Village East Cinema on Monday, July 21, with a screening and Q&A session moderated by Elvis Mitchell (film critic and host of KCRWs The Treatment). The weeks events include a Los Angeles screening and Q&A moderated by our very own Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma), a Comic-Con panel session moderated by Aint It Cools Moriarty, a Fans Choice screening at Comic-Con, a Marathon screening at the Austins Alamo Drafthouse and signings at New Yorks Virgin Megastore in Union Square, Jay & Silent Bobs Secret Stash West and Comic-Con.
Facebook event pages has been created for each free screening so fans can get instant updates and hear directly from Simon, Jess and Edgar. They will also be able to follow the tour by visiting www.spacedinvasion.com.
Spaced: The Complete Series, a 3-disc set from BBC Video, features all 14 surreal episodes of the award-winning show, described by Pegg as a cross between The Simpsons, The X-Files and Northern Exposure. Boasting over eight hours of content, the DVD set features bonus material including the all-new commentary from Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill), Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma), Matt Stone (South Park, Team America: World Police), Bill Hader (Superbad, SNL), Patton Oswalt (King of Queens, Ratatouille) and Diablo Cody (Oscar®-winning writer of Juno). Available on pre-order.
NEW YORK
Monday, July 21
7:00 PM: A special 3-episode screening event of Spaced, immediately followed by a Q&A with Simon, Jessica and Edgar at the Village East Cinemas. The Q&A session will be moderated by Elvis Mitchell (film critic and host of KCRWs The Treatment). Facebook Event Page.
Tuesday, July 22
2:00-4:00 PM: Virgin Megastore in Union Square hosts a Spaced: The Complete Series signing event with Simon, Jessica and Edgar.
LOS ANGELES
Wednesday, July 23
12:30-2:30 PM: Jay & Silent Bobs Secret Stash West hosts a Spaced: The Complete Series signing event with Simon, Jessica and Edgar.
7:00 PM: A special 3-episode screening event of Spaced, immediately followed by a Q&A with Simon, Jessica and Edgar at the Arclight Hollywood. The Q&A session will be moderated by Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma). Facebook Event Page.
COMIC-CON 2008: San Diego
Friday, July 25
12:30 PM: Simon, Jessica and Edgar will participate on a panel session moderated by Aint It Cools Drew Moriarty McWheeny in Room 6A. The three will also do multiple signings including one at the BBC booth.
10:15 PM: To close the day, Simon, Jessica and Edgar are asking fans to pick three episodes for a special Comic-Con screening event in Room 6A. Log on now to spacedinvasion.com to cast your vote.
AUSTIN
Sunday, July 27
5:00 PM: A marathon screening of all 14 episodes of Spaced, including a Q&A with Simon, Jessica and Edgar at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. Facebook Event Page.
