Why Is Kevin Smith "Terrified" of Jersey Shore?

Controversial director discusses making another Clerks film, turning 40, and his problems with the hit MTV reality show

Not everyone is a fan of MTV's Jersey Shore.

Director and New Jersey native Kevin Smith explained his beef with the high-profile reality show when we sat down with him yesterday at a promotional event for his latest film, CopOut.

Read on to hear what the outspoken filmmaker told us about retiring Jay and Silent Bob, turning 40, and being "terrified" by "The Situation"...

Being from New Jersey, what do you think of the whole Jersey phenomenon that's going on?
I've never seen The Real Housewives of New Jersey. I've watched two or three episodes of Jersey Shore and it's not really the Jersey Shore. As soon as you watch the first episode they're like, "This one's from Staten Island. This one's from Long Island." They're not from New Jersey. Now they're doing a second season and they're in f--king Florida. Now it's just a name.

So you're not a fan?
First, I was relieved that only one person was from New Jersey. Second, I was terrified because I was like, "If society collapses and The Situation's in charge?" I mean, it's nice that people pay attention to the state, but what goes up always comes down.

Do you have any big plans to celebrate turning 40 on August 2?
I've been very blessed, and I've been celebrated by a bunch of people many times over the years. So much so that the idea of throwing myself a birthday party just to be like, "I'm 40, motherf--kers!" just feels, for me, kind of gauche. Instead we are going to tape a TV show. I've done three DVDs of An Evening with Kevin Smith and the next one we're doing for TV.

Do you ever want to do another Clerks film and, if so, will you bring the original cast back again?
Yeah, probably in my mid-40s. I wouldn't do it without those guys, though, I mean, unless one of them died. But I don't think I'd bring Jay and Silent Bob back because I just think in their mid-40s, it would be more depressing than funny.

What's the next movie we are going to see from you?
Red State is what we're shooting in August. It's a political horror movie, essentially. We're still casting right now, but I don't want to cast anybody that anybody knows because that takes you right out of the flick. The idea is what's going to sell the movie.

—Written by Brett Malec. Marc Malkin is on vacation.