EPIX Celebrates the Big 4-0 with Kevin Smith

NEW YORK--EPIX, the premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service, celebrated Kevin Smith’s milestone birthday Monday night in a big way, filming his marathon performance and presenting the award-winning writer, producer, director and actor with a birthday cake as he was leaving the stage of the EPIX exclusive special Kevin Smith: Too Fat for 40.

“Nearly 2 million Twitter followers would agree with that.”

Filmed live on location in New Jersey’s historic Count Basie Theater, the director of the critically acclaimed Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma and, most recently, Cop Out spun humorous, irreverent and revealing tales of his life so far. Born and raised in New Jersey, Smith began the highly successful series of audience question and answer events several years ago, playing to packed houses including a sold out performance at Carnegie Hall. Known for his clever scripts that revere pop-culture, Smith has developed a loyal and enthusiastic following.

"My 40th was, by far, my fattest, funniest, and favorite birthday I've ever had. I loved the Count Basie crowd and I LOVE EPIX for affording me the chance to play a poor man's George Carlin with my very own cable comedy special!" said Kevin Smith.

“Kevin Smith’s work speaks to and for his generation – he speaks in the voice of the EPIX audience,�?? said EPIX President and CEO Mark Greenberg. “Nearly 2 million Twitter followers would agree with that.�??

The engaging director took questions from fans and entertained the audience for over six hours in the special shoot for EPIX. Kevin Smith: Too Fat for 40 premieres as a two hour special in October on EPIX, the premium channel launched by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate last fall.

About EPIX

EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom Inc. , its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate , is a next-generation premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service. With access to more than 15,000 motion pictures spanning the vast libraries of its partners and other studios, EPIX provides a powerful entertainment experience with more feature films on demand and online and more HD movies than any other service. It is the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up of new Hollywood titles, classic feature films, original series, music and comedy specials through the linear channel, video-on-demand and online at EpixHD.com, the leading online destination for movies. EPIX has made the commitment to deliver the industry’s most expansive online collection of movies, making more than 3,000 titles available to subscribers this year. The service is available to over 30 million homes nationwide through carriage agreements with Verizon FiOS, DISH Network, Cox Communications, Mediacom Communications, Charter Communications and NCTC.

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com .

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