# Mallrats Vs. Clerks **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 18, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862 "2000-01-18T00:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Kold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kold)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/1 "2000-01-18T00:23:00Z")
Okay, I assume everybody here is familiar with the three movies refered to as the Jersey Trilogy (Kevin Smith’s Mallrats, Clerks, and Chasing Amy) and how they all have connections to eachother, but I picked up on something the other day while watching mallrats and I just wanted to run it by a few of ya to see what ya think. In Clerks, Randal has a cousin named Walter that died by breaking his neck when he was trying to uh, well, check his own oil. Anyways, a few days ago I watched Mallrats and I noticed that Brody had a cousin named Walter as well. Brody’s cousing Walter is always referred to in the past tense throughout the movie (“My Cousin Walter was a wierd guy”), and he was also fairly bizzarr (masturbated on a plane, got 3 cats stuck up his pooper for the purpose of trying to get “the gerbil out”, etc.). ALSO Brody and Randal are fairly similar characteristically (don’t know if that’s intentional or lack of experience on Kevin Smith’s part though). So my conclusion that Brody and Randal are related, either 1st or 2nd cousins, or possibly even brothers (I can’t remember either of their last names, anybody know?). Anywhooo, whatcha y’all think? Have I discovered something? Or was I just REAAAAAAAAAALLY slow to catch on to something blatantly obvious? PS: If anybody could tell me what the last names are of Brody and Randall it’d be definitely way cool since I’m too cheap and too broke to rent the flicks. * * * ants spend 20% of their day working… [The Neo-Comintern](http://members.home.net/comintern) ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/2 "2000-01-18T00:47:00Z")
I think I love you. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/3 "2000-01-18T01:01:00Z")
Randal Graves Brody Bruce. Yeah, I did notice the jokes about the cousin. So, I guess the two guys are related. They also mention the girl who slept with the dead guy in Chasing Amy, or was it Mallrats. I thought that was funny. Mallrats was ok in a grossout comedy sort of way. But, I thought both Chasing Amy and Clerks were far superior. Clerks was great. Randal kicks major ass. pat ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/4 "2000-01-18T01:06:00Z")
Clerks was brilliant! In fact, I wont date anyone who doesnt know who Kevin Smith is. OK, maybe I will. But I wont respect him!! ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/5 "2000-01-18T01:16:00Z")
Sorry, but I think you’re slowy noticing something thats blatantly obvious. All 3 movies refer to the others in off handed ways, thats their charm IMHO. The Walter is intended to be the same character IIRC, and pat is right that they refer to Kaitlyn in Chasing Amy. Good flicks, I admit to have never hearing them refered to as the “Jersey Trilogy” not that the name is inaccurate. I own and have memorized Clerks, but have only seen Mallrats a half dozen times (roommate in college owned it) and Chasing Amy once, otherwise I might be able to describe some other references. I suggest you do a quick web search, with all the geeks who adore these movies I assure you there is a plethora of webrings dedicated to these sites. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/6 "2000-01-18T01:25:00Z")
Don’t know the answer to the questions you asked just thought I’d share a very mundane little tidbit. The flea market they go to in Mallrats (U.S. Route 1) is 5 miles from the town I am from in Jersey. I used to go there every other weekend. It was torn down a few years ago and replaced by a kick-ass Loew’s theatre with stadium seating. You may continue… * * * If your head is wax, don’t walk in the sun. -Benjamin Franklin ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/7 "2000-01-18T01:29:00Z")
oh my god. Is that the flea market outside of Philly? I didn’t know that was torn down. Wow, I used to get all kinds of crap from that place. pat ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/8 "2000-01-18T01:38:00Z")
pricciar-not exactly right outside of Philly, about an hour and a half. About half an hour outside of Manhattan. * * * If your head is wax, don’t walk in the sun. -Benjamin Franklin ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/9 "2000-01-18T03:01:00Z")
There’s a ton of references that the movies share. First off, Jay and Silent Bob appear in all of them. Then there’s the Jones sisters - Alyssa Jones in “Chasing Amy,” Trisha (Trish the Dish) Jones, the 15 year old that was writing “Boregasm”)Jones in “Mallrats”, and in “Clerks” there’s the Jones sister (can’t remember her first name off the top of my head) that Rick Derris picks up in the convience store. That one even talks about her older sister Alyssa, who used to date Rick. In “Clerks,” Randal and Dante go to a funeral - it’s for the same girl whose death is mentioned in “Mallrats,” - the one that died in a pool. This means that the two movies have to take place w/in a couple of days of each other, and I tend to think “Mallrats” might actually be first, but that’s just my guess. Dante’s last name is Hicks. Bachelor #3 in “Mallrats” is Gil Hicks, and is also played by Brian O’Halloran, so it’s implied that they’re related, too. The character they call “Snowball” in "Clerks is also called Willam, which is the name of the guy who can’t see the Magic Eye pictures in “Mallrats.” Different actor, though. ## Those are just the first bunch I thought of off the top of my head. Can you tell I’ve seen them all way too many times? “I’ll tell you a secret, baby - maybe you can’t do better - gotta settle for second best” - the Judybats ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/10 "2000-01-18T05:02:00Z")
The new Smith film, _Dogma_, also fits in with the other films. I can’t confirm all of these, but here’s what I’ve found… 1. Brian O’Halloran as a new character “Andre Hicks” 2. Jeff Anderson (Randal in _Clerks_) as a gun shop clerk. 3. At the end of _Dogma_ Jay tells Silent Bob they should go to the Quck Stop, which is the store in _Clerks_. (This one makes me wonder if _Dogma_ is a prequel to _Clerks_. After all, it was written first.) ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/11 "2000-01-18T05:04:00Z")
Valareiblaise: I might be wrong, but wasn’t “Clerks” made before “Mallrats”? Or are you saying that “Mallrats” _takes place_ before “Clerks”? That’s would be interesting, sort of making “Mallrats” a prequel. Food for thought. IMO, “Chasing Amy” is one of my favorite movies. It reminds me of an old boyfriend and how he worshipped his best friend and the friend felt threatened by my presence. > [@](#): > > That boy loves you in a way he ain’t ready to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/12 "2000-01-18T06:21:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Dewaholic: > \*\*Valareiblaise: I might be wrong, but wasn’t “Clerks” made before “Mallrats”? Or are you saying that “Mallrats” _takes place_ before “Clerks”? That’s would be interesting, sort of making “Mallrats” a prequel. Food for thought. > > \*\* Yes, “Clerks” was made before “Mallrats.” I meant that since the girl died in the pool the night before “Mallrats” takes place, and then Dante and Randal go to her funeral (which would obviously be at LEAST a day later), “Clerks” has to take place after “Mallrats.” I don’t know if that qualifies it as a prequel or not, though. * * * “I’ll tell you a secret, baby - maybe you can’t do better - gotta settle for second best” - the Judybats ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/13 "2000-01-18T07:43:00Z")
_Dogma_ was written before _Clerks_ and there is a line at the end of the credits that says “Coming soon, Dogma!” or something to that effect implying that the two movies may be Sequel/Prequel, but not having seen Dogma, I can’t say with certainty. ---
**Author:** ![Kold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Kold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kold)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/14 "2000-01-18T08:13:00Z")
well, I knew all 4 movies are somehow connected, I was aware of the majority of the things people wrote but I gotta admit, shocked at some that I never though of! Many thanx to the people that pointed out the Willam/Snowball connection, the Jones sisters connection, and there was one other one that I can’t remember. =) Keep 'em coming. =) * * * “What do you do for an encore?!? Do you anally rape my grandmother while pouring sugar in my gastank?!?” ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/15 "2000-01-18T09:22:00Z")
I adore all four movies. However, Mallrats is my least favorite. It is very entertaining but I just feel like Jeremy London is not suited to deliver Kevin Smith dialogue. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a good actor (_Dazed and Confused_) but not everyone can pull off the quick, witty banter that Kevin writes. The other problem I have with Mallrats is why the hell does Rene change clothes about a dozen times all in the course of one day? Keeping with the clever tie-in idea, in Mallrats when Brodie and T.S. go to the dirt mall, they stop at a stall where Brodie picks up a comic. (“These should have boards in them!”) T.S. picks up a hat, puts it on, takes it off, looks at the logo on the front, grimaces, and tosses it down. It’s a Clerks hat. **AND** In Chasing Amy, Alyssa mentions that she has slept with both Gwen Turner (Adams’ role in Mallrats) and Shannon Hamilton (Ben Affleck from Fashionable Male). * * * The Top 10 Greatest Things About Procrastination: 1. ---
**Author:** ![MadPoet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@MadPoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPoet)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/16 "2000-01-18T14:43:00Z")
Rene changes her clothes so often because Shannon Doherty had it in her contract that she could keep anything she wore in the movie. 🙂 ## Dogma came about 6 years after Clerks in the timeline. It is the prequel to Clerks 2 : Still Clerkin. If you read the Jay and Silent Bob comic books, it tells the story from when they walk out of the diner in Amy to when the jump the triplets in Dogma. Great stuff – it even explains what’s up with the monkey at the end of Mallrats. Brodie and Randall are cousins, but no relation to Walt Flanagan (that Walt is still alive). Also of note is the Jones girls. Alyssa is the female lead in Chasing Amy. She mentions Tricia, who is the 15 yr old who writes the book in Mallrats. The middle sister is Heather, who gets picked up by Rick Derris in Clerks. [http://www.madpoet.com](http://www.madpoet.com) Computers have let mankind make mistakes faster than any other invention, with the possible exception of tequila and handguns. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/17 "2000-01-18T16:15:00Z")
[www.viewaskew.com](http://www.viewaskew.com) ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2000, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mallrats-vs-clerks/12862/18 "2000-01-19T10:55:00Z")
Good to know. * * * The Top 10 Greatest Things About Procrastination: 1.