MovieChat Forums > The R.M. (2003) Discussion > Ogden, Utah?

Ogden, Utah?

posted 18 years ago by krissmiss
6 replies | jump to latest

Okey-dokey, this was the one inside gag that I tried to look up, but I couldn't find anything? What's the deal with the Ogden, Utah reference? Please help, because I know I'm supposed to chuckle....

[–] papabearandy 18 years ago

I believe that this was a swipe at the locals there. He was disappointed with the call sheets he got because he didn't think he would have much luck selling a TV language filter there. His first list was Miami, FL and his second sheet was East L.A., CA. Both known for having high hispanic populations. I don't know if Ogden has a high hispanic population but I'm guessing they do. It seems a bit mean spirited to me. It's one thing to make fun of youselves.

[–] mel_sebourn 18 years ago

The swipe was at the locals in Ogden but not because there is a higher concentration of any one ethnic group in Ogden. If you think back to the movie, he is trying to sell a TV language filter . . .it's a profanity filter, something that "bleeps" out profanity on TV . . . it has nothing to do with a foreign language. Ogden is know as an area in Utah that has a higher number of gangs, drug users, other unsavory types. Types that are probably NOT interested in a product that bleeps out profanity. Thus the dismay at trying to sell in Odgen.

[–] rowan_red 18 years ago

I'd wondered about that too. I had no idea that Ogden was like the ghetto of Utah!

[–] pammygrrl 18 years ago

It's not, really, but I guess that is what makes the gag funny. The little naive RM only knows the Wasatch Front (Valley) area of Utah around Salt Lake City (besides where he did his mission, I guess) and thinks Ogden is so terrible...as compared to Miami and L.A. !!! Get it? This is the only problem with wide distribution of these movies. If you are not LDS or do not live near here, you can't possibly understand all the little "inside jokes." I just watched "The Sons of Provo" and it was hysterical! But I couldn't help but think that a little over a year ago, I wouldn't have got it at all and would have dismissed it as stupid.
pea jay

[–] meganhowarth 17 years ago

I live in Ogden, and really, it's not. They were taking a swipe at Ogden because it's one the "gentile" cities in Utah, i.e. a city that was settled by non-mormons and continues to have a fairly high population of non-mormons, particularly Catholics. I didn't think that part of the movie was needed, though, and it made me a bit angry.

[–] gbthecoach 17 years ago

Ogden tends to have a higher % of non LDS then the rest of Utah. Probably because of the air force base and the railway that drove the early building of the town. There are a lot of mormons there but also a higher group that probably would not mind hearing $#%@@^%$ so hence no need for the filthy filter.