Back from Utah, Folks!
I did five great shows in SLC. I mean it. Really connected, wild shows. With a lot of exploring, riffing.
I loved to riff on the Mormons and they seem to like it as well. Not the standard secret underwear stuff. I try to go deeper with it.
I always wonder why I go to Salt Lake City. It doesn’t seem like a city that would be my people but it always is. Right when I get there I remember that I like the place. It’s truly weird. As critical as I am of religion and fanatics and the possibility of an evolving fascist theocracy in this country, when I am in an actual theocracy, I kind of find it relaxing. The people are always very nice and very game as an audience. It’s definitely more weird than evil there. At least from what I can tell. It’s a nice theocracy.
It is a Mormon-run state though, I believe.
I got into a friendly spat on Twitter with some guy who took issue with me calling it a theocracy (which it is) and that SLC was a progressive, diverse, (not really) growing city. With a large LGBQT community and a lot of groovy people. That may be true but it is only because the elders are allowing it and it is good for business. I assume.
I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to visit Temple Square and see the Space Jesus statue and walk around the history of the Wild West American Jesus Cult origins. It looked like something was going on there. Either a massive renovation or they built a launching pad around the Temple and are preparing to lift off. Planet Mormon on the horizon.
I had a good time in Utah. Even though there seems to be zero fucks given about any commitment to public health I was able to host five vax-only shows and pretty much sell them out. I want to thank my Utah fans for being grown-ups.
Today I have an in depth talk with Barry Jenkins about most of his films including Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk. We do focus on his new series The Underground Railroad quite a bit. It is a piece of art in its entirety and nothing we talked about takes away from the experience of watching it. On Thursday I talk to my GLOW co-star Kimmy Gatewood about her coming up through the comedy sketch/improv world and becoming a TV and film director. Most recently of Iliza Schlesinger’s Good on Paper.
Great talks!
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron