100% agree! Thanks for sharing :) Zing indeed.

I don't even live in Provo, and I went to BYU-I and I couldn't watch the whole thing. I know, I know...it's supposed to be funny. But really, it's just sad. Really sad. And kinda pathetic.

And I agree it gives Provo a bad name.

THANK YOU! I totally agree! As a Utah (Orem) girl and a BYU grad, there is a big difference! BYU is a world all its own. I, personally, love it all. What a great place to be raised!

Amen.

THANK YOU for not raving about how much you love this like so many of my BYU friends on facebook. I thought it started out funny, then went way over the top, and never got back to funny.

Thank you. I got SO riled up when I was a student about people making fun of Provo. I would be forced to step in and tell them that they don't even live in Provo, they live at BYU, and know nothing about Provo.

And no, my dad is not a professor. There are other jobs to be had in this town.

I've been living in the city of Provo for a year and a half and love it. I appreciate your effort to make Provo seem more appealing to outsiders. However, it doesn't seem right to ignore the fact that a great percentage of Provo's twentysomething female demographic are LDS and/or attend BYU, and are looking to get married. Provo and BYU cultures are very much related, aren't they? With that in mind, I think this parody, albeit exaggerated, makes a valid point.

I personally just did not find it funny, not offensive or bothersome, but not funny. I expect more of Divine Comedy and I think they can do better.

Well said. It really wasn't funny at all!

You may rightly accuse me of being a BYU alum, but I love Divine Comedy and loved this video!

As a current BYU student, who is a girl, I found this offensive to those of us who aren't crazy, boy hungry, or baby obsessed. It gives us a bad name.

This was definitely written by a guy.

Lol! Some of the faces those girls make are pretty disturbing, and funny. My husband showed this to me and I watched it a bit confused. I was like, "Huh, provo/orem girls aren't like that." I certainly wasn't baby hungry until after I got married. I wasn't even looking for a husband when I met mine, lol!

Amen!

I love Divine Comedy live, (my BIL is a DC alum), but I have never liked their video sketches, including this one.

1. Pretty much everyone is clueless when they're 18, no matter where they are from.

2. Divine? Not to me.

(oops)

3. Well said, cjane.

Amen, sistah.

Thanks for all you do to put forth a good image of Provo to those who aren't lucky enough to be in love with it already. :)

Can't we just poke a little fun at reality? I think you've done a great job with this blog in pointing out that Provo has a lot more to offer than just BYU, but let's be serious -- they're still pretty connected. I'm guessing more than 50% of Provo's population is either BYU alumni or otherwise connected to the school, and this town wouldn't be on the map, so to speak, without BYU. BYU is definitely a little weird sometimes [I say this as a proud alum] and therefore Provo can be weird at times too.

Plus, no one can deny there's plenty of big hair, leggings and layered shirts around here.

Wow, people who think BYU is 50 percent of Provo, or somehow connected must not have ever been to Provo? When I moved to Utah I equated Provo as either college part or ghetto part and refused to ever live in Provo. Then I got married a house we could afford was in Provo, but get this, it was in the country part of Provo ( down by the lake near farms ). There are so many other parts, Provo is seriously HUGE. So yes, it is sad when people think Provo= all BYU because wow, I don't know when it grew to be so big, but Provo is a HUGE city with so much to offer ( honestly, activities every where almost weekly, sites to see both natural and historic. )

Just my two cents defense to the city I currently reside in.

And to be fair, I was prejudice against BYU for a long time, didn't want to go to a school for a MRS degree, that was honestly something we said, but that was BYU not Provo ;)

~C

I think it's safe to say that Provo would hardly be on the map without BYU. Granted, that does not mean their cultures are the same, but they certainly do influence each other.

That said, I'm guessing Divine Comedy used "Provo, UT" in the parody because it fit in the song better than "BYU" or something closer to what they meant.

Think about it: People don't question whether the original song, "California Gurls," typifies all Californians, because they realize it's focused on a specific portion of the population, and even then it's exaggerated.

What I'm trying to say is that this video shouldn't be taken so seriously. It's unrealistic, just like the overly-romanticized images of "sunkised," "fine, fresh, fierce" California girls.

Aaach. I keep trying to be balanced and rational, but mostly I'm just irritated: this is an old joke and an easy target. I dunno, I think we could do with a lot less of this kind of polarizing self-loathing and appreciate Provo for all the fantastic people (and good food and beautiful landscape) that *are* here. It gets sort of old to feel compelled to explain that I'm not "that kind" of Provo girl (who, as far as I can tell, doesn't exist).

I can't believe the blatent racism. Pride ourselves on our diversity, " White, White, and Super White"???
Sounds a little Arian.
What can Provo offer a non Mormon, non white person?

Please. It's funny 'cause it's true. Provo wouldn't exist if it weren't for BYU. They're like the conjoined twins of Utah.

amen amen to what you said cjane. byu is not provo. and byu and provo girls are not what the video said. yuck.

Dear CJane, Thanks for linking to that clip. It was very funny. I know, I know, not funny if you're from Provo. Still...

As far as I can tell, it is a little BYU (yes, I went there), hardly Provo at all, and mildly entertaining.

But in any case, shouldn't they make a Provo (or BYU), UT BOYS video...

...just to be fair?

It's a sad video that fuels an unfortunate stereotype of both Provo and BYU girls and Mormon women in general. Growing up I heard about all the old "Utah Mormon" stereotypes and when I went to BYU, my friends and I saw what we wanted to see so that we could say to each other, "Wow,people really are like that up here!". I regret the attitude now and blogs like this have done a lot towards changing my mind of what your typical Provo girl is like.

Nothing funny about this. When I was at BYU I knew 2 marriage crazed girls and about 2000 hard-working, intelligent, studious, mature women. Not only does it not represent Provo, but it doesn't represent BYU.

And it's not funny. Nothing creative or original, same old lame, lame, lame jokes. Big hair, layered shirts...time for some new writers I'd say.

As a social scientist, I always look to the data. Let's see...as of the 2000 census, Provo has a population of approx 105,000 people. It is approx 89% white and 88% of the overall population are LDS. BYU has 32000 students.


In other words, the video was clearly meant as satire and, in my humble opinion, it succeeds rather well.

Oh, I forgot to add...Provo is weird. To find a city that large with such little racial and religious diversity? Strange, indeed.

But what's wrong with being weird? Austin, Texas has a "Keep Austin Weird" campaign. Because in conservative, mostly rural Texas,liberal, urban Austin is weird.

I think you do a great job of "selling" Provo. And I think this video does a pretty good job of poking some fun at Provo, too.

I'm not even from Provo, but i agree with you. This is a BYU girl thing. It's sad to admit because I went to BYU but i saw some girls that were really like this.

yeah, definitely not a fan of this video. i'm a springville/mapleton girl transplanted to boise, idaho, and although i didn't attend BYU in provo, (ricks and BSU thank you very much) my daughter does attend and when she sees it i think she'll throw up a little in her mouth. pretty lame, if you ask this 7 miles south of provo native.

I have a different take. I thought it was lame and offensive but not because it makes all the girls at BYU look marriage crazed. I don't like it because it mocks people who want to get married. What's wrong with wanting to get married? Nothing. So why mock it? I know what you are all thinking--she went to BYU and got married when she was 18 yada yada. I did attend BYU, I didn't get married when I was 18. But if I did, who cares? We believe in marriage and family and whatever this weird trend is to mock people who want to be obedient really, really bothers me.

PS People who get married at 23 (like myself) have no more clue what they are getting themselves into than those who are 18 or 30. The learning curve has to be encountered because nothing about marriage and mothering is like you expect.

Amen! I've been bugged by that link on Facebook all week. And I can definitely appreciate some good fun and satire at our expense, but that one just wasn't very well done, just lame. Cheap shots with no real cleverness.

Great comment Andrea. I hear you.

I would say that this video is a lot like when the New Yorker put a cartoon of Obama as a terrorist. (See here: http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/1/C/2/new-yorker-obama-cover.jpg)

Was it a big hit to Obama's PR? No, it wasn't. It wasn't because the cartoon was ironic and it poked fun at the PERCEPTION of Obama, not a reality of Obama.

I think that there is a little bit of that going on here. It is kind of like Jews referring to a Jewish stereotype as a joke. This video HELPS Provo's PR and BYU's PR because it does just that. It shows outsiders that we are aware of the external perceptions, and we make fun of them.

First of all... the whole maniac bride thing is TOTALLY a Katy Perry reference. Watch the "Hot n' Cold" video and this video will make a LOT more sense.
Furthermore, I believe humor in today's society is fueled by stereotypes. We wouldn't be able to function in a society made up of simply individuals without any base similarities with each other. So we put people into groups. It's a human instinct to do so.
My point is... yeah, there are definitely a bunch of different people out there. Some are like the girls in this video; a lot are not. But we don't thrive off of case-by-case scenarios. We focus on groups. This is a video that is poking fun at a group. To focus so much on all the people who don't belong in this specific group is a waste of time!!

Ok I may be the odd one here but I thought this video was hilarious in all its awesomeness. Lighten folks. Truth is Provo is a little weird, BYU is a little weird, Rexburg is a lot weird and BYU-I is as well. But this is all coming from a U of U alumni:) Truth be told, Mormons are a bit weird and I'm one of them. I just want to see a follow-up video about the Provo boys.

PS- I like Fresh Hell Texas remarks. Embrace the weird and rock it!

This was a sketch made at BYU for BYU students, who understand that there unfortunately IS a faction of crazy unbalanced students who come aggressively seeking marriage.

As an alum I can attest that this isn't all of BYU. But if you're living in Provo, you will (and yes with your kids) probably run into them. Thankfully these girls find a sense of humor in it all.

I think it's funny. *shrugs* DC parodies BYU culture (and is written for BYU students- Provo just happened to fit into the song better than BYU). Who could forget the awesomeness of the Lord of the Engagement Ring trilogy? (I just dated myself, didn't I... at least I didn't reference the Garrens- oops. They did "Livin' La Vida Utah" with a very similar theme, only about "Utah" girls.) I went to the Y, I lived in Provo after I graduated. I met a variety of women- from the stereotype in the song to the witty women that could've written it or performed it. Mormons are a peculiar people, we just are. Either you can have a sense of humor about it (or at least appreciate that others are trying to) or you can take offense to every stereotypical thing said about Mormons. This isn't the first song/skit/comedy group/group of roomates/friends/sisters/ etc to get together and mock the stereotype of the BYU/Provo/Utah girl- mostly because, like all stereotypes, it is largely off the mark. Not all "California Gurls" rock out at the beach in their daisy dukes listening to Snoop Dogg- the song is tongue in cheek, and the parody plays off that. Is the topic old hat, yep, but so is the hot beach bunny theme of the Katy Perry song. That's what makes it work.

Yeah! Time for new writers!

"Provo, UT Girls, so hyper-sensative. Bored at home with babies and cruising the blogs."

Is that more accurate? (sorry. was that was mean? you can hate me. it's cool.)

Go easy on the girls. They created a parody for their peers which was an ABSOLUTE hit at their show. The crowd went wild. It's a student-made production by good-natured, busy, full-time students and they did an excellent job.

Sounds like you are jealous that something with the word Provo in it became a 100,000 hit sensation in less than a week and it wasn't your blog.

Its funny. We should all laugh and move on. No need to be offended by EVERYTHING. To me that is a worse stereotype of Provo.

ZING!

The only thing lamer than the video is this response to it. Maybe they should do a different lame video about how Provo girls are hypersensitive and "offended" by the "terrible stereotypes" that don't describe the people in Provo at all... I think the video would then be a bit more accurate.

I just have to say that the girl behind this amazingly hilarious video is my sister and she rocks. Her intent was purely to entertain and laugh about BYU culture. She used Provo to fit better with the song. THAT.IS.IT. No offense Provoans, no offense.
Always been a fan of yours cjane. That zinger hurt hitting a bit too close to home but you're entitled to your opinion and I'm still a fan. Just not a fan of you zingin' my sisters work.

Divine Comedy is a very talented group, this skit is extremely funny! As a BYU alum, I appreciate the joke very much! If you cannot make fun of yourself, then who can you make fun of? The BYU writers who penned this skit will go far in life!

I am a CA girl who graduated from BYU and I thought that thing was LAME!!! Didn't even make me crack a smile. In fact, my eyes were rolling all over the place. It's amazing what some people find humorous.

Well said. Provo always gets the shaft. I'm glad Provo has you as its unofficial representative. I never knew how many cool things there were to do, and to see, and to eat, until you.

Meh.

Human psychology says if you get offended by something this easily, it's probably because you are defensive and it's actually a very accurate portrayal of each of you. In fact, they were nice in their description of Provo. It's a joke. Divine Comedy participants are students who interact at a very high rate with not only BYU students, but the general culture of Provo and the Mormon culture. The culture is not in any way, shape, or form perfect; therefore, the best way to handle this is to laugh about it. If you are that offended, you should probably be better Mormons and read Elder Bednar's talk about not getting offended instead of being obsessed with your town that is well known for offending many. So, take a look in the mirror and learn how to laugh...you'll live longer.

Oops. Am I the only one who thought one of those girls WAS c jane? (far right, 0:53)

Video cracked me up. Peaked at "WHITE, WHITE, SUPER WHITE" though. :)

I think it's hilarious! In the life of a BYU student, their world is Provo and Provo is BYU. And this video is BY BYU students FOR BYU students.

Leggings and layered shirts!! Ha ha! In my day is was braided belts and rugby shirts!! Makes me feel old!

I finally watched. Not funny. The jokes are the same tired jokes that have been kicking aroung for at least 20 years. I really don't mind making fun of the subculture at BYU,but how about coming up with something original?

I thought the video was great. I can't believe people were offended. I think the people in Divine Comedy are extremely talented. Keep up the good work!!

Agreed that it was funny for the first minute or so, then got mean and nasty.

C Jane, I think it is hard for anyone who has lived in Provo for school to "get" the non-student part of Provo. After I graduated I lived Near Center Street in Provo and I could not WAIT to get away from it and all of the crazy students. At the time, I didn't realize there were parts that are not like that!

Cjane,

The writer/director of Provo UT Girls is my sister-in-law. You have the right to your opinion on this matter for sure. But why would you go on and promote this very video on your "guide to provo" blog by actually placing it on your blog? Does this not expose the video to even more people? Does is not promote the very idea of provo you are trying to fight against?

Its a group of BYU students being paid by other BYU students to perform things that they will find humor in. It was written for BYU students not for you. I think if you can realize that, you would calm down a little bit.

Maybe next time consider the negativity you are spreading and the people's feelings you are hurting. Probably not worth it.

The key thing to keep in mind here is that this is a bunch of college girls with a video camera, whereas many of you are treating it like a well-coordinated and sophisticated attack on the integrity of the city of Provo and its long term residents.

The upshot is that you all need to just chill out and not be offended by girls half your age (presumably) just having a little fun.

Two other things I find great about all of this.

First, the only play this video will get is in Utah, no one else will care. Given that, I'm going to conservatively estimate that 0% of the people that watch the video will fail to make the distinction you are so riled up about. 100% of the people (again, conservatively) will understand this to be about BYU and not about the greater Provo population. Context is a beautiful thing.

Second, and this is the best part, you and video actually agree with each other. You are both unhappy with the stereotypical young Mormon girl. The difference is that they are going after it with some lighthearted satire and you are hilariously attacking it with your lack of understanding of what satire is. It's a wonderful dynamic.

Okay, so I wasn't going to comment, but after reading all the comments, I couldn't help myself. I am a lifelong resident of Provo/Orem. I am 35 and a student at BYU. I loved this video. But, unlike a lot of Provoans, I was not offended by this video. Nor did I even think that this was making fun of Provo. I was able to recognize that this was done by a BYU student for BYU students. Here's the bottom line: we all know one of these girls, whether we are in Utah or not. We all know the girl in high school who was desperate to get married and have babies. We all know the college student who at 21 is devastated that she isn't married. We all know the new bride who wants to have babies right away because that's what the LDS church teaches. We should all be able to recognize that this was a satirical skit that was made to poke fun of Mormon stereotypes. Sure, the stereotypes are old, but they still ring true today.

Provo is weird, BYU is weird. For that matter, Utah is weird, but there is nothing wrong with that. Nor is there anything wrong with making fun of where you live and what you believe. I say embrace it. Learn to laugh at it. And maybe while you are at it, be nice. Not everyone has the same views as you when it comes to being a good mom. We all need to be better at not judging and saying mean things about each other. You have a very strong following and people listen to what you say. I am all for having an opinion, but remember that sometimes when you vocalize that opinion, especially when it's negative, you hurt someone else by it. You are so offended by this video, but you don't realize how many people you have hurt by making your comments public. I am not sure who made you the office Provo PR blogger, but I am pretty sure that this video won't negate anything you have done to try to promote Provo. I must admit, I have always been a fan, but I think that I am officially done.

Only could someone from Provo actually find this "mean and nasty". *rollseyes*

Hee! I just noticed my verification word is "pothetic". I think I just found a new word to describe someone from Provo who doesn't get satire. I'd ask BYU for my tution money back if I were you.

People! Seriously,this is a huge joke in itself that some of you are really offended by this. I watched the video a couple of days ago and didn't find it all that funny, however, I did recognise the humor in the skit. When I watch SNL and see the sketches that make fun people I like, such as actors, politicians, other people in the news, and I start to get offended, I remind myself it's all in fun, and usually a exaggeration of realiy. Thats all this video is. Don't take is so seriously. I admire the young lady who came up with the idea and saw it through.
Cjane, if you want to bring some awareness to the "beauty" of Provo, get city council to do something about cleaning up, renting out and reviving the eyesore Provo Center street has become.

As a CA transplant(yes, the part the song is about, I had lovely sun kissed skin so hot it would melt your Popsicle, I graduated from BYU with a BS and MRS. And I've lived in the lovely area for over a decade now. And I laughed. It was funny. My sister always reminds me that I have big hair. :)

I love Provo, we just bought our dream house in the vicinity and will never leave. It's a wonderful place to raise daughters (four) and teach them to laugh at themselves once in a while it's good for the soul.

I remember you replying to a comment once when you asked a reader to respect your medium (as a "writer") and not say that she though you could have done better. How is it okay for you to do the same thing to teenage girls? Thumbs down.

Yep, I agree. I hated it. I grew up in Provo and (gasp) moved away for college and I HATED how everyone assumed I was a "BYU girl". Sorry, not everyone in Provo is as mindless as this. I know it's a joke, but when people really assume that about you, it's not funny anymore.

Born and raised in Provo, attended BYU, graduated and got married there. I love DC and thought it was very funny. It's satire! And, now that we live in the midwest, can I just say that I'm glad I can still watch some of DC on the web.

I'm a SLC native, a BYU alum and I didn't think it was very funny the first time I saw it (same old, same old)...but now I've watched it again after reading your criticism and I think it's hilarious.
Provo's an awesome city. But it's cheesy and weird too. You gotta admit...
First time reader too, btw...I'll have to see why everyone else loves your blog.

The worst thing about that video is that it got that horrible Katy Perry song stuck in my head.

correct me if i'm wrong but wasn't nie-nie marriage and baby hungry at 18? and accomplished both by 19

Janie- my thoughts exactly! I'm sure their mother was the same, and Cjane as well. I'm sure all of her siblings were married by the time they were 25

for reals people who hate this come on! wake up and smell the humor. I grew up in Oregon, moved here 3 years ago and there is a reason for stereotypes....dun dun dun... because people are really like it. Coming from Oregon I get asked all the time if I'm a crunchy treehugger who drives a hybrid and doesn't shave. Do I get offended? Nope I laugh and say no but I have a brother and sister who are.

Try to tell me you don't know girls like this in Provo and I'll buy you a candy bar. If you do know some you can buy me some granola ;)

I think it is sad that so many people got so offended by this video. Sure, I could say some things against it in a serious note, but instead I choose to find the humor in it... that's what it's all about; that's what life is about. Life is too short to spend it being offended or judging people. And it's a whole lot more enjoyable when you can relax and enjoy it!

PS I watched it a couple of times. Why? Because it made me laugh! Thanks for sharing C Jane! ;D
I LOVE LIVING!!! :D

I wasn't going to post anything because, well, 74 comments is probably more than enough! But I can't help myself. I went to BYU and LOVE Provo (and your blog!). I also loved the video. I worked extremely hard to get my accounting degree and was not one of those girls, but it still made me laugh.

You know, I get so upset sometimes when people associate the LDS Church with polygamy. It may be part of our history, but it is just that--HISTORY. I am usually really quick to the defensive when questions about polygamy arise.

I have a friend, however, who turns it into a joke. "Yup," he'll say with a completely straight face. "I have three wives, in fact." It really bugged me at first that he did that. He's making it worse, I thought.

Now I've decided he is making it better. Me getting all worked up about it is making it worse. I think Fresh Hell, Texas has the right idea. Laughing this kind of stuff off is rarely going to make it worse.

Lastly, I'm not 100% you're not joking c jane. :)

I soooo hope you go to Kenya, experience the truth there (not some sanitized "missionary safe" production)and come back to re-read this. Priorities???

You're worried that "outsiders" may take a negative view of your town because of a video some girls made? After your absurd posts about Feminism? Get a clue, you did waaaay more damage to the perceptions of the "outsiders" with that crap... I know you'll delete me, but I can't wait until you go to Kenya and get a taste of reality.

Shame On You!

One of the biggest things in our society is being able to laugh at stereotypes that people have for ourselves. These comments that people have been leaving just proves that point exactly. People get way too upset and take things personally, instead of taking those stereotypes and laughing about it. These girls (especially the one who wrote and sang it) did an excellent job and made something both extremely creative and entertaining. Thank you Jane for helping get this out there so other people could enjoy it as well!

Woooooow. All these people who got worked up over your opinion are scary. Excuse me but all you did was state that it makes it harder for you guys who work on the Provo PR stuff to get rid of the blurring of BYU culture and Provo culture. If I haven't forgotten, aren't we allowed to say what we think on our own BLOGS these days? I'm especially afraid of these people who call your integrity into question or who get upset about your "zing" when this entire video was a "zing". Your sister/brother/mom/dog groomer made this video and you're upset with what Courtney said? WHO CARES. Why don't you blog about it on YOUR BLOG, not Courtney's? I'm seriously cracking up so hard over here reading these comments.

Incidentally, I thought the video was dumb, mostly because we all used to write different words to songs when we were kids, at GIRLS CAMP and it takes hardly any talent. Also, I hate that the lead singer girl is off key at lots of parts, also I think her big teeth are scary. Just my opinion. Thought I'd share.

I don't know why these comments get under my skin (I mean comments that go along with this video's message) that thankfully I hear less and less the older I get and being up here in SL County. Because I don't deal very well with them.

-vanessa inevergrewup.net

I hope it does keep people out of my city. What you see is what you get. Don't like it? Stay out! Go find a city that fits you.

Amen! I had the same reaction. The stereotypes are so stale they're not even funny anymore, much less true. Most of the women I knew when I was a student were serious and intelligent (which doesn't preclude an interest in getting married, news flash!)

I didn't find anything original, creative, OR funny about this spoof.

A recount:

1. cjane (rightly) claims that she thinks a video containing negative views about Provo harms perceptions about Provo.

2. Many commenters post negative comments, comments that hypocritically fault cjane for spreading negativity by making her claim.

yes, stereotypical provo has young people that want to get educated and married (not a bad goals). most other stereotypical college towns have young kids that want to be educated, sleep around, and get drunk every weekend.

compare byu students to other college students any day...
(my husband is a college professor outside of Utah... i know what i'm talkng about!)

i did not love the video (provo OR byu)
1. if he is running, have enough self respect to let him go-- you want a man that is as in to you as you are into him.
2. RM does not mean good husband or even right for you.

i hope my daughters want to get an education and want to get married and have children.
there is nothing better.
most of us love provo because that is the place where our ever after's began...
just sayin.

I agree BYU is a whole different world that happens to be a part of Provo. I shared it with my daughter who enjoyed a good laugh, and it made her more excited about being done with High school so she could join the crazy college crowd.

I did think it was funny!!!

Here's my thought. If you're going to poke fun at byu culture, fine. But why not make your song to the tune of a primary song, instead of imitating a pornographic music video? Clean fun, you know? Because how many times did the creators of this video watch said pornographic music video to get their lyrics and parody "just right"?

I loved the video. It was awesome. Dude don't you remember Mormon rap? Classic.