Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang – Episode: "Mountain Time"

Release Date: January 29, 2025

Introduction to the Mountain Time Episode

In the "Mountain Time" episode of Las Culturistas, hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang delve into their experiences at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The episode, marked by their signature wit and cultural insights, navigates through film discussions, sightings of reality TV personalities, and the dynamic shifts within the festival's locale. Skipping the typical advertisements and non-content segments, the hosts provide listeners with a rich tapestry of their cultural explorations.

Sundance Film Festival Insights

Matt and Bowen share their observations and interactions at Sundance, highlighting the intersection of film, culture, and personal experiences.

• Pregnant Houdini and Festival Dynamics: Matt opens the dialogue by celebrating the positive reviews of "The Wedding Banquet," directed by Andrew Ahn. He remarks, "They are extremely positive. Everyone's saying such gorgeous things like Heartwarming." Bowen echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the communal and celebratory atmosphere of the festival.

• Sundance's Potential Relocation: A significant portion of the conversation revolves around rumors that Sundance might relocate from Park City to Salt Lake City due to infrastructure demands. Bowen states at [10:14], "Salt Lake City... a little bit more infrastructure to support the size of the SC of the festival," highlighting the practical considerations behind such a move. Matt adds, "I wouldn't want Sundance to not be in the mountain time region," underscoring the cultural significance of its current location.

• Impact on Local Culture: The hosts discuss how Sundance elevates Mountain Time culturally, contrasting it with other local cultural phenomena like "The Housewives of Salt Lake City." Matt humorously connects the two by saying, "Because the rest of the year, Mountain time is in the doldrums with the Housewives of Salt Lake City."

Notable Quote:

Bowen Yang [03:03]: "There was a traditional dance in Chinese culture and some Asian cultures where people dress in a traditional sequined lion costume and dance to loud cymbals and drums."

Celebrity Sightings and Interactions

Matt and Bowen recount their encounters with reality TV stars and filmmakers, adding a personal touch to the festival narrative.

• Meeting Meredith and Seth Marks: The duo shares a heartfelt interaction with Meredith and Seth Marks at [04:02]. Bowen apologizes for being unable to attend a planned party due to being overserved, to which Matt adds, "I was overserved, but not in, like, a bad way."

• Encounters with Lisa Barlow: Lisa Barlow, dubbed the "Queen of Sundance," makes a notable appearance. Matt describes her as "queen of Sundance," and Bowen reflects on their genuine interactions, mentioning Lisa's challenges and her role within the show. They ponder the authenticity versus the scripted nature of reality TV, especially in high-stakes environments like Sundance.

Notable Quote:

Matt Rogers [22:57]: "I saw Heather Gaye in some photos... just so fun."

Film Reviews and Discussions

The hosts provide their critiques and appreciations of various films showcased at Sundance, offering listeners nuanced perspectives.

• "Weddings Banquet" and Its Reception: Bowen expresses gratitude towards the film's cast and crew, praising performances by Joan Chen and Yeo Jung Yun. Matt expresses both excitement and disappointment about not being able to attend screenings, saying, "I won't be able to support it in theaters."

• Adaptation Challenges in "Kiss of the Spider Woman": A detailed analysis is provided on the film's adaptation challenges, especially the portrayal of intense personal stories within a cinematic framework. Matt critiques the film's ability to balance multiple genres, stating, "It's a very, very, very bleak existence" and analyzing its Oscar buzz.

Notable Quote:

Bowen Yang [38:33]: "Bill Condon. This is the thing about Bill Condon."

Upcoming Projects and Announcements

Matt and Bowen share exciting news about their forthcoming projects, giving listeners a glimpse into their creative endeavors.

• "Rules of Culture, Volume 1": The hosts announce their collaboration on a new book under Andy Cohen's imprint. Matt humorously clarifies the nature of their contribution, while Bowen emphasizes their enthusiasm and the book's unique take on cultural rules.

Notable Quote:

Matt Rogers [54:47]: "Bone Yang and I will be co-authoring the Rules of Culture, Volume one that is being announced today."

Personal Anecdotes and Reflections

Throughout the episode, personal stories and reflections add depth to the conversation, illustrating the hosts' connection to the cultural scenes they discuss.

• Gym Experiences and Safety Concerns: Matt shares his discomfort with gym-goers wearing excessive jewelry, highlighting safety concerns. His humorous rant underscores the absurdities encountered even in everyday settings.

• Rule of Culture and Community Engagement: The hosts stress the importance of community and representation in media, reflecting on their roles as cultural consultants and the impact of their work on diverse audiences.

Notable Quote:

Matt Rogers [62:16]: "It's just like... you become a projectile."

Conclusion and Future Directions

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Bowen summarize their experiences and express anticipation for future cultural engagements.

• Sundance Farewell and Moving Forward: The hosts express mixed emotions about leaving Sundance early, balancing personal schedules with a desire to fully engage in the festival's offerings. They hint at attending future events and continuing their exploration of cultural phenomena.

• Preparing for Upcoming Projects and Travels: With plans to attend Las Vegas events and further projects in the pipeline, Matt and Bowen leave listeners excited for what's next, maintaining their enthusiastic and relatable rapport.

Notable Quote:

Bowen Yang [68:40]: "Jesus Christ. Oh, my God."

Final Thoughts

The "Mountain Time" episode of Las Culturistas offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Sundance Film Festival through the lenses of Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Their blend of humor, cultural critique, and personal anecdotes provides listeners with a vivid portrayal of the festival's atmosphere, the challenges of film adaptation, and the complexities of maintaining cultural authenticity in reality television. With upcoming projects and a continued passion for cultural discourse, Matt and Bowen solidify their roles as influential voices in contemporary pop culture analysis.