Napoleon Dynamite visits Utah It seems a little odd that Napoleon Dynamite, that famous Idaho resident, would be out promoting the Utah State Fair. But the ads are funny enough that it doesn’t matter. Napoleon (played by Jon Heder) and sidekick Pedro (Efren Ramirez) star in three TV commercials and a handful of radio spots for this year’s fair. (Check out “Napoleon’s Sweet Ads” on the fair’s main Web page, or view the TV spots directly here, here and here, via Real Player.) In one spot, Napoleon revisits the days when the carnival rides weren’t so great. “In days of yore,” he says, “the Utah State Fair didn’t have sweet rides like the Scrambler, the RockoPlane, the Octopus. ... Instead, they had retarded crap like this”—at which point Pedro duct-tapes him into a flimsy cardboard box and rolls him through a field, down a set of bleachers and over a fence. “This is pretty much the worst ride ever,” Napoleon moans. The fair, to be held Sept. 8-18, is celebrating its 150th year. This year’s tagline: “All your wildest dreams will come true.” —Posted by Tim Nudd

August 23, 2005 | Permalink

Comments

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As though there needed to be yet another reason to hate that movie... thanks, though.

Posted by: Patrick Bennett | Aug 23, 2005 4:32:00 PM

Idaho is home to more Mormons than Utah. So, in many ways, the spud state more like Utah than Utah itself.

Posted by: David Burn | Aug 23, 2005 4:35:38 PM

Oh Napoleon... how could you sell out. Don't you realize advertising is evil? Run from us, before it's too late.

Posted by: T | Aug 23, 2005 8:15:02 PM

can't wait for the next movie - this just isn't enough! more napoleon please!

Posted by: bob | Aug 24, 2005 8:37:44 AM

Who hates Napoleon? Just idiots that look for some "point" to it, and can't just enjoy a simple laugh. My understanding is that Heder and the cast signed on for the film as an independent film, and don't receive royalties due to some contract nonsense. I think that they should look to make some money from stuff like this. Good for them.

Posted by: Kellance | Sep 1, 2005 4:31:42 PM

Yes, I heard that Heder made c. $4,000 for the entire movie. I believe it started out as a short film for the BYU Film Festival - and then was developed into a full-length feature. Man, I would love to see the short (assuming it wasn't used in the full movie).

Posted by: Brian | Sep 14, 2005 12:22:28 PM

the short, entitled "peluca", can be found in the extras on the DVD. and you call yourself a fan...

Posted by: mike | Sep 14, 2005 1:44:31 PM

David, where are you getting this info? Utah by far has more mormons than Idaho. According to adherents.com, in 1990, Utah had 1.2 million (71%) compared to Idaho's 260 thousand.

http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_lds.html

Posted by: izzy | Sep 16, 2005 9:14:54 PM

I have to admit that the statement about idaho and Utah is one of the most misinformed that I have ever seen. But Napoleon rocks and one can tell from the commercials he's not afraid of some simple research.

Posted by: Nick | Oct 18, 2005 11:19:08 AM

Classic Napoleon. Funny that those with issues with this movie tend to be uptight, enjoy your serious little lives people.

Posted by: sux2bu | Mar 4, 2006 11:40:59 AM

fuuny bunny

Posted by: wilson | Feb 2, 2007 4:11:28 PM

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