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Richard Piatt ReportingThere isn't a lot of love between Governor Huntsman and the new HBO program 'Big Love'. At the same time, should Utah be concerned about its image after the show has aired a few times?
The Governor says he's seen 'Big Love', but only once. He says he probably won't watch it again. He described the show as 'relatively content-less'. Even so, it's a high-profile show, airing at a time when Utah is trying to change its image and attract new businesses.
Bottom line question: Is a show that reinforces stereotypes of polygamists harmful? The Governor doesn't seem too worried, pointing to thousands of high-tech jobs coming to northern Utah soon. He says that shows plenty of businesses are willing to look at other things in this state.
Governor Huntsman: "It is what it is, and I think Hollywood tends to rely on extremes to see shows, and that's clearly what's happening here. But I also think the state is doing a pretty fine job of selling itself right now."
At his monthly KUED news conference, Huntsman also pointed out tourism is up right now---ten percent since he took office, he says.
Contrary to the Las Vegas slogan " What happens here stays here", Huntsman says what happens in Utah you can share with everybody, most of the time.
