The Simpsons Go Arabi
The other day I was lying down after 'Asr trying to hang in till Maghrib time when I could break my fast when I heard a shout from Siraj...
Siraj: Come here! You've gotta see who's just converted to Islam!
Me: ...1 hour and 10 minutes, 1 hour 9 minutes.... whaaaat?
Siraj: Come see who converted!
Me: Who?
Siraj: You've just gotta see it!
So I trudge over to see a familiar family: The Simpsons!
I check out AOL News' report and watch a mini video clip titled "The Simpsons Convert to Islam" which basically describes how the show is being broadcast in the Arab world with some changes to make it palatable to Muslims. Yeah, what an oxymoron, I know... the whole point of "The Simpsons" is anarchism and antireligion. This ain't no "Saved by an Angel", folks.
So "The Simpsons" become "Aal Shamshoon" (The Shamshoon Family) while Homer becomes Omar and Bart, Badr. What's gonna become of Lisa and Marge, I don't know. And what about the fanatic reverend, the Hindu Apu and Jewish clown?
Of course the beer and bar are going to be excised, and all bacon references slashed or edited. So what's the point, then? Why export such a purely American show where most of the humor is based on Homer getting drunk, shoving bacon down his gut, or flirting? Okay, so they're letting Homer, oops, Omar, still say, "Doh!" ... but whatever will be left of the guy is certainly not the same Homer viewers know here.
It's kind of ironic when people as lewd as Nancy Ajram are given almost free rein in the Arab world at the same time "The Simpsons" is being edited. Oh yeah, I forgot...seductive Arabic music videos are okay, imported American movies are okay with Arabic subtitles, but Homer Simpson has got to become Omar Shamshoon and leave the beer! That's great that they're at least doing that, but don't you smell the stench of hypocrisy? And don't you smell the stench of stupidity for even trying to "Arabize" a show so crude as "The Simpsons" in the first place?
Wow, what a laugh the Western world is having at us now for our antics. And yes, while I know the Arabs don't represent all Muslims, unfortunately in the eyes of most Westerners, in all practicality, they do anyway.
So go ahead, MBC, broadcast "Aal Shamshoon" ... but don't try and win our respect by pseudo-religiosity, okay?
Doh!
posted by merium @ 8:34 AM
9 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I know, gawd, it's so stinky. I personally don't watch the Simpsons, but this is just bleh. Did you hear the clip, where it was showing Lisa's progress report, and instead of it saying "Lisa refused to play dodgeball today because she was sad" it says "Leesa tarfadh li3bul kurah la'annaha maktathbah"? Lol, sounded so funny in Arabic. :P But not funny in a *humourous* way of course, just a sad way. :|
Aaal Shamshoooooooon... :S See the clip here:
http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?f=39&g=9e51741b-aaa9-47c5-9de8-a8653364b9b5&p=aunews_aunationalninenews&t=s29
Yeah that was hilarious... here's the funny thing that shows about arab culture which is that the guys names have remained essentially arab (omar, badr) while it's okay for girls to have western names (Leesa:), sally, rosa, nancy (grr) etc.) it's sad where the culture is going... desis (indo paks) have started doing the same thing, giving names like alicia to their girls. welcome to the future mothers of the ummah!
Ayayay! I never noticed that before. You have some major beef with Miss Ajram, dontcha? :P
Is she popular in Jordan too? :o
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Btw, "pseudo-religiosity," good word, I'm gonna use it from now on... :P
:scratches chin:
Hilarious... but pain-stakingly sad!
anonymous: yes, you're right...it *is* pretty sad. after seeing the state of the arab shabaab (youth) in jordan i can safely say that they don't need al shamshoon added to the mix!
pin in mouth: yah, i have major beef with ajram... not her personally as such but i guess to me she has come to represent that whole group of wanabe divas who are just corrupting the muslim youth. also because she's known to be much more, ehhhh, let's just say ..."risqe"...that makes me dislike her even more. i might actually do a post on this as there's a bit of a history behind my dislike for this chic and her compatriots in the music scene.
Hey, Jordan must've taught you much. I had no idea who Nancy whatshername was till you posted that link, Merium. :P
Post a Comment
<< Home