Al Shamshoon: "The Simpsons" on Arabic TV (not a joke!) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 11-03-2005, 08:17 PM

I just stumbled on this and thought everyone might find this article interesting. It's not a joke - though aspects of it may read like one.

The Simpsons' Exported to Arabs -- Minus Bacon, Beer
Key Aspects of New Middle East Version Get Lost in Translation

By JAKE TAPPER and AVERY MILLER, ABCNews.com

(Oct. 18) -- After 17 seasons of entertaining U.S. audiences, "The Simpsons" can now be seen on Arab television. While U.S. foreign policy is not always a hit overseas, there is a huge audience for American popular culture.

So the Arab satellite network MBC is bringing the cartoon saga of Springfield to the heart of the Arab world. "The Simpsons" has been exported overseas and is now called "Al Shamshoon."

With Omar instead of Homer, and Badr substituting for Bart, MBC hopes to win coveted young viewers. After all, 60 percent of the Arab world is 20 years old or younger.

"I think 'The Simpsons' will open new horizons for us to the future by creating a new genre of programming that will appeal to young adults in the Middle East," said Michel Costandi, MBC's director of business development.

But with a show that is so disinctly American, Arab media experts say, it's not enough to just translate the language.

"Translating the show linguistically, as well as culturally, as well as socially so that it appeals to the audience that's watching it here, I think there's a lot of details that one has to pay attention to," said Nadia Rahman, a professor at the Zayed University Media Center in the United Arab Emirates. "How does the mother dress? How does the sister dress?"

So MBC is making some changes as the characters go from American to Arab. They will remove references to things forbidden by the Koran, such as bacon, beer, and other references that might be construed as offensive.

From American Beer to Arab Soda

Homer Simpson's ubiquitous Duff beer will now be soda in the Arab version of the show.

Hot dogs will become Egyptian beef sausages, and donuts will become popular Arab cookies called "kahk." Moe's Bar has been completely written out of "Al Shamshoon."

With characters who are Jewish (like Krusty the Clown), Hindu (like Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu) and Christian (like the family's pastor, Rev. Lovejoy), Al Jean — "The Simpsons" executive producer — says those changes mean they aren't "The Simpsons" anymore.

"If he doesn't drink and eat bacon and generally act like a pig — which I guess is also against Islam — then it's not Homer," Jean said.

Some on the Arab street agree. Many bloggers have also expressed discontent.

"It's different," one Arab viewer told ABC News. "We are a totally different culture, so you can't be talking about the same subject and in the same way."

One thing didn't change, according to Costandi. Omar Shamshoon still says "D'oh!"

10/18/05

Copyright 2005 ABCNEWS.com

I hope they address this on an upcoming episode of the show - either as the premise for an episode or a gag sequence. If they have to make that many changes, why bother importing it???

Chocoholic · 11-06-2005, 01:22 PM

So, is each episode they show over there going to be like, five minutes long or something? It sounds like they've taken just about everything out. Are they showing our episodes or coming up with different ones?

Dr. Thong · 11-06-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

So, is each episode they show over there going to be like, five minutes long or something? It sounds like they've taken just about everything out. Are they showing our episodes or coming up with different ones?

They're showing the original episodes, just hacked up, gutted and neutered to death. I think they should have just bought the rights and made their own version. Whatever they're watching, it aint gonna be The Simpsons.

11-03-2005, 08:17 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Al Shamshoon: "The Simpsons" on Arabic TV (not a joke!) I just stumbled on this and thought everyone might find this article interesting. It's not a joke - though aspects of it may read like one. The Simpsons' Exported to Arabs -- Minus Bacon, Beer Key Aspects of New Middle East Version Get Lost in Translation By JAKE TAPPER and AVERY MILLER, ABCNews.com (Oct. 18) -- After 17 seasons of entertaining U.S. audiences, "The Simpsons" can now be seen on Arab television. While U.S. foreign policy is not always a hit overseas, there is a huge audience for American popular culture. So the Arab satellite network MBC is bringing the cartoon saga of Springfield to the heart of the Arab world. "The Simpsons" has been exported overseas and is now called "Al Shamshoon." With Omar instead of Homer, and Badr substituting for Bart, MBC hopes to win coveted young viewers. After all, 60 percent of the Arab world is 20 years old or younger. "I think 'The Simpsons' will open new horizons for us to the future by creating a new genre of programming that will appeal to young adults in the Middle East," said Michel Costandi, MBC's director of business development. But with a show that is so disinctly American, Arab media experts say, it's not enough to just translate the language. "Translating the show linguistically, as well as culturally, as well as socially so that it appeals to the audience that's watching it here, I think there's a lot of details that one has to pay attention to," said Nadia Rahman, a professor at the Zayed University Media Center in the United Arab Emirates. "How does the mother dress? How does the sister dress?" So MBC is making some changes as the characters go from American to Arab. They will remove references to things forbidden by the Koran, such as bacon, beer, and other references that might be construed as offensive. From American Beer to Arab Soda Homer Simpson's ubiquitous Duff beer will now be soda in the Arab version of the show. Hot dogs will become Egyptian beef sausages, and donuts will become popular Arab cookies called "kahk." Moe's Bar has been completely written out of "Al Shamshoon." With characters who are Jewish (like Krusty the Clown), Hindu (like Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu) and Christian (like the family's pastor, Rev. Lovejoy), Al Jean — "The Simpsons" executive producer — says those changes mean they aren't "The Simpsons" anymore. "If he doesn't drink and eat bacon and generally act like a pig — which I guess is also against Islam — then it's not Homer," Jean said. Some on the Arab street agree. Many bloggers have also expressed discontent. "It's different," one Arab viewer told ABC News. "We are a totally different culture, so you can't be talking about the same subject and in the same way." One thing didn't change, according to Costandi. Omar Shamshoon still says "D'oh!" 10/18/05 Copyright 2005 ABCNEWS.com I hope they address this on an upcoming episode of the show - either as the premise for an episode or a gag sequence. If they have to make that many changes, why bother importing it???
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

11-06-2005, 01:22 PM	#2
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	So, is each episode they show over there going to be like, five minutes long or something? It sounds like they've taken just about everything out. Are they showing our episodes or coming up with different ones?