In my daily efforts to help bring you guys the most interesting stories from around the world, every once in a while I am just blown away. Today is one of those days. ABC News (via AOL news) reports on the revelation that Homer Simpson has embraced Islam:
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. [link]
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Here is the catch. In an act of what can only be described as “censorship wizardry,” MBC has to convince its audience that the entire time Homer is at Moe’s tavern, he is simply enjoying a cold mug of…soda. Oh wait…
Moe’s Bar has been completely written out of “Al Shamshoon.”…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.
Homer Simpson’s ubiquitous Duff beer will now be soda in the Arab version of the show.
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p>Ooooh, that’s–got–too hurt–the Duff man. Apu can’t sell hotdogs anymore but will instead sell “Egyptian beef sausages.”
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.
You can watch a video of the story on the AOL website I linked above.
This seems interesting, but strange. why have the simpsons if you are going to do censoring? and what about all the racist jokes especially against Islam which is found in all mediums of modern society.
otherwise known as The Denim….
What!?! So will Marge become Maryam and Lisa rechristened as Lubna?
It would be interesting to see if this show comes out a winner. Personally, I don’t feel just the translation and cosmetic character changes will do. Details like the way the characters walk, the way they express laughter, outrage, disgust..the way they fight, tease etc.. their behaviour, personality, all of that matters. Without effectively translating these cultural minutiaes, it’s a flop. They should’ve started from scratch and created an indigenous show called “The Sheikhs”.
Not to mention it’s already hurting Americans that something so truly representative of American culture has been diluted. Though I’m not sure who is the culprit here. FOX or MBC?
Either way, bad..Bad Idea!
Aargh. Somehow “Club Soda Man” doesn’t quite strike the same chord as the “Duff Man”
I agree that it’s a bad idea in terms of maintaining the great-American-butthole sensibility of the “Simpsons,” however, if it means Arabic television is going to loosen up and take even just a few potshots at the lowest denominators of Arab culture, I think it’s a worthwhile experiment…
On the other hand, it would be funny if a bunch of Americans in the Middle East began protesting MBC’s lack of cultural sensitivity vis-a-vis its desecration of America’s one true religion–pop-culture.
Badmash had something similar called singhsons http://www.badmash.org/singhson.php
Uh, racist jokes about Islam (which has nothing to do with race) are present in all mediums of modern society? Huh? What the hay does that mean?
Anyway, what a pathetic thing it to be so utterly afraid of the ‘polluting’ effects of being exposed to Judiasm, Christianity, Hinduism, etc. Really, what joke.
So how exactly can we have racist jokes about a religion?
This will be hilarious. Shame that it has to be so censored though. Simpsons overdubbed is funny regardless of what language it is (see it in Japanese). The best part is how Homer’s voice & “doh” is conveyed.
But I’m confused…it’s late, but I didn’t see exactly what the article said they would do with the characters of different religions. Are they removing them all together? Making them Muslims?
Why import the show at all if the main characters only demonstrate abhorrent American buffoonery? I always thought that the ‘offensive’ plot elements (Homer constantly sacrificing anything for beer at Moe’s, his love of Duff, his slovenliness and ignorance, etc) were what made the show such a gem to audiences (back when the writing was still good, at least). Is the network just trying to capitalize on what they see as a successful series?
Wouldn’t it be better to just not air the show at all in Arab contries and if i am not wrong, it is already available in English on cable channels in that region.
I should have rephrased, rascist jokes against middle eastern and jokes about Islam etc are seen in many movies, tv shows etc in modern society. in family guy, they insult muslims and middle easterns, on plenty other shows they portray muslims as terrorists.
I find this aricle tangent to SM’s agenda. I thought, SM blogged about “South Asia-West” bondage. It beats be, how an “arab” story finds a connection. As if Indian Muslims are “arab” descendants or something. More so, if Muslims is the only connection, then why not blog about Indonesian/Chechen/Egyptian Muslims?
It like a chinese-american blog, blogging about Bollywood…
The news is, however, interesting (read in on other blogs).
I’m a huge fan of the Simpsons. But having them dubbed and censored leads me to believe that this new concoction trying to ride on the coattails of the the original’s fame and popularity will have no more charm than the 3rd version of Sex and the City now on the WB. Insert fake vomiting sound here. What is Sex and the City without nudity and cursing? What is the Simpsons without its subtle and overt satire and straight out mockery of popular culture?
Infidels!
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many of them do. and the problem would be?
Angry Arab gives us a review
was worse than what I had expected, but at least I knew what was the problem. An unfunny Egyptian comedian (Muhammad Al-Hunaydi) was cast as Homer, while the serious (and fine) Egyptian actress Hanan At-Turk was cast as Marge. But at least I could diagnose the problem. You see: it became obvious while watching it that none of the people who either translated, or produced, or acted in the series had watched or understood the original Simpsons. The entire personality of Homer was missed, as Hunaydi played Homer as a subdued character. Homer as subdued? It is just worse than being unfunny: it is painful to watch. You feel sorry for the original talents behind the real Simpsons, and you feel sorry for the Egyptian actors being part of a most unfunny show. And it is obvious that those who translated the show were not people who know idiomatic American English expressions and nuances. So much of the show was missed. At one point, they mistranslated a phrase (a title of an episode of the Itchy and Skratchy Show)–Messenger of Death–, but then I realized that the mistranslation was deliberate for obvious religious reasons. And the school bully, Nelson, was played by somebody who sounded gentle and polite
Lack of common sense. I might as well read an Arab-American blog if I am interested in this type of story… which will probably have better scoop/comments than we do here.
DesiDude,
I understand your point, but I think the motivation for posting this story on SM is the fact that a lot of South Asians in the US (and here in the UK, for that matter) are fans of The Simpsons and would therefore be interested in this development. Plus of course the fact that many South Asians are Muslims themselves.
Anyway…
I do agree that changing the script and indeed the personalities of some of the major characters will result in Middle Eastern viewers losing the “essence” of the show. If these matters had been left as they were, it would certainly have given the viewers concerned an interesting insight into Western (albeit predominantly American, of course) culture and society, even if it is from a satirical perspective. This is a lost opportunity, I think.
Have we blogged about “Kaun Banega Karodpati (1 or 2)”? Nope!
If you can think of an interesting thread on KBC(and one which everyone else on SM would be interested in), then I’m sure Manish, Abhi etc wouldn’t mind starting a new thread on it…
There may be so many other developments that a lot of South Asian’s follow but dont go well on this blog (like stock market, Tom DeLay etc..)
A good example is: Reading Times of India for Katrina disaster updates while I’m in US!
I dont want to make an issue out of it (cause it’s not). Its just that I dont feel it fits 100% and there may be other motives for these types of threads (advocacy/activism?) – this not being the first.
Having said that… I can live with this post even if doesnt fit 100%. (I’m a big fan of Simpsons too!… and hence enjoyed the post as well).
Jai Singh, I appreciate your patient comments!!!
Why? The article involves Apu and how this censored version of the Simpson’s will deal with Hindu, Christian, and Jewish characters. I know plenty of Hindu and Christian South Asians who might find it interesting. Also, what is our agenda? I’d be happy to hear from you since nowhere on our website does it state our agenda. A mutiny doesn’t usually state its agenda until it is too late.
With the net and blogging nudging the world toward openness, I wonder how long this sort of ill-conceived censorship can continue. It is a muslim’s and anyone else’s choice whether to visit or experience the cultural products of another culture.
Warping those products to fit a context foreign to them has nothing to do with tolerance or cultural exchange.
Dude, you have failed. The agenda is clear and is listed as follows:
1) To promote the sirenesque beauty, MIA, and her musical weaponary. There can be only two resuts: Death by euphoria, or death by sheer madness.
2) To pefrom public charity by showcasing brown beauties to a serverly undersexed population of subcontinental men, assorted computer geeks, and others who knew no way out, like goat lovers. Maybe lesbian brown women, too. This reduces terrorism.
3) To flush out the image that we [brown people], are the super genius race that everyone makes us out to be. That title still belongs to the Jews. M. Night. Shyamalan is NOT Steven Speilberg. See comments section for further proof.
4) To further the digital revolution and show DA MAN, a big middle finger. Big corporations that run media (television, print, radio) will have no idea how to cope with the loss of their middle man status in choking the living daylight out of free thinkers and artists. Dangerous this proposition can be, since free promotion of MIA’s painful ululating has severe side effects. Rage, insomnia, butterflies in your stomach, eardrum rupture, etc. are some of the known ones, before the two options listed in (1) are realized.
SM Bloggers,
I feel for you guys. Every single post you write has some dude with negativity. I’m glad my site isnt close to as popular as your’s. Keep up the good work. Oh by the way, I’m negative about some of your writing sometimes too– but once in a while it’s fun to just read it and move on.
GujuDude,
It’s a bit impolite to come into someone else’s house and tell them how to arrange the furniture and decorate.
this isn’t a paper of record, a corporation or an association that is responsible for promoting (insert your choice of various brown) agendas. we don’t even have meetings. THIS IS A BLOG.
we just mutiny to the best of our abilities, from our individual locations and perspectives. i DON’T think we need to blog about either version of “millionaire” b/c the show sucked.
if people want to reflexively disparage our best efforts in a misguided way that is their right. i am reminded of the immortal words of my revered father in situations like these. i’m glad that it’s my right to quote him when he said (phonetically) “Po OOMBE”.
I thought Gujudude’s comment was all in good fun actually…
this –
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blockquote>3) To flush out the image that we [brown people], are the super genius race that everyone makes us out to be. That title still belongs to the Jews. M. Night. Shyamalan is NOT Steven Speilberg. See comments section for further proof.
is pretty genius, imo.
“Po OOMBE”
hahahahah 🙂 this really cracked me up ….as there is no way to express this in any other language that I know …
Woah, didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers. Seriously.
That was my goal, nothing malicious really.
The bloggers who run this place have every right to project what they feel is blogworthy. Everyone else is a guest and must abide buy the rules. I am not going to taking a steaming dump on a place where I’m a guest.
Anna, my apologies if you felt that way.
As a matter of fact, I enjoy what ya’all blog about (despite any agreement or disagreement on how one views said issues). As long as you folks keep posting away with an emotionally honest voice, thats all anyone can really ask for from a bunch of writers. It’s your place, and no one should tell you how to decorate it.
I was actually prodding the guy who said you folks had an ‘agenda’. The only agenda the pops out is putting up a quality blog that discusses common issues withing a community. Nothing more, nothing less. And keep up the good work.
By the way this portion was meant as a compliment. Currently all traditional sources of media are scrambling and behind the curve on how to generate revenue from the internet and their ensuing lack of content control. Rules are changing, but the big boys don’t get it that can’t control content distribution the way they used to.
The entry barriers in the market are falling like dominos, and the consumer will come ahead with better material reaching them without being santized or molded by the distributors.
This blog is a shining example of such content reaching the masses.
rani-
i know, right? 😉
it really was something he roared at people on a frequent basis. 😀
That all I was trying to do.
“it really was something he roared at people on a frequent basis. :D”
on a frequent basis ??
i don’t know how i would have stopped myself from busting a gut
An Iranian friend told me about this the other day. My first thought – like you mention above Abhi – was Duffman’s demise. The Duffman is one of the greatest characters in the whole show!
Moe’s Bar? Barney? Homer’s entire social life? So much of the show revolved around that wonderful wonderful Duff.
A part of me thought this was all an elaborate hoax and I hadn’t had time to check it out online. But reading that Angry Arab review, all my fears were realised.
The Arabic sense of humour, like the Indian sense of humour, is very different to the West’s (also an artificial categorisation). I’m sure if India remade the Simpsons, it would be ALMOST as dire!
You can’t reproduce perfection.
Gujudude- no worries, my friend. 🙂
rani- that was only ONE of the inappropriate things he frequently declared. 😉 and you wonder where i got my kakoose-mouth from…
kundi, kakkoose, oombe… – Anna, you always make me feel at home here! 😉
Has anyone seen Home Sweet Home, ZeeTV’s dreadful and nausea-inducing knockoff of FullHouse?
Let me remind mutineers about the FAQ on our blog:
It is more impolite to call guests for vegetarian dinner and offer them beef!
And I thought we were trying to form a “family” of South Asian diaspora here rather than promote formal host-guest relations.
As I said already, its not a big deal for me – just something I noticed and wanted to share – like a family member would with his family.
kundi, kakkoose, oombe… – Anna, you always make me feel at home here! 😉
if there is one thing that unites Malayalam and Tamil –> none other than these wonderful words.
Hearing these word through SM is Priceless.
Anna, what does OOMBE mean?
Do tell.
“Anna, what does OOMBE mean?”
as i had said above… there is no real translation i know of ….
its most literal meaning would be to “go suck it” … though even this does not exactly convey what it means….
as an aside … people actually use oombe in some parts of kerala to mean “sucking” as in a baby to a breast … of course, when i heard it used in such a fashion, i was hysterical laughing
you’ve got me there. truce?
at one not-so-distant time, i was apparently considered “not mallu enough” since i didn’t know the exact definition of “thendi”, so kindly forgive me if i demur and defur to rani, lest i unwittingly lead you lambs astray.
the people who need to get it got it.
the non-malayalam speakers are engaging in what is usually a southern, time-honored tradition of calling a friend who speaks the language which contains the word in question and asking THEM. far be it from me to prevent this delicious table-turning. 😉
DesiDancer,
Any time… my “desi” brother! 🙂
after last sunday’s meetup, i can CONFIRM that she ain’t no brotha! 😉
And others didnt care!
so pardon my ignorance, but i’ve heard the first two words in tamil…but the third, is it used more in malayalam? or maybe it’s tamil slang…? i’ve never heard it used in tamil…
DesiDude,
Cease hostilities with DesiDancer quickly, before she threatens to post a link to another photo of herself having one of her “bad hair days”.
Usual stereotyping… Shuda said: Any time… my “desi” other! 🙂