Laughing our way to reforms with TV hits

Things don't change overnight. We all know that. We all accept it. But when it comes to changes to our cultural attitude towards social commentary and political criticism we, as nations and as communities, tend to be even more guarded.

With all this talk about adopting diplomacy and freedom of expression in our region and advocating it, we are yet to see tangible proof of it. Our conservative communities usually apply self-censorship when it comes to certain elements and generally we find it hard to criticise ourselves, or at least admit to certain problems and issues facing us. Perhaps we are trapped in denial and getting out of that mould won't be easy.

Media and entertainment play a crucial part in forming public opinion and, more importantly, reflecting that opinion. Highlighting serious issues in a light manner and presenting them to the public in an easy-to-swallow dish can contribute immensely to broadening minds and opening our eyes to social, political and cultural issues.

This Ramadan, such steps can be traced in our regional television channels. Arabic networks are slowly becoming more daring in taking chances with comedy programmes and even though the majority are still below par, one or two shows are proving worth the audience's while.
The Saudi show Tash Ma Tash, aired on MBC1 and led by celebrity Saudi actors Nasi Al Ghasabi and Abdulallah Al Sadhan, brings a new situation or current hot issue under the microscope every day, with uncompromising critical satire.

Over the past years, the show has gained a loyal following not only in Saudi but all across the region. In this year's edition, they expanded their reach and tackled wider issues that touch all Arabs, through analogies and symbolism. The show's theme song could easily become a No 1 hit if it ever were released as a single!

Directly associated with Ramadan, Tash Ma Tash, could perhaps be described as ground-breaking. It certainly was when the very first season of it aired in 1993. Tash Ma Tash alone has exposed the deep problems Saudi society is suffering from and through the 30 episodes is shedding light on vital issues such as women's rights, economic reform and democracy. It was the first show to poke fun at hot topics like terrorism and religion.

A Lebanese show had a similar impact. The team behind the hugely popular comedy show La Yumal have created a new show for Ramadan called Kul Yaum Shee, aired on the Lebanon-based Future TV, in which we follow the adventures and misfortunes of certain, familiar characters by the four-member team.

Their approach towards political issues is at times very direct and hard-hitting, but it mostly reflects what the general public is thinking, or how they see things. With the help of a little slapstick comedy here and there, they can get away with a lot of things that normally we wouldn't see on Arabic television, especially when most channels are government-run or owned.
Both these shows and their creators, have gained a cult following over the years and have introduced to the Arabic audiences a new wave of comedy shows that is often daring, funny and responsible.

Let's just hope that there are more such shows on Arabic television, and not just during one month of the year. We're still far from having our own Daily Show with Jon Stewart and more likely than not it will take us some time to get there - but maybe, just maybe, hit or miss, we're on the right track here.

*Appeard in GDN Vol XXIX, NO. 209, Sunday, 15th October 2006