Little Mosque on the Prairie - seriously!!

[cbd2cai 0]

I found this interesting article . . . thought you might enjoy something a bit different /. . . thought it might deserve its own thread in ME/NA . . . let's see if it stays here!

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs...l=1112188062620

Excerpt from the end of the article :

There were 600,000 Muslims in Canada in the 2001 census, with the number now estimated around 800,000. Estimates for the U.S. population are around 6 million.

In an earnest manner not atypical of Canadians, one goal of the show is to explain Muslim behaviour, or at least make Muslims seem less peculiar, much as humour about Jews, Italians or gays helped those groups assimilate.

"On the news all you ever hear are voices from the extreme end of the spectrum," Darling said. "This gives voice to ordinary people who look just like other ordinary people."

With its small-town setting and affable cast of characters -- even a talk radio host who labels Muslims as terrorists comes across as rather lighthearted -- the show unrolls a bit like Mary Tyler Moore or some other 1970s sitcom.

It is scheduled to start on CBC on Jan. 9, with eight episodes. More are under negotiation.

Pitches will be made to networks in the United States in December, so at first only Americans in border states will be likely to have access to it.

Test audiences have been somewhat divided, the producers said.

Younger viewers, especially Muslims, tend to laugh openly with recognition. Others, particularly the older generation -- whether Muslim or not -- hesitate.

"Nobody has done a comedy about Muslims before, so they are not sure how to take it," Nawaz said. "Some non-Muslims wonder, 'Are we allowed to laugh?"'

Edited December 10, 2006 by cbd2cai

[mybackpages 0]

I've been hearing some very frightening talk out there about Muslims. all of it born out of ignorance, but its loud enough that it reminds me of the kinds of things being said about Japanese-Americans during WWII or of Jews (both in the US and Europe) historically. It seems to make sense that the more images of Muslims that are out there and images that are controlled by Muslims, the better.

[cbd2cai 0]

I've been hearing some very frightening talk out there about Muslims. all of it born out of ignorance, but its loud enough that it reminds me of the kinds of things being said about Japanese-Americans during WWII or of Jews (both in the US and Europe) historically. It seems to make sense that the more images of Muslims that are out there and images that are controlled by Muslims, the better.

So you think it is about time for a Muslim comedy???

I subscribe to the Reader Digest theorem "Laughter is the Best Medecine" . . . it is the one medecine that I should be taking all the time because the side effects are a longer and happier life!!!

[mybackpages 0]

I've been hearing some very frightening talk out there about Muslims. all of it born out of ignorance, but its loud enough that it reminds me of the kinds of things being said about Japanese-Americans during WWII or of Jews (both in the US and Europe) historically. It seems to make sense that the more images of Muslims that are out there and images that are controlled by Muslims, the better.

So you think it is about time for a Muslim comedy???

I subscribe to the Reader Digest theorem "Laughter is the Best Medecine" . . . it is the one medecine that I should be taking all the time because the side effects are a longer and happier life!!!

Gotta be better than every action film out of hollywood that has the "muslim" terrorist as the bad guy

[cbd2cai 0]

I've been hearing some very frightening talk out there about Muslims. all of it born out of ignorance, but its loud enough that it reminds me of the kinds of things being said about Japanese-Americans during WWII or of Jews (both in the US and Europe) historically. It seems to make sense that the more images of Muslims that are out there and images that are controlled by Muslims, the better.

So you think it is about time for a Muslim comedy???

I subscribe to the Reader Digest theorem "Laughter is the Best Medecine" . . . it is the one medecine that I should be taking all the time because the side effects are a longer and happier life!!!

Gotta be better than every action film out of hollywood that has the "muslim" terrorist as the bad guy

Oh, Definitely . . . laughing is better than shooting up everything in your path!!

But, my vote for sexiest portrayal . . . Said on LOST, hehe, did you catch him as a Sikh in The English Patient, wooow, smoking hot! I think Naveen Andrews was/is the token ME/Asian ethnic type in a lot of movies . . I love a man with lots of hair . . . preferably BLACK hair.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Man, I really hope they stream this one online.

The NYTs article has some pictures - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/arts/tel...amp;oref=slogin

In a scene from “Little Mosque on the Prairie,” a father goes trick-or-treating with children and his clothes are mistaken for a terrorist costume.

[mybackpages 0]

But, my vote for sexiest portrayal . . . Said on LOST, hehe, did you catch him as a Sikh in The English Patient, wooow, smoking hot! I think Naveen Andrews was/is the token ME/Asian ethnic type in a lot of movies . . I love a man with lots of hair . . . preferably BLACK hair.

I love The English Patient! First time i saw it in the theater, we were at the point where they are in the cave and there was this close up of Ralph Fiennes saying I lovve you, I will be back for you.....and then the film caught on fire and melted. ARRRGGGHHHH

In a scene from "Little Mosque on the Prairie," a father goes trick-or-treating with children and his clothes are mistaken for a terrorist costume.

See what I mean, humor is a great way to recognize our own foolishness. That is if we actually "get" the joke.

[cbd2cai 0]

Man, I really hope they stream this one online.

The NYTs article has some pictures - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/arts/tel...amp;oref=slogin

In a scene from “Little Mosque on the Prairie,” a father goes trick-or-treating with children and his clothes are mistaken for a terrorist costume.

Rahma, I hope it does get some airplay in the States . . . but I am so far south that it isn't likely to make it to Texas . . . but if one of the independents decides to play, then maybe . . . what about USA?? As much as I love Law&Order, I've already seen most of those episodes at least 4-5 times . . . and I am in the mood for more light-hearted . . . or certainly lighter . . . fare. Right now, Ugly Betty is getting my vote!!!

[cbd2cai 0]

here's a link about the documentary , "Me and the Mosque", that Zarqa Nawaz directed/wrote: http://www.nfb.ca/trouverunfilm/fichefilm....51517&lg=en

There is a trailer at this website for the National Film Board of Canada.

Edited December 12, 2006 by cbd2cai

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Man, I really hope they stream this one online.

The NYTs article has some pictures - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/arts/tel...amp;oref=slogin

In a scene from “Little Mosque on the Prairie,” a father goes trick-or-treating with children and his clothes are mistaken for a terrorist costume.

Ahhahhahhhhhhaaaaaa.

I wear the keffiyeh sometimes -- not over my head, but like a scarf around my neck. No one has really said anything -- on a woman it's not so scary, I guess.

But I tell Mahmoud to be careful about wearing his in public. We have the traditional Palestinian black-and-white checked ones, and also the regional red-and-white checked -- they are really very warm and comfortable for the winter. It's so sad that the keffiyeh gets seen as a sign of terrorism, when it's just a normal piece of clothing that's worn by millions of people.

I also hope this show will be streamed -- it looks very intriguing. I'd love to see it. And even more importantly, I think it would be a wonderful show for your average Americans to see.

-MK

[cbd2cai 0]

[ I also hope this show will be streamed -- it looks very intriguing. I'd love to see it. And even more importantly, I think it would be a wonderful show for your average Americans to see.

-MK

Yep, I think that the "devil you don't know" is much scarier than "the neighbor across the street" . . . . I've been watching Jericho lately and wondering where they are going with all this . . . lots of plotting in the background "who dropped the bomb??", "who is the enemy?" . . . I cringe when I speculate "whom" they will blame!!

[mercy 1]

CBC often puts their programming on the website after it's aired, so even if it doesn't get played in the US you might be able to see it online

[noura 0]

I love The English Patient! First time i saw it in the theater, we were at the point where they are in the cave and there was this close up of Ralph Fiennes saying I lovve you, I will be back for you.....and then the film caught on fire and melted. ARRRGGGHHHH

it was *that* hot? dang! I've heard of a hot movie, but one that actually catches on fire?

[melly 0]

I've seen The English Patient two or three times. And I've cried every time. What an awesome movie. I mean, talk about a love story!!!

[cbd2cai 0]

CBC often puts their programming on the website after it's aired, so even if it doesn't get played in the US you might be able to see it online

I think I have found the "official" link for Little Mosque on the Prairie . . . It premieres January 9, 2007:

http://www.littlemosque.ca

There are some clips at this URL.