television
Extreme Makeover for Arab ‘Simpsons’
By Scott Presson
CBN News Producer
CBN.com – (CBN News) – The Simpsons might not be the first show you would introduce to the Arab world, with its constant references to things forbidden by the Koran, such as beer and bacon, but Arab Satellite Network MBC has done that.
"The Simpsons," now called “Al Shamshoon,” features Omar instead of Homer, and Badr substituting for Bart.
With 60 percent of the Arab world 20 years old or younger, MBC hopes “Al Shamshoon” will bring in those coveted young viewers.
Michel Costandi of MBC TV Network, Inc., says, “I think ‘The Simpsons’ will open new horizons for us to the future."
But with a show this American, Arab media experts say it is not enough to just translate the language. After all, “The Simpsons” has Jewish, Hindu, and Christian characters.
So MBC is making some changes, as the characters go from American to Arabic.
Homer's favorite, Duff beer, will now be soda. Donuts have become Arab pastries. And images of Homer eating pork rinds have been deleted.
Al Jean, executive producer of “The Simpsons,” says those changes mean they are not 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, laughing.
And some on the Arab street agree. “It's different,” said one Arab. “We are a totally different culture, so you can't be talking about the same subject and in the same way.”
One thing that did not change -- Omar Shamshoon does say "D'oh!"
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