Big Brother Arabia

[Bozo Erectus]

The Arabic version of the Big Brother reality television programme has started, with a prize of $100,000 for the winner.

The show being broadcast across the Arab world by MBC follows the highly successful format estimated to have been watched by two billion viewers around the globe since its beginnings five years ago.

Big Brother has come to the Arabian peninsula - in particular, to a purpose-built house on Amwaj Island in Bahrain.

Twelve housemates from around the Arab world have been spending their first few hours in the Big Brother house under the constant gaze of television cameras.

They include Abdul Hakim from Saudi Arabia, a larger than life character who likes to wear his sunglasses at night.

Bashara from Lebanon has brought 20 pairs of trousers with him to the house.

There is also Michael, a salsa-dancing Jordanian jeweller, an actress from Bahrain, a musician from Iraq and a karate teacher from Kuwait.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3511455.stm

I dont get it. How can this possibly be on the air over there? Unmarried Muslim men and women living together in the same house?? I think the Muftis are right. Western culture and values are slowly undermining their traditional way of life. Too bad they imitate our stupid TV shows and not our democracy.

 

[Xen]

Good

 

[The Last Conformist]

Bahrain is quite liberal by the standards of the Arab world. I'm not very much surprised.

Not that I've ever understood the appeal of "reality TV".

 

[Shadylookin]

Originally posted by Dumb pothead


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3511455.stm

I dont get it. How can this possibly be on the air over there? Unmarried Muslim men and women living together in the same house?? I think the Muftis are right. Western culture and values are slowly undermining their traditional way of life. Too bad they imitate our stupid TV shows and not our democracy.

indeed it is great sin in the eyes of allah, they will be damned for all eternity

well a baby step is better than nothing, and don't worry sooner or later they'll give in to the west's sex booze and drugs as well as our flagrant lack of morals(especially when acts in question hurt no one) then they will have nowhere to go but to a demoralized democracy (God and Mammon bless the west)

 

[Androrc]

Big Brother(or any other 'reality' show) has got to be the worst show ever.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

In many ways Bahraini society is relatively open and liberal, reflecting its long history as a trading nation. Merchants, including the ruling clan, have long been the dominant class, establishing a business-oriented culture that values accumulation of wealth. Among university graduates women outnumber men, and women play an increasingly important role in business and professional life. At the same time, Bahraini society continues to be shaped by conservative Islamic values, especially in the Shia population in rural areas. The family is the principal social unit, and most women remain in the home. In urban areas many women do not wear the traditional Islamic veil and some Bahrainis wear Western clothing.

I had no idea. Looks like Ive been stereo-typing all Arabs Lots of excellent information here:

http://www.geocities.com/asfsquash/infobahrain.htm

Shady, if it wasnt for sex, drugs and rock and roll, Id be dead by now. They should at least give it a try

 

[Tassadar]

My first thinking was, here come the next suicid bombing mission from foundamatalism, isnt it a nice target for them ? It is provocative,against foundamentalism and represent western cultur. i hope i am wrong.

 

[Yoda Power]

We gave them Big Brother, jeez no wonder they hate us

 

[cgannon64]

Its probably all men.

But if they have women, will they still wear the veil? I don't get it? How can you tell if a girl is hot under a veil - and we all know thats the only basis of relationships on shows like that...

 

[The Last Conformist]

If that Bahraini actress isn't a woman, I doubt it will make conservatives any more happy ...

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber -- a reality TV show. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our reality TV -- our freedom to marry millionaires, our freedom to laugh at awful singers, our freedom to vote and assemble and kick each other off the island.

- President Bush, SOTU Speech, 2001 - revised version

 

[Syterion]

indeed it is great sin in the eyes of allah, they will be damned for all eternity

I thought in Islam they believed hell was like a jail sentence? Or are you joking...

On Topic, I see no point whatsoever.

 

[Archer 007]

At least a few of them are getting a small taste of democracy when they vote the other guests out.

 

[Shadylookin]

Originally posted by Syterion


I thought in Islam they believed hell was like a jail sentence? Or are you joking...

On Topic, I see no point whatsoever.

i don't think us evil sinners are allowed to get out of hell in any religion let alone islam. yes i meant it as a joke, but from what i've heard this is still a great sin in Islam

 

[Goober]

Ohh, time for a very naive question: What is a "reality" show, and in particular, what is this "Big brother" thing about?

Go nice on me, I have never had TV in living memory . . .

 

[Shadylookin]

Originally posted by RealGoober
Ohh, time for a very naive question: What is a "reality" show, and in particular, what is this "Big brother" thing about?

Go nice on me, I have never had TV in living memory . . .

HELL ON EARTH IS WHAT IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a reality show is where a supposed bunch of your ordinary joes/janes are filmed doing something, traditionaly it involves them being stuck somewhere and they vote each other off(majority wins of course) until one person is left and he/she gets the money. Big brother is a reality show with a group of people stuck together in a house.

Edit: the worse thing is that all the networks think this is what everybody loves and won't stop making them. Fox is going especialy crazy with them. If i could go back in time I would assassinate the creators of survivor which started this whole insane wave

 

[Archer 007]

Big Brother started in, I think. In Europe.

 

[Sims2789]

wonder if the Saudi's will ban this for being a "Jewish influence" as they did the barbie doll.

Originally posted by archer_007
Big Brother started in, I think. In Europe.

yes. that is correct.

 

[Goober]

Originally posted by Shadylookin
HELL ON EARTH IS WHAT IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a reality show is where a supposed bunch of your ordinary joes/janes are filmed doing something, traditionaly it involves them being stuck somewhere and they vote each other off(majority wins of course) until one person is left and he/she gets the money. Big brother is a reality show with a group of people stuck together in a house.

Edit: the worse thing is that all the networks think this is what everybody loves and won't stop making them. Fox is going especialy crazy with them. If i could go back in time I would assassinate the creators of survivor which started this whole insane wave

Oh, i get it, it is a show about "real" life, as apposed to "reel" life. Interesting, all the things that don't make sense when you don't have TV . . . meh, don't need TV either . . .

 

[Archer 007]

You dont have a TV?