perfidy

Sayonara, Survivor! Bye-Bye Big Brother! Farewell Fear Factor! It appears the new Arab reality show, Cave In To My Demands Or I'll Saw Your Citizens' Heads Off, is really taking the world by storm. I haven't seen any of this season's episodes yet, but I have read about them and man I am blown away! Many appear shocked at the graphic nature of it, and surprised at the union of ultra violence, political messages, and media saturation; it's that shock that's going to take this show straight to the top!

Lots of good marketing and distribution in US markets, although I don't believe it's getting the same demographic penetration as in the Arab world. Product tie-ins, like with green headbands or specially prepared throwin' stones say, are weak here as well outside narrow markets trending to the young, hip, prostrate crowd. There is some progress on Muslim catch phrases (Allahu akbar; Dar al-Islam; Dar al-Kufr) penetrating the mainstream, but most common usage is still in mosques and prisons.

I have a passing familiarity with other reality TV from the Middle East, like the long running 11th Century House; the unforgettable Candid Clitorectomy; the often imitated A Suicide Bomber Story, and the fun but trifling My Big Fat Obnoxious Husband and His 3 Other Big Fat Obnoxious Wives. But nothing compares to the interest audiences are giving to ...Heads Off.

Looks like Muslim TV really has a hit on its hands.