Following on from the lacklustre and trite Little Mosque on the Prairie comes a new 12-part reality series called On the Road in America (‘ala at-tariq fi Amrika). The series tells the story of three students (from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt) as they travel across the United States from Washington to Mississippi.
The series is clearly designed as a ‘public diplomacy’ effort for Arab viewers and is currently screening on the Arab satellite channel, MBC. Interestingly, the series is produced by Layalina Productions, a non-profit organisation specialising in, “informative and entertaining Arabic-language programming for licensing to satellite and cable television networks throughout the Arab Middle East and North Africa.” Layalina feature such names as George H.W. Bush, Henry Kissenger, James Baker and George Schultz on their board.
3 comments ↓
From the show’s website:
So I guess it’s scripted.
(Kidding)
There is a video preview of the show online here (7mb Quicktime file)
“Trite and lackluster”? Ouch, you’re harsh. I disagree and have been meaning to post why at some point.
This sounds very interesting.
I’m reminded of Sayyid Qutb’s disastrous (in terms of dialogue) travels through the States.
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