Little Mosque on the Prairie - UPDATED
UPDATE: See "Little Mosque on the Prairie, the reviews are in"
CBC Plans Muslim Comedy, hat tip Return of the Conservatives
The Canadian Broadcasting Company has commissioned eight episodes of “Little Mosque on the Prairie,” a television comedy about a fictional Muslim family struggling to find its place in Canada’s Western prairies after 9/11, Agence France-Presse reported. Jeff Keay, a CBC spokesman, said: “The producers recognize that this is a potentially sensitive topic. But the show is a comedy. We hope people will laugh.” A parody of “Little House on the Prairie,” which ran on NBC from 1974 to 1983 and dealt with the life and adventures of a family in the 19th-century American West, “Little Mosque on the Prairie” will go on the air in January. source NYT
Step by step -- inch by inch -- lunacy is taking over.
Well, after seeing all 8 episodes I have to say that as an Arab Muslim, I am not offended by any of it. This show had both positive and negative portraits of Muslims same as in any culture, race or even tribe. It's a comedy designed to make other cultures who have no idea about who or what Muslims are except what the media wants to show, that Muslims aren't so different than other cultures. After 911, Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon all the media is showing is violence so people get the wrong idea. There are over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world that live in peace, if all Muslims are violent and cultured to terrorize and kill then I doubt that this would be their current situation, Almost all their countries are run by dictators who were installed by the then occupying British or French or whatever and continued ever since making their people suffer these are people struggling to make ends meet. Instead a group of stray individuals, who were trained by the west to do their covert work, knock down a building and kill 3000 people and the next thing we know two countries are invaded , more than 100,000 are killed and the number is rising and no solution is to be seen. So to go back to the reason why I am writing this, this show is just trying to break the ice and show the other side of Islam and how if you dig a little deep we are all the same. People should really put themselves in the other parties shoes and take a good look before starting to judge, it will open their eyes on a lot of things. I really wish CBC gives us more.
Posted by: Sam | April 10, 2007 at 06:30 PM
this show that we all are talking about here, is not so bad or good...first of all it is just making fun of muslims, and it is so not good, there are many things that i have noticed are not supposed to be funny if you look in depth...and secondly why are you people involving Jesus and Muhammad p.b.u.h in this show...plz dont involve Miraculous and Merciful prophets in it...thnx
Posted by: khadija | February 25, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Great shows! I know how producers sometime browse the web for comments, so if you're the producers of LMOP, I'd like to say my thanks.
ps. too funny. You do miss one character, the old Greek like lady staring you down in the face for signs of the devil.
Posted by: elkey | February 10, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Jason, thank you for your comments today. You make a very valid point, that no one else has though of. Your thinking could be applied to many areas of debate here in the United States.
Posted by: Debbie | January 28, 2007 at 12:20 PM
"Keep religion out of schools, out of government, and in the places it belongs: religious edifices, ( churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc., ) and private homes."
Atheism, which you apparently espouse, is also a religion. Atheists "believe" there is no God without any proof to the contrary (absence of evidence is not evidence of absence). Perhaps you should keep your atheistic religion "out of schools, out of government" and in "religious edifices, ( churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc., ) and private homes."
Posted by: Jason | January 28, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Religion is all BS. Nuts to all you idiots protesting this show, or anything else, on religious grounds! Keep religion out of schools, out of government, and in the places it belongs: religious edifices, ( churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc., ) and private homes.
This show is nothing but lighthearted entertainment about culture clash and unintentional similiarities between peoples. I think it's rather amusing and would love to see more.
Posted by: tdatb | January 27, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Excellent comment, MJ. We have the same problems here with no prayer in school, God's name being removed everywhere, Christian crosses removed from public places. We feel your pain.
Posted by: Debbie | January 22, 2007 at 09:13 PM
This is not fair for us. I am a Canadian and I feel that this show needs to come off the air immediately. I understand our fellow Americans with their frustrations, they see themselves at war with the Muslims especially after 911 and they are fighting, losing loved ones by the thousands in Iraq. Why does the Canadian Government take out the Lords Prayer from all public schools and yet allow a show like this to be on the air? I have rights and I dont want my children exposed to this. All I know is tsk,tsk,tsk shame on you CBC, Michael Landon is rolling in his grave.
Posted by: MJ | January 22, 2007 at 09:10 PM
There's a discussion going on where readers are sharing their Little Experiences:
http://littlemosqueontheprairie.wordpress.com
Posted by: fatima | January 21, 2007 at 07:38 PM
I am a Canadian Muslim, and I am glad that Canada unlike America can tolerate an easygoing comedy like this. For goodness' sake it's such a diplomatic comedy they try to please everyone. Let it be and just enjoy it, will you.
And I quote one of the American comments on this page:
"What the HELL is wrong with Americans. NO NO NO to Little Mosque on The Praire. And the fact that Muslims are trying to build a Mosque in a residential area? Can you say "lower propery value" You think it's going to JUST be a building? Watch how loud it will be as they put up the LOUD speakers outside the mosque so they can pray outloud & brainwash everyone. I know this because i stayed in egypt. I'd wake up UNVOLUNTAIRILY at 5AM because PRAYER woke me up. Yeah lets just move JESUS out of this country and let MOHAMMED move in. WTF!!!!!!! America: WAKE THE F**K UP this is OUR country, not theirs. If they want it to be their theirs, ASSIMILATE like we ALL HAVE. Not the other way around. Get out of here with that bullshit. We don't need to be sensitive to your culture or needs. Not our problem. Deep down you really loathe us anyway. Vice versa. America will NEVER be yours."
1. First of all, stop assuming everyone is trying to take control of America. You're not the only country in the world, you deadhead. Grow up.
2. While we're on the topic, America isn't yours either. It belongs to the aboriginals who the Europeans massacred in an event that is celebrated every November there!
3. What do you mean "Yeah lets just move JESUS out of this country and let MOHAMMED move in." Jesus and Mohammed are both respected prophets, peace be upon them, to Muslims. There is no conflict here whatsoever.
Posted by: Ibrahim | January 21, 2007 at 03:14 PM
The show tries to please everyone at the same time and ends up pleasing no one.
First episode was OK... second was PATHETIC... this series wont be there for long....
Jokes are lame/overused..
Posted by: randomCanadian | January 17, 2007 at 07:46 PM
ok no one is in this for money because the CBC is cheap. if you have watched the show you will see that no one is making fun of anyone in perticuler. the jokes are pointed to everyone, everyone needs to calm down this is a show to just sit back and enjoy. it is not to be taken to heart. like all CBC shows (exsept the news)and please dont talk about canadians in a negative way because as hard as this is to believe we help influinnce your economymor then you give us credit for.(i do know that you influince our economy)
Posted by: Sarah | January 16, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Kool... the muslims in the show are fictitious but the bigots in the show are real ... just read the comments. :)
Posted by: David Smith | January 16, 2007 at 01:33 AM
This has been a fascinating read, but let's face it--the only reason this show saw light of day is because Corner Gas is so wildly popular. It's a cash grab, no more, no less. Saskatchewan is funny; end of story.
Posted by: Michele | January 13, 2007 at 08:20 AM
No funny. It is a filler y believe that this show do'nt go beyond the mythic 12 episodes
Posted by: Peter | January 13, 2007 at 02:06 AM
Found the show extremely funny and true! Especially the airport check!! lol!
Those gaurds out there are TRURLY and HONESTLY that dumb! not kiddin'!
Posted by: Shawna | January 12, 2007 at 08:17 PM
Found the show extremely funny and true! Especially the airport check!! lol!
Those gaurds out there are TRURLY and HONESTLY that dumb! not kiddin'!
Posted by: Shawna | January 12, 2007 at 08:17 PM
and the muslims should stay close to allah
and he knows all that you do, all that you conceal and all that you revealal
though you plan. ALlah plans too and he is the best of planners.
this world is but all that they think of,they shall see the reality after death and in the grave
did they but know
Posted by: fear allah | January 11, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Hey Kelly
the US was attacked by your own gov and you know that. denial does not change anything, it is just more convenient.
http://www.911weknow.com
Posted by: JFB | January 11, 2007 at 05:43 AM
Hey David in Canada, I am speaking for myself. You have your opinions and I have mine. Your country wasnt attack, mine was. Call me a bigot all want. You're still Canadian. Enough said. :D Have a nice day!
Posted by: Kelly | January 11, 2007 at 05:00 AM
"for those unbalanced ones out there on this blog who think this is going to ... uh ... start riots?"
Danish cartoons about Islam published = millions of muslims riot and commit murder
Pope quotes a speech from a centuries dead emporer (to disagree with it mind you) = millions of muslims riot and commit murder
Unsubstantiated (and later proven to be false) rumors about a Koran being urinated on = millions of muslims riot and commit murder
Colin, rational people look at these actions and hear about a television show that involves muslims and they have quite natural concerns about the likelyhood of riots and violence. To do otherwise would be truly "unbalanced".
This show is fictional, just as the Danish cartoons, the supposed remarks by the Pope, and the soggy Koran. And being fictional (i.e. - not real) did not prevent those other incidents from being used as excuses for violence and death.
The real character of a man (or woman) is in admitting their fear and overcoming it. Humor, in many cases, is a good way to do just that.
If the show succeeds, then good for it and for CBC. If it fails, then "oh well" and "back to the drawing board".
Posted by: Jason | January 10, 2007 at 10:25 PM
I grew up in that small town on the Prairies, two of my best friends are Muslim and ya know what, we ALL found it absolutely hilarious! I think Nawaz lived in my town, those were reels from my own experiences which made most of us roar with laughter and a few to overreact, which made us roar louder! Props to Nawaz and CBC!
Posted by: Laura | January 10, 2007 at 10:08 PM
I must say some of the comments on this site are just too serious... you all need to relax... there are way too many uptight, serious people in the world. the show... is just that... a television show... for entertainment... and I found it incredibly entertaining.... kudos to CBC for airing it... I hope it sticks... i really enjoyed it. Haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Serious religious type people really need to learn to laugh at them selves a little more... I'm sure the real "God" or "Allah" up there doesn't have a stick up his ass like you do... so relax, have a beer... and laugh a little... i'm sure the guy upstairs is!
Posted by: HP | January 10, 2007 at 09:34 PM
As one of the producers, hear me out: "only" eight were commissioned by CBC less because of budget concerns, more because of logistics; there is no "committee" vetting scripts, but we use due diligence to get Muslim details correct; for those who've lost faith (no pun intended) in CBC's ability to make a decent show -- just watch us; and for those unbalanced ones out there on this blog who think this is going to ... uh ... start riots? Grow up.
We had a couple of million people watch the premiere, and the best thing about that is this: we know that we've started to change some people's opinions on Muslims. And we're only getting started.
Posted by: Colin | January 10, 2007 at 09:31 PM
Ok, why are people judging this show just because it a "muslim" show. Do they understand that we are Canadians just as much as they are. Even though are backrounds are different, and our cultures are not that similar, isn't this why Canada is known for all the peace it has?
I've watched the show and its a funny fictional tale that shows that muslims are regular people too.
Posted by: Akeel | January 10, 2007 at 08:22 PM
This is a Muslim show, and they made a mistake when reciting surahtil "wal-asr".
that is the quran and they have no right to change it up on a world-wide broadcasted show.
Posted by: Aadil | January 10, 2007 at 08:17 PM
i just watched the show last night and i think its amazing. people just need to let go of their stereotypes and learn to relax. kudos to cbc . i luved this show nd i hope it keeps going!!
Posted by: mary | January 10, 2007 at 11:32 AM
A similar post
http://businessleader.blogspot.com/2007/01/little-mosque-on-prairie.html
Posted by: Bilal | January 10, 2007 at 11:27 AM
I saw the show. It is
a very safe Canadian show
with a few mild snickers,
but no sacred cows attacked
or even approached. Just
the usual multicultural
cliches. A Canadian show that is truly funny is
TRAILER PARK BOYS about
a group of dim misfits living in a trailer park,
a show not vetted by a committee for its correctness, it's pure
fun.
Posted by: Ron Blackmore | January 10, 2007 at 10:15 AM
"...so I guess the massive liberal Hollyood consipracy (Toronto chapter) to take over the world via teeny 8-episode sitcoms on a network no one in a largely ignored country ever watches is coming to fruition! Hide your booze, folks, and eat all the bacon while you still can!"
I LOLed. Too funny. ^^
Posted by: "riverdog" | January 10, 2007 at 12:58 AM
aite..loved the show..as long as they keep it real and don't damage beliefs of others..we don't want the american hatred in our Canada...
and yes as others wrote below, hollywood GOT no GUTS!!...they r too damn scared of Bush..plus its all politics in US...silly americans are too scared...*even though some citizens have a good sense of humor and would like to enjoy it- I hope they can watch it online somehow*
America will learn to be brave ... from us - Canadians!!
!!CBC ROCKS!!
Posted by: MuSlimCanaDiaN | January 10, 2007 at 12:43 AM
CBC=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, not Hollywood.
I saw the episode in question, and I thought it was a funny show. I am an American Christian, by the way.
Posted by: DakotaMom | January 09, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Reading these posts makes me realize how ignorant people really are. Go back and actually finish high school first instead of milking cows all day. Thank God that this show was created to open eyes about how stupid some people are.
Posted by: CoolieMon | January 09, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Whatever. The show's creator and head writer is a Muslim-Canadian WOMAN (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6244199.stm) so I guess the massive liberal Hollyood consipracy (Toronto chapter) to take over the world via teeny 8-episode sitcoms on a network no one in a largely ignored country ever watches is coming to fruition! Hide your booze, folks, and eat all the bacon while you still can!
Posted by: Some Canadian Guy | January 09, 2007 at 03:05 PM
okay, i know eh? why did such a show have to be shown on CBC.. like its a canadian tv station and not american.. so weird but again i hear its funny. but still so NOT right to make a show like this about muslims.(the one religon that most people on this planet think is all about terrorism) and that person who said that muslims want to make everyone muslims. first its not like that and sometimes yes its our duty.
Posted by: ameer | January 08, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Hollywood? Lunacy? You might want to see a map of the world again last I remembered Hollywood was still a part of the good ol' US of A.
Hmm...Will and Grace poked fun at stereotypes against gays and lesbians and their fold into society no one called that lunacy. Seinfield was about a group of Jewish friends no one thought that show would promote such success.
Eh...this show looks interesting. I like shows that parady situations, but I kind of agree with someone up there who was a bit angry at the 'other provinces' getting bad press. Its always the smaller towns that are picked on.
Lets see how this show will be before we form our opinions. On Tuesday at 8:30 on CBC, probably on Youtube by the next day. :P
Posted by: Irishcream123 | January 08, 2007 at 03:21 PM
hahahaha HOLLYWOOD lunacy?!?!? It's CBC for crying out loud, hardly a big budget telivision production. Lighten up a bit people. It's a sitcom based in small town saskatchewan (winning formula?), not a political satire, or a sitcom of extremist muslims in the east. Im not even muslim and i'm open to the idea. Sure we can have our opinions about it, but nothing is really definate until the show actually airs. Atleast in Canada we are not so censored like our American neighbors and can actually air programs like this without it having to be so controversial. All the Americans are talking about this show, it's not even airing there, so guess what? You guys don't have to deal with it! Grow up a little, surely you guys aren't as (dare I say it) moronic, as the rest of the world labels you to be.
Posted by: Janelle | January 08, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Aaron: I would define myself as a liberal, yet I do agree with your last few points. There is always room for understanding, whether you're a liberal or conservative, but when you get people on here who categorically state how much they hate Muslims or the like, its obviously far beyond either liberal or conservative. Try fascist neo-nazi.
Posted by: John | January 08, 2007 at 01:53 PM
I'm a muslim and i say:
What's the big deal, the show is making fun of the rocky muslim and western relationship which I think needs to be made fun of. Because comedy (along with music) can break barriers.
Posted by: Badre Bally | January 08, 2007 at 12:46 PM
I do not understand people who write a whole lot of things before even know anything. How do you describe someone like Aaron who wrote a long paragraph about a show which hasn't been aired yet, Did you watch the commercial dah!!. Anyway, I am so open and free, I accept the most extreme oppinions just because they are oppinions. I believe that the world will be oneday a better place to live just because there will be less idiots posting stupid stuff on the web. Fortunatly, that is due to a simple theory called "Natural sellection", those idiots will not be smart enough to survive.
With all respect to Librals and like-wise.
Posted by: Baset | January 06, 2007 at 07:50 PM
I don't understand how a show like this contributes at all to muslim propaganda. For those who come on here and critize conservatives because of their fear of this being propaganda, get a life. Take one second to try to do something constructive instead of just complain about GWB, etc. That is exactly why conservaties don't ever listen to you. 1d? One dimension is a point you idiot, although reading through garbage posts makes me extremely prone to understanding, unfortunately. For all the "conservatives" claiming that this show is another step towards replacing Jesus...blah blah blah... in society, liberals are the people who are not religous. They are not religous becasuse they lack the ability to live life in a moral fashion. They lack morals, respect, and direction, all qualities which without would be impossible to successfuly be a part of any religon, especially Islam of all religous which has some of the strictest living standards. For Canadians/non-americans who come in here critize America, what is wrong with you? No one cares about how much better you think your country is than America, for whatever reason it might be. It doesn't take a genius to see that America is a hyperpower for a lot more reasons than sadly you might never be able to understand unless you became a citizen. You can't be a hypocrite. You can't complain about how America thinks its the best country and the world and how that is wrong, when you go around all day posting on blogs about how Canada is so much better. I am a conservative in America, and I'm easily annoyed by what you claim to be social/cultural superiority. For all those interested in watching the show and ended up here because of interest in seeing what it was about, I saw the comercials. I thought it was funny in a well-thought out way. From what I've seen, the show seems like an interesting perspective of a group of people coping with sterotypes. All people have to cope with sterotypes of some sort. Some might be positive and some might be negative, but these sterotypes exist. If you feel so injusticed by the display of white people who base their opinions of the show's protagonist on sterotypes protraying them as idiotic or causing some type of injustice, the shows setting makes it imposible to deny the presence of a white majority. The more of a particular group of people, the more likely they are to categorize people by sterotypes for a variety of different reasons. If this includes you, please remove the title of conservative from yourself and place a title of neo-nazi in it's place. This show is supposed to be positive for all people, after countless years of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim fighting spaning over many decades since the beginings of all these religons and possibly before.
Posted by: Aaron | January 06, 2007 at 07:23 AM
"I was surprised that CBS would do this. Don't you think making fun of Muslims in a comedy will bring on a Fatwa?"
Comments like this make me SO PROUD to be a CANADIAN!
Posted by: Sikandar | January 06, 2007 at 04:58 AM
All these comments kinda give you an idea of how Jews were looked at before the second World War.. some of you guys have REALLY lost it.
Anyway, I think it just shows more reason for a show like this, to reach out to people brainwashed with their own perception of Muslims, though I'm sure there are those who will refuse to change their opinion anyway, and would rather live in George Bush's "us vs. them" 1-dimensional world.
It's all about building bridges folks. If Jews and Christians can do it after 2000 years of hatred, Muslims can do it after 20.
As a Muslim I'm looking forward to it, and the video clips on the website are pretty funny.
Posted by: Sikandar | January 06, 2007 at 04:56 AM
i am sorry have you guys seen the show yet????
i am Arab Canadian Muslim and i saw the clips and it looks very funny show, so why you are attacking before watching.
you guys need to cool down,,,,
Posted by: Arooj | January 05, 2007 at 11:37 PM
The fact that this blogger assumes its Hollywood, even though its the *CBC*, says about all you need to know.
Posted by: Christopher | January 05, 2007 at 08:01 PM
@below,
it probably won't be one hell of a show. comedies and CBC have never successfully walked hand in hand. americans just like to focus on the stereotypes made about other races so they can feel inferior about their own desolate nation. anyone with half a brain can take a look at america and see how sad and pathetic that nation has become since the bush presidency. it's funny how they all go crazy repeating stereotypes of all kinds of races insisting they must be true, yet ignore the ones made about their own.
like how all americans are fat.
just like how they bitch about all muslims are terrorists. but they aren't.
the funny thing is though most americans ARE fat. ahahha.
//not a muslim.
Posted by: dave | January 05, 2007 at 04:49 PM
This must be one hell of a show if it has gotten so many right-wing Americans all lathered up about it despite the fact that the show hasn't even been on the air yet. A tip of the hat to the CBC! (Communist Broadcaster of Canada)
Posted by: Am Currie | January 05, 2007 at 04:10 PM
Humor has helped to put at rest some of the bigger problems that society has faced. Most people of this belief are very peaceful people and hate being connected to the extremests. The show is a wonderful idea and I hope that we get to see it soon in my community. They could use the exposure. And the laughs.
Posted by: Casey | January 05, 2007 at 04:07 PM
"Geez, guys, lighten up. Imagine being a Muslim yourself in these times in North America... you don't think there's humour to be found in that situation?
Mind you, if it's a CBC situation comedy, it won't actually *be* funny..."
Thank you Craigers!
Your comment is so funny it is painful.
That being said, I have high hope for this series. I hope it is as funny as its premise.
Peace. Lady Heather
Posted by: Lady Heather | January 05, 2007 at 02:45 AM
Almost all CBC shows are struggling with ratings. There is no way that this one will last long, especially since the concept for the show will get stale very quickly. All of the jokes seem to make fun of muslim and white stereotypes, and this formula will get boring. Unlike some of the other users, I found that the previews for the show were not funny at all. There is no way that the show will be a success.
Posted by: Francis | January 04, 2007 at 11:09 PM