An Arab satellite TV network has introduced "The Simpsons" to the Middle East. The new Arabized cartoon is titled "Al Shamshoon" on MBC's network. The characters look the same, but the names—and their Western vices—have changed.
Homer Simpson is now Omar Shamshoon. And Omar has traded in his beer and bacon vices for Coke and barbequed beef sausages. Luckily, Bart (known in the Middle East as "Badr") still manages to cause loads of trouble.
But the troubling part for MBC and "The Simpsons" brand is that "Al Shamshoon" isn’t generating many laughs. Accroding to an article in The Wall Street Journal, many Arab blogs have become obsessed with how unfunny the show is.
From WSJ: A blogger, who uses the name Nibaq wrote, "I am sure the effort (of) the people who made this show to translate it to Arabic could have made a good original show about an Egyptian family living in Egypt, dealing with religion, life and work and trying to keep a family together. That way they can proudly say Made in Egypt, instead of Made in USA Assembled in Egypt."
Aside from wondering if "The Simpsons" are stretching their brand too thin, the thing that jumps out at me is that one of the most prestigious newspapers in the world is quoting posts from random blogs in its articles. This is another feather in the blogosphere's cap as traditional media turns to consumer-generated media (CGM) for its stories.
And why shouldn't they? CGM lets journalists gauge an instantaneous pulse on the public's feelings toward any given topic. Now a reporter can find out what viewers think of "Al Shamshoon" in Egypt without conducting a focus group overseas.
Here's hoping that Omar and Badr can keep the Middle Easterners from having a cow.
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