21
RAMADAN 2011
The Arab American News
TLC filming new reality
show "All American
Muslim" in Dearborn
DEARBORN —
Cable TV channel TLC has picked up a new reality series titled
“All-American Muslim” that will document the lives of five Muslim families that
reside in Dearborn.
The participants in the show will range from very religious to more casual,
and will capture the families living their day to day lives as they struggle to find
a balance between their American lifestyles and their Muslim background.
The series illustrates
"how these individuals ne-
gotiate universal family is-
sues while remaining loyal
to the traditions and beliefs
of their religious faith — and
how they simultaneously
defy the assumptions and
stereotypes prevalent in
today's society," according
to a press release from Dis-
covery Communications.
"We wanted to show
there was diversity even
within the Muslim commu-
nity," said TLC General Manager Amy Winter. "These are families that might have
beliefs that are different than yours, but we are all living similar daily lives and
hopefully we will bring that to light."
Some of the Dearborn residents on the show include a football coach, a law
enforcer, and a family that includes two sisters, one who wears the hijab and
one who doesn’t, and how their lives differ from one another.
“I don’t have a camel parked in my backyard,” joked Suehaila Amen, one of
the featured participants on the show, in an already filmed episode.
Asked if TLC expects a backlash from viewers and advertisers, Winter said,
"We usually find with TLC that the backlash occurs as soon as we start market-
ing something and once viewers experience the show, we get a far different re-
sponse."
The eight episode series, which began taping this month, is set to air this No-
vember on the network.
Ryan Seacrest to produce new
reality show "Shahs of Sunset"
S
oon the en re na on will know about "Tehrangeles,"
the ght-knit and stereotypically wealthy Persian-Amer-
ican community of Los Angeles.
Ryan Seacrest and Bravo television are developing a se-
ries called "Shahs Of Sunset" (a working tle), that will
center on a group of young Persian-American adults living and working in Los
Angeles.
Seacrest, execu ve producer of the "docu-
series," made the announcement last week
on his radio show during a phone call with
Bravo Execu ve Vice President Andy Cohen.
Seacrest described the upcoming cast as a
mix between "hot" people and "not so hot,
but funny" people, while Cohen emphasized
their affluence.
More details from a press release: From over-the-top shopping sprees on
Rodeo Drive to tradi onal family feasts at home, "Shahs of Sunset" cele-
brates the opulent lifestyle of a group of young friends who have grown up
together in Los Angeles and are now trying to balance their ac ve social lives
with their up-and-coming careers. Armed with chromed-out cars, logo-rid-
den purses and designer ou its, they've got it and they're not afraid to
flaunt it. But while these young socialites know how to spend money – they
also know the value of family and tradi on. It's a part of Los Angeles culture
and lifestyle that definitely has to be seen to be believed.
Los Angeles is home to an es mated 800,000 Persian-Americans, accord-
ing to the LA Times. They are stereotyped for their wealth, over-the-top
weddings, and preoccupa on with status symbols.
Prominent "Tehrangelenos" include club promoter Sam Nazarian, actress
Shohreh Aghdashloo, and recently deceased designer Bijan Pakzad.
Seacrest
The series, set to premiere in November, is designed to
bring viewers inside the Dearborn community.
Mike Ayoub
RE/MAX TEAM 2000
Specialist in Bank Foreclosures
313.561.0900
313.277.5658 (Fax)
Ramadan
Mubarak
Sisters Suehaila (left) and Shadia Amen will be among the subjects of TLC's new
show, which follows the lives of local Arab American Muslims and is scheduled to air
this fall.
