It's ending today - just in time for the beginning of Ramadan tomorrow - but the racy TV series called NOOR will no doubt continue to generate controversy in the Arab world.
With its melodramatic subplots, which include abortion and extramarital affairs, its underlying feminist stand and its titillating romantic scenes, Noor has caused an uproar since it began airing five months ago.
In Saudi Arabia, between three and four million people watch NOOR daily, out of a population of almost 28 million, according to MBC, the Saudi-owned Arab satellite channel that broadcasts the show. Elsewhere, millions more Arabs have arranged their daily plans around the soap opera, so they can watch the story of the young, beautiful, independent fashion designer named Noor and her handsome, romantic and supportive husband, Muhannad.
The blend of romance, feminism and tradition has entranced Muslim female - and young male - viewers, but some conservative Muslims say that Noor projects the wrong roles for women.
"May God curse this NOOR show," swore Mazen Harallah, a taxi driver in Ramallah, as he drove through deserted streets minutes after the program began. "What problems it has caused!"
Canadian teen plays the 21st century version of Brenda Walsh in new 90210
Past is prologue. What once was old is new again. In with the old, and in with the new. BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 is on redial.
For Toronto teen Shenae Grimes, winner of a 2007 Gemini Award for DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION, her role in one of the fall season's most talked about - if as yet unseen - new dramas mirrors her actual life at the moment.
Her character in 90210 resents being transplanted from her old school in comfortable, bucolic Kansas to Southern California's most glamorous zip code. Grimes, for her part, knows a thing or two about dislocation: She has traded relative anonymity in Toronto, where she once interned behind the scenes on Jeanne Beker's Fashion Television, for the world of BMWs, BlackBerrys and Manolo Blahniks.
Grimes will appear in the pivotal role of newbie West Beverly Hills High transfer student Annie Wilson in 90210, the spinoff of the iconic '90s teen drama from FREAKS AND GEEKS writer-producers Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah.
Annie has to learn how to fit in all over again - and Grimes knows the feeling. 90210 is the classic fish-out-of-water tale, and Annie's forced readjustment to a new lifestyle - and rich-kid cliques - is a not-so-classic case of art imitating life, Grimes admitted with a rueful laugh.
"Absolutely, there's a culture shock," Grimes said. "I've been very fortunate, though, with the people I've come in contact with and am surrounded by down here. Not even cloooose to the stereotype of Hollywood people."
FNL's Palicki loves comic books
Adrianne Palicki, best known for her portrayal of whip-smart bad girl Tyra Collette on NBC/DirecTV's FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, also happens to be a comic-book fanatic. Her older brother Eric, a comic-book artist, turned her on to the form when they were growing up in Ohio. Still hooked, Ms. Palicki, 25, keeps a pile of comics on her coffee table and sports a Supergirl tattoo. While she's happy that FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has been renewed this season, she says there's another role she'd really love to play: Supergirl, of course: "It's my first love."
CORONATION STREET actor fury after being axed by 'faceless' execs
Axed CORONATION STREET actor Michael Starke has blasted the "faceless" TV executives who cost him his job. Starke, who plays kebab shop owner Jerry Morton, has been written out with his family after just 18 months.
He said: "They made a mistake - and I think they know they made a mistake in getting rid of us. The writers and the actors know a mistake has been made. I never felt at home on the Street. I've got regrets but I don't want to come away from it thinking I hated it. I am always going to be a CORONATION STREET fan. That will never change."
INTERVIEW: OLTL's Kamar de los Reyes
Kamar de los Reyes, who portrays Antonio on ONE LIFE TO LIVE stopped by "Stardish Radio" last night to discuss the latest with his soap character and other projects.
SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES: Episode #853
Teri confronts Henry. Casey gets a new neighbor.
No comments:
Post a Comment