TV Review: Little Mosque on the Prairie
Published February 09, 2007
Canadian television can be frustrating at times. On one hand,it is capable of producing interesting programming; on the other, it is so blatantly safe and politically correct. More often than not, it's the latter.
When I finally sat to watch Little Mosque on the Prairie one month after its debut, I had an idea how the CBC would approach it. After viewing my first episode, I was proved right. For such a unique and potentially explosive idea, the dialogue is, well, safe and light in a Canadian way. The CBC obviously sought to strike a balance, and they came up with an inoffensive comedy. That's not necessarily a bad thing either. The issues raised in the show are new to North American viewers. Assuming Americans - most likely border states - can get the CBC.
The show is basically about how Muslims and Canadians interact in a prairie setting. The prairies are all the rage now. Wheat is in, urban is out. I got the distinct feeling that the writers are very careful not to offend anybody. Who can blame them considering the context under which the show has been aired? By this I mean in a post 9/11 world. Gotta give them credit for the boldness of their timing. Imagine if Italians, Germans, and Japanese programming came out during the Second World War? Uncomfortable, I know. Just musing out loud.
Despite this, the show does accord itself some provoking moments.
For example, in one scene, a father opposes his daughter from partaking in Halloween on the grounds that it is not a Muslim activity. Despite this, he ends up chaperoning her. What he soon discovers, while dressed in traditional Muslim attire, is that people mistake him for being "Osama" or a "Taliban" and this oddly makes him feel accepted. Later you see him running around scaring kids and telling them he was a terrorist. I laughed at that.
Another part had a right-wing radio commentator who asks: "Islam: Why it's evil." Funny. I would have gone further. Don't put a script in my hands for I fear what I would come up with. I digress.
Who said Muslims can't mock themselves? Well, in North America they do. I can't speak for the old country. I wonder what Osama and his nut cases think of the show. I can picture them knee-slapping and choking on their food screaming, "it's so true!" and "Hey, that's so you, Os!"
While far from being drop dead funny like other shows that push the envelope, the show does attempt to put a human face on Muslims - as if most moderate minds needed this. It tries to convey the sensitive particularities of Islam living in a secular, Occidental world. Make that Prairie, given that the Prairies are a cultural and geographic entity onto themselves.
Personally, I would love to see this idea taken to a far more provocative level. Then again, you're reading something from a guy who finds Fritz the Cat funny and who happens to worship dark humour. In any event, for that to happen it would have to be free of the CBC, and more importantly, the creators would have to be willing to do this - which I doubt they would. As it stands, the show may have to settle- for posterity - as being a pioneer that will open the door for some other show - possibly in Britain -to take the idea to another level.
Nonetheless, for sheer originality the show gets an 'A'.
- TV Review: Little Mosque on the Prairie
- Published: February 09, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television
- Writer: Alessandro Nicolo
- Alessandro Nicolo's BC Writer page
- Alessandro Nicolo's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
I stand corrected. Regardless, Corner Gas has the wheat market cornered.
That's funny. I've spent some time in Canada. The Indian population there (from India) is huge. Indians can be muslim, hindu or sikh. I happen to know a lot of sikhs. They have basically taken over parts of large Canadian cities because of their economic prowess. I am surprised it is not about Indians there specifically.
Heloise
True. However, I think Indians, while scattered everywhere, live more in Western Canada - particularly Vancouver. The most famous Indian Hindhu on TV is Apu. ;<)
Plus humour tends to come from specificity, and focusing on Muslims gives them a great hook and an identifiable and cohesive core group. (Though I'm not a fan of the show - I don't find it very funny. Still, I'm happy it's doing so well.)
Diane, it's not that funny, I agree. I suppose because they are guarding themselves. Thus, they allow some "moments." Comedy, like literature or any art form, shouldn't have boundaries.
This show is just another show, whether about muslims or not. It doesnt make muslims say "it's so true!" and "Hey, that's so you, Os!" ... except maybe a few weird ones. What is sad is that many of my non-muslim family and friends looked forward to learn about the muslim community based on that show and maybe 10% is true about the reality * the rest is just exageration, which is good for a comedy like all other comedy shows
Ziyaad you're right. But it does, and this is a positive, at least put a human face to a community we know little about. As for the "it's true" thing - that's satire. It was meant to be humourous. It's a pop culture thing. Homer Simpson is fond of using it.
Wish we could get it on the US east coast. It sounds interesting.
I want to respond to the person who mentioned surprise that this is not a show about people from India.
For the record, Muslims are from various ethnic backgrounds. I don't believe there is any Indian main character on this show. The Amar is from Pakistan. Yasir is from the middle east, I believe. Fatima is from Nigeria. Sarah is a caucasian born in Canada.
For any New Yorkers reading this -- The Museum of Television & Radio in NYC is hosting an evening with the cast and creators of "Little Mosque on the Prairie" on May 17, 2007. Details below!
A First Look at Little Mosque on the Prairie
Thursday, May 17; 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30 / $15 for students using discount code STUDENT at mtr.org
This hit Canadian sitcom from the CBC, centered on a Muslim community nestled in the wilds of rural Saskatchewan, has debuted to strong ratings and curious speculation: is it possible to find humor in Muslims interacting with suspicious North Americans in a post-9/11 world? Members of the cast and creative team will discuss the challenges that arise when sensitive social and political issues provide the context for a traditional comedy show.
In Person:
Mary Darling, Executive Producer
Kirstine Layfield, Executive Director, Network Programming, CBC Television
Anton Leo, Creative Head, Comedy, Arts & Entertainment, CBC Television
Sheila McCarthy, "Sarah"
Zarqa Nawaz, Creator, Consulting Producer, Writer
Zaib Shaikh, "Amaar"
I am a radio producer working in the South Asian market in Toronto. My audience is a good reprentation of the community - If you speak and or understand Urdu and are a South Asian living in Toronto you have probably heard us.
I got lots of messages - e-mails and voice BEFORE the show aired. Many of the calls centered arouns concern about Little Mosque - will they be fair?. Guess what. Since the premiere - not a peep. Not on the radar.
Myself, I think it isn't funny. It should be - the idea is catchy with lots of cacet - but sadly not funny. Actors mugging all over the place, stilted writing - I felt sad actually. I was looking forward to a comedy about Muslims in Canada and I respect the Director and creator. It just isn't funny.
Frieda
i wish i could see it here in new York. i saw some episodes online and totally loved them. i was so not offended, being muslim myself
for anyone who wants to see it, all the episodes are available on www.youtube.com. Just type in little mosque on the prairie or LMOTP.
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I too watched the Halloween episode of Little Mosque this week, it was funny.
Correction: Wheat & Muslims are now IN.