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Article: Arabian idol: reality TV tames nationalism.(Citings)
- Article from:
- Reason
- Article date:
- November 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Reason Foundation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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A DIFFERENT SORT of conflict broke out this summer in the Middle East-one involving reality TV. While it offers more evidence that the region is in the grip of a liberationist pop culture frenzy (see "Look Who's Rocking the Casbah," June), it also demonstrates that even the region's pop fandom can fall prey to conspiracy theories and divisiveness.
Future TV, a satellite network based in Lebanon (and owned by Prince Minister Rafik Hariri) staged an Arab version of the American reality TV phenomenon American Idol. Called Superstar, the show gathered hopeful amateur singers from throughout the Arab world and, week by week, narrowed the competition based on audience ...