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Article: Can reality TV 'survive' in the Middle East? Adaptations of 'American Idol' and 'Fear Factor' are hits in the Arab world even as they gently test social mores.(FEATURES)(ARTS)
- Article from:
- The Christian Science Monitor
- Article date:
- March 26, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Christian Science Publishing Society. 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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Byline: Samar Farah Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
BEIRUT AND ADMA, LEBANON, AND DAMASCUS, SYRIA -- At a new TV studio tucked in the hills north of Beirut, a young audience - mostly teenagers of the spiked ankle boot set - takes up a deafening chant. "Ahmad! Ahmad!" It's Friday night, or "Prime" time for "Star Academy," one of the hottest incarnations of reality TV in the Arab world. There's no sex, no alcohol, and no swearing, but that hasn't diminished the enthusiasm of fans.
Airing 24 hours a day on a satellite channel, "Star Academy" features 16 contestants cloistered in a villa, who attend singing, dancing, and acting lessons, devour ...