Simpsons to be reworked for Arab countries

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Oct 2005, 17:07

According to something I heard on the news today, The Simpsons will now be shown on the Arab version of NBC, however there will be some changes..

Homer is now called Omar, Bart is Badir (I think), and Homer's Duff Beer will become soda (probably). Wonder what they'll do about the other religions it and the sex references? Its' said they'll have to be toned down. Out go donuts, in come Arab cookies (?)
Aw feck, it wont be The Simpsons, will it?!

Actually, all that reminded me of a spoof opening sequence with Indian characters, called "The Singhsons", LOL

Homer was Omar, Maggie was Maghi

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 19 Oct 2005, 17:24

Yeah, we all know that Arabs don't drink so then no one else is supposed to, right? And what's the point in changing the names? Is your average American Dad called Omar??? Dumb censorship.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Oct 2005, 17:32

Yeah, but I think theyre trying to make it more "acceptable", so Homer can't eat bacon.. etc

Like you say though, I cant understand why they cant just show the original show and dub it or something?

Its' like the kids' show Sesame Street I guess (TBH I dunno if thats still on), some countries will air the original American show (like we did) and others have their own co-productions. Or how Pokémon (the cartoon) was/is altered over here (sometimes in terms of animation being cut) over here compared to Japan, or how Miramax waters down HK movies or something?

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 19 Oct 2005, 17:49

grim_tales wrote:Yeah, but I think theyre trying to make it more "acceptable", so Homer can't eat bacon.. etc

Hhhhhhhhhnnnnnggggrrrrrrrrrr ..... baconnnnnnnnnnnn..... ghnnnnnn

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Oct 2005, 17:56

Would be interesting to see though.

"A box! My boys' a box! DAMN YOU..... A BOX!!!!!"
- Homer, "Bart Gets Famous", Season 5

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 19 Oct 2005, 19:03

grim_tales wrote:Yeah, but I think theyre trying to make it more "acceptable", so Homer can't eat bacon.. etc

Please stop, my fragile mind can't take any more of this bullshit!!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Oct 2005, 19:37

I don't like it either...

Why the fuck they cant import the US show I don't know.
They dont eat bacon, so what? Like seeing a cartoon US family eating it will offend them?!

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 19 Oct 2005, 22:59

Yi-Long wrote:
grim_tales wrote:Yeah, but I think theyre trying to make it more "acceptable", so Homer can't eat bacon.. etc

Hhhhhhhhhnnnnnggggrrrrrrrrrr ..... baconnnnnnnnnnnn..... ghnnnnnn

More like:-
Omar: "Mmmmmmm... Haaaaaaaaallllllllaaaaallllllll.... *ddddrrrroooolllll*"

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 19 Oct 2005, 23:31

grim_tales wrote:I don't like it either... Why the fuck they cant import the US show I don't know.
They dont eat bacon, so what? Like seeing a cartoon US family eating it will offend them?!

It would be a bad influence on Arab kids, making them think pork-meat is delicious... which would make them all want to eat pork meat

With so much cutting going on, it will probably end up being 5 minute-shorts

Omar: "Mmmmmmm... Haaaaaaaaallllllllaaaaallllllll.... *ddddrrrroooolllll*"

would be cool seeing an arabic Homer though

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 20 Oct 2005, 00:14

Actually, Arabic dubbing is quite good when it comes from a certain studio which I think is located in Kuwait or Saudi-Arabia (forgot the name of the studio).

Man, I so wanna download the Arabic versions when they are there, just to see them talk in Arabic. Maybe they also came up with some exclusive jokes which you can only understand in Arabic.

I wonder who decided to cut certain scenes, though. Because in Jordan, 'The Simpsons' are on TV every single day (in English audio and with Arabic subs). There weren't any cuts, though IIRC.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 20 Oct 2005, 00:33

Is the Simpsons dubbed in germany, LD?

Here, in Holland, they tried a dubbed version of The Simpons, but luckily, they quickly realised their mistake and went back to broadcasting the english version...

Right now though, most cartoons on TV are dubbed, sadly...

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 20 Oct 2005, 00:46

Yes, it's dubbed into German and I just love both voices of Homer. I also love both of the voices of Mr. Burns.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Oct 2005, 08:30

EvaUnit02 wrote:More like:-
Omar: "Mmmmmmm... Haaaaaaaaallllllllaaaaallllllll.... *ddddrrrroooolllll*"

I'm not sure why they brought up the religious (Hindu/Jew/Christian etc) issue, wouldnt it be good to teach Arab kids about different religions?
In its original form it would be good propaganda for them since everyone on The Simpsons is an idot

LD isn't Jordan a Arab country? Why can't they (as you say) just show it with Arabic subs?

In Madiera I saw it uncut/undubbed with Portuguese subs, and also in the US itself in 2003. Unfortunately, in the US on the Fox network it was heavily cut to get in more commercials and for pacing

Worse than C4.
LD you may be right, I can understand them changing some gags and coming up with Arabic jokes (since Arabic humor is not like American humor I guess) and perhaps toning down the sex references, just taking out the references to beer/pork etc seems a bit OTT, IMO.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Oct 2005, 13:50

This is a good article - many people have said the Arab Simpsons isn't terribly funny and isnt a patch on the original.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05287/588741.stm

I'd like to see it though regardless, would be interesting

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Oct 2005, 13:56

Also, Season 7 will be released on R1 on December 13

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=4233

Can you get S6/7 on R1 without the stupid "head" packaging? I know the alternative packaging offer is only for US residents, do they only sell it online with the head?

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 20 Oct 2005, 14:03

Of course Jordan is an Arab country and as I said, the episodes are already running there subbed and UN-cut.

LD you may be right, I can understand them changing some gags and coming up with Arabic jokes (since Arabic humor is not like American humor I guess) and perhaps toning down the sex references, just taking out the references to beer/pork etc seems a bit OTT, IMO.

Totally agree. Didn't say anything else. I was just saying that I would love to see it in Arabic due to the jokes.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 20 Oct 2005, 14:32

The Simpsons isn't aimed at kids, but I doubt any sex references would need to be cut unless the show was on during family hour or something? Arabs have sex too, you know!

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 20 Oct 2005, 14:39

They do? Naaaah... :mrgreen:

I think 'The Simpsons' is aimed at all kind of audiences. It has jokes for kids and also the kind of jokes kids won't get, which is the actual reason for their success and their huge audience.