"Maybe we need a Muslim version of 'The Cosby Show' ... I know that sounds crazy," Couric said on a web version of her show, while discussing the major stories from 2010. "But 'The Cosby Show' did so much to change attitudes about African-Americans in this country, and I think sometimes people are afraid of things they don't understand."
Critics were quick to call Couric's well-intentioned remarks simplistic and "bird-brained."
But Muslim and Arab writers, directors and actors say they see Couric's remarks as a stepping stone to tolerance and say the CBS news anchor gave them a platform they wouldn't have otherwise had to express their desire for more positive Muslim portrayals on scripted television. They're hoping her remarks will be the catalyst to make that happen.
"We want to see a typical Arab-American family that is just like every other family in America," said Arab-American comedian Dean Obeidallah, who has developed a pilot for Comedy Central. "Television has had the ability to demonize Muslims and Arabs, but we realize that it also has the ability to humanize us."
Couric's suggestion might not be as radical or as far off as her critics decried. In fact, Muslim-American writers say that broadcast and cable networks are starting to be more receptive to scripts prominently featuring both Arabs and practitioners of Islam. A decade-removed from the September 11th terrorist attacks, television may finally be ready to portray Muslim-Americans as more than terrorists and taxi cab drivers.
"Hollywood would definitely embrace a Muslim 'Cosby Show' with one caveat: It would have to be really good. It's the one factor that has linked shows about minorities like the 'Cosby Show' or even 'Will & Grace.' Currently, I believe Americans are open to any minority as long as the show speaks to universal human truths and makes them laugh," said Muslim-American Hollywood television and movie producer Tariq Jalil, the executive producer of the comedy 'Marmaduke.'
"From a network perspective, a show just needs to be socially responsible and pull in ratings. I don't think there's a single network that would turn down a good show that features Muslim-Americans as long as it brought in viewers."
Jalil says the atmosphere is right; the problem is more Muslims need to write this kind of material.
Wajahat Ali, a Muslim-American playwright and author, recently released a play about the familial drama and comedy of a Muslim-American family, called 'Domestic Crusaders,' through McSweeney's publishing imprint and has been tapped by HBO to write a pilot with bestselling author Dave Eggers about a Muslim-American police officer living in San Francisco. Ali says several theaters passed on producing 'Domestic Crusaders,' despite loving the script.
"There seems to be hesitation amongst artistic directors that the play, featuring all Pakistani-American characters, might not resonate with mainstream audiences. There is also a fear that the mere mention of a play about Muslim-Americans will generate controversy and backlash," Ali said.
But when he pitched his idea for a television pilot featuring a Muslim-American cop, HBO was very receptive.
"HBO has been great, but at the end of the day we have to acknowledge that the color that matters in Hollywood and show business is green. They need to be convinced that the story you are telling will be accessible to the mainstream audience to get their revenue," Ali said.
A Newsweek poll conducted in August showed 58 percent of Americans believe they don't know anyone who is Muslim. A television show won't entirely close that gap, but could go a long way toward making Americans feel like they know a Muslim. More than that, it could help Muslim-American children feel like their American counterparts know someone like them.
"For a Muslim-American child to see people who look like him or her, a normal family living in the U.S., will make them feel a genuine sense of acceptance. Talking to a child about the constitution and their rights will go right over their head, show them a 30-minute sitcom and they will understand tolerance, acceptance and even equality," said Linda Sarsour, director of the Arab American Association of New York and mother of three.
Playwright Aizzah Fatima, who wrote and performs the one-woman show 'Dirty Paki Lingerie' in New York City, just hopes such a program would combat the general ignorance about Islam that Couric was referring to. "Just as the Cosby show debunked stereotypes about African-Americans, so could a similar show do for Muslim-Americans. We are just like everyone else. Some of us are religious, and others aren't. We do not want to impose Islamic law or anything else on our neighbors of different faiths."
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