Let's Talk About (Self-)Sex(ing) Baby!

The lengths I will go to use bad 90s songs in the title of posts!

Who, or what, has the power to bring on a cross-section of people to discuss taboo/Bi'da/Haram controversial topics, like masturbation and transsexual sex, and still enjoys unwavering support from the Arab world?

MBC's wildly popular "The View"-like talk show known in Arabic as "Sweet Talk" is that status quo and stereotype challenging force.

Although the show's success is old news, a recent episode of PBS's documentary show Wide Angle on it is not. The episode entitled "Dishing Democracy" goes into the biting, cutting edge, bordering on acrid topics discussed on "Kalam Nawaem."

For those of you unfamiliar with the show, MBC tv's website's description on the show should give you enough of a background:

For the First time on Arabic Television, four women come together to discuss the hottest issues, up-to-the-minute news, and real-life stories. Each coming from a different Arab country, these women creates an intriguing mixture of intellectual and social backgrounds. Their vivacious exchange of opinions, outlooks and reactions leave our viewers wanting more. Fawziya Salama, Editor in Chief of Sayidati magazine and a well respected Egyptian woman living in London; Farah Bseiso, a Palestinian actress and a shining Arab star who lives now in Damascus; and Muna Abousleiman, a young progressive Saudi mother of two and a PHD candidate in English Literature.

A discussion of particular interest to me was one on the staggeringly high divorce rate in the Arab world (according to the show, it's at 60%!). Mona, the muhajibat divorcee PhD candidate from Saudi Arabia, took it to a personal place by revealing the reasons for her divorce. Fawziya, the older Nana-type glowing with wisdom, had some sapient thoughts on the matter. But, it would be the Lebanese make-up wreck job to proclaim that it's a woman's own fault. Should she not keep up her looks for her husband, according to the Haifa/Nancy Ajram/fill-the-blank-with-the-name-of-any-done-up-Lebanese-pop-singer wannabe, the man has a right to divorce her. Sorry to burst the bubble around your Ms. Teen South Carolina sized brain, but it ain't an issue of looks you materialistic bimbo with Ms. Lebanon aspirations, it's because you don't know how to suck dick properly-geez, SO obvious.

Listen to Rania defend her opinion for yourself. You can watch the whole Wide Angle episode here

However, you can disregard that tangential inRantation...

The real story is not the show, which gasp (that's right, I discovered the italics feature on this puppy and I'm planning to use it), is an Arabic show that discusses controversial issues that defy American stereotypes about women and media in the Arab world, but the only recent interest in the show by American media outlets. A show with such international reach and popularity, thanks to the ever-expanding Arabic satellite has the power to catch the attention of American publications. Hearing the clarion call of good old Gil Scott Heron in hosts Fawziya, Mona, Farah, and Rania's voices, American woman's magazine Marie Claire wrote a surprisingly indepth and well-researched article called "The Revolution Will Be Televized" on the ladies.

Even one of the show's host, the one who fills the stock role of outspoken muhajibat Saudi divorcee PhD candidate, penned an article called "Tough Talk In a Soft Voice" on MEB Journal's website explaining the paradoxical popularity of the show.

Additionally, The LA Times and Newsweek online carried stories about these sweet (see, I told you, once I discover something I like, I get addicted) ha-loo-lious ladies.

Now that Western media has finally caught on to one Arabic pop culture phenomenon, inshallah they will take notice of the most edgy, ground-breaking TV talk show to hit Arabic satellite waves...ART's "What's Happening."