While the Internet and mainstream media has turned its attention to Iran in the past few weeks, it’s almost difficult to see the country in non-political terms. In the name of comedy, The Daily Show sent Jason Jones to Iran to do a series entitled “Behind The Veil”. So far, it’s been a hilarious window in to Iran that subtly tries to show American audience that the country they know as being part of the “axis of evil” isn’t all that evil. These types of productions are why I have a lot of respect for the show and the people behind it. They’ve continuously put a great deal of effort towards trying to bridge cultural gaps by using the power of satire.
These videos are all worth a watch:
Minarets of Menace: where are all the Iranians who hate Americans?
Persians Of Interest: a look at the people that this axis-of-evil considers its axis-of-evil…
Ayatollah You So: Jason Jones takes the Tonight Show’s famous sketch, “Jay Walking” and does a bit of “Jihad Walking” in Iran to find out which population knows more about the other…
The Kids Are Allah Right: 70% of Iran’s population is under the age of 30…
How CNN is using social networking to “report” the news. I actually kind of disagree with Jon here. I understand the importance of mainstream media sticking to the codes and rules of journalism, however, social media is still an essential tool that I think should be wielded, especially in times like this. Nevertheless, it does bring about the key question: while social media has been great at generating inaccessible information, how reliable is that information, and moreover, should it be considered news?
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I laughed so hard last night while watching this report. It did show American ignorance to what goes on in the world. At the same time, however, Arabs suffer from the same symptoms. From democracy to backward cultural practices, Arabs are no different from a self absorbed America.
mab3oos: valid point. i think every society suffers from living in a bubble, and even within that bubble there are smaller bubbles throughout the greater spectrum of a society. varying degrees of the “bubble-hold” are what make all the difference from one society to another.
the Arab world has its own stereotypes about iran, some of which we have unfortunately been fed in the form of anti-iranian and anti-shi3a propaganda. arab-persian conciliation has a long way to go but in the context of the US versus Iran issue, we tend to forget that we have a lot more in common with Iranians than we do with Americans.
Hilarious! I love when he gives the kids cigarettes as an ice breaker.
“Can someone get me a real cleric in here please?” 😀
You have to keep in mind that they look for funny fools when they do those interviews. People who answer those questions accurately, with a straight face, don’t make for good comedy TV.
I haven’t watch his show for quite some time. You made my day. Very funny.
Notice the green armband on the girl in the “Ayatollah You So?” segment?
BTW, are all Persian women hot, or is it just me?
RockettRay.. a lot of them are, but I wouldn’t generalize
I agree with nobody, remember those clips are edited to show the dumb American and the smart Iranian…
those clips are gold, Jason Jones and some other daily show reporters have had some incredibly brilliant and funny reports
cool
Good stuff, great show.
Iran has ways to go to achieve real democracy. Unfortunately we are lagging behind them in the Arab world.
I couldn’t agree more about The Daily Show.
I’m new in town; how can I start meeting people?
Thanks!
I loved this series…I am Iranian and I think right now we are all so sensitive about what is said about Iran and the people in Iran.. but this was such a great way of bringing light to heartbreaking times while also bringing the world’s attention to the situation there.. I love how Jason Jones ends it in “the kids are allah right”. Thank you guys at the daily show for all the laughter and wisdom you bring to us!!!
2 Nas:
I must say your writings are real good, and I enjoy reading your blog, and sometimes do comment.
In this post you have mentioned that you do have a lot of respect for John Stewart and his show and jokes, which is great, but funny that to me it feels like a double standard, I.e. you have respect and like to joke about when it comes to humor on US or the west, but is someone tries making a joke on a Jordanian politician you delete such comments.
Would be nice if all jokes/sarcasm/comments are respected regardless if they are about Americans, Jordanians, or any other bloody nation, wouldn’t you agree?
Revelation: thank you for the comment. I am not aware of what you are referring to as I don’t care if Jordanian politicians are poked fun at. I do however care if they are slandered on my blog, not out of any modes of respect or limitations to free speech, but to the fact that this blog and its blogger are ultimately, and unfortunately, governed by the realities of this country. These realities could easily find me getting in to trouble for something someone else said.
Thanks
Nas: point taken, we don’t want to cause you trouble after all :). I will avoid making such jokes then, but still, i feel for you, it would have been real nice to feel a real freedom of speech! hang in there 😉
Really you Americans laugh at these?
You are just happy by yourself, At least these Shows revealed who are aware and who are NOT, Jone told name of a country in Middle East, I R A N, The boy said India !!! India= I R A N
You are so smart guys.
Go to the hell Stewart!
Hey i do not understand you guys but i know that you all are stupid…First of all i am tellin you mab3oos that Iranians are not Arabs…they are Persian…second of all agaaaaaiin do NOT compare stupid Arabs with Iranians, if you just go through the history you will find out…
you know Nothing about iran so shut your mouth…
Alright so this idiot not only is racist, but also lacks the ability to read.