Popular Ramadan comedy goes off the air

FOR the past 14 years, "Tash ma Tash" dominated Ramadan seasonal television programming. But the popular Saudi comedy serial, which stars Naser Al-Qasabi and Abdullah Al-Sadhan, is no more - and some fans aren't happy about that.

"My cousins and I have grown up gathering around the TV after iftar (the breaking of the fast at sunset) to watch 'Tash' for the last 14 years; it is to me a ritual that is linked strongly to Ramadan," said Tariq, 19, who did not want to give his family name.

Many like Tariq will miss the program, which featured comedy skits on Saudi society, sometimes testing the boundaries of tolerance for ridiculing authorities, including the religious police, and riffing on inter-tribal identities and stereotypes.

Other says it was time to retire the long-running program, to open the doors for new and fresher talent.

"Although it will be missed, still I believe it was a wise, well-considered decision made by the stars," says Hassan Al-Assiri, a Saudi actor. "Closing the door on 'Tash' will open other doors, even for Al-Sadhan and Al-Qasabi."

Indeed, Al-Qasabi and Al-Sadhan aren't resting on their laurels. They have two programs scheduled for Ramadan: "Nas wa Nas" ("People and People") and "Eyal Qurayah" ("Sons of Qurayah").

Khalil Shehata, co-director of "Nas wa Nas," says that the spirit of "Tash" will continue in this new production. But unlike "Tash," which involved a series of unrelated sketches featuring the actors playing myriad types of characters, "Nas" will have a sitcom-style story arc revolving around one group of characters living in a Saudi tenement building.

"Al-Qasabi and Al-Sadhan have a courageous style in approaching social issues, yet we always trust their objectivity in doing so," said Shehata.

For his part, Al-Asiri is acting in "Beni we Benak" ("Between You and Me"), a seasonal sitcom that has already begin airing. "It's a sitcom with a different theme each time about deception, fraud and convicts in a frame of 10 to 15 minutes of light comedy," he said.

Mohammad Al-Shehri, regional manager of MBC, says viewers tend to prefer historical and social dramas, as well as comedy and game shows. Programming that reflects everyday life in the region is a perennial favorite. "The viewer is the one in control regarding the programs in general and Ramadan programs in particular," said Al-Shehri. "One of the programs that was well received last year was 'Bab El Hara' ('The Neighborhood Door'), a Syrian folk series."

Despite the immense popularity of post-iftar family television in Saudi Arabia, there are critics who say that this is part of the social commercialization of one of Islam's five pillars. Like their contemporaries in the West, who lament how the Christmas season has become too commercial and focused on shopping, some Saudis see the same phenomenon happening during Ramadan. "My sisters and I boycott TV during Ramadan," said Maha, a 26-year-old housewife. "It is a month for long prayer, for Zakah (the payment of alms to the poor), reading the Holy Qur'an and strengthening ties with family and relatives - it is not meant for spending long hours channel surfing."

When asked about this concern, Shehata agrees to some extent, but he is also pragmatic.

"There are many emerging satellite stations that form a foundation for competition. Artists, directors and producers strive to produce distinguished work."

Shehata says he would like to see moving away from introducing new programming during Ramadan. This he says would reduce the load of programming that is unleashed during the holy month - where an entire series is broadcast beginning to end in one-night segments over 30 days and then re-run throughout the year. He says that airing 30 to 40 episodes in a row, every night, means people do miss out on some of the best episodes, which harms the overall impact of the programming.

And regardless of the critics that tune out and turn off the televisions during the holy month, one thing is certain: Many more will be glued to their televisions, just like Ramadans past.