Today’s New York Times report on television-watching habits in Afghanistan is a fascinating read. It turns out that TV, banned during the Taliban years, has since emerged as a major cultural force there; despite the myriad problems facing the war-torn nation, huge audiences tune in every night to watch their favorite shows. In our country, where the tube is constantly accused of rotting kids’ brains and coarsening society, it’s refreshing to read a story where rising TV viewership is recognized as a largely positive development.
So what does your average Kabul couch potato like to watch? A lot of lame-sounding soap operas, mainly — but Afghan TV evidently offers almost as many options as we’re used to over here. The article mentions cooking shows, reality makeover shows, crime shows, quiz shows, music video shows, and call-in shows, among others. They’ve even got a hit singing competition called Afghan Star — their very own Idol! (In a droll moment, the show’s host tells the Times he’s never heard of Ryan Seacrest. Can it be?) And the leading station is getting ready to start rebroadcasting original American episodes of 24. Surely, The Sopranos can’t be far off. Anyone else find it as heartening as me to know that at least TV is doing all right in a nation facing such serious strife?
Is showing episodes of 24 in Afghanistan really a good idea? After all, half the villains in that show have been middle-eastern terrorists.
JT – According to the article, focus groups were held over how people would react to 24. Turns out most people didn’t care as long as the villains weren’t Afghans. I don’t recall any of the middle-eastern terrorists having their home countries specified so I guess there’s no problem.
Never heard of Ryan Seacrest? Lucky b***ard.
WHO CARES??? why isn’t EW talking about THE NINE yet? Cancelled or not…last night’s episode was AMAZING. but no…tv is afghanistan.
Television: our last great hope.
Long ago I argued that Popular culture would be the force that could turn the “hearts and minds” of hardcore middle eastern countries our way. The Iraqis didn’t need bombs, they needed copies of “Da Bomb”, laptops stuffed with mp3s, dvds of Arrested Development, South Park and Firefly. The boxes would be in the shape of coca cola machines and would have free sodas and all the sugary candy bars the locals could eat. I bet such a care package would cost less than a bomb and turn more folks to our way than an explosion.
Think about it, what America exports the most these days is “cool”. “Cool” movies, Scooter stereos, music, ipods (at least the designs came from here), gas guzzling cars that foreign elites love, and entertainment. I’m happy to see our culture is starting to shape mindsets in Afghanistan already.
Someday, “american idol” will hold auditions worldwide and Simon will dis on some kid in Kabul. THAT’s what I call Mission Accomplished.
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