US to fund $20m remake of Sesame Street for Pakistan

BBC ^ | April 9, 2011 | Syed Shoaib Hasan

[Beaten Valve]

In a new effort to win hearts and minds in Pakistan, USAID - the development arm of the US government - is donating $20m (£12m) to the country to create a local Urdu version of the show.

The project aims to boost education in Pakistan, where many children have no access to regular schooling.

The show is to be filmed in Lahore and aired later in the year.

"The programme is part of a series of ventures that is aimed at developing the educational infrastructure in the country," Virginia Morgan, a spokesperson for USAID, told the BBC.

"Education is one of the vital sectors that need help in Pakistan."

The show will be set in a village in Pakistan - rather than the streets of New York - with roadside tea shop and residents sitting on their verandas.

The remake will star a puppet called Rani, the six-year-old daughter of a peasant farmer, with pigtails and a school uniform, according to Britain's Guardian newspaper.

The Rafi Peer group has been a leading light in Pakistani theatre for nearly 30 years. The group has been in the news in the past for its off-the-cuff productions - but also for the threats it has received.

In 2008 its highly popular World Performing Arts festival in Lahore was bombed. Although no-one was injured, the attack set back the arts in what is regarded as the country's cultural capital.

This was followed by an attack on the troupe's cafe in the city. Despite this, owners Faizan and Imran Peerzada have remained committed to bringing Sesame Street to audiences across Pakistan.

[Beaten Valve]

There’s nothing wrong with turning the Sesame Street characters into Muslims. It’s all part of the “Kenyan-In-Cheif’s” world outreach program.

I expect that soon we’ll see them shooting RPG’s at American troops, or, maybe even one riding on the subway wearing a Burqa before blowing herself up with the morning starpholders...

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I can see it now,

“One infidel head, two infidel head...”

[dila813]

So let me guess, they are going to change to characters into:

1. The Jew
2. The Christian
3. The Imam
4. The Bomb Maker
5. The Jihad Hero
...

[Rockitz]

Just another day in bizzaro world since Zero became president.

[glorgau]

Instead of “Cookie Monster” they’re going to have “Zionist Jew”.

[rockinqsranch]

$20 Million Taxpayer Dollars!?

[Cheetahcat]

BS ,use the money to help Americans,not Pakistani Dirt.

[pnh102]

Heh. What are they gonna do with Bert and Ernie?

[RnMomof7]

Hey we got more money than we know what to do with.. we are already sending our excess money to the Muslims , so why not Big Bird too??

[EGPWS]

US to fund $20m remake of Sesame Street for Pakistan

Well, there is 50% of what almost shut down government spent already.

[mewykwistmas]

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Apparently production has already started...

[elpadre]

Once the Mullahs get wind of this they will go bananas claiming the great Satan (that's us) is trying to brainwash the Muslim kids and will forbid usage - 20 million more dollars squandered by State - to go along with the billions squandered in past few years by Clinton and hidden from the public. They can't earn the world's respect so they try to buy it.

[Berlin_Freeper]

They are going to watch the penis shaped Bert constantly banging himself on the butt shaped Ernie and eventually they are going to put 2 and 2 together and kill many foreigners.

[A message]

Yeah, count this among the wasted millions/billions bleeding us dry and bankrupting the nation.

This must stop!

[Iron Munro]

"Uncle Stupid survives mean-spirited Tea Party Budget Onslaught"

[central_va]

“Now son, pay attention I can only demonstrate this one time.”

[mouser]

For crying out loud most of them over there do not have electricity or running water and I would also guess a shortage of TVs

what a stupid waste of our taxes

[PeteB570]

Should be a short series - suicide bombings and all.

How do you pray in a trash can?

[Rocky]

Our tax dollars at work. No wait, our deficit at work. We are broke, but we are funding a TV program for Pakistan?