Egyptian prank TV show angers guests over Israel

LAT ^ | August 19, 2012 | 12:46 pm

[BenLurkin]

CAIRO -- When Egyptian actor Ayman Kandeel believes he has been tricked into appearing on an Israeli television network, he smacks the show’s producer and charges to slap the female host, throwing her into a corner.

He curses, tosses chairs, and single-handedly demolishes the set. Just before the famous actor reaches for his gun holster, the crew finally tells him he is a guest on a prank show and that everyone in the studio is actually Egyptian. A crew member admonishes Kandeel: “Shame on you for hitting a woman.”

Kandeel, who admittedly carries a gun in these uncertain times of political unrest, hugs the young host and apologizes: “You brought it upon yourself,” he said.

Presented by relatively unknown Egyptian actress Iman Mubarak, "Alhokm Baad Al mozawla," or “Judgment After a Prank” aired daily during the month of Ramadan as millions of viewers tuned in after breaking their evening fasts. The shows were taped in advance to guarantee no one was tipped off and the hoax was successful. Apparently, none of the guests leaked word of the spoof.

Arab celebrities and public figures have been invited under the pretense that they would appear on an Arabic-speaking German network. When the deception begins, the guests are unnerved after they’re tricked into believing that the show airs on an Israeli channel. Mubarak fools guests into believing she is of Jewish origin. Some of the guests, protecting their pride and turning theatrical, respond with anti-Israeli slurs and violence.

In one of the most volatile episodes, Mubarak started to provoke actor Mahmoud Abdelghafar by asking him why there can’t be peace and cooperation between Egypt and Israel on all levels, including television, art and politics. He rejects the idea nervously and suggests they should discuss another topic.

[BenLurkin]

Kandeel... hugs the young host and apologizes: “You brought it upon yourself,” he said.

Muslim "apology."

[pastorbillrandles]

nothing says holiday cheer like a “hate and mock Israel” television show! These people are deranged!!!

[Sherman Logan]

I must admit to a moderate amount of enjoyment of this response, as these prank shows are getting out of hand.

I saw the prank movie Borat, and my primary hope through the whole thing was that somebody would punch him right in the mouth.

[BenLurkin]

What kind of hate-filled animal would slap a pretty gal just because she is thought to be Jewish?

[Mr. K]

I saw Borat once (as much as I could stand) and was wondering- if these people were ‘pranked’ why did they then allow themselves to be shown in the movie?

If they did not know in advance, how can The isiot who plays Borat show them in a movie to millions of people without their consent?

[Sherman Logan]

I don’t believe he can legally show these people in the movie unless they signed a release. Presumably some payment was often involved.

Personally, I thought the great majority of Americans in the movie bent over WAY backwards trying to be tolerant of the weird foreigner. In an odd way it was kind of a tribute to the kindness and decency of most Americans.

[GOPJ]

...nothing says holiday cheer like a “hate and mock Israel” television show! These people are deranged!!!

Hate TV - AND worse than Hollywood beating up on Conservative Christians...

[NormsRevenge]

al-Busted