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The TV Arab
Dr. Shaheen, studying over 100 different popular entertainment programs, cartoons and major documentaries telecast on network, independent and public channels, totaling nearly 200 episodes that relate to Arabs, has thrown new and revealing light on the stereotypes of people from the Middle East.
- GenresNonfictionMiddle East
156 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
2 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Jack G. Shaheen
9 books24 followersInternationally acclaimed author and media critic, Dr. Jack G. Shaheen, is a committed internationalist and a devoted humanist. A Pittsburgh native and former CBS news consultant on Middle East Affairs, Shaheen’s lectures and writings illustrate that damaging racial and ethnic stereotypes of Asians, blacks, Native Americans and others injure innocent people. He defines crude caricatures, explains why they persist, and provides workable solutions to help shatter misperceptions.
Professor Shaheen has given over 1,000 lectures in nearly all the 50 states and three continents. Among those universities that have welcomed him are Oxford, Amherst, Brown, Emory, Harvard, the University of Southern California, West Point, as well as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the White House Truman Center. World capitols where he has spoken include London, Berlin, Paris, Prague, New Delhi, Cairo, and Istanbul. He has consulted with the United Nations, the Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and New York City’s Commission on Civil Rights. In cooperation with the United States government, he has conducted communication seminars throughout the Middle East.
Dr. Shaheen is the author of four books: Nuclear War Films, Arab and Muslim Stereotyping in American Popular Culture, The TV Arab and the award-winning book and film Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People.
His writings include 300-plus essays in publications such as Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post to chapters on media stereotypes in dozens of college textbooks.
Dr. Shaheen, an Oxford Research Scholar, is the recipient of two Fulbright teaching awards. He holds degrees from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Missouri. He has appeared on national network programs such as CNN, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Nightline, Good Morning America, 48 Hours, and The Today Show.
Among Dr. Shaheen’s awards recognizing his “outstanding contribution towards a better understanding of our global community” are: The University of Pennsylvania’s Janet Lee Stevens Award; the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of “his lifelong commitment to bring a better understanding towards peace for all mankind;” and the Pancho Be Award for “the advancement of humanity.” Pancho Be, a Mayan phrase, means to seek the root of truth.
Shaheen has served as a consultant with film and TV companies: DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, and Showtime.
Professor Shaheen has given over 1,000 lectures in nearly all the 50 states and three continents. Among those universities that have welcomed him are Oxford, Amherst, Brown, Emory, Harvard, the University of Southern California, West Point, as well as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the White House Truman Center. World capitols where he has spoken include London, Berlin, Paris, Prague, New Delhi, Cairo, and Istanbul. He has consulted with the United Nations, the Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and New York City’s Commission on Civil Rights. In cooperation with the United States government, he has conducted communication seminars throughout the Middle East.
Dr. Shaheen is the author of four books: Nuclear War Films, Arab and Muslim Stereotyping in American Popular Culture, The TV Arab and the award-winning book and film Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People.
His writings include 300-plus essays in publications such as Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post to chapters on media stereotypes in dozens of college textbooks.
Dr. Shaheen, an Oxford Research Scholar, is the recipient of two Fulbright teaching awards. He holds degrees from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Missouri. He has appeared on national network programs such as CNN, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Nightline, Good Morning America, 48 Hours, and The Today Show.
Among Dr. Shaheen’s awards recognizing his “outstanding contribution towards a better understanding of our global community” are: The University of Pennsylvania’s Janet Lee Stevens Award; the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of “his lifelong commitment to bring a better understanding towards peace for all mankind;” and the Pancho Be Award for “the advancement of humanity.” Pancho Be, a Mayan phrase, means to seek the root of truth.
Shaheen has served as a consultant with film and TV companies: DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, and Showtime.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 2, 2019
At this point, this book is over 30 years old, and showing its age. Very few of the tv shows it mentions would be known by today’s viewers. And the language is outdated (eg. the use of the word “oriental”). The discussion about stereotypes, where they come from, and how they’re perpetuated still has some value, although, again, the language seems awkward and oversimplified 30 years on. The point that any ethnic group is going to have a variety of people—heroic, ordinary, ethical, criminal, religious, materialistic—is still true. And there is historical value in reading about how the “Arab” was tied to oil wealth (and opulence) in tv caricatures. It’s interesting to ponder if that’s been completely eradicated. Certainly it’s not as blatant. Overall, a book whose highest value has past, but still serves as a historical reference.
January 26, 2025
It had very amazing set up for the last chapter. It really made its message apparent without directly saying it, “there is not enough Arab representation and everyone involved needs to change that”. Its final chapter, which predominantly covered documentaries covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, really brought out how Jews dominate Hollywood. Because of this fact, Jews have been normalized and beat their stereotypes. Since there is a lack of Arabs/Arab consideration to Hollywood, Arabs are still thought of as peddlers, terrorist, womanizers, and savages.
October 12, 2024
As an Arab, I was obviously intrigued by the title.
Let's start with the negative points. This book is over 30 years old so you won't resonate with everything. That's why I put 4 stars and not 5. Plus, the language is a bit outdated but the content sure is relevant.
Indeed, the author spent 20 years of his life studying about 100 various American shows that include Arabs. Over the pages, you'll infer that they're all stereotyping Arabs one way or another. You realise how this community in particular is depicted differently than the others. But the "differently" has a racist undertone that is the point of this project..
Let's start with the negative points. This book is over 30 years old so you won't resonate with everything. That's why I put 4 stars and not 5. Plus, the language is a bit outdated but the content sure is relevant.
Indeed, the author spent 20 years of his life studying about 100 various American shows that include Arabs. Over the pages, you'll infer that they're all stereotyping Arabs one way or another. You realise how this community in particular is depicted differently than the others. But the "differently" has a racist undertone that is the point of this project..
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews