We’ve reported on Jersey Shore (the MTV reality show about Italian-Americans partying and hooking up) spin offs that are popping up all over the blogosphere by the day, from Asian Americans in K-town, to Russian-Americans in Brighton Beach, and even kids from Massachusetts who love the Red Sox and South Side kids from Chicago.
"Persian Guidos" exist apparently. Photo source: www.guidoallstars.com
But the pitch for the Persian-American show in Hollywood (the Persian Version!) has generated some pretty intense feedback.
To see what started the crossfire, check out this extensive (and ridiculous) press release from Doron Ofir Casting and 495 Productions to gather up all the interested Persian-Americans for auditions (and don’t worry– we bolded our favorite parts):
“Two thousand years ago the Persian Empire ruled the ancient world… but they didn’t have your soundtrack, your style, or your swagger! Today there’s a new Persian empire growing right here in L.A. and it’s ready to conquer the world all over again. It’s a bad-ass new dynasty where exotic beauty and wild style dominates the sexiest nightlife, exclusive venues and hottest beaches the modern world has to offer.
You’ve got the means, the money, and the motivation to cut through the velvet rope and rule the VIP! For you life is all about Gucci, Gabbana, Cavalli and Cristal. From BMWs and Bugatis, to Mercedes and Movado and money is no object.
You live a lifestyle most people only dream of. In your world, nothing is out of reach, and though you are surrounded by the jealous, the posers and the haters, one thing’s for sure…once you go Persian, there is no other version!
Time to show the world that being Persian-American is about living the true American dream… a lifestyle most people only wish they could. So if you are at least 21 years old, appear younger than thirty and are outrageous, outspoken and a proud Persian-American, then Doron Ofir Casting and 495 Productions, the team who brought you Jersey Shore, are looking for you!
Casting is already underway don’t miss your chance to join this A-list. Do you reign over the most exclusive spots in the city? Do you use your exotic appeal to get anything or anyone you desire?? Prove it! Send your NAME, AGE, 2 PICS, PHONE NUMBER and WHY we should pick you to PersianVersionCasting@gmail.com .”
This call for all Persians with tons of money to blow on “Gucci, Gabbana, Cavalli, and Cristal” who are ruling “a bad-ass new dynasty where exotic beauty and wild style dominates the sexiest nightlife,” inspired some pretty strong opinions about NEVER allowing this show to come into existence – which is understandable, since it seems it will just perpetuate the unfavorable stereotype of Persians as wealthy and exotic techno-blasting club-hoppers.
For example, the website for Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans released a pretty passionate statement expressing their concerns about the creation of this kind of show:
“Most people who watched Jersey Shore may have judged the cast-members, but did not judge or form opinions against Italians in general because they have other experiences with Italians that can serve as a foundation for a better understanding of Italian culture. On the other hand, due to highly-strained relations between Iran and the United States, Iranians have felt great prejudice that has not often been counteracted by a visibility in American society. Because Iranian culture is not yet widespread and well understood by a non-Iranian audience, the most vivid, and perhaps first and only impression this audience would have of Iranian-Americans would be this show.”
…
“A television program that will misrepresent the community so gravely could undo this developing foundation…The Iranian-American community should come together, organizations and individuals alike, to stand against this show airing. It should unify and express its concerns and demand to be accurately represented in all media.”
In a funnier response, a channel on Youtube called RuggerProductions created a parody of what the Persian Version auditions would look like, commenting on the video: “Please help spread this video around in hopes of preventing a ‘real’ show like this from actually going into production, or at least if it does, they avoid choosing stereotypical Persians.”
The audition parody shows a confused Persian college student telling the interviewer, “I thought this was for citizenship;” and then another guy refusing to interview until he finishes lifting weights, and then a girl explaining why she would be perfect for the show: “What’s not to love about me? I was perfect before, but then after my nose surgery I was even more perfect-er.”
Each “cast member” even gets a nickname reminiscent of Snooki and The Situation with a Persian twist: Snobby Nose T, Hairy D-Bag, Tarty Party Shahlah, and the Kabob Plate. Maybe their hilarious parodies of episodes 2 and 3 (below) will prevent the show from ever coming into being, or worse, make people actually want to see this kind of stuff.
–Joanna L. Buffum
The Persian Version Parody: The Auditions
The Persian Version Parody: Episode 2 “Hairy On Arrival”
The Persian Version Parody: Episode 3 “Aint’ Nuttin But a Hairy Party”
