Bravo’s ‘Shahs Of Sunset’ Slammed By West Hollywood For “Negative Stereotypes”
Freelance journalist Dominic Patten is a Deadline contributor
The West Hollywood City Council wants Bravo’s reality series Shahs Of Sunset to change its ways and stop “perpetuating negative stereotypes about Iranian-Americans.” The pols used their jurisdiction to slam the Ryan Seacrest-produced series about Iranian-Americans living in Beverly Hills (think a milder, West Coast version of MTV”s Jersey Shore, with more money). “The City of West Hollywood is located in close proximity to the area represented in Shahs Of Sunset and has many residents of Iranian descent,” a council resolution passed Thursday read. “Many of them and others have raised concerns about the show’s perpetuation of negative Iranian-American stereotypes.” Councilmember John Heilman said after it was adopted that “negative stereotypes disseminated about any group should raise concern as this can lead to discrimination and, in extreme cases, even violence.” The move is the latest attempt from a city government to weigh in on such matters, after LA City Council member Jan Perry’s measure this week intended to stop radio hosts from using “racist and sexist slurs” and for Clear Channel and others to have more diversity in their workforce. The West Hollywood council said its condemnation “is consistent with past actions of the City Council denouncing negative stereotypes of the LGBT community and other groups which have faced discrimination and marginalization.” More than 700,000 people of Persian descent live in Los Angeles County. Shahs Of Sunset premiered March 11.
As a hillbilly I’m offended by reruns of the Beverly Hillbillies and demand reruns be pulled off the air!
I love that you actually thought this was clever.
Why the hell did they even put this show on?? The fact that Ryan Seacrest can get tv shows on the air is a testament to how dumb and stupid entertainment has become. The entire industry should be ashamed of themselves for creating shows for kartrashians, those morons from jersey and now these idiots. All these shows are disgusting and Ryan Seacest is a moron with money. So scary.
You can’t blame just the entertainment industry, the television audience is just as guilty. The Kardashians and the Jersey Shore are some of the highest rated reality shows. If it was my job to make money for my network, I’d make the same damn decision.
“the entire industry” is not responsible for shows like this.
The fact that Ryan Seacrest is a recognizable name is testament to how dumb and stupid entertainment has become.
. . . and how easily amused the general population has become.
More importantly, Iranians should stop living up (down?) to the negative stereotype that exists.
im half persian and i agree. I know it as a fact that Persians are just *that* bad. Everyone is just pissed that the secret is out. I was at a restaurant in London on Friday and overheard a bunch of old Persian women complaining about the show. If anything it got everyone talking?
Actually I am full Persian and we are nothing like these people. Reality shows pick the worst and most obnoxious out of any group. I am offended by this show and the bad light that it puts on us.
Please my mother is horrified.
I will go out on a limb here. Theses Iranian Americans featured on this show infact don’t have much money. There is real old money there and the ones who have it would not be interested in wasting their time. They would never want the exposure. Plus, they are the worst cast of characters. Boring!!!
Completely agree with your first point.
If ‘muslim in america’ didn’t make it. what make anyone think this show will?
If theyre really concerned about the show they shouldn’t help it gain publicity with these kind if statements and efforts. The show is like every other reality show and it takes fame wh*res hungry for the spotlight and starving for IQ points and sensationalized trivial arguments. Sadly this is something that every ethnicity is subjected to and is not unique to Iranian Americans.
It won’t get renewed. No one is watching it.
First of all, who the hell would watch.
Second, I live in Calabasas. This show sounds spot-on!
I disagree with this article. These are not negative stereotypes. The flash, the back talking, the absurd show of wealth, the constant allusions to a civilization that is 2000+ years old–in essence the air superiority is not a stereotype. Walk into any office or business of Persian Americans and this unfortunately is a large part of the culture. There are several offices and business in the United States that have large Persian populations. Talk to journalists working at RFE/RL Radio Farda or VOA Persian News Network. Take a look at the medical facilities of dentists; or real estate brokers and you will see that this is the norm.
It’s just typical trash tv, a guilty pleasure. It’s the same as when everyone in New Jersey got all offended about Jersey Shore – and it did just fine and is still going how many seasons later….
Hmmm. I just reconsidered purchasing another home in BH; will take my millions elsewhere.
first the l.a. city council passes a resolution regarding “speech” now this from the weho city council?
Don’t these MORONS have any REAL pressing civic issues they need to address?
when in heck did city gov’t feel like it was their jurisdiction to tell a network what to broadcast and what sort of “speech” is suitable
unless shahs of sunset or comments from kfi has caused violence and civic strife….SHUT THE F UP!!
really? is that hunger games world just around the corner? SHEESH brrro…
btw not that it matters, but a couple my persian friends think the show is FUNNY and don’t take it seriously brrro!