"TERRORISTS IN THE HANDS OF JUSTICE"
Talk about reality TV programming.
This show is a big hit, so to speak, in Baghdad.
Almost 9-10 million people voted in Iraq.
As much as all of them are divided about security in Iraq, wanting the Americans out, but sure there will be even less security, they are equally adamant about kicking the living crap out
of their friendly local neighborhood terrorist.
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Iraqi actors keeping busy from boom in TV shows
By Mona Mahmoud for USA TODAY
BAGHDAD — It's not easy being an actress in Iraq.
Mais Gumer, left, rehearses for a play in Iraq.
By by Mona Mahmoud for USA TODAY
"Security, car bombs ... lack of power," says Mais Gumer, 30, ticking off issues she faces as she readied herself this week for a play rehearsal. The rehearsal was canceled after a power outage.
Despite the hardships of working through the violence in Iraq, the television market has blossomed since the 2003 toppling of Saddam Hussein, Gumer says.
Under Saddam there were only three local channels, excluding channels in the Kurdish region in the north. The three channels were run or controlled by the government. Satellite television was outlawed.
Today, there are a dozen stations, most privately controlled. Nearly every household has a satellite dish, drawing programs from throughout the world.
New programs a hit with viewers
The number of local Iraqi channels and programs has expanded since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. Locally produced sitcoms, political satires and even reality shows are proving popular. A sampling of shows:
Al-Iraqiya network
Terrorists in the Hands of Justice. A big hit: Insurgent suspects confess on television. Some testify they were paid for attacks on Iraqi or U.S. forces.
Good Morning, Iraq. A morning variety show with a format similar to a morning show on the U.S. networks.
The Exceptional. A game show that tests contestants on their knowledge of Iraqi culture and history.
Al-Sharqiya network
Why are you Afraid, Lady? Focuses on women's rights and challenges that affect women.
This Home is your Home: The Bridge of Tears and Joy. A family wins a lottery each week for a month's worth of groceries.
Contributing: Reported by Melanie Eversley and Yasmine Bahrani, USA TODAY. Sources: Al-Sharqiya; Al-Iraqiya; Iraq Culture Ministry; USA TODAY research
Iraqis are hungry for entertainment. "People now are looking for someone who can help them forget negative reality and spend a few hours of entertainment," Gumer says.
A surprise hit: the airing of confessions from suspected insurgents who are captured. Many suspects look disheveled as they explain why they were arrested.
Sitcoms and political satires, unheard of under Saddam, are also popular. "Now you have more freedom to express yourself and tackle different issues unlike before the war," Gumer says.
Highbrow art has taken a hit. Most theaters, except for Baghdad's National Theater, have closed for lack of security.
But because of the booming TV market, actors and actresses have more work and larger salaries. Before the war, Gumer received about $200 for a 30-episode series, she says. Today, she averages $800 for a similar series.
Talk about reality TV programming.
This show is a big hit, so to speak, in Baghdad.
Almost 9-10 million people voted in Iraq.
As much as all of them are divided about security in Iraq, wanting the Americans out, but sure there will be even less security, they are equally adamant about kicking the living crap out
of their friendly local neighborhood terrorist.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iraqi actors keeping busy from boom in TV shows
By Mona Mahmoud for USA TODAY
BAGHDAD — It's not easy being an actress in Iraq.
Mais Gumer, left, rehearses for a play in Iraq.
By by Mona Mahmoud for USA TODAY
"Security, car bombs ... lack of power," says Mais Gumer, 30, ticking off issues she faces as she readied herself this week for a play rehearsal. The rehearsal was canceled after a power outage.
Despite the hardships of working through the violence in Iraq, the television market has blossomed since the 2003 toppling of Saddam Hussein, Gumer says.
Under Saddam there were only three local channels, excluding channels in the Kurdish region in the north. The three channels were run or controlled by the government. Satellite television was outlawed.
Today, there are a dozen stations, most privately controlled. Nearly every household has a satellite dish, drawing programs from throughout the world.
New programs a hit with viewers
The number of local Iraqi channels and programs has expanded since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. Locally produced sitcoms, political satires and even reality shows are proving popular. A sampling of shows:
Al-Iraqiya network
Terrorists in the Hands of Justice. A big hit: Insurgent suspects confess on television. Some testify they were paid for attacks on Iraqi or U.S. forces.
Good Morning, Iraq. A morning variety show with a format similar to a morning show on the U.S. networks.
The Exceptional. A game show that tests contestants on their knowledge of Iraqi culture and history.
Al-Sharqiya network
Why are you Afraid, Lady? Focuses on women's rights and challenges that affect women.
This Home is your Home: The Bridge of Tears and Joy. A family wins a lottery each week for a month's worth of groceries.
Contributing: Reported by Melanie Eversley and Yasmine Bahrani, USA TODAY. Sources: Al-Sharqiya; Al-Iraqiya; Iraq Culture Ministry; USA TODAY research
Iraqis are hungry for entertainment. "People now are looking for someone who can help them forget negative reality and spend a few hours of entertainment," Gumer says.
A surprise hit: the airing of confessions from suspected insurgents who are captured. Many suspects look disheveled as they explain why they were arrested.
Sitcoms and political satires, unheard of under Saddam, are also popular. "Now you have more freedom to express yourself and tackle different issues unlike before the war," Gumer says.
Highbrow art has taken a hit. Most theaters, except for Baghdad's National Theater, have closed for lack of security.
But because of the booming TV market, actors and actresses have more work and larger salaries. Before the war, Gumer received about $200 for a 30-episode series, she says. Today, she averages $800 for a similar series.
