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If your hubby is in Egypt and you're not, read the rather 'cool' critique of the 'Ramadan After Iftar Mosalsalat' and feel closer to the Egyptian Population.
And for anyone interested in being part of our Egyptian traditional after Iftar entertainment, here are the details of every soap opera that will probably feature this month! Enjoy!
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Almaz, I can't open up the Egypt Today website for couple of days now. Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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Just opened it! Was sent to me by email here is the full article lol! Very long indeed. You can read a bit every day along the month lol!!
September 2007 Your Essential Guide to Ramadan TV Get ready for the annual viewing marathon, this year promising more — huge emphasis here on more — of what Ramadan couch potatoes have come to love and look forward to By Sherif Awad
THERE ARE FEW things as satisfying as unbuttoning your pants after a big iftar, putting an extra spoon of sugar in your tea and sitting back on your couch to take in the 613 or so new shows on offer.
Admit it: There’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
From the inane to the entertaining, the cliché to the shocking, the Ramadan TV deluge has something for every television fanatic. The fact that more channels are taking part in the oh-so-commercial element of Ramadan hits full force this holy season. The result: more shows, more drama — and vastly more cheese. The plethora of the addictive, not so addictive and the it’s-so-bad-it’s-good shows will leave die-hard Ramadan aficionados struggling to accommodate the dozens of programs they simply must see.
This year, though, the tide is starting to turn —barely. Worry not: The avid couch potato will still get a dose of corrupt businessmen, middle-aged husbands cheating on their wives and comedies about how to cross the streets. But there is also a more risqué element to this season’s serials, with characters including a rapist or two, a transvestite in a village and a romance columnist.
As usual, confusion is guaranteed with the usual suspects —including actors Sawsan Badr, Ahmed Rateb, Mimi Gamal, Ahmed Khalil and Mohamed Riad — appearing in multiple series.
Park yourself in front of the television long enough and you’ll soon get the hang of things. 7 Sheraa El-Saada (7 Happiness St.)
Life is all laughs with Ashraf Abdel-Baky at 7 Sheraa El-Saada. ( picture on side of article) Comedy Central
‘Cause You’ve Gotta Laugh Starring Ashraf Abdel-Baky, Hana Sheeha, Ahmed Rateb and Nehal Anbar Directed by Ashraf Selim
Penned by Fedaa El-Shandawili, this predictable sitcom is all about the day-to-day trials and travails of a married Egyptian couple. Think a more mature version of last year’s not-so-successful Ahmed Etgawez Mona (Ahmed Married Mona).
Actor / director Mohamed Sobhy (right) gives us more comic commentary with Ragol Ghany. ( picture on side of article)
The couple —Magdy (Abdel-Baky), a music teacher, and Seham (Sheeha), a secretary — predictably go through a series of comedic sketches that tackle everything from education, health and children to, of course, the ever-fraught in-law relationship.
Fact: The series is co-produced by Nahed Farid Shawki. Worth Watching Because: Abdel-Baky sings (not for the first time). Avoid It: If you find Ashraf Abdel-Baky trite — this isn’t any different from any other comedic role he has ever played. Ragol Ghany, Ragol Fakeer Geddan (Rich Man, Very Poor Man) Starring Mohamed Sobhy, Ezzat Abou-Ouf, Maha Abou-Ouf, Hanaa El-Shorbagy and Youssef Dawood Directed by Mohamed Sobhy
Here we go again: Mohamed Sobhy’s annual, self-directed, self-starring social commentary piece run by his customary cast and crew. This time around, Sobhy plays Mahrous, a self-made tycoon who built his fortune through 20 years of hard work and playing to his skills.
As the serial begins, Mahrous buys property in El-Wadi El-Barani, with plans to build a luxury resort. Chaos ensues, of course, and Sobhy uses it to reasonably good effect to comment on what he sees as the ever-growing list of social ills plaguing the nation.
Making Mahrous’ life even more difficult are Zizo Azeya (drug dealer du jour), El-Tayeb (the town butcher) and, of course, Labib (Ezzat Abou-Ouf), Mahrous’ arch-rival in business who, quite predictably, also stole Zahra, Mahrous’ first love.
Hassan Hosny takes a turn with Nermine El-Feqqi in Imraa fi Shaq El-Theban. ( picture on side of article)
Fact: With a budget of more than LE 8 million, Sobhy’s attempt at black comedy may have production values worthy of its script.
Worth Watching Because: Viewers get to see Ezzat Abou-Ouf on screen without a wig.
Avoid It: Because Mohamed Sobhy dons a new wig.
Omaret El-Shobokshy (The Shobokshy Building) Starring Ahmed Abd El-Aziz, Hady El-Gayar, Simone and Nashwa Mustafa Directed by Ibrahim El-Shakankiry
Not to be confused with The Yacoubian Building, director Ibrahim El-Shakankiry’s latest offering is a slapstick comedy portraying the trials and tribulations of daily life through the different tenants occupying the apartments of the fictional El-Shobokshy Building.
Fact: The series has been shelved since 2006.
Worth Watching: For a change of pace — or if you get bored watching Ashraf Abdel-Baky.
Avoid It Because: It’s devoid of celebrities.
Yehia El-Fakharany leads the Yetrabba cast.( picture on side of article)
Sa’eed Geddan Geddan (Very, Very Happy) Starring Hussein El-Imam, Nashwa Mustafa, Nada Bassiouni and Hala Fakher Directed by Mohamed El-Sayed Eissa
Acclaimed writer and political wit Lenin El-Ramly returns to TV with this social comedy revolving around an engineer, Said (El-Imam), whose naivete affects the decisions in his personal and professional life. Soon the tables are turned and his wife, Thoraya (Mustafa), takes control, driving him into the arms of Mimi (Bassiouni), the pretty girl next door.
Fact: El-Imam pocketed LE 400,000 for his performance.
Worth Watching If: You’re feeling a bit at a loss because no network chose to pick up El-Imam’s traditional Ramadan comedy sketch show this year.
Avoid It Because: El-Imam’s comedic skills are questionable at the best of times. Drama Queens
Stock up on the Kleenex Sarkhat Ontha (Scream of a Woman) Starring Dalia El-Beheiry, Ahmed Rateb, Tarek Lotfy, Sawsan Badr, Haggag Abdel Azim and Hassan El-Asmar Directed by Raed Labib
Written nine years ago by Mohamed El-Gheity and rejected several times by the Egyptian Radio and Television Union’s Television Censorship Committee for its controversial plot lines including gender issues, sex changes and transsexuals, the series finally hits Egyptian television screens after the Minister of Information himself gave it his stamp of approval.
The story takes place in an Egyptian village where high levels of pollution are suspected of causing deformities in newborns. Dalia El-Beheiry takes on a controversial role, playing someone born with both male and female characteristics. In adolescence, the character decides to have a sex change, much to the fury and shame of his traditional Egyptian family. Jordanian actor Eyad Nassar makes his Egyptian debut.
Fact: OTV has bought the exclusive rights of the series.
Worth Watching Because: It is likely to be the most talked-about show of the season.
Avoid It Because: It’s a tad on the intense side for some post-iftar fun.
Sharkh Fe Geddar El-Omr (A Fracture in the Wall of Life) Starring Youssef Shaaban, Fardous Abdel-Hamid, Nadia Rashad, Ashraf Abdel-Ghafour and Ahmed Shaker Directed by Ilham Doraz
After spending 25 years in jail for a crime he (naturally) didn’t commit, Adly El-Bendary (Shaaban) returns home to the safety of his small village. Little did he know that he wasn’t going to receive the warmest of welcomes.
Friends and family promptly shun him, casting him out of their lives and onto the streets. Brutally rebuffed and with nowhere to go, Adly sets off on a search for Shendy, the one witness to the crime and the only person who can clear his name. On his journey, Adly also searches for his long-lost family, including a brood of children who are convinced their father is dead.
Fact: Production was stalled due to sales problems.
Worth Watching Because: Top-notch acting is guaranteed. Veterans Shaaban and Fardous give the audience convincing and intense portrayals.
Avoid It Because: It’s the same old story, with minor but predictable twists.
Nafeza Alla El-Alam (A Window on the World) Starring Aida Riad, Mahmoud Qabil, Maha Abou-Ouf, Tamer Hagrass and Leqaa Directed by Essam El-Shamaa
Written and directed by Essam El-Shamaa, this social drama is set in Old Cairo’s Helalia neighborhood, where medical student Hamsa (Leqaa) falls in love with a loser, Bisso (Hagrass). Mohamed Mounir performs the opening title song.
Fact: Not to be confused with the 1970s serial by the same name.
Worth Watching: If you’re a big fan of belly dancer Poussy Samir .
Avoid It Because Ahmed Barada plays a Frenchman. Très chic.
Noktet Nezam (Time Out) Starring Salah El-Saadany, Suzan Negm El-Deen, Karima Mokhtar, Ahmed Rateb, Maha Abou-Ouf and Abdel Rahman Abou-Zahra
This has to be the first series in a decade that writer Mohamed Safaa Amer has not set in Upper Egypt. This time around, Safaa Amer traces the life of Amr Wahdan (El-Saadany), a fighter in the 1967 War who witnessed the death of hundreds of soldiers, including his brother. Upon returning to Alexandria, he falls in love with Kamar, played by Syrian actress Suzan Negm El-Deen, who helps get him back on his feet.
Fact: El-Saadany got paid LE 2.5 million for his role.
Worth Watching Because: Salah El-Saadany is finally wearing something other than a galabeya.
Avoid It Because: It’s yet another post-war drama.
Khaliha Ala Allah (Leave it to God) Starring Mohamed Riad, Abdel Rahman Abou Zahra, Rashwan Tawfiq, Mirna Waleed, and Gamal Ismael Directed by Mamdouh Mourad
Inspired by Yehia Haqqi’s novels, including Kandeel Omm Hashem (Omm Hashem’s Lamp) and Sahi El-Noum (Wake Up), writer Salah Maaty’s latest follows the journey of Ibrahim (Riad) in his quest to find his teacher Mr. Shaker (Tawfiq), who has suddenly vanished without a trace.
From Cairo, Alexandria and Damanhour, Ibrahim travels to Paris and Istanbul, trying also to discover what inspired his teacher’s writings.
Fact: The series has been in production since early 2006.
Worth Watching Because: It is, essentially, the autobiography of Yehia Haqqi.
Avoid It Because: Abdallah Meshref eats a whole chicken in one scene. Unless you have a thing for the rather nasty art of picking a chicken to the bone, perfected here to a T.
Imraa Foq El-Ada (An Extraordinary Woman) Starring Ilham Shaheen, Mahmoud Qabil, Rashwan Tawfiq and Hanan El-Araby Directed by Mohamed Abu-Seif
But is it an extraordinary series? Could be. The plot revolves around the loves and lives of Amira (Shaheen), who marries a Lebanese businessman with whom she moves to Europe and establishes a very successful trading company. After several years, her husband and only son are killed in an accident, forcing Amira to return to Cairo.
The series revolves around her settling back into the capital, peppered — of course — with twists and turns. Plot details are thin, but we wonder: Is this another one of those Double Jeopardy (the Ashley Judd thriller)-inspired serials?
Fact: One of three series starring Shaheen with which we are blessed this Ramadan.
Worth Watching: If you’re planning on missing out on the other two series.
Avoid It Because: Mahmoud Qabil’s appalling acting skills could drive you up the wall.
Qalb Imraa (A Woman’s Heart) Starring Ilham Shaheen, Maged El-Masry, Ahmed Khalil, Youssef Osman and Menna Fadaly Directed by Magdy Abou Emeira
Karima, played by the fabulous Ms. Shaheen, is a pretty and humble girl from the wrong side of town. Poor and desperate, she marries a wealthy businessman, Medhat, and just as she thought things were getting better, her bubble bursts when her husband loses his mind and subsequently commits suicide.
She ends up getting married yet again, this time for love, to Fathy, who promises to look after her and her children from her previous marriage. Things turn sour when she discovers her brand new love is a drug dealer in disguise.
Fact: The ever-versatile Shaheen shot this series at the same time as Imraa Foq El-Ada (An Extraordinary Woman), above.
Worth Watching: If you can deal with three Ilham Shaheen serials.
Avoid It Because: You fear the fate of Medhat (above) after overdosing on Shaheen.
Qesset El-Ams (Yesterday’s Story) Starring Ilham Shaheen, Mustafa Fahmy, Khaled Zaki and Ahmed Khalil Directed by Inaam Mohamed Aly
Zahra (Shaheen —AGAIN!) has a high-flying career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a great family life with her engineer husband, Ahmed (Fahmy). Unable to resist the lure of a high-paying job in the Gulf, Zahra packs up the kids and heads for Las Vegas East (better known as Dubai).
Zahra thinks she’s got it all —money and a happy family — before returning to Cairo for a visit to discover that her husband has married her best friend. The horror!
Fact: Production costs exceeded LE 14 million.
Worth Watching Because: You have to. How else can you decide which Ilham Shaheen series is scandalous enough to follow through to the end?
Avoid It: If you care for your sanity. Even the production company can’t imagine audiences coping with three Shaheen offerings: Rumor has it this one might be shelved until next Ramadan, starting some time around 3-4 September, 2008.
Nady El-Kolub El-Gareeha (Broken Hearts Club) Starring Rania Farid Shawki, Sawsan Badr, Dina Abdallah, Ahmed Khalil and Mohamed Riad Directed by Safwat El-Shokeiri
You know it had to happen: That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, we (not-so?) proudly present Egypt’s answer to Sex and the City. Jumping into the Manolo Blahniks made famous by Carrie Bradshaw — only with not-so-fabulous shoes, we suspect — is Rania Farid Shawki, who plays a famous journalist who also has a popular romance advice column.
The series revolves around Shawki and her interaction with one of her readers, Dr. Omayma (Abdallah). Meanwhile, Shawki’s first love (Mohamed Riad) comes back into her life with a vengeance as Shawki starts to get cold feet about marrying her cousin (Yasser Galal).
Fact: The series was in editing at press time.
Worth Watching Because: We finally get to watch Rania Farid Shawki in a role that doesn’t force her to don a galabeya.
Avoid It Because: One can only take so much of Ahmed Khalil.
mraa Fi Shaq El-Theban (A Woman in Shaq El-Theban) Starring Nermine El-Feqqi, Sawsan Badr, Mimi Gamal, Mariam Fakhr El-Deen, Rola Mahmoud, Kamal Abou-Raya and Hassan Hosny Directed by Ahmed Yehia
Written by Mohamed El-Gheity, this series revolves around Khalil El-Dabagh (Hosny), a wealthy businessman whose huge empire is shaken when his old and not-so-pristine past comes back to haunt him with the sudden appearance of an old friend (Abou-Raya). Emerging from the many mysteries in El-Dabagh’s past is Botheina (El-Fekki), El-Dabagh’s maid, who now lives in Shaq El-Theban and promptly takes the spotlight, running away with the entire series.
Fact: Hassan Hosny pocketed LE 500,000 for his role.
Worth Watching: If you happened to miss Hassan Hosny’s appearances in well over 937 films this past summer.
Avoid It Because: As elsewhere, plot details were sketchy at press time, but we’re betting this turns out to be one of those master-marrying-the maid-type affairs.
Ahlam Ghalia (Precious Dreams) Starring Jehan Fadel, Tarek Lotfy, Zizi El-Badrawi, Osama Abbas, Manal Salama, Iman, and Abdo El-Wazir Directed by Ahmed El-Sabaawy
Not as glamorous as Sex and the City but still set in the newsroom, this series follows an intrepid reporter (Fadel) who dedicates her daily column to exposing corruption, making her the prime target of (you guessed it) crooked businessmen.
Fadel mines the ultimate source of all gossip: her hairdresser, who helps her get insider information by eavesdropping on all his prominent clients.
Fact: Fadel took most of last year off after delivering her baby last Ramadan.
Worth Watching Because: The suspense is fabulous.
Avoid It Because: There might not be a secret.
Saet Assari (Afternoon Time) Starring Joumana Mourad, Ahmed Khalil, Nehal Anbar, Ibrahim Youssry and Hady El-Gayar Directed by Mohamed Helmy
Randa (Mourad) plays the innocent girl-next-door suddenly thrust into the real world when she graduates from college and embarks on a quest for a stellar career and passionate love. The series follows Randa through three decades, from her naïve college days until she becomes a ruthless business chieftain with a love of destroying her competitors.
Fact: It was a risky set: Mourad went through a bout of food poisoning from a studio meal, while Anbar passed out after shooting a particularly emotional scene.
Worth Watching: If you’ve missed the last zillion “corrupt businessmen” stories.
Avoid It: If you haven’t missed the last zillion corrupt businessmen stories.
Aghla El-Nass (Most Precious of People) Starring Leila Taher, Afaf Shoeb, Ahmed Bedeir, Salah Rashwan and Hala Fakher Directed by Aleya Yasseen
The Spice Girls would be proud of the sheer intensity of the Girl Power here. This series revolves around Soad (Shoeb) who decides to move to Cairo after the sudden death of her husband. The leading lady then lands the job of a bawaba in a building owned by a mega-rich family. The story traces, over two decades, the trials and tribulations of being a female doorman at the building, sacrificing her personal needs to give her children the best life possible in the mean, nasty, awful capital city.
Fact: Iman Ayoub will perform five songs.
Worth Watching Because: It marks the return of Afaf Shoaib.
Avoid It Because: This is melodrama taken to the highest level humanly possible.
Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
Big, happy families — including Hussein Fahmy as a villain Haq Mashrou’ (Justified Rights) Starring Hussein Fahmy, Abla Kamel, Samir Sabry, Mohamed Wafik and Gamal Ismael Directed by Rabab Hussein
Writer Mohamed Safaa Amer tackles, yet again, Upper Egyptian society in his customary annual offering. This time around, Hussein Fahmy stars as El-Zanaty, who is jealous that his brother Mesbah (Wafik) raised a son to become a renowned university professor. When El-Zanaty also fails to set up the lucrative marriage of his son Atef to his cousin Fetna, El-Zanaty takes matters into his own hands: He hires a hit man to shoot his brother, leaving him to control the family’s vast inheritance.
Fact: The cast used an Upper-Egyptian dialect coach.
Worth Watching Because: Hussein Fahmy plays a villain, complete with massive mustache.
Avoid It Because: It’s another rip-off of a classic. This time we present the Egyptian Kane and Abel.
El-Samah (Forgiveness) Starring Mahmoud Yasine, Nihal Anbar, Ahmed Khalil, Amr Mahmoud Yasine and Sawsan Badr Directed by Mohamed El-Noqaly
Each Ramadan, there are a handful of series dedicated to rural life; this one is set in Assiut. Drama unfolds as the head of the Tahawi family gains power over the area from El-Dabei family. A few years later, the omda (mayor or village headman) of the Tahawi family suffers a stroke, forcing him to think about choosing an heir. He has a tough choice between three sons: Sadek, the university professor; Salem, the opportunist; and Hassan, the spoiled younger son.
Fact: A real-life patient passed away while the crew was shooting in El-Haram Hospital.
Worth Watching Because: You’ll watch a pack of Cairene actors give rather mediocre imitations of Upper-Egyptian dialect.
Avoid It Because: It is bit reminiscent of The Godfather. Just a little bit.
Awlad Azam (The Sons of Azam) Starring Hesham Abdel Hamid, Samir Sabry, Nermine El-Feqqi and Mohamed Riad Directed by Aly Abdel Khalek
When the sons of the recently departed Azam, a wealthy businessman, gather to claim their inheritance, they discover that their father has set strict conditions controlling his will. Among the many stipulations he places: That the sons not marry until every one of them turns 40 years old.
Fact: Shooting was interrupted when Abdel Khalek went on Omra.
Worth Watching Because: Hesham Abdel Hamid is sure to give another of his outstanding Ramadan performances.
Avoid it Because: It’s a rather unexciting premise.
Askar We Harameya (Cops and Robbers) Starring Ezzat El-Alayly, Samiha Ayyoub, Sawsan Badr, Ahmed Abdel-Wareth and Ezzat Abou-Ouf Directed by Abdel Aziz El-Sokkary
Mahmoud (El-Alyaly) is the head of the El-Shorbagy family business. He then finds his relatively stable life — you know: successful, great wife and kids, nice apartment, the whole shebang — invaded by his boyhood friend Samy, who has just returned from the States to start a business.
Mahmoud decides to quit his job to partner with Samy, who turns out to have a little more up his sleeve than he lets on.
Fact: Co-produced by Safwat Ghatas and Ismael Kotkot.
Worth Watching Because: It’s a quality ensemble piece.
Avoid It Because: You’ll have to suffer through the not-so-subtle political innuendo.
Akher El-Khat (End of the Line) Starring Hassan Hosny, Riham Abdel Ghafour, Mohammed Nagaty, Tarek Lotfy, Hala Fakher and Menna Fadaly Directed by Mohamed Abdel-Aziz
Zaki El-Assiuti (Hosny) has four children: Hanaa, who has had troubles in her marriage to Fawzy, a corrupt government official. The restless Osman, a bachelor doctor who is also considering leaving the country. Essam, a police officer in the crack anti-narcotics unit. Then there’s Amal, the youngest, who falls in love with her teacher.
Fact: Nagaty took home a paltry LE 250,000 for his performance.
Worth Watching Because: It features the second Rashwan Tawfik death scene this Ramadan.
Avoid It Because: He doesn’t die quickly — it takes a grand total of 35 episodes.
Afreet El-Qersh (Shark’s Ghost) Starring Farouk El-Fishawy, Poussy, Hanan Metawe, Marwa Abdel Meniem and Hala Sidki Directed by Karam El-Naggar
After surviving the American invasion of Iraq, Lotfy (El-Fishawy) is apprehended at Cairo International Airport with a suitcase full of money. Unable to convince Egyptian officials that the stash is in fact his personal savings, Lotfy returns home. His wife Mohra Mohga (Poussy) has become the head of the family and his eldest son, Rady (played by newcomer Mostapha Hashish), has dropped out of college to support his brothers.
Fact: Aly El-Haggar performs the credits’ song.
Worth Watching Because: It is the only series this year starring veteran actress Poussy (not to be confused with the belly dancer Poussy Samir, who also takes a turn in a mosalsal this Ramadan.)
Avoid It Because: With such a clichéd title, could this show be anywhere near original?
El-Qarar (The Decision) Starring Youssef Shaaban, Mahmoud El-Hedeiny, Nahla Salama, Fayza Kamal and Ibrahim Youssry Directed by Mostafa El-Shal
This year, the quest for inheritance takes centerstage in two series. The first is about a wealthy businessman, Mustafa Zahran (Shaaban), who finds he only has months to live after doctors discover he has a brain tumor. He decides to donate a large portion of his fortune to charity, much to the chagrin of his three sons. The series revolves around the three men trying to prevent their father from denying them their inheritance.
Fact: This wasn’t a smooth shoot, with production stalled a few times due to the cast’s busy schedules.
Worth Watching Because: It could be a prequel to the expected runaway success Awlad Azam.
Avoid It Because: Not all prequels are as good as the initial offerings.
Asaab Qarar (The Most Difficult Decision) Starring Sherine Seif El-Nasr, Abeer Sabry, Riyadh El-Kholy, Gamil Rateb and Ahmed Bedeir Directed by Amr Abdeen
While it’s the sons trying to secure their inheritance in El-Qarar, the leading lady of this series is Nesma, played by Sherine Seif El-Nasr (her first role in a few years). Nesma loses her husband, Aly, and decides to travel to a small town in El-Wahat to claim the inheritance her father left her.
In the quest for what is rightfully hers, her cousin El-Shawadfy (Ahmed Bedeir) tries to seduce her, and she might just be swayed by his attempts. But is he interested in her, or her inheritance?
Fact: The series was postponed from 2005 after Seif El-Nasr committed to a lead role in the Adel Imam’s play The Bodyguard.
Worth Watching Because: It carries the third Rashwan Tawfik death scene this Ramadan.
Avoid It Because: Reports of problems on the set could affect the final cut.
On Dubai TV:
Too hot for state-backed Egyptian television, Qadiyat Rai Aam (Public Opinion Case) is being shown exclusively on Dubai TV. Penned by Mohsen El-Galad, this show is worth watching for its ensemble cast headed by leading lady Youssra, who plays Dr. Abla, a pediatrician with a reputation for dedication and integrity. After putting in a late night’s work, Dr. Abla and costars Dr. Hanan (Leqaa El-Khamissy) and nurse Samiha (Olfat Omar) are attacked and raped by three thugs. The series revolves around the repercussions, how they’re treated by society and the obstacles they face in their quest for justice.The show is produced by El-Adl Group, which hired Jordanian director Mohsen Azizia after his success with historical epics such as El-Zaher Bebars and Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed. Although this story is an ensemble piece, Youssra allegedly urged Medhat El-Adl to make major changes in the series so the main focus would be on her character. Promising to be less controversial is Al-Masraweya (The Egyptians). The series is the latest collaboration between writer Osama Anwar Okasha and director Ismael Abdel-Hafez, whose previous efforts have given us the successful Layali El-Helmeya (Helmeya Nights) series (and sequels) and El-Shahd Wel-Domoou (Sweetness and Tears). Al-Masraweya is also an epic production, the story of Beshneen village over five eras from the First World War to today. The main character is Fathalla Al-Tahhan (Hesham Selim), the omda, who is torn between his manipulative mother (Samiha Ayyoub) and his beautiful Egyptian-Turkish wife Saneya (Ghada Adel). For fans of Khaliji slapstick comedy, Ghashamsham 2, starring Fahd Al-Hayan, is being aired daily. In the new episodes, the title character returns to his village Ghashamsham to visit his rather backward family.On Rai TV: Shown exclusively on Rai TV, Yetrabba Fi Ezzo (Raised in his Prosperity) is the latest comedy starring Yehia El-Fakharany, who is joined this time around by Rania Farid Shawky, Nihal Anbar, Hana Sheeha, Ahmed Azmy and Karima Mokhtar. The ensemble cast is joined by writer Youssef Maaty and director Magdy Abou-Emera, giving this sitcom flair and quality. Central here is children’s education, told through the story of Hamada Ezzo (El-Fakharany) who has three sons from three different marriages. Unable to commit or take responsibility for much of anything, Ezzo is well over 60, on the brink of retirement — and still relying on his mother to make decisions for him. Continuing its love affair with Fifi Abdou after last year’s Souk El-Khodar (The Vegetable Market), Rai TV this season is airing Azhar. The prime-time series is directed by Mohammed El-Noqaly, who has the honor of directing Abdou in her role as a widow who returns to her family in Upper Egypt to raise her son and daughter. The show co-stars Gamal Ismael, Mohammed El-Shaqanqiry, Ragaa Hussein and Abdel Rahman Abou Zahra.Rai TV is also airing a number of religious programs. First up: Bayni Wa Baynakom (Between Me and You), presented by Sheikh Dr. Mohamed El-Awady, who returns to discuss real-life stories from across the Arab world for the second year in a row. Rai is also airing Amr Khaled sermons before iftar on Al-Janna Fi Beyotena (Heaven in our Homes). The show focuses on getting through the daily trials and tribulations of the average Muslim. On Orbit: Subscribers to Orbit have the luxury of tuning in to a whopping 11 series exclusive to its family of channels. Hanan Wa Hanin (Tenderness and Desire) marks the first and perhaps last leading role for Egyptian legend Omar Sharif. The series is a semi-autobiographical story, with Sharif playing Raouf Soliman, an Egyptian engineer who has lived in America for over 30 years. Returning to Egypt, he is reunited with his first love, Hanan (Sawsan Badr). Sharif was reportedly eager to work with his longtime friend and veteran actor Ahmed Ramzy, who makes a guest appearance in the series. They are reunited on-screen for the first time since Ayamna El-Helwa (Our Beautiful Days) and Seraa Fel Mina (Duel on the Dock), films that shot both of them to fame in the mid-1950s.On LBC: Nour El-Sherif is back , this time playing the title character of the new serial El-Daly, airing exclusively on LBC. Penned by Walid Youssef and directed by Youssef Sharaf El-Deen, the thriller takes a peek at what goes on behind the closed doors of corrupt politicians and (once again) businessmen. After surviving an assassination attempt, self-made millionaire El-Daly decides to run for the People Assembly’s hoping for even more power and, of course, security. May Nour El-Sherif co-stars alongside Sawsan Badr and Wafaa Salem. Preproduction took place in a unique place: the actors rehearsed their scenes in the Kasr El-Nil Theater. It isn’t all serious on LBC. This year the Lebanese broadcaster is giving Ramadan classics a shot with the popular fawazeer (riddles). The Lebanese take on an Egyptian tradition is called Alf Weela Bleela (A Thousand Troubles in One Night), brought to screen by renowned Lebanese director Simon El-Asmar. The show is a comic twist to the timeless story of King Shahrayar and the beautiful storyteller Scheherazade. The lives of women behind bars has for long been rich fodder for Egyptian cinema, but this time Mamarat Dayaka (Tight Passages), starring Mona Wassef and directed by Mohamed El-Sayed Naguib, takes a more psychological take on the turmoil of ladies living on the inside.For history buffs, the drama Sakf El-Aalam (The Edge of the World) is set in tenth-century Baghdad. Written by Hassan Mohamed Youssef and directed by Nagda Anzour, the series stars Sulaf Fawakherji.On MBC: Quality programming has become synonymous with the free-to-air cluster of channels, with MBC taking center stage with some of the most anticipated programs this Ramadan season. The channel is taking a decidedly more Arab approach this year with a mixture of Egyptian, Syrian, Kuwaiti and Saudi programming. The most anticipated is of course El-Malek Farouk (King Farouk). The big-budget series is a biopic of Egypt’s leader, revolving around thirty years of his life and subsequent fall from power. Syrian actor Tayem El-Hassan stepped in to play King Farouk I in the epic series. Directed by Syrian-born Hatem Aly, who produced Sakr Qoraysh (Eagle of Qoraysh) and Molouk El-Tawaef (Kings of the Sects), the series presents a more realistic depiction of King Farouk’s controversial life.It also includes veteran actors Mahmoud El-Guindy, Wafaa Amer and Ezzat Abou-Ouf (thankfully taking a break from the comedies and doing what he does best) in leading roles. Another must-see is the Egyptian show Hadeik El-Shayatin (Devils’ Playgrounds), less played up than King Farouk, but worth checking out nonetheless. Another drama is Haraat El-Dabee (El-Dabee Alley), which revolves around the lives and society in the alleys and ghettos of Syria. The Egyptian serial Soltan El-Gharam (Sultan of Love) is also being aired. For some Gulfie drama, watch Lil Khata Taman (Each Mistake has a Price), which is the closest thing you will get to a true-to-life Arabic soap opera. Be warned, the Kuwaiti serials are highly addictive; you will stay in to watch the episodes and hide the fact that you are actually watching the show. Also showing is the second part of the Syrian drama Bab El-Hara (Alley Gate) and the second seasons of Cash Taxi and the cooking show Ramadan Atyab (Tastier Ramadan).For a more comedic line up, watch Tash Ma Tash, back for its fifteenth year on MBC airwaves. This slapstick-comedy is a look at life in the Gulf, and complemented with that after-iftar sugar buzz, you’ll definitely find it funny. Another comedy from the Gulf is Beini we Beinak (Between Me and You), which is a social — but humorous — look at the dramas of being married.Kids will also find something to watch on MBC with the cartoon Mazana, a futuristic look at Saudi Arabia in the year 2100.El-Fareesa Wel Sayad (The Prey and the Hunter)Starring Mamdouh Abdel-Aleem, Samah Anwar, Ahmed Rateb, Salwa Khattab and Zizi MustafaDirected by Khairi BesharaThere’s nothing like a little bit of betrayal to get your juices flowing. El-Fareesa is certainly the most anticipated offering in the new action-thriller genre. Samir Seif was originally slated to direct, but backed out at the last minute, prompting producers to tap veteran lensman Khairi Beshara.Beshara directs Mamdouh Abdel-Aleem as Adam, a highly paid government official who is framed by his enemies. Not prepared to serve a life sentence, Adam escapes from prison and races to clear his name while being chased by both the police and his enemies.
Think: The Fugitive meets Prison Break.
Fact: Mamdouh Abdel-Aleem got paid LE 3 million for this leading role.
Worth Watching Because: Abdel-Aleem is not cast as an Upper-Egyptian.
Avoid It Because: It will probably be a big disappointment after Prison Break.
El-Eqab (The Punishment) Starring Riyadh El-Kholy, Rashwan Tawfiq, Sami El-Adl, Bothaina Rashwan and Ayman Azab Directed by Abdel-Menem Sadek
This series gives big-budget film productions a run for their money, with shoots in Hurghada and Athens and a budget of well over LE 7.5 million.
The series revolves around authorities chasing down corrupt businessmen fleeing the country after taking out rather large bank loans. Have fun watching — and mocking — an Egyptian action series that, despite pretensions to being 24, has as its central plot item the oh-so-thrilling problem of non-performing loans.
Fact: Screenwriter Anwar Abdallah is best known for his comedies.
Worth Watching: If you’ve got a hankering for things Greek.
Avoid It Because: How thrilling can fat-cat businessmen on the lam really be?
And the Best of the Rest
There’s something for everyoneThis Ramadan, expect fewer religious dramas, which may make the quality of the ones on offer a little bit better. The first to watch out for is El-Imam El-Shafei, played by singer Iman El-Bahr Darwish, who has come out of retirement for the role. Directed by Sherine Kassem and written by Dr. Bahaa El-Deen Ibrahim, the series focuses on El-Shafei’s work to unify the two mazaheb (religious schools of thought) of Malekia and Hanifa and his travels throughout the Islamic world. Notable in that respect are visits to Gaza and Iraq.
After playing El-Sheikh El-Shaarawi, Hassan Youssef steps into the character of yet another great contemporary imam: the late Sheikh Abdel-Halim Mahmoud, who studied at Al-Azhar then traveled to France, where he continued his studies at the Sorbonne. Eventually returning to Cairo, Mahmoud became a top religious figure and, ultimately, Sheikh Al-Azhar from 1972 until his death in 1978.
Talkshows are a Ramadan staple, and this season actress Hend Sabry is presenting a daily program titled El-Shaqqa (The Apartment) on which she is hosting guests including Samir Ghanem, Khaled Abol Naga, Ahmed El-Fishawy, Shaaban Abdel Rahim, Enas El-Degheidy and Myriam Fares.
Actors to watch out for include Gamal Soliman, who returns in Awlad El-Leil (See Egypt Today, August 2007) and Ashraf Abdel-Baky in Ragel We Set Setat (See “Straight to the Punchline,” by Sherif Awad, May 2007 page 110).
For the kiddies, Ahmed Bedeir, Hagag Abdel Azim and Abdallah Meshref star in the new children’s show Toto wa Pajama featuring two cartoon characters who escape to the real world and find it very difficult to deal with real people.
Khaliji cartoons are also appearing for the first time: Keep an eye out for the runaway success Freej, an animated series coming from Dubai, which focuses on the lives of five old ladies who reside in the quiet rural areas (they apparently exist) on the outskirts of Dubai. Sama Dubai is showing the daily after iftar. etEvery year, the truly talented spend hours reveling in an endless round of sarcastic and witty mockery of the 1,001 things that went wrong during filming. From wardrobe, to hair, to set design, and of course the acting — the pastime is a favorite in every household. With well over two dozen series on offer this year, viewers can poke fun to their hearts’ content.
Wigs, toupees and mustaches galore. The make-up artists and stylists seem to go all out when it comes to the sheer ridiculousness of the outfits. This year, the competition for favored mustache is fierce between Said Saleh, who grew a thin mustache in El-Masraweya, Hussein Fahmy and Ahmed Zaher, who play father and son in Haq Mashrou’. Although the thinnest usually wins, our money is on Fahmy, who earns the trophy for his oversized snow-white whiskers.
There is never a lack of disastrous outfits in Ramadan. Originality disappears, fashion houses close down and the sheer lack of consideration to body type is mind boggling. Ghada Adel competes with a baggy, tent-like ensemble that does nothing for her character — or her figure. Our favorite fashion icon, Ilham Shaheen, takes shade to the next level with the floppy monstrosity she wears in Qalb Imraa. Taking the cake, and probably eating it, too, is Dalia El-Beheiry. Her role as both male and female in Sarkhat Ontha leaves her looking less like a drag queen (which is never a good look) and more like Michael Jackson —and not from the cuter Jackson Five days either. No, this is more of the recent Wacko Jacko, plastic nose and all.
The art of the wig has yet to be mastered in Egypt. This year, both male and female actors are donning hairpieces. The undisputed winner of the ‘most ridiculous wig’ award is Madlyn Tabar, throwing on a platinum blonde bob for the series in Hanan We Hanin (Tenderness and Desire) — definitely more Madlyn than Marilyn. But a special mention for variety must go to comedic genius Mohamed Sobhy: his collection of wigs help tell the story of his life over three decades in Ragol Ghany (Rich man). From lustrous locks to bald and beautiful, it’s a story of quantity over quality.
Droopy, sleepy eyes have never been required of our actors, but 2007 may go down as the year of the drowsy look. The winner of this prestigious new title is Tawfik Abdel Hamid, who might as well be asleep while shooting some of his scenes in Hekayat El-Medandesh (Stories of El-Mandadesh) and Nafeza Alla El-Alam (A Window on the World). He can’t even keep his eyes open long enough to ogle Poussy Samir in the scene they share. You’d think he’d be able to stay awake long enough for that at least.
Last, but most certainly not least, Nashwa Mustafa lands a double nomination for over-batting her ever-so-pretty lashes in her comic roles in Sa’eed Geddan Geddan (Very, Very Happy) and 7 Sheraa El-Saada (7 Happiness Street). Co-star Hussein El-Imam in Sa’eed Geddan gets the award for the biggest (maybe a tad on the annoying side) smile. Until next Ramadan, that is. et
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