Entertainment

Iranian-Americans Get the Reality TV Treatment in ‘Shahs of Sunset’

Iranian Americans Get the Reality TV Treatment in Shahs of Sunset

(AP) — Reality TV’s life lessons tend to be at least as synthetic as the shows themselves.

Say you were intrigued by Snooki’s problem-solving approach, if one existed, to drummed-up crises on “Jersey Shore.” Translatable to the actual world? Nah.

But there is a narrow exception with “Shahs of Sunset,” the latest contribution to the genre, debuting 10 p.m. EDT Sunday on Bravo.

Featuring glossy, high-living members of the Iranian-American community in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, the series has the requisite fixation on materialism, personality clashes and people whose mantra is “more.”

But it also has Reza Farahan, 38, who bills himself as a rarity: A gay man who refuses to bow to what he says is entrenched anti-gay prejudice in his native country and among many Middle Easterners living in his adopted one.

Iranian Americans Get the Reality TV Treatment in Shahs of Sunset

Farahan is brassy, funny and defiantly honest.

“I have an important message, all the bling and Mercedes aside: I’m an openly gay Persian man. According to the president of the country I was born in, I don’t even exist,” he said in an interview.

In a 2007 appearance at Columbia University, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was asked to explain the execution of gays in Iran. He replied that “in Iran we don’t have homosexuals like in your country.”

Same-sex relations are punishable by death in at least five countries, including Iran, and human rights groups estimate about 4,000 gays have been executed since the Islamic revolution in 1979.

Farahan, a real estate agent, said he was inspired to do “Shahs of Sunset” by an online project, It Gets Better, that’s aimed at inspiring hope among youngsters who are bullied because they are gay or are thought to be.

“It compelled me to want to have and use this platform to talk about myself and show how I live my life. My family loves me, my friends love me and I’m really supported,” a possibility for others like him, Farahan said.

Bravo and the show’s executive producer, Ryan Seacrest (the “American Idol” host who is amassing growing credits as a Hollywood heavyweight), say the series is intended to amuse, not educate.

But entertainment has the potential to do more, and “an important component of any successful TV show is relatable storytelling,” Seacrest said.

“Reza’s personal story is an inspiring one on many levels. I think it’s wonderful that he wants to share his story,” he said in an email responding to questions.

“Shahs of Sunset” has attracted pre-air scrutiny because it’s giving rare attention to those of Middle Eastern ancestry, or at least one small L.A. group.

(“All-American Muslim,” a TLC series about Muslim families living in the Detroit area, ended in January after one season in which a conservative Christian group called for an advertiser boycott and the show’s ratings faded.)

Besides Farahan, others in “Shahs of Sunset” include Mercedes Javid, described as a 30-something, luxury real estate agent and “known party girl,” Sammy Younai, 35, a Beverly Hills developer and man-about-town who builds lavish homes for fellow Iranians, and Golnesa Gharachedaghi, 29, who is supported by her father, ready to marry well and claims a hatred of ants and “ugly people.”

Some of the circle are Jewish, some are Muslim, and all were raised in the area after their parents fled the revolution that turned Iran from a monarchy into an Islamic republic.

Other than touching on the friends’ shared roots, the show is “absolutely apolitical,” said Bravo executive Frances Berwick. The intent is to create a “portrait of how this particular group of friends lives” and to do it in an entertaining, sometimes even comedic way, she said.

The pals are seen mixing work with Rodeo Drive shopping sprees and club-hopping, not somber discussions about whether Iran is developing nuclear weapons.

“We feel the audience is going to fall in love with these personalities. They’re super fun and charismatic, and that‘s what we’re portraying here,” Berwick said.

Seacrest, who said the project offered a chance to explore a “tight-knit community full of people who have really embraced the American dream,” said he respects early concerns expressed by some Iranian-Americans over the portrayal.

But he said he hoped they will see it as a diversion and “not social or political commentary.”

As for the candid Farahan, he’s unapologetic about how he and others emerge in “Shahs of Sunset.”

“I don’t mind being stereotyped as materialistic,” he said. “Middle Easterners have many stereotypes, and materialism is one of the better ones. We’re usually viewed as evil terrorists, so if you‘re going to stereotype me I’d prefer it be because we love gold and Mercedes instead of Uzis.”

Trailer for the upcoming show:

Comments (59)

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  • I SPY
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 12:35pm

    Don’t worry. This junk will be canceled soon.

    Report Post » I SPY  
    • KIROSH
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 8:48pm

      If you‘re calling it junk you probably haven’t actually seen the show.

      Report Post »  
  • lcltcc
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:57am

    My sister married an Iranian, who was here on a school visa back in the late 70′s, his family also ended up fleeing the republic after the revolution. This guy and most of his friends were so nice, they were actually nicer than any of the guys she had dated in high school, I also dated an Iranian guy, he was the only guy that I went out with in high school that was an actual gentleman. It’s hard for us to understand what it is really like to live under a tyrant such as those in the middle east (not that the progressives are not trying to teach us)

    Report Post »  
    • KIROSH
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 8:45pm

      Iranians are awesome people in general and Iranian culture is really rich and glorious. That being said, Islam and the Islamic Regime in Iran need to go. Thankfully most Iranian youth are pretty secular and already hate their government.

      Report Post »  
  • cjherin
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 10:14am

    In the early 80′s I worked as a cashier for a (now-defunct) home improvement store. One of my co-workers was an Iranian immigrant who had relatives who were in jail in Iran. He was the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet. We talked a lot about then-current TV shows and the like. One day he found out that his relatives were to be released from prison. He was so happy and so was I and all the rest of the employees. I think he quit shortly after that and moved to L.A. to help out his family. Ever since then, I have more respect for the Iranian people (NOT the government) thank anyone in the Middle East other than the Israeli people.

    Report Post » cjherin  
    • KIROSH
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 8:47pm

      Yep, that’s the situation in Iran. Most people despise the regime and most of the youth are secular, massive numbers of underground Christian churches, everyone shows rebellion towards Islam and the government as well. Iranians have always been pretty nice people though, one thing that should be noted is that Iranians are not a monolithic people. Which is why I don’t like seeing all Iranians branded one way or the other.

      Let‘s hope that Iran’s civilizational and cultural depth gets to shine and this oppressive anti-Iranian Islamic regime currently occupying the glorious and beautiful nation is removed.

      Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 7:04am

    It only confirms that being a Muslim in the USA is incompatible with being an American Citizen. ONE – women have equal rights and privileges with men. TWO – we don’t execute sexual deviants. THREE – We have freedom of religion.

    Report Post »  
    • SoNick
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:52am

      what are you talking about? This is the perfect illustration of the American dream. Sons and daughters of immigrants who fled oppresive regimes make it through hard work and dedication. What’s wrong with that?

      Report Post »  
    • KIROSH
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 8:49pm

      If you actually watched this show you would not be talking about Muslims as no one in the show was actually Muslim, in fact two of the men are Persian Jews. *sigh* … take your bigotry elsewhere, please?

      Report Post »  
  • ambsie
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 3:47am

    I Freakin Love It!!! I can’t wait to watch it. I think it says a lot about the American Dream, fantastic. I’m addicted to Bravo reality shows, it’s crazy. The only down side is when Andy, on Watch What Happens, likes to bring up conservatives and bash them a little. He has this poll he does and there was one of Kathy Griffin v. Sarah Palin, SARAH PALIN BEAT Kathy, it was a shocker. I honestly believe a lot of conservatives watch Bravo, so watch out Andy Cohen, don’t p!ss us off!!

    Report Post »  
  • Aerocog
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 12:17am

    We need a purge of reality television in this nation, it’s just as bad as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry…it’s cultural cancer.

    Report Post »  
    • smcdaniel
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 8:46am

      99% agreed with the exceptions of Animal Planet’s Orangutan Island and everything on the Science Channel (That;s all I watch anyway)

      Report Post »  
  • hogtrashhd
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 12:11am

    he’s not a rarity per se.. he is just allowed to come out in the USA.. if he was in Iran he would be killed by other gays who aren’t coming out.. and the islamic men are mostly gay.. they start them out as young young young boys.. they all get it in the bunghole.. as do the little girls.. they are a very disgusting pedophilic society.. oh and don’t forget the poor goats.. they get it too…

    Report Post »  
  • discus02
    Posted on March 11, 2012 at 12:06am

    Syria and Iraq where great countries once to until Mohammed showed up. Egypt was a great civilization look what has turned into!

    Report Post »  
  • zoro51
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 11:52pm

    this too will DIE a single season NO ONE WANTS TO SEE MUSLUMS pretending to be happy when they MURDER theur own for NO n made up reasons… why WASTE time showing MURDERING MUSLUMS in any setting… they just as soon KILL YOU for NO or made up reason.. they are in a MAN MADE CULT of hate n death thier god allahy a false stone idol all they really care is to make a convert KILL a convert n BEAT ANYONE even women… n THATS what YOU want to watch on bravo?? give it 5 episodes it will b off the air

    Report Post » zoro51  
    • Dumpster Baby
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:59am

      Now THIS is the kind of hatred that keeps drawing me back to this web site. Well done!

      Report Post »  
  • PointOfImpact
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 10:46pm

    Persian…not “Iranian.”
    Persian original ‘religion’ is Zoroastrianism…not Mohammedism.

    This show is not about Mohammedans in U.S.A., it is about silly people who have a sub-culture based on crude materialism. Nothing new.
    These silly people do not represent the Persians in U.S.A. They are just a sub-group.

    Look at them and laugh. Nothing more.

    Report Post »  
  • AB5r
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 9:52pm

    We need a new term for Muslims who come to the West and live it up, something parallel to Eurotrash, Muslotrash perhaps.

    Report Post » AB5r  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 10:51pm

      You do know, I hope, that Iranians don’t speak Arabic and are more closely related to Europeans than Arabs, right? Their languages, Persian and Farsi, are n is the same major family as, say, German, English or Italian. Do you know the difference between an Iranian and a Greek/Turk? A border. They have far more in common with us than the oppressing Arabs.

      Don‘t hate just because you’re told to hate. Their idiot in power does not represent Iran. Remember, they had a major uprising against their twit in power that *our* so called president refused to support.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • AB5r
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 11:28pm

      They are putrid detestable sc-m for remaining slaves to the Islamic Arabs. Spit on the Persians, their once great civilization laid low by the filthy Muslims in their pajamas. What a crock, those pathetic weak people unable to save their civilization from the scourge of Islam, and now willingly proclaiming the greatness of Islam, the same which rap-d their ancestors. Oh wait, we can’t talk, Europe and America are falling to Islam now too.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • AB5r
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 11:29pm

      i replied but the censor is blocking it, and i can’t waste any more time trying to change the words to get it to post

      Report Post » AB5r  
  • Slapchop
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 9:02pm

    The Muslimas on “All-American Muslim” were connected to Hezbollah, I wonder
    how the Persian players feel about Hezbollah?

    I agree, another white-wash to have Americans think that Islam is not all bad.

    Report Post » Slapchop  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 8:54pm

    They‘ll get deaded if they aren’t careful.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • DAJ
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 8:51pm

    Ahhh! More trash TV for the dummy masses. Have to keep the mob entertained.

    Report Post »  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 7:03pm

    Another attempt to whitewash Islam and mainstream jihad.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 7:44pm

      They won’t walking the red carpet, they will require a…
      “Persian” carpet.
      Not a very creative title for the show to be sure.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • possom
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:39pm

    Doe’s the world really need more of this crap?

    Report Post » possom  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:44pm

      No! We don’t need more of this programming. But that said, I think Ryan Seacrest needs to buy himself a bulletproof vest and be careful.

      Report Post »  
    • Dougral Supports Israel
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:49pm

      I have given up on today’s TV programming. The only reason I have cable at all is for my wife. I watch GBTV and older, quality movies on Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Reality shows are for the birds and the birdbrains.

      Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:38pm

    I think they ‘ought to just bring SHAH NA NA back! Where the heck is Bowser when you need him?

    Sorry, SHA NA NA!

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • AB5r
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:34pm

    It doesn’t take too much imagination to consider how wonderful the Middle East would be had Muhammad never been born, had those countries all developed as the rest of the world, as Jews, Christians, Hindus, even atheists. The destruction that Islam has wrought is truly staggering. Vast sections of the world cut off from development and sharing with the rest of the world. So a few of them escape and make a go of it in the free West, well the West won’t be free for long if we continue to allow the spread of Islam within our borders. America will eventually be a decrepit as every single other place Islam has spread. So these pigs can take their story and stuff it, they can go back to Iran and deal with the country their religion has destroyed. We don’t want it here. Renounce Islam and you are welcome to stay.

    Report Post » AB5r  
    • FedUpAlready
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:06pm

      Obviously, after watching the Promo, these Iranians don’t practice all the tenets of Islam. The women are far from wearing hijabs or burka’s or, following the men. They all appear to be drinking alcohol, so, other then being Iranian, I see no evidence that they’re Muslims or even practice Islam. Maybe they’re Athiests!

      Report Post » FedUpAlready  
    • KIROSH
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 8:55pm

      You didn’t actually watch the show, did you?

      No one in this show was a Muslim. It’s a Persian-American show, not a Muslim-American show. *sigh*

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:29pm

    I‘m not a fan of any reality show and this one probably can’t suck enough.

    Report Post »  
  • TheConservativeChicano
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:25pm

    Don’t you just kind of wonder why hollywood wants to push another show that is based on middle eastern families?

    Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 7:20pm

      CONSERVATIVECHICANO; This one most likely will end up like the last one………a flop. They keep trying but , no luck.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:23pm

    Actually it is the individual but not all but most Muslims who are just filled with Satan dust. Let me clarify, there is one God, and the light is divided as such: the little bitty piece of fruit Muslims have view the Lord Almighty as Allah because their light is dim, therefore Muslims twist God into being an under-god. That’s how the light is divided. And Atheists see no light in the earth except themselves because they like in total darkness, and they neither see the smaller light that rules the night [ the moon], and neither do Atheists see the Morning star that rules the day.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • chameleonx
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:30pm

      What in the world are you talking about? Islam is a religion just like Christianity is a religion. It’s all man-mad organized religion. FYI atheism is not a religion. I don’t need to go there again.

      Report Post »  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:30pm

      So it‘s really about everyone who believes in the bright and shining Morning Star against everyone else who doesn’t see the Morning Star because when the light is divided, it goes to individual people based upon the fruit they have in their soul. The exact same way the beam of a flash-light may shine through a tree at night and it would get more dim as it travel deeper into the tree. Sorry folks, but not everyone‘s fruit is equal because at some point in a past life you just didn’t work hard enough, and it makes it worse when people make your decisions for you because you don’t exercise your own soul like a muscle.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:34pm

      You’re right, Christianity is just a religion and branches, but it’s not the waters of Jesus, not all, it‘s just the branches to get there to keep and maintain Jesus’ written word, even though the understanding is gone – which is the same as Heaven and earth fading away.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • chameleonx
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:39pm

      In my opinion Jesus is a fictional character. There is no evidence to support Jesus in any shape or form being a real person.

      Report Post »  
    • Tandem2011
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:41pm

      All monotheistic religions descended from Abraham. Using the SAME standard for all religions, they all depend on faith. The only difference between them is whether they’re generally responsible and peaceful or fanatical and aggressive. We judge religions and followers by their behavior. Period.

      Report Post » Tandem2011  
    • Micmac
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 7:44pm

      @ ITS

      Everytime you post something some says,”What are you talking about?” There’s a message in their message.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
    • AB5r
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 10:38pm

      chameleonx
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:39pm
      In my opinion Jesus is a fictional character. There is no evidence to support Jesus in any shape or form being a real person.

      You don’t have to believe he rose from the dead, but you are being a moron to attempt to claim he didn’t exist. Read Lee Strobel, an atheist, he was converted when he researched it. Jesus existed, secular historians of that age wrote about him. So at least be serious.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • Amos37
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 11:24pm

      The whole Abraham thing doesn’t make sense since God sent Ishmael OUTSIDE the kingdom. He’s sent to be a father of many nations, but not godly ones. lawless ones.

      Report Post »  
  • LouC57
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:21pm

    Pass.

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:19pm

    Why?

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • chameleonx
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:14pm

    When will Americans just turn off the TV and live their lives to the fullest?

    Report Post »  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on March 11, 2012 at 11:47am

      Umm…Because computers are way better..?

      Report Post » sawbuck  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 10, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Something else… NOT to watch!

    Report Post » lukerw  
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