An Arab version of hit American sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, to be produced by the Dubai-headquartered pay-TV network OSN, will launch in January next year.
At an event to announce its slate of new shows and offers in Dubai on Monday, attended by Hollywood star Antonio Banderas and Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, the network also announced the launch of OSN Store, a digital video store for movies and TV shows, and a new channel dedicated to shows from American network HBO, which won the most amount of Emmy Awards last month.
“The new programming has been developed after extensive market research that revealed the television viewing habits and aspirations of the people,” said David Butorac, CEO of OSN. “We are pushing the envelope and adding a wider portfolio of original and exclusive programming.”
To be shot in Egypt, Saturday Night Live Bil Arabi (Saturday Night Live in Arabic), will feature some of the best comics from across the Middle East, said Khulud Abu Homos, the executive vice-president of programming and creative services at OSN.
“We have been prepping for two years, training our creative team and writers. We did it by the book and hopefully we will ensure that this show will be a cornerstone for what it has been in other countries: the platform for launching new comedy talents,” she said.
The show will have the exact same format as the American one, she added.
The executives were asked about Saturday Night Live’s edgy content and how it will fit into Middle Eastern sensibilities. References were made to satirist Bassem Yousuf’s show, Al Bernameg, which was shut down last year due to political pressure.
“In every region of the world, it’s important that broadcasters ensure their content is socially acceptable to the broadcast environment they are broadcasting in. We will ensure that whatever we do is appropriate for the region,” said Butarec.
The CEO also discussed the disappearance of The Daily Show from its programming since new host Trevor Noah took over from Jon Stewart.
“We are just in a contractual position we are in right now. That’s not to say that it’s gone for ever. We want to give the best to our subscribers and we will watch to see to ensure that we showcase the most popular entertainment. And it’s not beyond impossible to have The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”
OSN will also begin airing the Nida’a Show, a talk show dedicated to Arabic women hosted by Iraqi-American activist and reporter Zainab Salbi, in October. Kosem Sultan, a new Turkish show from the creators of the hit series Hareem Al Sultan will also start next year.
