West Hollywood Wants to Shut Down 'Shahs of Sunset'

Aaa Ya Yaaaaaaaaa

Fekr konam kareshoon shod!!!!

We have yet to force ourselves to sit and watch Ryan Seacrest's latest reality television venture, "Shahs of Sunset," but the few clips we've (unfortunately) caught of the cast members have made us want to sit them down and chat about the meaning of life. Apparently, WeHo would like to have a similar chat, only a bit more proactively.

 

The West Hollywood City Council recently passed a resolution condemning the Bravo show "for perpetuating negative stereotypes about Iranian-Americans," according to a release. Just in case you, too, have refrained from giving the irritating interesting bunch a gander, here's a description of the show, courtesy of Bravo:

 

"Shahs of Sunset" follows a group of friends who are trying to juggle their active social lives and up-and-coming careers while balancing the demands of their families and traditions. These passionate socialites are fervent on the dating and party scene, but seeking approval from their family they face pressures to settle down and marry within the community. From outings on Rodeo Drive to traditional Persian feasts at home, this series celebrates the unique lifestyle of a group of friends who have worked hard for what they have and are not afraid to flaunt it.

"The show depicts negative stereotypes of the Iranian-American community," said West Hollywood Councilmember John Heilman in the release. "Negative stereotypes disseminated about any group should raise concern as this can lead to discrimination and, in extreme cases, even violence."

 

The posh section of L.A. represented by the show is located within close proximity to WeHo, an area where many people of Iranian descent reside. Apparently, many of said residents have raised concern about the show's damaging stereotypes of Iranian-Americans. Perhaps the LGBT community has also voiced offense of how Reza Farahan, the only gay cast member, portrays the community. The release says the city's opposition of the show "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."

 

But West Hollywood isn't the only 'hood disparaging the Persian-American socialites. Petitions recently started circulating in Iranian communities throughout the nation to have the show yanked off the air. “Protest Shahs of Sunset" urges signers to "help the Persian community by signing this petition to end 'Shahs of Sunset' and other such racist, exploiting television programming."

 

TLC recently cancelled its reality show "All-American Muslim," which showcased the lives of five Arab-American Muslim families in Dearborn, Michigan, not because the show perpetuated stereotypes, but allegedly because ratings dipped. Obviously, Iranian-Americans heating up Beverly Hills will draw a larger audience of American viewers.

 

The Bravo network surely foresaw the impending scrutiny (and heard the sound "cha-ching!"), but we wonder if it predicted that an entire city would adopt a resolution shunning its shahs