Sitcoms are the spoonful of sugar to the American medicine of acceptance. How many midwestern ladies all of a sudden became cool with gay men after Queer Eye For the Straight Guy hit the screen? Or more willing to accept a minority holiday like Festivus after watching Seinfeld? Katie Couric thinks that TV could work the same magic for Americans' views of Muslims. Couldn't they just film a reality show of our Muslim president?
Couric said on her web show, "Maybe we need a Muslim version of 'The Cosby Show'... I know that sounds crazy, I know that sounds crazy. But 'The Cosby Show' did so much to change attitudes about African-Americans in this country, and I think sometimes people are afraid of things they don't understand." Interviewee Mo Rocca agreed with Couric, saying that even after going to "fancy schools" he couldn't "tell you five things about Islam." If he learns the Pillars that'll be five right there! Check out the interview below:
Off the top of our heads, we can't think of a single repeating Muslim character on a prime time TV show, except for maybe Aziz Ansari's character on Parks & Recreation. But we'd totally watch an Odd Couple redux featuring Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Pastor Terry Jones.
